Sunday 5 April 2015

WOMEN ONLY MUSIC FESTIVALS- an opinion

The news that a new festival only dedicated to women is getting stronger in France, is extraordinarily,  special. Festival Les Femmes S'en Melent aims to promote women musicians only. I was watching its founder and journalists talking  on France 24.com TV on Easter weekend 2015.
 On one hand it is hurrrah for the anti discrimination window. Like having gigs ONLY for reggae or blacks or albinos or disabled or any group that has been sidelined and left out for ages.
Tanzania's bassist  Muhtaji,  daughter of the legendary Mbaraka Mwinshehe, on stage with Twanga Pepeta in 2010. Pic from Michuzi Blog

 One of those involved ( could not catch his name) said everything in the music industry is mainly, male dominated. Men players, engineers, promoters and women are oftentimes groupies, dolls, objects of pleasure, muse, etc. That the percentage of female musicians in festivals and gigs is very low compared to men. 
Agreed. 

A journalist added that women musicians are never taken seriously. Sold through magazine covers, paraded as beauties and objects of social attention.
Fine.
I watched, listened and pondered.
One side agreed.
Another side of me, questioned....
Let us look at Beyonce. One of the biggest selling female musicians today. She has an all female band.  But when she performs, the camera just sits on her. Images of her legs, face, her dancers and hips are magnified and zoomed  zillion times.