Posted on Wednesday 20th March 2024 at 16:00
It’s become a frequent topic of conversation within the music industry: female festival headliners (or the lack thereof).
In an age where pushing for equality is so vital in all areas, we look to the music industry to be leaders. Art and music have always existed to push forward progressiveness, and this should be reflected in our live scene too – especially in 2024.
More and more festivals are striving to have 50/50 line-ups of male to female or non-binary artists. In 2018, 45 international festivals, including the BBC Proms, Liverpool Sound City, the Aldeburgh opera festival and Kendal Calling, pledged to have 50/50 gender split in their line-ups.
The following year, Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona achieved this, with artists such as Charli XCX, Lizzo, FKA Twigs, Robyn and Sigrid on the bill. The UK’s Standon Calling Festival followed suit in 2022, however that same year it was reported that still only 13% of UK festival headliners were female.
With more of a spotlight shone on this issue each year, it’s hopeful that this statistic will continue to improve, with more popular women in music being booked as headline acts every year.
As we approach festival season, it’s always exciting to see the festivals who have nailed their bookings, giving women in the industry the opportunity to close the show at a major UK festival in front of tens of thousands of elated music fans.
Now, as part of our Women’s History Month series, we’re looking at some of this year’s incredible female festival headliners in the UK. You won’t want to miss these shows, so check out the list and book a ticket today.
Read all our Women's History Month content here!
They’ve had a long and storied career since breaking through the pop scene in the late 90s. Multiple line-up changes throughout the years has seen Sugababes sustain their stardom over the last two decades, and since original members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Siobhan Donaghy regained the rights to the Sugababes name back in 2019, they’ve been experiencing a well-deserved resurgence in popularity.
Sugababes have become a festival staple over the years, having appeared at the likes of Mighty Hoopla, Victorious Festival, Margate Pride and the world-famous Glastonbury Festival in just the last two years alone. Now, they’ve been elevated to headliner status thanks to their endurance, talent, and star quality in the pop music landscape.
In 2024, Sugababes will be headlining Belladrum Festival in Inverness, taking place on the Friday 25th - Sunday 27th July 2024. They’ll also be appearing at a number of outdoor concert series such as Blenheim Palace’s Nocturne Live, and at York Museum Gardens.
Be sure to catch the “Overload”, “Push The Button” and “Freak Like Me” stars live in person this summer for an unforgettable pop party.
Australian punk rockers Amyl & The Sniffers formed in Melbourne in 2016, and quickly gained attention globally thanks to their loud and electrifying performances and raw punk sound.
Fronted by the one-of-a-kind powerhouse vocalist Amy Taylor, the band have been at the forefront of the punk rock and alternative festival scene for the last eight years. The band's rise to prominence was thanks in large part to their relentless touring and DIY ethos, twinned with a rebellious spirit reminiscent of punk's heyday.
It’s their continued presence at festivals all over the world, though, that have led Amyl & The Sniffers to become a main stage headline act, having graced festival stages from their home country of Australia to internationally renowned festivals. You might have seen them at the likes of Glastonbury Festival in the UK, Primavera Sound in Spain, and Coachella in the US, solidifying their status as a must-see act.
This year, they’ll be heading back to the UK to headline Derbyshire’s Bearded Theory Festival, alongside Jane’s Addiction. Hear huge tunes such as “Hertz” and “Got You” on May Bank Holiday when you book tickets today!
R&B legends Sister Sledge have been hit makers for over 50 years, thanks to such classics as "We Are Family," which became an anthem of unity and celebration. Their timeless sound is rooted in disco and soul which propelled them to international fame and made them a live favourite.
Sister Sledge's captivating performances have graced stages at some of the most prestigious festivals around the globe: from legendary events like Glastonbury in the UK and Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, to the famous Coachella in the US.
With each year that passes, Sister Sledge's legacy continues to shine bright on the festival circuit, reminding audiences of the power of music to unite and uplift spirits. Be a part of this community of disco-lovers and see Sister Sledge as they headline UK festivals this summer. They’ll be performing at Wychwood Festival, which takes place between Friday 31st May - Sunday 2nd June 2024, and Woodland Disco on Saturday 6th July 2024. They’re also on the line-up for Let’s Rock Exeter on Saturday 29th June 2024.
