Happy International Women's Day ✨🎉
As the UK lead festival for Keychange we maintain a gender balance across our line ups + our own team and always champion gender expansive artists and industry professionals ⚡️ Join us and #EmbraceEquity for #IWD2023
Meet our fantastic female team that run our festival, conference and wider educational / engagement programmes:
BECKY AYRES
Job Title: Managing Director, Sound City
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I always wanted to work in the music industry but didn't know how so after university I worked in advertising sales at Conde Nast (Vogue, GQ, Brides, Glamour) until I saw a job advertised selling sponsorship at a music conference in London. While I was there I met Dave Pichilingi who was setting up Sound City and asked him for a job, saying I could sell and make money for the company. He said yes and I started off making myself indispensable, doing anything I could across the festival and conference, looking after speakers, booking hotels, selling sponsorship, recruiting people for events. After a couple of years I became Chief Operating Officer, and then Managing Director in 2018.
Favourite part of the job:
I love Sound City because it's always changing, we are small team and we are always creating - new events, training, projects to help artists and young people have fair access to the music industry. We work with loads of young people and seeing them gain confidence and go on to do incredible, it's why I do this.
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
Every company across the music industry needs to take gender equality seriously and set actionable targets for change. International Women's Day is great but it is one day. Change needs to be committed to and to happen 365 days a year. Women and gender expansive people still face lots of barriers to having a career in music. Sound City is UK lead festival for Keychange which is the global movement for gender equality in music. There are lots of resources available through Keychange to help organisations and individuals take positive action: www.Keychange.eu
JO WHITTY
Job Title: Chief Operating Officer
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I started with Sound City over 10 years ago as a volunteer, from there I worked my way up through the ranks working on the Business and Educational side of the Business. Having successfully delivered Sound City+ International Music Conferences for over the last 10 years, growing year on year into the well-recognised international brand. My portfolio includes Off the Record, Manchester; 2 editions of the International Business Festival; With Love from Liverpool; Distractions Manchester; Sound City Ipswich; Sounds of Europe; North by Northwest, David Bowie Fan Convention and many more.
Favourite part of the job:
Mentoring young people starting out in the industry.
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
I think more people should rise up, speak out and challenge misogyny in the music industry. By staying silent people are enabling this type of behaviour to exist on a daily basis. A shocking 20% of woman who have reported misogyny in the industry have said ‘nothing happened’ to the perpetrator and some cases hurt their own career. We need to be better as people, we need to be inclusive, we need to be Brave, and we need to follow through with our actions regardless and support those who need it.
HOLLY JONES
Job Title: B2B & Education Event Manager
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I completed the Sound City Launch Training back in 2018 and loved the course. Since then I was lucky enough to secure freelance work with Sound City working at events such as Off The Record, Sound City Festival and Conference.
In addition to freelancing with Sound City I also worked for Steaming Kettle PR, a Liverpool based PR and Management company. I assisted on a number of campaigns, producing press releases, EPK’s, social media content and securing UK and international press for artists.
However, my time with Steaming Kettle came to an end in 2021 when I was offered a full time position with Sound City as Conference Assistant, liaising with the Chief Operating Officer to curate and run the UK’s independent music conference. Since then I have worked on and Project Managed various events including the Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Graduation, Sound City Korea, The David Bowie World Fan Convention, Sound City Conference and Festival.
I was promoted in summer 2022 to the role of B2B & Education Event Manager at Sound City. This role involves managing our education events and training programmes as well as working across Sound City Conference and B2B events. I am currently working on the MMEHA project, running a series of Music Careers Days for school children across Merseyside. In addition I manage the Sound City Launch Training Programme, a free 10 week course introducing young people to the world of opportunities in music.
Favourite part of the job:
My favourite part of the job is the work I do with young people, providing them with resources and opportunities to get into the music industry. Music and careers in the industry should be accessible for all, so it feels rewarding to be in a position where I am able to put this into practice.
