In her own words, Eilish stated in an interview; “I would see these line-ups for festivals and it was all dudes. And it was all artists I liked, but it was just like, ‘When will women be involved?’ Women have to have a million back-up dancers and a million costume changes and their hair done, and crazy costumes and stage set-up. I love male performers, but they barely have to do shit to have a show that people like, and women are expected to have the biggest show.”

She went on to say; “I’m tired of feeling like we have to do that to feel adequate. If you want to do that, then that’s so great, but I remember thinking that I would never be able to headline anything because of those expectations.”

At the tender age of just 20, Billie Eilish has some quite astounding historic records to her name. Her debut album When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Had the biggest opening week in the history of Billboard’s current chart, as well as ushering in a new era by being the very first artist born in the 21^st century to have a No.1 album.

With this kind of exposure at such a young age, one couldn’t see a better example of someone coping with this level of fame. Yet Eilish has been open about the feeling of imposter syndrome she experiences. Stating; “I often feel like I don’t deserve to be here right now doing this show and on this stage. Any time in the last year I’ve headlined a festival, I’ve felt like, ‘Why would you choose me?’ With that in mind, I’m going to go even harder to prove to myself that I can do it and not to half-ass it… I will be going out and full-assing it,”

“Half of me is like, ‘This is so stupid and so humiliating that I’m here, I shouldn’t be allowed to be up here or ready for this’. And then the other side says, ‘No, you’re here; they chose you and they’re here for you’. I have to convince myself that I’m not a huge loser and accidentally there… I find it very hard to process this life sometimes.”

Eilish is currently touring across the UK and Europe for her Happier Than Ever victory lap. Dates and ticket info can be found here.

The ad itself shares a message of kindness, when a young woman is being overwhelmed by the noise of everyday life, her neighbour sends a gift to help her with the anxiety of an exceptionally loud world. The tag “Kindness. The greatest gift” closes the video. The ad seems to follow the same emotional beats as the song. Adele starts by singing “I swear to god I’m such a mess / The harder that I try, I regress,” and “Right now, I truly hate being me.”. But in the end comes back around to finish “Let time be patient / Let pain be gracious / Just hold on, just hold on / I will survive,”.

Prior to the tracks release, fans have also been treated to another song “Easy on Me” after a short teaser snippet was released on Adele’s social media accounts. Not long after the song and video were released, the singer also released a blooper clip from behind the scenes.

It’s all smoke and mirrors! Here’s all the bloopers from the Easy On Me video pic.twitter.com/UFVNcChgX6

— Adele (@Adele) November 4, 2021

Meanwhile, Adele continues to confirm her superstardom with an announcement for a massive show at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park 2022, and by breaking a Spotify record previously held by K-pop giants BTS.

In a list released by BBC Radio 2 on National Album Day, it was revealed that Adele’s sophomore album 21 was the UK’s best-selling album on the women in music themed list. With 5,007,000 sales in the UK Adele nabbed the top spot, her next album 25 landed on the list in 5^th place. 21 edged out the likes of Amy Winehouse, Madonna and Shania Twain for the top spot. Her debut 19 also made the list in 14^th position.

Last week, the tracklist for 30 was revealed to contain 12 songs with 3 bonus tracks. The album features tracks such as “I Drink Wine”, an Interlude called “All Night Parking” featuring Jazz pianist Erroll Garner and, a version of “Easy on Me” featuring Chris Stapleton.

The list was announced as part of the radio network’s celebrations for National Album Day. This year the annual event features the theme of women in music.  The list of albums has been compiled by The Official Charts Company and is constructed on UK sales and downloads. During National Album Day the station dedicated the day to women in music and featured a female-focused playlist. The theme was carried throughout the network’s programmes, including Sounds of the 60s and Craig Charles’ House Party. On Saturday 16th October 2021, the full list was announced by radio veteran Jo Whiley and British songstress Adele’s 21 was crowned the winner and confirmed as the biggest selling UK album of all time.

