As we celebrate International Women's Day, it’s crucial to reflect on the groundbreaking advancements women have made, especially in the music industry, while acknowledging the barriers that still stand in their way. Despite some advancements, gender inequality and discrimination continue to haunt the industry, underscoring the need for ongoing change. The challenge of gender bias within music is not new. It's a deeply entrenched issue that has shaped the industry's landscape for decades. While the industry has attempted to rewrite the script, the persistent underrepresentation and marginalisation of women suggest that the same old patterns continue to play out.
However, 2023 marked a notable shift for female representation in the UK charts. Nearly half (48.5%) of the songs in the Top 10 of the Official Singles Chart were by female artists, whether solo or collaborating with others. This was the highest percentage of female-led hits seen this century, reflecting a growing presence of women in the spotlight.
Yet, despite these milestones, the struggle persists behind the scenes. According to the 'Misogyny in Music’ report from the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (2024), women working within the industry still face significant barriers, particularly in roles behind the camera. Many continue to encounter a lack of opportunity, support, and recognition in technical, managerial, and creative positions, leaving them sidelined in an industry they help shape.
International Women’s Day serves as both a celebration and a call to action. As the music industry evolves, it’s essential to continue breaking down these barriers and ensure that women, both in front of and behind the mic, are given equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.
In a past article, I had the opportunity to interview ‘The Pearlies.’ an all-female group making waves in the music industry. Recently, I spoke with them again about the ongoing challenges women face in this field. Our discussion reaffirmed that there’s no better way to discuss this topic than by turning to a group that is actively at the forefront of the movement for change.
We spoke to a few of our dearest friends in the industry to hear what they have to say!
The Story of The Pearlies:
(Jade) The theme of womanhood has always been at the heart of The Pearlies' journey. The band was formed in 2022 by myself and our former keyboardist, Hattie, driven by a shared desire to express the stories and experiences of being women. Together, we crafted '70s-inspired ballads that explore the complexities of adolescence and offer perspectives on love, friendship, and womanhood.
One of our earliest songs was Georgiana. Hattie introduced a captivating chord progression, and after reading Pride and Prejudice, I immediately had a flood of lyrical ideas. The song is inspired by Georgiana Darcy, a character in the novel who struggles with anxiety and self-esteem. It's written from the perspective of someone comforting a friend who is dealing with feelings of insecurity. By the end of the song, the narrator reveals that she understands these emotions because she, too, experiences them. I wanted the lyrics to embody a sense of solidarity and unity, particularly because many women grow up feeling marginalised or insecure due to societal pressures. We’re often made to feel competitive or jealous of one another, but I wanted to write a song that would uplift others and highlight the power of support and unity. In the beginning, many of our songs followed similar themes, focusing on shared female experiences.
After relocating to Melbourne to pursue our studies and careers, we realised that while our messages were strong, our music lacked a certain depth. We were searching for a female drummer to add dimension to our sound when I realised that my co-worker, Norah, would be the perfect fit. Her drumming completely transformed our music, giving it new energy and depth. It also changed the dynamics of our band, both onstage and in our creative process. More importantly, we were an all-female trio, ready to take on a music scene that was, and still is, predominantly male.
Changes in the Band:
(Jade) In 2024, The Pearlies hit a rough patch, and during the early months of the year, Hattie made the difficult decision to step away from the band. Her contributions had been immeasurable, and we knew the band wouldn’t be the same without her. However, we were determined to find someone who could help us fill the gap and get back on stage.
I was initially hesitant to invite male members into the band, as we had been so proud of our all-female lineup. But after our first jam with Ayden, I knew he was the right person for The Pearlies. While we missed Hattie's distinctive organ sound, Ayden's guitar and electrifying solos elevated our '60s revival sound, and his presence brought a fresh energy to the band. It was a transformative moment, and we were quickly back on track.
I believe The Pearlies demonstrate that advocating for women’s rights and equality can still be achieved within a mixed-gender group, and that’s something we’ll definitely highlight in our upcoming performance.
International Women’s Day Gig:
(Jade) When we were offered the chance to perform on International Women’s Day at the Workers Club, it felt like a full-circle moment. The past year had brought many changes, and at times, it felt like our progress had stagnated. But since then, we’ve found momentum with new gigs and fresh music. This gig, in particular, feels like a return to our roots.
