Beyond the boys’ club: Girl Group’s glitter-fuelled rebellion

With gender politics an ever-pervasive layer of contemporary discourse, the role of men and women is under scrutiny in every walk of life.

Still a leading cultural force, the music industry continues to both shape and reflect the ways we perform and perceive gendered roles, writes Music News Blitz’s Katie Slater. 

With women now representing 53.8% of the UK’s music industry workforce, female voices are an ever-growing presence in a previously male-dominated space. 

While this new figure is undeniably promising, deeper research reveals that it may not be all sunshine and daisies yet. 

Research from the 2024 Musicians’ Census found that 51% of women had experienced gendered discrimination during their careers - showing the industry to be more than a little hostile to its newcomers.