The singer’s second studio album topped the list with 5,007,000 sales. The rest of the top five consist of the biggest female artists in popular music. At number two is Back To Black by Amy Winehouse, the iconic singer’s 2006 album has accumulated 3,912,000 sales. Madonna’s early greatest hits album The Immaculate Collection charted at number three with 3,771,000 sales. Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain is at number four with her third studio album Come On Over with 3,411,000 sales. Closing the top five list is another Adele album, 25, released in 2015. The singer’s third studio album has accumulated 3,364,000 sales.

Jo Whiley has provided the following statement: the host discusses Adele and the power in which the singer holds.  “Adele has enchanted us from the very beginning with her voice, her songs and her personality. When she writes, she writes from the heart and that’s why her music resonates with so many people. She tells it like it is, whether onstage to thousands of people at Glastonbury or through the songs on her albums, and that’s why she is so loved and a global superstar. She sings it like she means it – because she does. She also has a phenomenal voice and hasn’t changed from the very first Live Lounge I did with her at Radio 1 to when I spoke to her just before she headlined Glasto. Always honest, down to earth, a superstar and very very funny.”

Released in January 2011, 21, is now regarded as the ultimate heartbreak album. The singer’s second studio album was inspired and written about the artist’s break-up. Due to the album’s lyrical content, the release has become famously relatable and catapulted Adele into stardom. The album is the fourth best-selling album in the UK of all time, outsold by Queen’s Greatest Hits, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles and Gold by ABBA. The album’s sales record speaks for itself, it sold 18 million copies worldwide within its first year of release. The release has been titled as the longest-running number one album within the UK in 45 years and spent 23 weeks at the number one position.

The countdown was broadcasted on BBC Radio 2 and is now available to listen to on BBC Sounds. The full list of albums can be seen below:

Adele – 21
Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
Madonna – The Immaculate Collection
Shania Twain – Come On Over
Adele – 25
Leona Lewis – Spirit
Dido – No Angel
Spice Girls – Spice
Lady Gaga – The Fame
Dido – Life for Rent
Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill
Tracey Chapman – Tracey Chapman
Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
Adele – 19
Emeli Sandé – Our Version Of Events
Whitney Houston – Whitney
Duffy – Rockferry
Tina Turner – Simply The Best
Celine Dion – Falling Into You
Celine Dion – Let’s Talk About Love
Christina Aguilera – Stripped
Rihanna – Loud
Susan Boyle – I Dreamed A Dream
Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad
Katie Melua – Call Off The Search
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Pink – Missundaztood
Avril Lavigne – Let Go
Whitney Houston – The Greatest Hits
Madonna – Ray Of Light

The show will highlight the artist’s feelings towards the silence we’re experiencing on the empty streets and venues during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. The show, which was organised by Sinéad Gleeson and Gary Sheehan, will be available to view for free on the National Concert Hall’s YouTube and social media channels this Saturday, March 6, at 8pm.

Announcing the event on their Instagram, The National Concert Hall said; “As International Women’s Day approaches, Notes from a Quiet Land, supported by Arthur Cox, invites some of Ireland’s most exciting female voices in music and word to reflect and respond to the silence of empty streets, venues and lives led inside, as we collectively navigate our current way of living.”

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Speaking to Hotpress about the event, Robert Read, CEO of the National Concert Hall said; “An important part of the NCH’s remit is to encourage and engage artists in the presentation of new music and works, whilst also providing a platform for it to be performed and heard. At this time of crisis, the NCH is pleased to have the opportunity to offer a platform to support new and leading female voices, particularly as we approach International Women’s Day, to offer their musical and literary response to the times we live in.”

There has been a welcomed spotlight shone on the Irish music industry this last year as it has become apparent that there is not an equal representation for women. The gender disparity report issued by Why Not Her in November highlighted the huge disparity among the Irish music charts. The report was done by Cian Sullivan, under the supervision of Linda Coogan Byrne and used data from December 7th 2018 to November 6th 2020.