Not only that, they’ll be appearing at a number of outdoor concerts this summer too, including Love Unlimited at Dreamland Margate, Hitchin Priory Summer Series and as support to Chaka Khan at Blenheim Palace’s Nocturne Live.
Scottish pop rock royalty Texas emerged onto the scene in the 80s with a distinctive blend of soulful vocals, catchy melodies, and guitar-driven sound. It was this sound, combined with their charismatic lead singer Sharleen Spiteri, that saw the band gain widespread recognition in the 90s with hits like "I Don't Want a Lover" and "Say What You Want."
Texas has graced the stages of numerous high-profile festivals across the globe over the past several decades, delivering electrifying performances that have continued to thrill audiences, growing their fan base all the while.
From iconic events like Glastonbury and T in the Park in their native Scotland to international festivals such as Rock Werchter in Belgium and V Festival in the UK, the band has left an indelible mark on the modern festival scene.
This year, you can see the band headline Wychwood Festival, which takes place between Friday 31st May - Sunday 2nd June 2024. They’ll share the main stage headline spot with music legends Sister Sledge.
Nicki Minaj has during the last decade rose to prominence as one of the most influential female rap artists of her generation. Emerging from the New York City underground rap scene, Minaj's distinctive style, characterised by her rapid-fire flow, versatile delivery, and playful persona, has continually gained the attention of not only the music press, but fans of the genre and beyond, thanks to hit singles like "Super Bass" and "Moment 4 Life."
With her colourful wigs, bold fashion choices, and provocative lyrics, Minaj shattered stereotypes and redefined the role of women in hip-hop. Her larger-than-life attitude and chart-topping hits have solidified her status as a live must-see, drawing crowds of devoted fans eager to witness her legendary live performances.
In 2024, you can see Nicki Minaj perform at Wireless Festival in London’s Finsbury Park on Friday 12th July 2024, alongside other huge names from the scene including Doja Cat.
With her unmatched talent and undeniable charisma, Nicki Minaj continues to leave her mark on the music industry. Don’t miss out; book your tickets today.
Doja Cat made waves when she first debuted onto the music scene with her album Amala in 2018, showcasing her now world-famous blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Coupled with her exuberant personality and captivating visuals, she gained widespread recognition with her sophomore album, Hot Pink, released the year after; Hot Pink propelled her to mainstream success with singles like "Juicy" and "Say So," the latter becoming a global phenomenon and earning her multiple award nominations.
Doja Cat has graced the stages of various festivals around the world: in 2020, she performed at Coachella in the US, her dynamic performance showcasing her versatility as an artist and solidifying her status as one of the festival circuit's most exciting acts. Now, she has rightfully been elevated to headliner status.
This year, Doja Cat will be heading to the UK for multiple festival performances including Wireless Festival in London. This will be a rare opportunity for UK fans to witness the incredible charisma and stage presence Doja Cat brings to her live shows, and hear all the star's biggest hits live in person.
Mary Black is an esteemed Irish folk singer, and one of the most revered voices in the Celtic music genre. Over the space of four decades, Black's hauntingly beautiful vocals and emotive performances have earned her widespread acclaim and a devoted fan base.
Mary Black's illustrious career has seen her perform at numerous festivals across the globe, enchanting audiences with her soul-stirring performances: from intimate folk festivals in Ireland, to prestigious events like the Cambridge Folk Festival in the UK, and the Celtic Connections festival in Scotland.
With her unwavering commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of Irish music, Mary Black continues to inspire audiences around the world, reaffirming her status as one of the most influential figures in Celtic music history and making her a worthy headliner at the likes of this year's Shrewsbury Folk Festival, taking place on August Bank Holiday weekend.
Dream Wife is a British/Icelandic indie pop band who initially came together as part of an art project at Brighton University before becoming the fully-formed band they are today. An exciting blend of punk rock, pop, and feminist activism, Dream Wife are a band on the rise thanks to their empowering anthems.
