Best of Culture Autumn 2008: Ladyfest UK in Manchester, November 2008
Article published: Sunday, February 8th 2009
This point was eloquently highlighted by Amelia Fletcher, one of the speakers on the panel discussing Feminism and Counter Culture at Ladyfest Manchester in early November. She, after admitting to being a numbers geek, relayed her results from a survey of the top 20 indie bands featured on XFM (an indie radio station), which showed that out of 77 performers only one was a woman (Katie White from the Ting Tings, in case you were wondering).
Ladyfest is one of the few bodies which challenges this gross under-representation of women in music, celebrating female creativity in all its many forms. It aims to create a space for female artists and musicians to be seen and heard which is inclusive, individual and fun. As a decentralized arts festival with several events around the world and throughout the year it provides a platform for numerous aspiring artists as well the opportunity to explore ideas, network and strengthen our communities.
And Ladyfest in Manchester delivered on their promise. Sunday night was headed by infamous reggae/punk band The Slits and backed up by some wonderful female-fronted bands from both local, national and international climes. Feminists of all ages, both old-school and new-found fans of The Slits, danced and The Slits Family was reformed.
Daytime activities included a plethora of workshops and films from zine-making, to bike maintenance, self defence and Women in the Porn Industry, all of which intended to challenge and develop our views, talents and ideas. And not forgetting the awesome array of Burlesque performances in the Cabaret room, celebrating both little-known and big name women performers.
It is rare to find a space that is welcoming and inclusive as well as being a space that doesnt question why women need a platform, but just accepts the immensity of the product when they are given one. Ladyfest successfully created a space that revives the notions and ideas of our feminist fore-sisters and makes them relevant today.
On the Feminism and Counter Culture panel, Professor Sheila Rowbotham anaylsed the ways in which oppressed groups have driven change and counter culture throughout history. If Ladyfest is counter culture, and if this is a space where feminism is realised and accepted, then it’s worth being part of.
Part of this year’s Manchester Ladyfest was ‘Charmeuse’, a visual arts exhibition curated by Laura Robertson. The show, named after a feminine satin fabric, brought together the work of 14 international female artists from different mediums including photography, painting, video, sculpture, drawing. launched by a special performance from Fabia Paz on the opening night.
Ladyfest and its exhibitions are always organised by local committees with no set rules on what each should include. Some might view the exclusion of male exhibitors as positive discrimination gone mad, but curator Laura Robertson thinks differently.
"I think art should be viewed on its own merits, rather than gender distinction, but unfortunately the fact remains that most successful artists are men, and while this continues, Ladyfest remains an important and vital showcase for female talent," she said.
Review by: Jennie Killip and Jade French
More: Manchester
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