I also love working closely with Keychange, as we are their UK leading festival. Each year we welcome artists and innovators from across the UK and Europe to Sound City as part of Keychange, which has allowed me to meet some incredible women who are doing pioneering work in the music industry. It has been inspiring to build a network with these women and feel part of a bigger movement that is pushing for gender equality across the whole industry.
Last but not least, another favourite part of my role is working at the Sound City Conference and Festival! The atmosphere is always electric and it is amazing to see all of the team’s hard work and effort pay off. Every year I’m lucky enough to connect with delegates from the music world and discover some of my favourite new artists at the festival.
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
The music and entertainment industry need to continue to include more female and gender minorities across all festival and music event line ups. There are so many incredible female artists that should be provided a bigger platform to showcase their music and be rewarded for their achievements. We need to be holding people and organisations accountable when this is not achieved and making a stand together.
Another action that needs to be taken to change the landscape for women in the music industry is the issue of equal pay. It’s crazy to think that in 2023 this still needs to be talked about, but unfortunately it remains a problem throughout the music industry. I have had countless talks with women working in all areas of music who have had first hand experience of being paid less than their male counterparts.
Additionally, providing safe spaces for women to create and work is so important across all aspects of the industry, including festivals, venues and recording studios. There are some amazing organisations that are working to achieve this and I support them in my work in any way I can.
Finally, I think that there should be more access and training for technical roles for women in music such as engineering, DJing and production.
JEN KICKHEFER
Job Title: Educational Partnerships Executive
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I started as a radio nerd in Uni, covering Sound City multiple times, turning into a session musician for around 5 years, I performed at Sound City and got the opportunity to go to Korea through their artist exchange programme with Zandari festival, i'd previously worked as Volunteer Manager for the festival too. Through lockdown I was asked if I'd like to return to the fold!
Favourite part of the job:
Seeing activations come to fruition and seeing the students growing into themselves throughout placements!
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
We need to shout about the female producers / artists / managers / presidents and female leaders in the industry more!! We're all here. Fair pay and development opportunities.
ANGIE HE
Job Title: Business Sales Executive
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I have done my master degree of 'Music Industry Studies' at the University of Liverpool, and then luckily got this job and stayed in the industry that I love I have learnt all the knowledge of Music Industry from this course, which is a very strong foundation route for my current and future career practice. I have also been building strong music industry connections while I was doing my master degree, I attended lots of relevant networking events, I was involved with lots of relevant projects like 'Live Music Census' , they all fundamentally contributed to my career.
Favourite part of the job is we always play music in the office.
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
We have already partnered with Keychange for 5 years,: the global movement to achieve gender equality in music. We are committed to ensuring a gender balance across all of our events and initiatives and we have achieved a lot in this area. Even the portion within office staff.
SOPHIE EVANS
Job Title: Digital Marketing Manager
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I did TikTok myself and was family friends with Alfie (management) the work I did myself would benefit the artists so they got me onboard.
Favourite part of the job: Filming/Editing
ESME O’KEEFE
Job Title: Label Manager @ Modern Sky
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I studied Music Management at LIPA Uni, before doing a placement in my Third Year at Modern Sky as a Label Assistant. I then went part time as a Label Assistant as I finished uni and full time once I finished. I got promoted to Label Manager last year.
Favourite part of the job:
I love working alongside artists and being part of the journey to help bring their art, songs and vision to life for fans and followers.
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
I believe there needs to be more equal opportunity, we are still seeing Women being overlooked with things like the BRIT Awards Albums of The Year and the Glastonbury Headliners for 2023 - people need to be actively supporting women and making a space for them in Music both in Industry in Labels and Artists at the forefront of the industry.
