Celebrating the advancement of women’s rights and achievements around the world, 8th March is International Women’s Day! The call for equality has never been louder, and this year’s theme for IWD is #EmbraceEquity.
Here at Gigantic, we applaud the actions of all defiant women pushing progress forward and creating a better world, free from bias and discrimination. And in the spirit of embracing equity, we’re highlighting some of our favourite and most inspiring women who – with their art – push for change, fairness, and equality every day.
From the vaults, we’ve looked back at a particularly inspiring interview we had the pleasure of conducting with The Selecter’s Pauline Black. Back in 2016, we discussed how we look to the future to challenge classism, racism, sexism, and inequality, plus her experience of being a woman in the music industry for many decades. Read more below!
INTERVIEW WITH: THE SELECTER’S PAULINE BLACK
Plus, we mark this important annual global event by amplifying some of our favourite strong, innovative, and idiosyncratic women who are all out in on the live music circuit this year.
We’ve chosen our personal favourites that we’ll be seeing live soon, plus some artists we’d recommend you grab a ticket to see.
Billie Marten (chosen by Sarah Moore, Head of Marketing)
I’m so excited to be able to catch Billie Marten on her UK tour in support of her upcoming second album Drop Cherries. Her soft, folksy sound – with something of an indie rock bite in places – is something I’ve been obsessed with since I first heard “Human Replacement” from her debut LP Flora Fauna. I love the eloquence with which Billie depicts mental health, relationships and the often-frightening nature of being a woman in the world through her songs. I can’t wait to hear those in person at Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms, and really feel the raw emotion of it all in a room full of like-minded people – and more specifically, share that feeling with other women!
Cassyette (chosen by Elizabeth Jepson, Social Media Manager)
Hardcore, woman-fuelled rock artist Cassyette is a lady I'll always make time for when it comes to her live performances. I first came across her on Instagram, and fell in love with her energy and sound. I went to her first headline show at London's Courtyard Theatre in 2021; it was an amazing performance! Since then I've seen her perform at Slam Dunk Festival North & South, and she also joined Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes on their UK tour - I went to the Rock City, Nottingham show. Coming up this month is her headline show at Rescue Rooms, Nottingham which I'm very much looking forward to. We still have a few tickets left, so I'd recommend getting your hands on one before they're gone! 🤘🔥
The Orielles (chosen by Bethan Boast, Digital Marketing Executive)
I'm going to see The Orielles at Rescue rooms on the 5th April for their Tableau Tour! I've been lucky enough to catch The Orielles at a few festivals over the years, but this will be the first headlining show I've seen.
The Orielles formed in Halifax over a decade ago. From album to album they have transitioned musically - from lo-fi DIY origins (Silver Dollar Moment) to A Certain Ratio-inspired avant-pop (Disco Volador), even directing and scoring their own film (La Vita Olistica). Now, with their latest album Tableau, The Orielles have created their first contemporary record: an experimental double album self-produced in collaboration with King Krule.
To say I'm excited to see The Orielles play Tableau is an understatement. There's nothing more powerful than watching a female-fronted band kick ass on stage! That stuff propels around the room, and seeps into your skin! I LOVE IT.
Here are some of our favourite women making music and touring this year – don't miss out! Plus, keep an eye on Gigantic Ticket's social channels throughout the week for some more interviews with incredible women in the music industry.
Emeli Sande
BRIT Award winner Emeli Sande plays summer shows!
📆 June
04/06 Emeli Sande – Fulham Palace, London
📆 July
04/07 Emeli Sande – Fulham Palace, London
Get your Emeli Sande tickets with Gigantic today!
Le Tigre
Fiery feminist electroclash doesn’t get any better than Le Tigre!
📆 June
03/06 Le Tigre – Troxy, London
05/06 Le Tigre – Albert Hall, Manchester
06/06 Le Tigre – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
Get your Le Tigre tickets with Gigantic today!
Clean Bandit
See Cambridge based Electronica trio Clean Bandit this summer!
📆 June
30/06 Clean Bandit – Northern Meeting Park, Inverness
📆 July
01/07 Clean Bandit – Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster
Get your Clean Bandit tickets with Gigantic today!
This is the Kit
Kate Stables AKA This is the Kit announces November tour!
📆 November
09/11 This is the Kit – Cambridge Junction, Cambridge
10/11 This is the Kit – Saint Laurence Church, Reading
23/11 This is the Kit – Leeds Irish Centre, Leeds
24/11 This is the Kit – Academy 2, Manchester
Get your This is the Kit tickets with Gigantic today!
CHVRCHES
Synthpop sensations CHVRCHES to play Rock City!
📆 June
09/06 CHVRCHES – Rock City, Nottingham
Get your CHVRCHES tickets with Gigantic today!
Gwen Stefani
Pop icon Gwen Stefani hits the U.K.!
📆 June
23/06 Gwen Stefani – Warwick Castle, Warwick
27/06 Gwen Stefani – Harewood House, Leeds
28/06 Gwen Stefani – Bolesworth Castle, Chester
29/06 Gwen Stefani – Broadlands Estate, Hampshire
Get your Gwen Stefani tickets with Gigantic today!
Sugababes
Sugababes have reunited and play live once again!
📆 May
19/05 Sugababes – Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
📆 July
09/07 Sugababes – Rochester Castle, Rochester
Get your Sugababes tickets with Gigantic today!
Blondie
Pop punk / new wave legends Blondie take over Cardiff Castle!
📆 June
16/06 Blondie – Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
Get your Blondie tickets with Gigantic today!
First Aid Kit
See dynamic Swedish folk pairing First Aid Kit play live when you get tickets with Gigantic!
📆 August
12/08 First Aid Kit – Crystal Palace Bowl, London
Get your First Aid Kit tickets with Gigantic today!
Coach Party
Coach Party are the breakthrough band of the year!
📆 September
26/09 Coach Party – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
27/09 Coach Party – The Cluny, Newcastle Upon Tyne
30/09 Coach Party – Gorilla, Manchester
📆 October
05/10 Coach Party – Thekla, Bristol
08/10 Coach Party – The Bullingdon, Oxford
11/10 Coach Party – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
12/10 Coach Party – Scala, London
Get your Coach Party tickets with Gigantic today!
Black Honey
Indie rock doesn’t get any better than Black Honey!
📆 March
22/03 Black Honey – The Bullingdon, Oxford
29/03 Black Honey – Thekla, Bristol
31/03 Black Honey – Chalk, Brighton
📆 April
01/04 Black Honey – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
02/04 Black Honey – Foundry, Sheffield
05/04 Black Honey – Newcastle University SU, Newcastle Upon Tyne
12/04 Black Honey – KOKO, London
Get your Black Honey tickets with Gigantic today!
Nova Twins
Everyone is talking about alt rock duo Nova Twins!
📆 June
08 - 11/06 Download Festival – Donington Park, Castle Donington
Get your Nova Twins tickets with Gigantic today!
Billy Nomates
Billy Nomates announces shows in support of new album CACTI.
📆 April
17/04 Billy Nomates – Tramshed, Cardiff
19/04 Billy Nomates – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
20/04 Billy Nomates – New Century, Manchester
21/04 Billy Nomates – Stylus, Leeds
24/04 Billy Nomates – Boiler Shop, Newcastle Upon Tyne
25/04 Billy Nomates – O2 Institute Birmingham, Birmingham
27/04 Billy Nomates – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
28/04 Billy Nomates – Chalk, Brighton
29/04 Billy Nomates – The Marble Factory, Bristol
📆 May
04/05 Billy Nomates – Llwyn Isaf (Library Field), Wrexham