The report stated that in the Official Irish Albums Chart over the last two years, 73 Irish acts entered the charts and only 17 of them were female. It also showed that no female artist has entered the Top 10 Irish Single Chart since 2016, whereas five male acts have spent 51 weeks in the Top 10 with 12 singles over the last two years alone.

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Why Not Her have also created an Action Plan to guide radio stations on how to be more inclusive in their radio play. The action plan is full of statistics for the stations as well as changes that can be made to change the way the industry is treating women, this includes ensuring that the leaders of these companies actively make the commitment to give women more airplay and to set diversity and inclusion targets for the company to follow. The action plan also encouraged the stations to take a look at the research and use this data to diversify teams and create a space for women on their airwaves. The action plan also stated that real change is possible. Since the release of the first gender disparity report, RTÉ 2FM now has 40% parity, SPIN 1038 has 45% parity and BEAT 102 103 has achieved 35%

Watch Notes From A Quiet Land on Saturday, March 6th, at 8pm – streamed on the National Concert Hall YouTube and social media channels.

The expansion of the movement into Ireland was announced during a panel this week. The initiative announced James Foley as a Keychange Ambassador. Foley is the Lead, Editorial at Spotify UK and Ireland. Ireland Music Week are the Keychange partner coordinating and supporting activities in Ireland, alongside sponsors IMRO. Ireland Music Week is also the festival partner for Keychange in Ireland so will host 6 international Keychange participants, as well as the Irish participants in 2021.

Seven Irish organisations have signed the Keychange gender pledge including Choice Music Prize, Foggy Notions, The Folly @ Cullohill, Ireland Music Week, HearOne Music, Minding Creative Minds and Róisín Dubh. Ireland’s Keychange participants for 2020/21 include acts Pillow Queens, Elaine Mai, Mona-Lisa Das and SYLK, as well as Rubyworks’ Shauna Watson and artist manager/video producer Lia Liegho.

This Thursday, the 26th of February The Keychange Movement will be hosting a panel moderated by UK Keychange Project Manager, Maxie Gedge on ‘Community and Management.’ The panel will focus on the Benefits and importance of collaboration and creating your network. Maxie will be joined by Lia Liegho (artist manager and Keychange participant), Ceri Dixon (artist manager) and Ismay Bourke (music PR), will be broadcast on the Keychange Facebook page.

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Speaking about the movement, James Foley said; “Even though the statistics on gender equality in music continue to make for bleak reading, I am ever-hopeful for change when I see the impact Keychange is having and the potential we all have to do more. In my day to day role in the UK + Ireland music team at Spotify, I’m focused on how we can create a more equal platform, give under-represented voices a stage and open up our listener’s ears to different viewpoints.”

“I’m also keenly aware that gender equality in music is intersectional and can positively address other systemic inequalities. I take seriously the commitment to affecting change and connecting people who can unlock the challenges we face in making the industry a more equal place to exist. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone involved in Keychange as an Irish ambassador and I am excited about what’s to come.”

The Keychange Movement’s current list spans 40 countries and 400 organisations. Over in the UK, artists Violet Skies, Suzi Wu, Chagall, Tawiah, Poppy Ajudha, Anaïs, Islet and Machine Woman are already members of the movement. You can see the full list here.

The documentary covers the discrimination, micro-aggressions, sexual harassment and casual sexism women who work in music production face. The documentary also features guest appearances by MPG-award winning recording engineer Olga FitzRoy and Ableton Certified trainer Mel Uye Parker.

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In Ctrl explores the early journey of Hannah Coombes as she takes on her first steps of becoming a music producer. It also explains some of her insecurities and doubts about being a woman in the industry along with statistics around the representation of women. The documentary includes the statistic from Annenberg Inclusion Initiative that states that over a six-year period only 2% of producers in the top 600 Billboard songs were women.

Speaking about the documentary, Xylo Aria said; “It took me a long time to even consider producing music and I can’t really explain why that was, but I feel like seeing a documentary like this at that time, would definitely have given me some positive encouragement to at least take the first steps.”