JENNY COYLE
Job Title: Live Events Coordinator and Project Manager of The David Bowie World Fan Convention
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
I moved down to London after graduating from Drama School and fell into some assisting responsibilities with a Concert/Events production company who were working across the West End. My first experience working on events in London was at The Royal Albert Hall, assisting on Idina Menzel's UK debut concert, with The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by the incomparable Marvin Hamlisch. Following that, I assisted with Lance Horne's album launch at The Garrick Theatre, working with performers Hannah Waddingham, Norm Lewis, Alan Cumming and Graham Norton and Michael Bruce's album launch at The Apollo Theatre. Following this, I produced and performed in a series of showcases called 'Back to the Musicals' at The Pheasantry, Pizza Express in Chelsea, I wrote, produced and performed a one-woman show at Lewisham Fringe Festival and then held the post of Creative Producer for Closing the Gap Theatre, taking shows to Camden Fringe Festival 2013-2015 and Glastonbury Festival 2015.
Fast forward a bit and I moved back to Liverpool to become a HE Lecturer alongside exploring my own music, and formed Americana-Folk duo, @Limeranceofficial.
After the pandemic, I was in great need of a career change and applied for an internship with @Brightersound at @SoundCity 2021. Brighter Sound then generously provided another opportunity with Sound City, to help run the first ever David Bowie World Fan Convention in Liverpool, 2022. I now lead The David Bowie World Fan Convention 2023, which is in New York City - mad! My current job role, aside from BowieCon, includes working on a variety of events across the company, including Sound City Festival itself, and managing the @tunecore Apply to Play platform, which allows new, emerging and established artists to apply for a performance at Sound City.
Favourite part of the job:
I love working alongside some fabulous people: our team is so varied in their skills, experience and knowledge and there is something different to be learned all the time, from everyone - it's amazing. I'm interested in where everybody has come from, what people want to do, what I can learn from them, how I can be a good leader and develop leadership skills. I am constantly stealing techniques and tips from my colleagues (both at Sound City and Modern Sky UK) in how to deal with conflict, confrontation, and how to communicate confidently, something that I think, particularly as a woman, can sometimes be a challenge. I also love being able to lead with, and work with a value led approach - collaboration, championing others and approaching tasks with JOY!
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
I still think we have so far to go - for example, there was loads of discussion regarding Glasto announcements last week, the misogyny in music enquiry, representation at The Brits etc, which shows it’s still an issue. I’d say from a practice/leadership perspective, really paying attention and recognising the achievements of women, championing good practice, good leadership etc, facilitating transparent conversations about equal pay/pay in general, encouraging equal opportunities for representation, progression and development. Being an ally, being consistent and appropriate with language and terminology, being aware of what misogyny/sexist language can look like, the bystander effect and the consequences of that.
As for the music, don't just do the bare minimum and aim for 50/50. Aim for more than half of your programming to be female/marginalised genders. Lead the charge!
I would be really interested to see what responses the guys in our team would have to these questions: we can keep having these conversations, but until men are invited to the table and/or get involved and/or men are as passionate about changing the landscape, this progression will always be slower than it can be.
AMY TODD
Job Title: Learning and Engagement Manager
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
Amy has a portfolio career spanning teaching and engagement and learning in the cultural, art and heritage sector. She has worked in environments from small charities and community projects to large institutions such as universities to develop and deliver high quality learning and engagement programmes, exhibitions, materials and events to meet community and audience needs.
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
I would like the music industry to change to better support women and minority genders by asking for companies and organisations to sign up consciousness raising programmes that offer opportunity for learning and discussion on the world of women and work and how structurally we need to change to better support over half the population and create a world that will better support everyone
CHLOE HUGHES
Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to your current role:
Chloe started work at Sound City through the volunteering programme from age of 16. She has worked at every festival over the past 7 years gaining knowledge and experience through each different role. She is now part of the Sound City core team working as Conference Assistant for Sound City International Music Conference.
Favourite part of the job:
Having the opportunity to work within the excitement and hustle and bustle environment of events, with an inspiring team of individuals.
What action/s do you think are needed to change the landscape for women in the music industry?
Inclusivity should be absolutely necessary within all areas of the music industry. It is crucial that all women and minority voices are heard and brought to equal platforms, with privileges taken into account. I feel that the most important actions needed to offer a safer, more diverse environment, would be for men and those of higher privilege to take responsibility and stand up. Challenging and dismantling misogynistic roots, creating an environment for everybody to grow in.
