Adele’s former tour manager and Frank Turner’s manager will be among the speakers at a Women in Music event being held at Rescue Rooms.
It takes place tomorrow (Wednesday March 7) and will be introduced by Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of ALMR which is the trade body representing pubs, bars, night clubs and restaurants.
This comes ahead of International Women’s Day on Thursday (March 8)
The full lineup has been announced with the event consisting of two panels – one focusing on women working in live music and the other hearing from women who have advocated for change.
Organisers say the inaugural event will address the gender imbalance in the music industry with the aim of creating an environment for discussion and a platform for positive change.
Frank Turner’s tour manager Tre Stead said: “I’m grateful to be asked to participate in this event as I feel it is important for young women entering the industry to know that they are not alone.
“It’s also important to see there are others like them they can glean important information from – our experience can be of benefit to everyone.
“If even one woman walks out of this event armed with a positive attitude and an arsenal of useful tips and contacts, then it’s a job well done.”
Full lineup for Rescue Rooms’ Women in Music event
Panel 1: Women in Live Music
- Carlina Gugliotti (tour manager – London Grammar, previously Adele)
- Dom Frazer (founder and director – The Boileroom)
- Helen McGee (divisional manager, operations – Academy Music Group)
- Tre Stead (tour manager – Frank Turner)
- Zova Rossi (production manager – The Borderline)
- Chaired by Kate Nicholls (ALMR)
- Interview: Verity Cowley (BBC Nottingham) in conversation with Nina Smith (singer-songwriter)
Panel 2: Advocates for Change
- Anwyn Williams (marketing manager – DHP Family)
- Chanelle Newman (manager of Akala and co-founder/MD – The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company)
- Michelle Kambasha (head of press – Secretly Group)
- Chaired by Geeta Pendse (BBC East Midlands Today)
The Women in Music event is open to people of all genders and at all levels of their careers.
Michele Philips from the DHP Family who run Rescue Rooms said: “Our ambition is to shine a spotlight on the issues including but not exclusive to why women don’t apply for positions in venues anymore and also provide a platform for positive change.
“We want to identify tangible things that can be done to address the shocking levels of gender imbalance that still exist throughout the industry.
“The #MeToo movement has been incredibly powerful in that it’s given a voice to the marginalised but also put the issue of inequality at the forefront of many discussions.
“It feels like the right time for us to be trying to bring about change in our industry, especially with it being 100 years since some women gained the right to vote.
“We should all be looking at ways in which we can make a difference.”
