Organised by the Association of Independent Music (AIM), senior marketer Kelly Bennaton will represent the award-winning national concert promoter. With a career spanning several years in the industry, Kelly will join the panel to discuss the challenges faced by women working in the notoriously male-dominated live music sector alongside key female industry figures.
Although sexism in the live industry is slowly improving, with more female musicians on the touring circuit and an increase of female promoters and managers, the industry still has a lot to address says Senior Marketing and PR Coordinator Kelly.
“In 2006 I began booking shows and organising gigs in Nottingham, Leeds, Kingston Upon Thames and London as part of ‘Default This Promotions’. Even though I ran this business independently for four years, the minute I collaborated with my now husband it became obvious how inherently sexist the live industry is. Band members, sound engineers and venue owners would always address their question to Rupert as if I was incapable of answering them. It is pretty frustrating but in recent years I’ve noticed a slight shift in attitudes. Events like the Women in Music conference are really important in shining a light on these inequalities.”
Kelly will bring these experiences to the table at the conference, which will consider the lack of women on festival line-ups and in high profile positions within the live music industry along with the safety of women at music venues and events. She continued: “If festival bills aren’t representative then that tells the public that female voices don’t count or are less valuable than those of men. I’m very proud that DHP Family promotes lots of female musicians with plenty of females on the bill at our festivals such as Dot to Dot. Last year we also gave Grammy award winner Jess Glynne her first festival headline at Splendour.
“It’s also essential that women can attend festivals and concerts without feeling unsafe, and the industry needs to make sure it’s providing sufficient support for women who report any abusive behaviour. Again, I’m proud that DHP Family is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of our venue attendees and have recently rolled out ‘Club Crew’ at Rock City, Stealth, Rescue Rooms and Thekla. These staff, trained by Drink Aware, can look after vulnerable attendees and the initiative has so far proved very successful.”
Joining the discussion panel alongside Kelly will be; Lauren Down (MD, End of the Road festival), Karma Bertelsen (Marketing Manager, Kilimanjaro Live), Sarah-Anne Grill (Tour Manager, DJ Fresh, Sigma, Zara Larsson). The panel will be chaired by Vanessa Reed (Chief Executive, PRS For Music Foundation).
Before joining DHP Family Kelly worked at the Association of Independent Music, supporting the launch the AIM Independent Music Awards and events such as Indie-Con and Music Connected. She has also worked as a Promoter’s Rep and Artist Liaison for London promoter Parallel Lines and Festival Republic. Alongside, she has developed her sideline project ‘Default This Promotions’, which she set up at the age of 17, and sits on the committee for the Reel Equality Film Club, which aims to screen female-focused films and champion female film-making.
For more information on AIM’s Women in Music conference, visit www.musicindie.com/event/women-in-music.
