International Women’s Day Spotlight: Hannah Diamond at Belgrave Music Hall
Music has always been steeped in misogyny. It’s an industry that’s hard enough to get into as it is, requiring money and time that most people can’t afford, but those barriers are two-fold for women and people of marginalised genders. Facing additional issues of sexual harassment and diminished opportunities, it can often feel impenetrable. This enduring culture makes conversation and celebration on International Women’s Day so much more important.
It’s always essential to support and platform women in music, in your local scene and further afield. March 8th, International Women’s Day, only serves as a reminder of that fact, a dedicated day to do so. Each year, venues and promoters come together to spotlight the day and curate lineups that celebrate women’s often underappreciated contributions across the industry.
This year, Leeds promoters Super Friendz have planned a day of pure pop joy to spotlight those talents, bringing local acts and national names together for a “hyper-pop extravaganza”, as Lucky Iris singer Maeve Florsheim terms it. Rather than dwelling on the issues women and people of marginalised genders still face in the industry, the night is set to provide pure escapism, with a headline set from PC Music staple Hannah Diamond.
The pink-haired pop star has been releasing music with the cult label since its inception in 2013, and she’s an essential figure in the unapologetic counterculture that has been built around it. Forging bubblegum pop with aesthetics to match, she’s just one example of why representation is so important. Without her music, Lucky Iris might never have discovered their own sound.
From their sound to their style, the influence of the PC Music scene is evident on Lucky Iris’ artistry. But they’re particularly indebted to Diamond, a figure Maeve suggests has paved the way for budding artists like her to thrive.
“There are those artists who create the space for the rest of us,” she explains, “Like literally create space that you didn’t know was there. And Hannah Diamond is one of those people. When I first heard Hannah, I was like, ‘Yes. This is the scene I want to be a part of. I can see myself in this space.’”
“Having art that makes you feel seen is what art is for,” she enthuses, “And she’s helped to do that for me, so to be opening up the stage for her is a big deal.” The performance follows the release of Lucky Iris’ debut EP maybe i’m too much last year, which proved their growing presence in the scene.
It’s just the presence of their hyperpop idol that makes this show so important, though. While bills made up of all men are commonplace, it’s rare to see a lineup of all women, but it’s not for a lack of trying or talent.
“Women and trans people have been making incredible music forever,” Maeve notes, “But to say there are still barriers in the music industry for women, trans people and all marginalised genders is a total understatement. So, events like Friday night are just so important. And because of that, the joy of playing on a line-up full of women is so special and always will be to me.”
“Even if we weren’t playing, I would be in the front row dancing,” Maeve concludes, “And as soon as I get off stage, that’s where you’ll find me.” A night of women playing hyperpop is certain to provide a party, but it can also mean so much more to the artists on stage and to those in the crowd.
Her excitement about getting to perform with one of her inspirations, alongside her excitement at merely getting to play alongside other women, is testament to how important it is to create and uphold these spaces for women and people of marginalised genders. It serves as inspiration and proof of a changing industry, albeit a slow-moving one.
Intersectional barriers in the industry are still rife, as highlighted by a Women and Equalities Committee report earlier this year, and we all need to work together to remove them, and events like this are only the start. “One of the first gigs I ever saw in Leeds was Kero Kero Bonito playing a special show for IWD,” Super Friendz’ Junior Promoter Varun Govil shares, “So it’s really special to be working on bringing Hannah Diamond up to Leeds for IWD 2024.”
“There were so many different directions we could have taken the lineup this year with the amount of amazing talent in this country across genres,” he added, “But with Hannah Diamond at the helm, we’ve managed to get a real party together. It’s a real privilege to showcase some of the most exciting talent in Leeds, across the country and internationally with this bill.”
There’s no better time to celebrate women supporting and inspiring other women, but these celebrations shouldn’t just be limited to International Women’s Day. Venues and gigs should always be safe places to party, no matter your gender, and lineups like this should be present throughout the year, not just on March 8th.
