NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, WHERE ARE ALL THE WOMEN?

I have recently had the privilege to be involved in two really great events for local bands: Whitby Now and the Battle of the Sands featuring between them 30 bands all from Whitby and Scarborough or just beyond all of incredibly high quality and with a really diverse range of styles and influences. It looks to me like the local music scene is the strongest it has been for ages.

BUT... out of these bands, featuring, let's say an average of 4 members each, so roughly 120 people only 2 were women, solo artist Tania Rodway and frontwoman of the DTs Alethea Estill (or Leafy). That's a pretty lousy 1.6%, and, whilst I have no wish to cast aspersions on either Leafy or Tania, they are both singers and frontwomen (and long may they continue). There was not one woman playing an instrument at either event.

So I'm throwing down the gauntlet. Come on girls, put on some Patti Smith, or Gossip or Supremes or Hole or PJ Harvey or Fiona Apple or Eliza Carthy or The Slits or Bjork or The Dixie Chicks or Madonna or Joan Jett or Siouxsie Sioux or Girls Aloud, whatever floats your proverbial boat. Then pick up your guitars, basses, fiddles, trumpets, get behind your drumkit or keyboard and get ready for next winters Whitby Now and Battle of the Sands. If you don't, I might just be forced to!!