Bold new manifesto calling for gender equality in music
We've launched our crowd-sourced manifesto - and we need you to be part of the change.
- Date
- 8 March 2022
- Category
- News
On International Women's Day 2022 we launched All Things Equal.
The culmination of 5 years of our gender equality programme Both Sides Now, the manifesto was crowd-sourced with contributions from people of all genders, ages and backgrounds. This included artists, music organisations, educators, journalists, labels, publishers, young people and promoters.
The All Things Equal manifesto is broken down into five individual areas that we think need attention: Education, Talent Development, Live Music, Parents and Carers and Leadership.
Recommendations on how companies and organisations can implement change are detailed within.
A call to the government
An open letter to government has also been launched. Signees so far include Bridget Whyte (CEO, Music Mark), Jeremy Pritchard (Everything Everything), Becky Ayres (Sound City), Oli Wilson (Beyond the Music), Anna Meredith (Composer/ producer), Matt Griffiths (Youth Music), Jeff Glozier (Sound Diplomacy) and Estée Blu (musician/singer songwriter).
Debra King, Director of Brighter Sound said:
“As an organisation at the forefront of gender equality we’ve seen significant positive action in the music industry over the last five years, when it comes to representation and equality. However countless barriers persist for many marginalised people, making it harder to get the support and access they need. With the launch of our crowd-sourced manifesto, we want to pave the way for measurable and impactful change that enables future and current talent from all backgrounds to feel safe, visible and included.”
The manifesto launched at a major event at Depot Mayfield in Manchester with the world premiere of a large-scale and immersive audio-visual installation by Rebecca Smith (Urban Projections). The artwork was inspired by the themes of the manifesto, with Rebecca commenting “the creation of the installation, and the process of creating it, represents a shift in equilibrium." The installation featured a custom soundtrack by “genre-splicing genius of British electronic music” Loraine James, with spoken word by Princess Arinola Adegbite.
Be part of the change
Read the manifesto and find out more about the All Things Equal initiative.
"We want to pave the way for measurable and impactful change that enables future and current talent from all backgrounds to feel safe, visible and included."
Debra King, Director, Brighter Sound
