Female Headliners?

[Beaver89]

Got bored in lectures today and started wondering about past headliners and whether any of them have been female and if so when was the last.

I'm aware that Gabriella headlined alongside Rodrigo on the Acoustic Stage in 2007 and Bjork on Other again in 2007 but apart from that can't think of any let alone on one of the major stages!

Anybody got any ideas on why this male bias has occured? I'm not looking for equality or a sexism debate I'm just making an objective observation.

Maybe there have been plenty of female headliners that you'll tell me now but so far as I can see, since the last fallow year at least, this has been the case.

[Zacko]

Shakespeare's Sister headlined back in the 90s or something I think. Skunk Anansie as well?

Not sure about the dates of those.

[whisty]

Bjork was fantastic, bring her back

[ghandi]

yes please!!

[DaftCat]

Bjork was fantastic, bring her back

[4AssedMonkey]

Got bored in lectures today and started wondering about past headliners and whether any of them have been female and if so when was the last.

I'm aware that Gabriella headlined alongside Rodrigo on the Acoustic Stage in 2007 and Bjork on Other again in 2007 but apart from that can't think of any let alone on one of the major stages!

Anybody got any ideas on why this male bias has occured? I'm not looking for equality or a sexism debate I'm just making an objective observation.

Maybe there have been plenty of female headliners that you'll tell me now but so far as I can see, since the last fallow year at least, this has been the case.

Edited February 9, 2010 by 4AssedMonkey

[timespeedsup]

There has also been Suzanne Vega, Main Stage, in 89 (with death threats apparently, not sure why).

& possibly Fairport Convention back in 71 when the fest was rather different.

Not a lot of female headliners therefore. How's it compare with other festivals?

(Shakespear's Sister were 92, Skunk Anansie 99).

Sinead O'Connor may have headlined in 1990, can't quite find a definitive source on the net.

[Plug for for Glasto Main Stage Headliners Show across the years, 9pm to midnight this Thursday, http://radio.efestivals.co.uk/ . A very timely question therefore. )

[grumpyhack]

Joan Baez in the Acoustic - same year as Leonard Cohen. A great year for the oldies. He was 73 and she was 69.

[LondonTom]

Maybe its because Female artists, go off and have babies and that before they get big and then all of a sudden are unknowns. I don't know, but there isn't to many massive rocky guitar based massive female artists is there anyway, and since Glastonbury headliners don't tend to be pop them massive female artists such as Kylie(Obviously she was apparently going to but they don't seem to have revisited this idea recently) and Madonna haven't

[Beaver89]

Trying to think of female bands or artists that could...

Goldfrapp could headline the Other Stage I reckon

Give it a few years and Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Florence and the Machine could be in the same position.

It must be something to do with music tastes and perceptions that maybe the female voice simply does suit the mega headline slots - bit like you are unlikely to hear a didgeridoo or harpsicord

untill Rolf headlines of course - 2011!!!

Just an idea for an explanation - cue sexist rants

Come to think of it - Goldfrapp have a new album out soon - Other Stage headliner this year?

[Bort]

Would love to see Portishead headline Other or Jazzworld or play before the headliner on the Pyramid.

Maybe Florence and the Machine or Bat for Lashes could get big enough sometime this decade to headline the Other stage?

I can't believe Yeah Yeah Yeahs aren't that big there. They were actually one of the headliners of Lollapalooza this year and played the main stage at Coachella before My Bloody Valentine and The Cure.

[mario man]

Meg White, 2005

[The Nal]

Bjork was fantastic, bring her back

[denwyn]

Aretha Franklin....Never will happen though.....

[Tugger2k]

oh who cares about female headliners!!!

if their due on stage at 10pm that means some poor bloke hasnt had his dinner and the house is a mess!!

[jesterzoo]

Stevie Nicks could Def headline a stage, especially with the Mac

[ilovelanegan]

In 2007 was it on the Other Stage? Great gig.

[The Nal]

That it was. Arcade Fire followed by Bjork... ahhhhhh!

[Zacko]

Beyonce could probably headline I reckon, especially if Jay-Z turned up for a few songs. Florence, Bat for Lashes and Yeah Yeah Yeah's are all fair shouts for possible future Other Stage headliners as well.

[BonnetBird]

In 2007 was it on the Other Stage? Great gig.

[beamends]

Judie Tzuke was good (1981?)

[timespeedsup]

Judie Tzuke was good (1981?)

[glastofun]

Wasn't Amy Winehouse billed as a 'double headliner' with Jay-Z in 08? Bjork 07 was one of my favourite Glastonbury moments - amazing.

I don't think Yeah Yeah Yeahs will get much bigger - they're a great band, but last year's album was clealry a bid to make it big time, and it didn't really work. I can't imagine what they'd have to do to become more successful.

Bat For Lashes on the other hand are sure to get bigger with the next album.