Women: Right to Enter Stage Left?

21 Things I Learnt about Gender Diversity in the Arts from Reviewing What’s On at ‘The Apex’ Live Music and Entertainment Venue

Dame Evelyn Glennie plays percussion with the World Doctors Orchestra at The Apex, October 2021. Image: author’s own.

Released from long lockdowns and cautiously venturing out into the world, many are eager to enjoy live music and events. Scrolling through what’s on at Suffolk venue The Apex looked a lot like a male-dominated sausage-fest so I decided to review the information and publicity on 62 events scheduled between October and December 2021 and do a little digging. Here are 21 things I learnt.

1. 159 males to 79 females pictured

If a picture says a thousand words, what does the proliferation of males pictured tell you? Not a rhetorical question — tell me by commenting.

2. Men like to make bands with their boyfriends

At least 11 all-male music groups are billed in three months. 2-man, 8-man, and all-male choirs; from Slade to “are they still alive?” Wishbone Ash, there’s truly a diversity of male performers. Respect to the St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir who will be supported by an all-female group Honington Military Wives Choir and other female artists.