International Women's Day 2023

Posted on Wednesday 8th March 2023 at 16:00

Written by
Jimi Arundell

Celebrating the advancement of women’s rights and achievements around the world, 8^th March is International Women’s Day! The call for equality has never been louder, and this year’s theme for IWD is #EmbraceEquity.

Here at Gigantic, we applaud the actions of all defiant women pushing progress forward and creating a better world, free from bias and discrimination. And in the spirit of embracing equity, we’re highlighting some of our favourite and most inspiring women who – with their art – push for change, fairness, and equality every day.

From the vaults, we’ve looked back at a particularly inspiring interview we had the pleasure of conducting with The Selecter’s Pauline Black. Back in 2016, we discussed how we look to the future to challenge classism, racism, sexism, and inequality, plus her experience of being a woman in the music industry for many decades. Read more below!

INTERVIEW WITH: THE SELECTER’S PAULINE BLACK

Plus, we mark this important annual global event by amplifying some of our favourite strong, innovative, and idiosyncratic women who are all out in on the live music circuit this year.

We’ve chosen our personal favourites that we’ll be seeing live soon, plus some artists we’d recommend you grab a ticket to see.

Billie Marten (chosen by Sarah Moore, Head of Marketing)

I’m so excited to be able to catch Billie Marten on her UK tour in support of her upcoming second album Drop Cherries. Her soft, folksy sound – with something of an indie rock bite in places – is something I’ve been obsessed with since I first heard “Human Replacement” from her debut LP Flora Fauna. I love the eloquence with which Billie depicts mental health, relationships and the often-frightening nature of being a woman in the world through her songs. I can’t wait to hear those in person at Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms, and really feel the raw emotion of it all in a room full of like-minded people – and more specifically, share that feeling with other women!

Cassyette (chosen by Elizabeth Jepson, Social Media Manager)

Hardcore, woman-fuelled rock artist Cassyette is a lady I'll always make time for when it comes to her live performances. I first came across her on Instagram, and fell in love with her energy and sound. I went to her first headline show at London's Courtyard Theatre in 2021; it was an amazing performance! Since then I've seen her perform at Slam Dunk Festival North & South, and she also joined Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes on their UK tour - I went to the Rock City, Nottingham show. Coming up this month is her headline show at Rescue Rooms, Nottingham which I'm very much looking forward to. We still have a few tickets left, so I'd recommend getting your hands on one before they're gone! 🤘🔥

The Orielles (chosen by Bethan Boast, Digital Marketing Executive)

I'm going to see The Orielles at Rescue rooms on the 5th April for their Tableau Tour! I've been lucky enough to catch The Orielles at a few festivals over the years, but this will be the first headlining show I've seen.

The Orielles formed in Halifax over a decade ago. From album to album they have transitioned musically - from lo-fi DIY origins (Silver Dollar Moment) to A Certain Ratio-inspired avant-pop (Disco Volador), even directing and scoring their own film (La Vita Olistica). Now, with their latest album Tableau, The Orielles have created their first contemporary record: an experimental double album self-produced in collaboration with King Krule.

To say I'm excited to see The Orielles play Tableau is an understatement. There's nothing more powerful than watching a female-fronted band kick ass on stage! That stuff propels around the room, and seeps into your skin! I LOVE IT.

Here are some of our favourite women making music and touring this year – don't miss out! Plus, keep an eye on Gigantic Ticket's social channels throughout the week for some more interviews with incredible women in the music industry.