Women make noise

A discussion focussing on women’s experiences in the music industry will take place in Sheffield next Thursday (16 Oct).

LaDIYfest Sheffield is a community-based feminist collective involved with local activism and running a series of discussion groups and practical workshops.

Alanna McArdle, frontwoman of Welsh five-piece band Joanna Gruesome, will be one of four panellists taking part in its Women Make Noise discussion which follows the launch of the Good Night Out campaign in Sheffield last month.

The discussion will address sexism and the challenges faced by women on the stage, behind the decks and around the dancefloor, and cover a range of issues including the Riot Grrrl movement, press attention to women in bands and the complexities of the all-girl band.

McArdle will be joined by feminist writer and musician Stephanie Phillips, Sheffield house DJ Sarita Karir and academic and activist Julia Downes, who has been organising queer and feminist music events in Leeds and Newcastle for over 10 years.

16 Oct (7pm), Coffee Revolution, Sheffield (free entry)

Look out for The Big Issue in the North’s report on sexism at gigs, including interviews with Alanna McArdle and Kate Nash, in our 20 Oct issue.