As a matter of fact, maybe they were trying; last year Goldenvoice booked what became colloquially known as “Dadchella,” a short music festival in the Coachella Valley that was comprised entirely of men. So they had some practice before putting together Arroyo Seco Weekend.
Of 29 listed acts on this particular bill, only five women are included as a solo artist or as part of a band: the fantastic Alabama Shakes (led by singer/guitarist Brittany Howard), Calabasas rock band The Mowgli’s (which features singer/percussionist Katie Earl), Fitz and the Tantrums (featuring Noelle Scaggs on voice and percussion), and solo artists Alice Smith and ZZ Ward. It’s not that I’m interested in scampering on out to Cali to get a piece of this festie—the headliners are Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Mumford & Sons, hardly what I’d describe as raging fun for me personally—but as a music journalist and fan, it offends me that this blinding lack of gender parity can even still exist. To add insult to injury, of 11 chefs listed as providing food at the Arroyo Seco Weekend, all but one (Dakota Weiss) is a man! Seriously? Even corporate EDM festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival, which have long had a problem with not booking enough women, have righted their ship somewhat in recent years after years of criticism from women within the electronic music community. And Coachella, which is also booked by Goldenvoice, often relies upon the starpower of women musicians to create a draw. This year, for instance, Lady Gaga is headlining, replacing Beyoncé, who will be too pregnant to perform.
Sure, in the scheme of things this might seem like a small gripe, especially for a boutique rock and jazz festival held over one weekend in California. But representation is important, and the lack of it is something women musicians and music journalists have been combatting for decades. The exclusion is tiresome, and we shouldn’t stand for it.
Correction: This post has been updated to include Noelle Scaggs of Fitz and the Tantrums. Jezebel truly regrets her omission!