As a woman who has experienced gender-based assault, I’ve always felt compelled to channel my experiences into our music, hoping to provide comfort to others. This is something we’ve been passionate about since the band’s early days, and while some of those earlier songs aren’t featured as often in our current set-lists, this performance will give us the chance to bring them back into the spotlight.
(Ayden) International Women’s Day is a time to honour the incredible talents and strength of women around the world. For me, it’s also a time to reflect on the evolution of the band, from our all-female lineup to our current mixed-gender formation. I also see this as an opportunity to pay tribute to the women who have inspired me musically. One of the most influential and underrated artists in my life is Kate Bush. Her songwriting has had a profound impact on me, shaping how I approach music. Even though I don’t write in the same style, her influence is unmistakable. She’s an unmatched genius, and the world needs to talk about her more. For this performance, we also plan to support a charity aligned with International Women’s Day and do our part to give back.
(Norah) Being a woman in the local music scene has been both rewarding and challenging. Often, we’re the only all-female act on a bill, which is one of the reasons we’re so passionate about performing on International Women’s Day. It’s an opportunity to support the female voices in the industry that are too often overshadowed in this male-dominated field. As a female drummer, I’ve often felt the need to prove myself, given that drumming is traditionally seen as a male-dominated instrument. This gig is a chance to spark conversations about women’s presence in music, not only in the local scene but across the entire industry. Growing up, I became heavily involved in punk music and the Riot Grrl movement, finding inspiration in bands like Bikini Kill, Veruca Salt, and Heavens to Betsy. Their powerful messages resonated with me, and I believe events like the International Women’s Day gig in Melbourne can provide similar support and empowerment for women in music today.
(Jade) As a female singer, I’ve often felt restricted by the expectations placed on me. The options for women in music tend to fall into ballads, pop, or heavy rock, and it’s been difficult to find female influences who are breaking out of those boxes, especially when it comes to groups like The Easybeats or The Beatles. When male singers experiment with their voices, it’s often considered creative, but when women do the same, they’re labeled as bad singers or crazy. I’m learning to embrace the freedom to experiment with my own voice. While I want to showcase my ability in ballads, I also want to have fun and take risks – like the opening screams and ad-libs in She’s So Fine by The Easybeats. Why should I be afraid to push boundaries? I hope that performances like this one can inspire young girls to experiment with their voices and show them that they can be bold, too.
Amelia Hainstock
Having started my career in the predominantly male-dominated industry of Television at the age of 21, I quickly learnt how to navigate rooms that weren’t necessarily built for me, and where I may have not been taken as seriously. Since moving into the music industry a couple of years ago, I found many of the same challenges - but also a growing community of women who feel the same, and who are supporting and uplifting one another in all the right ways.
i’ve had the pleasure of interviewing many female artists and they all say they get asked the same question: ‘How does it feel to be a woman in the music industry?’ I think a lot of the time there is a frustration that stems from the narrative behind that question - implying that it should be harder to be an artist or producer, or that being a woman in the music industry should be celebrated to a higher degree. While I do somewhat agree with that sentiment, we should be at a point where that is simply the norm, not something that still feels exceptional. The goal isn’t to be remarkable just for existing in this space - it’s to be valued for talent, creativity and work ethic in the same way that our male counterparts are.
That being said, I can’t stress the importance of women being loud about what they do, especially in the world of production. I’m learning to produce at the moment, and I’ve joined an amazing community of like-minded women in a production club based in London called ‘Sound Sisters’. Just having a few hours each week to meet up, grab a wine and work on our tracks in a safe and supportive space has been so much fun and so exciting. I love getting to hear what everyone has created, and we teach each other new skills without any judgement of background or capabilities. I think this is what women are always incredible at - we adapt to the spaces that may not always think about us, in ways that benefit each other to the absolute fullest, and that’s exactly what makes being a woman in this industry so rewarding.
Hannah Slattery
As a photographer there's nothing I love more than getting to capture incredible musicians throughout Australia. Seeing so many women, gender-diverse, queer, and disabled artists recognised more than ever, and live music spaces working actively to become more inclusive makes me hopeful about the future of the music scene. There's a long way to go towards all people being safe and treated equally irrespective of their differences, but change takes time and needs ally support. When I think back to when I was younger, I rarely saw myself represented in media. Photography especially was one of many careers considered a 'man's job' and I didn't think it was something I'd ever be able to pursue, so being in the company now of so many talented women behind the scenes of the live music industry makes me hopeful that girls like 8 year old me with her little pink camera and big dreams will see someone like them represented and want to aim for the stars or the stage