It’s no secret that we’re big F-list supporters. In an industry that idolises men, having a directory designated for women and gender minorities helps to give more opportunities to those who are often ignored.
The F-list is the first directory of it’s kind, with up to date information on UK-based female and gender minorities who are musicians, songwriters and composers. Within the last year there has been an unprecedented amount of awareness-raising within the music industry on the lack of diversity and inclusion, with many events and lineups still lacking diversity. Many of these announcements have listed the F-list as a tool to tackle the lack of diversity within the industry.
The lack of women playing festivals and events is not a new thing. Many festival organisers want to promote the incredible female talent in the music industry, but don’t know where to find them or how. The F-List solves this problem, with over 5 thousand professional musicians with an array of genres, the directory makes it easy to search for, and discover a great diversity of talent. The ever growing site has become wikipedia for UK female musicians and is completely free for women and gender minorities to sign up to.
In the last year, the F-List has been working with numerous festivals and event promoters to help source female musicians, curating line-ups to supporting and celebrating already female friendly lineups including Rave to the Moon, Under The Stars, Primadonna, Brighton 7s Festival, OneFest, Tsitsit Jewish Fringe Festival, Secret Sessions Festival and OnJam online events.
They have officially partnered with 7 music industry organisations over the year including the Association of Independent Festivals, Independent Venue Week, Skiddle, Scottish Women Inventing Music and the Grassroots Music Network. They welcome and encourage every festival promoter and booker to utilise the platform and to be the agents of change as we create a diversified and inclusive music industry.
Last year saw the not-for-profit Community Interest Company with award-winning artist Anoushka Shankar as their inaugural President, and in 2021 the F-list have announced Brix Smith for the year ahead. Brix is committed to creating a future where gender equality is celebrated and properly represented throughout the music industry:
"The F-list is an incredible resource and a highly valuable support system for females within in the UK music industry. At long last there exists a vehicle that collates our talents and skills across multiple facets of the music industry, connecting us, supporting us, and highlighting our assets to the wider world.
I have been a female in the music industry for 38 years, (since the age of 19) when I joined The Fall as a guitarist and songwriter. If you look at my hands you will see the scars from punching the glass ceiling. Though at times it’s been daunting, I was lucky enough to have a strong mother who told me: “You can be anything you want in this world, don’t let the fact that you are a woman stop you.”
Before me, there were only a handful of high-profile female players who I could look to as role models. There were even fewer female music executives or women in positions of power within the industry to rely on as allies or to champion the cause of inclusion. Now at last the tide is turning and it is resources like the F-List, and its creator Vick Bain, that are helping to turn it.
The time for inclusivity and diversity, in all aspects of life, is now. I am proud to be a contributor to this change.
I am thrilled to be President of The F-List for 2021/22. I will endeavour to raise as much awareness as possible while continuing to fight the good fight musically and to level the playing field once and for all.
I believe that being a woman is my superpower. So, let’s harness all our superpowers and change the landscape.” -Brix Smith
With a board of 12 women from all genres of the music industry, over 70 Social Media Ambassadors, a growing list of partnerships with esteemed music industry organisations and over 5,000 female musicians already listed in the directory The F-List is not just a list, it’s a growing community that can help transform the gender statistics of music in the UK.
The F-List is a great tool to initiate change and is a key point in the journey for much change to come.
The Vision of The F-List is…
Women, trans and gender minority inclusion musicians in the music industry will be able to more successfully start and sustain their careers in music for longer because of The F-List
The Mission of the F-List is…
Helping UK female and gender minority musicians overcome structural barriers by facilitating training and profile and professional opportunities
The F-List is for…
Female, trans and gender minority inclusive musicians, songwriters, and composers in all genres of music – Create or Claim a free Listing to promote you and your work.
Festival promoters and commissioners: search our directory of female artists; gain direct access to the talent you’re looking for. You can search for musicians by genre, instrument, or location
Musicians’ representatives: if you manage, publish or are an agent for a female artist or band, make sure they’re listed
UK record labels, publishers, agents or development companies: we will feature your organisation as long as you have female artists on your roster
Music representative bodies, not for profits & initiatives: get in touch to discuss how we can work together to support female musicians
Music fans, journalists and researchers: find out more about your favourite artists but also discover new ones!
If you would like to check out the F list you can follow them here:
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