Music

International Women's Day

Women to the Front: Celebrating our favourite female and non-binary musicians

Looking for some sweet tunes this International Women's Day? We've got you covered

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We are absolutely blessed to be able to celebrate all the incredible women and non-binary people doing incredible things this International Women’s Day.

And this celebration wouldn’t be complete without celebrating the musicians – both legendary and up and coming, international and Australian – that fill our ears and lives with beautiful sounds each and every day.

The below playlist is nowhere near exhaustive, in fact it barely scratches the surface of what is a beautiful, thriving, and important part of our music industry. But we know there is a long, long road ahead until we can ensure equal representation for women and non-binary artists across the live and recorded music industry – across the music industry as a whole.

So today, take some time to listen, to discover someone new, or rediscover someone you haven’t listened to in a while. And then go out and buy a ticket to their show or share their music with your friends. Because International Women’s Day is more than just a 24-hour celebration – it is the beginning of a conversation that should stretch on for the next 365 days. And then every day after that.

International Women’s Day Playlist

Take a listen to some of our favourite tracks – perfect for every hangout, road trip, and bedroom dance party.

On the road

Want to check out some of these artists in the place they truly shine? Lucky for us, there is a stack of tours coming up, ready and waiting for you.

Amy Shark

Whether she is collaborating with Keith Urban and Ed Sheeran, selling out arenas around the country, winning ARIAs, or wowing crowds at the NRL Grand Final – Amy Shark is always in fine form. Now, with her sophomore album Cry Forever in hand (due out Friday 30 April), Shark will be taking on a huge mid-year headling tour. Before the tour you’ll get a chance to go behind the scenes and deep dive into the album’s making thanks to docuseries Forever, Amy Shark before you get to hear the new tunes live.

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Carole King: Tapestry

When listening to Carole King’s landmark album Tapestry, the music still sounds as vivid and fresh as it did back in 1971. Featuring timeless classics like ‘I Feel the Earth Move’, ‘So Far Away’, ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, ‘It’s Too Late’, ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’, and ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’, the album immediately hit #1 on the Billboard chart, where it remained for 15 consecutive weeks – staying on the chart for a staggering five years. And while Tapestry is her magnum opus, King was so much more than it – a musical prodigy, she is one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century and playing only her chart entries back-to-back would take you more than five hours straight. 

To celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary, we are also celebrating the incredible musicians bringing it to the stage. One of Australia’s finest leading ladies Esther Hannaford – the star of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – will lead the way, joined by an all-star band that features phenomenal guitarist and vocalist Olivia Bartley (Olympia). It’s sure to be a true celebration of brilliance.

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Confidence Man

When you think about unmissable live Australian acts, Confidence Man should surely come to mind. Whether you’ve had the joy of witnessing them live or have only heard the rumours of the good times they bestow on their eager onlookers – in 2021 this is the kind of party we all need. One quarter of the larger-than-life party crew, it is impossible to ignore the captivating, effervescent Janet Planet when she is up on stage. A total bad-arse commanding the stage – whether it’s a heaving festival crowd or a sold-our bandroom, dancing is the only option. Post-2020, all we really need it a good time, and Confidence Man do not disappoint.

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Delta Goodrem

For anyone growing up in the early 2000s, Delta Goodrem was one of your favourites and you definitely had her debut album Innocent Eyes on repeat in your discman. Almost two decades on, and Goodrem is still ruling the charts and creating hit after singalong hit. With nine #1 singles, four #1 albums, 16 ARIA Awards and three World Music Awards on her mantle, her superstar status is undeniable, but it is on the live stage where she truly shines. Her last arena tour broke records, as Goodrem became the highest-selling female Australian touring artist in 2016, so you know you don’t want to miss her long-awaited return.

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Gordi

After her stunning performances of the national anthem at the Australian Open last month, most of the country has now gotten to hear Gordi’s stunning voice. And there is something truly magical about witnessing her in full flight. After beginning to turn the heads of tastemakers and community radio in 2015, it was her debut album, 2017’s Reservoir, that really began turning heads – earning her support slots with the likes of with Bon Iver, Of Monsters and Men, The Tallest Man on Earth, Highasakite, Ásgeir, and more. It’s follow-up, Our Two Skins, landed last year – a stripped-back, intimate reflection on loss, grief, and finding strength. She spent most of 2020 working as a nurse in the pandemic, and now in 2021 she is ready to share her new music with fans. She’ll play a special, intimate album launch show at Melbourne’s Forum, before joining Ben Folds to launch A Day On The Green’s new Cellar Door Series.