The band have been recipients of critical acclaim since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2018, and have built a reputation for their dynamic live performances. Having toured extensively ever since their formation, they've gained a loyal fanbase worldwide and are festival regulars across the globe: from Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and Latitude in the UK, to Primavera Sound, SXSW, and Coachella further afield.
This year, Dream Wife become well-deserved festival headliners when they lead the line-up for Ritual Union festival in Bristol - taking place this weekend! Don't miss out, this one will be special.
British popstar Jess Glynne became a huge force in the music industry thanks to her powerful vocals and emotive songs. Through relentless gigging and high-profile collaborations, she gained incredible recognition from the music press and pop music fans alike. Her contribution to Clean Bandit's hit single "Rather Be" in 2014 made her a household name, topping the charts in several countries.
Jess Glynne's debut 2015 album I Cry When I Laugh spawned multiple hit singles including "Hold My Hand," "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself," and "Take Me Home", and aided her in becoming a regular name on festival bills all over the world. Glastonbury, V Festival, Isle of Wight Festival and more have seen Jess Glynne delight crowds as a supporting name, but in 2024 she becomes a festival headliner.
See Jess Glynne this summer as she headlines Penn Fest. If you're looking for a different summer concert experience, then Jess Glynne can also be found at Margate Summer Series at Dreamland Margate, Live in the Wyldes, and London's South Facing series.
Formed out of Nottingham in 2009, indie-pop trio London Grammar takes full advantage of frontwoman Hannah Reid's haunting vocals accompanied with a unique and exciting electronic production. The band gained attention in 2012 with their debut single "Hey Now" which set them apart from other bands of their ilk during the late 2000s, thanks to their their unique blend of ambient pop and electronic elements.
Over the years, London Grammar has performed at various festivals worldwide, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, captivating audiences with their thrilling stage production and flawless live execution. Evocative and mesmerising, these live performances have established London Grammar as one of the most compelling acts in contemporary indie-pop and a must-see festival act.
Now, the trio head to Latitude Festival in 2024 as festival headliners. See latest album Californian Soil plus all the hits in the beautiful Suffolk countryside this summer.
British singer-songwriter Becky Hill made a household name of herself in the pop scene thanks to her dance-filled and infectious anthems. Having initially gained recognition in 2012 as a contestant on the first season of The Voice UK, Becky Hill has gone on to achieve huge success, and in 2023 became the 16th artist to earn the Brits Billion Award for achieving over one billion digital streams in the UK.
Aside from her solo success, Becky Hill has enjoyed the recognition of her many collaborations with other incredibly successful artists. From Wilkinson's hit single "Afterglow" in 2013 to features on tracks with MK, Oliver Heldens, Sigala and more, Becky Hill is one of the most sought-after UK pop stars of the last decade.
Over the last ten years, Becky Hill has electrified the stages of dance and pop festivals all over the UK, including Creamfields, Parklife, and Reading and Leeds Festival. Now, she steps up to headline Hardwick Festival in County Durham. She'll also be performing some unmissable shows at outdoor venues across the UK this summer, including the Cardiff Bay Series, Live After Racing, Margate Summer Series, Rock N Roll Circus and Derby Summer Sessions.
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, known by her stage name of CMAT is an Irish singer-songwriter known for her quirky charm, witty lyrics, and unique blend of pop, country, and folk influences. She caught the attention of the music industry in 2020 with the release of her debut single "Another Day (kfc)," a tongue-in-cheek ode to heartbreak and fast food.
She released her debut album in 2022 - If My Wife New I'd Be Dead. For this, CMAT achieved widespread acclaim and solidified her reputation as one of Ireland's most exciting emerging artists. Earlier this year, she was nominated for Best International Artist at the 2024 BRIT Awards.
Despite her relatively short time in the spotlight, CMAT has already made waves on the festival circuit, performing at events like Electric Picnic, KITE Festival and BBC Radio 6 Music Festival. In May this year, she will headline Sheffield's Get Together Festival!
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