Reflecting on the Queer Female Festival Artists from 2023: A Recap and What's in Store for 2024
BY KATHERINE CHUNGMarch is Women’s History Month, a time for Out Jamz to honor the pioneering queer, women of the music industry. This month includes trans women, women of color, and individuals exploring their identities. In this piece, we reflect on the festivals of the previous year and celebrate the presence of queer, female artists in past, present, and future festival lineups.
At Out Jamz, we acknowledge the incredible contributions of all women in the music industry. Whether you're an aspiring independent artist, like Grace Gardner, envisioning festival stages, or a renowned band like The Aces already gracing them, we recognize and celebrate your talent and journey. Echoing the sentiments of non-binary music icon Janelle Monae, who famously stated in a Variety interview, “My goal has never been to fit into any type of category,” we should embrace diversity and individuality. At Out Jamz, everyone is embraced, and empowered to express themselves freely. Out Jamz is a welcoming, safe space for music enthusiasts and creators alike.
Austin City Limits Music Festival - Austin, TX
Austin City Limits Music Festival or ACL Fest, is one of the most famous music festivals in America because Austin is known as the music capital. It should not be confused with Austin City Limits, the music-based Television Program on cable TV.
The first ACL festival was created in 2002 with 67 bands and $25 tickets. There were no queer artists on the line-up or they were in the closet. According to kvue.com, the ACL festival grew in venue size and popularity in 2013 and started to run two days instead of one.
Moreover, a Billboard article stated that in 2023, “[The] diverse lineup includes 45% female performers, LGBTQ+ artists, allies and icons as well as a number of Latin stars, including Ivan Cornejo, Kevin Knaarl, Eddie Zuko and others.” A few of the LGBTQ female artists on the 2023 lineup were Katy Kirby, Miya Folick, Tegan and Sarah, and Amaaree. This year’s lineup has not been announced yet. Who are a few of the queer female artists that you want to be on the lineup?
All Things Go Music Festival - Columbia, Maryland
The All Things Go Music Festival, one of the premier events in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, originated from an online music blog formed by childhood friends in 2016. As stated by Fiftygrande, the music blog was named after Sufjan Stevens's song "Chicago," The blog initially focused on indie and rock music before evolving into a live stage production in 2011 as its founders gained popularity.
Since 2011, this two-day event has evolved into a celebration boasting more than 30 artists, becoming a cornerstone of the musical legacy of the East Coast, notably in the Washington D.C. region. The festival has gained recognition for its consistent inclusion of female and queer artists in its lineup each year. In 2023, mainstream icons such as Boy Genius, MUNA, and Fletcher took the spotlight as headliners. Keep an eye out in mid - April for the announcement of this year's lineup, and see which queer artists secure a coveted spot on the list.
Bonnaroo Music Festival & Arts Festival - Manchester, Tennessee
Bonnaroo Music Festival was created back in 2022 like Austin City Limits was. Bonnaroo is known to be “the culmination of a music movement,” according to multiple sources. NYSmusic stated that “the festival laid the groundwork for successful music festivals in the years and decades that followed.” It's another memorable weekend full of music, arts, and entertainment that you won’t want to miss.
This iconic festival epitomizes the essence of enjoying oneself with great company. Last year, during The Tennessee Drag Ban, Bonnaroo played a crucial role in supporting the movement. The law prohibited drag performances in Tennessee, but Bonnaroo stood steadfast, providing a safe space for LGBTQ fans to enjoy entertainment. In a statement from the Bonnaroo team, they emphasized, "Bonnaroo has always been and will continue to be a haven for inclusivity, welcoming people from all walks of life and celebrating self-expression." The festival's founders clarified that the ban on drag performances does not affect the festival's offerings and will not lead to conflicts.
Last year, Bonnaroo's lineup featured renowned artists like Girl In Red, and Sammy Rae & the Friends, along with other queer artists. Bonnaroo is recognized for its commitment to inviting a diverse range of mainstream artists to showcase their talent throughout the entire weekend. The 2024 schedule is already available and includes exceptional women such as Megan Thee Stallion, Melanie Martinez, and Faye Webster. Are you planning to attend Bonnaroo this year?
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival - Indio, California
Coachella is the most well-known music festival in America. Unlike the other festivals mentioned, Coachella is held over two weekends at the end of April. It features more than just music and entertainment. There are sponsorship booths, tents to camp out, reunited bands, visual art displays, and celebrity sightings. It’s a one-of-a-kind two-weekend extravaganza for music lovers located at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
At Coachella, they aim to honor a wide range of audiences, including the disabled community, black artists, and queer fans and creators. Although Coachella still has room for improvement in terms of accessibility, Ten Fifty Entertainment is present every year, providing accessibility customer service to ensure that all accommodations for queer disabled concert-goer's accommodations are met to the best of their ability. In addition to the accessibility services, there’s a mental health awareness tent called, "Every One" and a queer safe space tent, called “Q+amp”, specifically designed to welcome able-bodied queer and POC attendees.
The 2023 Coachella Festival was interesting at the least. You can read more about it online. With this being said, there were some iconic moments from queer female artists on those two weekends. Boy Genius played their first Coachella set from their new album, right after MUNA's set. Sofi Tukker played an iconic game of “Sofi Says” with the audience. And Remi Wolf played at both the Bonnaroo music festival and Coachella. Moreover, the lineup for this year's Coachella has been unveiled, showcasing numerous queer artists. Among them are popular figures such as Bebe Rexha, Blond: ish, Brittany Howard, and Doja Cat.
Summerfest Music Festival - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Last but not least, Summerfest Music Festival reigns as the world’s largest music festival, awarded by the Genius Book of World Records in 1999. What makes this festival so special is that it runs three consecutive weekends in June and July; and features artists you might not see at Coachella. However, due to the pandemic, the festival’s attendance rates have dropped immensely from 80,000 attendees to under 4,000 because of sickness and weather.
Summerfest isn't just about music; it's also a community hub. Over the years, the festival has significantly supported non-profit organizations, providing over 50,000 donations of food and hygiene items. Moreover, Summerfest is dedicated to promoting youth education and literacy, supporting initiatives like Next Door. Additionally, it contributes to vital causes benefiting minority groups such as the elderly and people of color.
The event schedule last year left attendees astounded, boasting one of the most memorable and jam-packed lineups ever seen. With performances by Ruby Waters, Debbie Gibson, Hailey Whitters, and numerous other talented queer musicians, it truly stood out as iconic. As we approach the end of March, the Summerfest team is gearing up to unveil the lineup for 2024. Stay tuned to find out which of your beloved queer female artists will grace the stage this year.
Across the globe, anticipation mounts for upcoming festivals, each offering a unique blend of diverse music, art, and culture. From established Pride festivals to Glastonbury Music Festival in Europe to emerging grassroots initiatives, these gatherings provide invaluable opportunities to celebrate queer identity.
Favorite female artists like Tegan and Sara, Hayley Kiyoko, and King Princess, alongside emerging talents like Arlo Parks, Claud, and Shura, are eagerly anticipated at future festivals, bringing their empowering music and unapologetic visibility to the stage.
Additionally, smaller female queer artists such as Madame Gandhi, Dizzy Fae, and Rina Sawayama hope to enrich festival lineups with their refreshing sounds and perspectives, adding depth and diversity to the experience.
As we await the next wave of LGBTQ+ festivals, the palpable anticipation for the performances of both established and emerging queer female artists underscores the growing strength and creativity of the community as a whole. Which LGBTQ+-friendly festival are you looking forward to?