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Killing Heidi 

For more than two decades Killing Heidi have held the mantle as Australian rock pop darling, and for good reason. Since bursting on to the national and international scene with their breakthrough debut album Reflector back in 2000, the Ella Hooper-led rockers have remained a staple of playlists everywhere. Ruling the early naughties, taking out four ARIA awards, and seeing Reflector reach 4 x platinum status, the Hooper siblings cemented themselves as a seminal part of the Australian music conversation. Now, after rebanding in 2016, they’re ready to take the stage at some of the country’s most picturesque locations.

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Mallrat

After a massive few years, Mallrat has cemented herself as one of this country’s most-loved performers – and rightly so. Her third, and most recent, EP Driving Music (featuring her Gold single ‘Charlie’) saw her take things to a whole new level – from almost taking out the hottest 100 to US TV performances, and tours across the US and Europe with Maggie Rogers, King Princess and Allday. It’s hard to believe that Mallrat is still only three EPs into her career, but with each she continues to expand her limits and we can’t wait to see what a full album brings. We’re pretty certain these upcoming shows might just be the most intimate you’ll ever get.

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Missy Higgins

Are there gems that shine brighter in the Australian music industry than Missy Higgins? Is there an album that makes you want to sing louder than The Sound Of White? We’re going to answer no to both of these for you. Honest, rich storytelling drenched in a classic Australiana style with a modern twist is a thread that ties Higgins’ whole catalogue together – from her breakout single 2004’s ‘Scar’ all the way to last year’s ‘When The Machine Starts’. And now we get to enjoy it all on the live stage. 

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Montaigne 

It has been a big build for art-pop singer-songwriter Montaigne. After being named as a triple j Unearthed High finalist – under her own name Jess Cerro – almost ten years ago, it was her debut EP under the Montaigne moniker, Life of Montaigne, a few years later that really kickstarted things. From there came her debut album Glorious Heights, national tour supports, ARIA awards, and more. Along the way, Montaigne continuing to carve out her own brilliant slice of distinct art pop. In 2019, her second album Complexarrived, along with the announcement that she’s be representing Australia at the next Eurovision competition. It’s going to be a big year for Montaigne, making these upcoming shows even more exciting.

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Thelma Plum

Thelma Plum has had a massive few years. Following the release of her stunning debut album Better In Blak, the proud Gamilaraay singer-songwriter is set to finally take her Homecoming Queen tour on the road. It was accolades aplenty for the record, placing second in the triple j album of the year listeners poll and garnering nominations for the Australian Music Prize Album of the Year, six ARIA’s nominations, APRA Song of the Year and, landing three songs in the Hottest 100. If you haven’t been lucky enough to witness Plum’s energy and tunes live on stage, now is the time to change that. From her incredible vocal, to her catchy pop tunes, and of course her relatable stage banter, you won’t leave disappointed. It is sure to be a stellar concert. 

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Tones and I

Since breaking out in 2019, Tones and I has not slowed down. From stand out sets at festivals like Laneway, sold-out headline shows around the globe, a stack of ARIA awards, and accolades from international heavyweights – it is hard to ignore her breakout success. Not only did Tones and I make history when she became the first artist to spend 24 weeks at #1 on the ARIA Singles Chart thanks to ‘Dance Monkey, but since its release, the tune has reached #1 in more than 30 countries – including a record-breaking 11 weeks at #1 in the UK. With every release since, Tones and I has continued to cement herself as one of the most in-demand artists in the world so this tour might just be your only chance to experience her catalogue this intimately.

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Vera Blue 

With one of the most stunning voices in Australian pop, it is hard to pass up an opportunity to watch Vera Blue in such a unique setting – that’s why her upcoming performances with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra are not to be missed. From her early days with songs like ‘Hold’ or ‘Settle’, Blue carved out a path of her own, standing out from the pack with her impeccable songwriting and otherworldly voice. Blue has been flying high over the last few years, lending her ethereal vocals to tracks from the likes of Flume, Louis The Kid, and performances with Running Touch, while her most recent single – and certified pop banger – ‘Lie To Me’ landed itself at #68 on triple j’s Hottest 100.

Known for her soaring vocals and ethereal stage presence, the set will combine Blue’s folk-tinged moody electronica with traditional string accompaniment from the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, and The Fortitude Music Hall’s grand acoustics, and we cannot wait.

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Vika & Linda

The distinctive voices and dazzling energy of sisters Vika & Linda has seen them become a staple of the Australian music industry for more than 35 years. From working alongside some of Australia’s biggest names like Paul Kelly, Diesel, Renee Geyer, and Joe Camilleri, to singing at sporting events, and gracing festival stages around the country ­– their career is one massive, Oz music royalty highlights reel. 

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International Women’s Day takes place on Monday 8 March. Don’t miss when all these incredible artists take to stages around Australia throughout the year. Tickets to all these shows are on sale now.