Liina added; “When I started production I felt so alone with my fears about tech, which made me feel powerless. I hope anyone who sees this documentary can realise how many of us have gone through the same path and it’s normal to feel scared…and you will never be alone.”

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The documentary shows the journey of Hannah’s first single that she produced herself, Good Life. The song will be available soon. She is also apart of a duo called PELA with fellow artist Olly Shelton. Together they have released singles Here’s Where The Story Ends, Rolloverme, All The Way, In The Young, Reviere, South of and You Got Me.

Liina “LNA”  Turtonen is a music producer, songwriter, and performer based in York, UK. Liina launched her YouTube channel, LNA Does Audio Studd in 2019. She makes a lot of content about music such as tutorials and challenges. Her following has grown massively since then, she currently has 14k subscribers. Liina runs her own education platform, ‘Equalise Music Production’. Equalise is a female-led organisation focussed on bringing equality to the audio industry by providing courses and workshops in music production, songwriting, and performance.

Xylo Aria is a singer, producer and entrepreneur. Xylo is the founder of Music Production for Women. MPW is a global movement, community and online learning platform which aims to encourage and empower women who are taking their first steps into music production. MPW offers an Introduction to Music Production course as well as live workshops throughout the UK and Europe.

In Crtl is available now on Liina’s YouTube channel, you can check it out below.

TSHA and Griff have a lot in common, which is perhaps why their professional collaboration feels so natural. Both women are young London-based musicians, both have featured on NME’s 100 Essential new artists for 2020, both are half Jamaican, and both are talented beyond their years. They hit the music scene at relatively similar times, with TSHA’s EP ‘Dawn‘ dropping in 2018. This three-track beauty introduced her eclectic style, which sounds both fresh and nostalgic at the same time.

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So excited that my 3 track EP and first ever release “Dawn” Drops tomorrow and will be available on all major platforms! Shout out to @jaywilcoxthat1 and @marc_tc for bring 2 of the tracks alive with their gorgeous vocals. So blessed to have so many people believe in me and support my vision. A very special thanks to @lunamonogatari for this incredible art work and being so helpful in bring my vison alive! Please check her out!

A post shared by TSHA (@tshamusic) on Aug 9, 2018 at 2:12am PDT

Griff’s first EP ‘The Mirror Talk EP‘ was released with Warner Records back in November 2019. Since then she has taken the UK music scene by storm, having been described as the UK’s ‘Brightest New Pop Star‘. Griff is only 19 years old, but her song writing skills have matured a lot over her short time in the industry. Her debut EP was certainly impressive, but her 2020 creations such as singles ‘Good Stuff‘ and ‘Forgive Myself‘ feel more emotionally mature and also more distinctively her own style.

These explore themes of self-doubt, failed relationships and depression. Griff said that ‘Say It Again‘ was written when “a lot of [her] girlfriends were going through mental health issues, and [she] felt so helpless. So this song is basically [her] helpless self trying to reassure a friend who’s going through a really difficult time.”

TSHA cites the likes of Bonobo, Jon Hopkins and Floating Points as influences. She supported Bonobo and Maribou State back in 2019 and was due to play at Festivals El Dorado and Forbidden Fruit this year, though these appearances were cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Their collaborative remix of ‘Say it Again‘ is a foot-tapping, head-nodding labour of love. While Griff’s influences are musicians like Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, giving her songs a bubble-gum pop feel, TSHA’s electronic style is quite different. The fusion of these two exciting artists creates an edgy yet playable dance track that will have you shuffling around your bedroom all night long.

The keenly anticipated album, its name and specifics of which are still tightly under wraps, will follow Adele’s monumentally successful 2015 project, 25. Selling over 800,000 copies in its opening week, 25 holds the glorious title as the UK’s fastest-selling album of all time and has left fans eagerly awaiting its follow-up ever since. 

Regarding her new album, the Someone Like You singer previously stated at a close friend’s wedding earlier this year that everyone present should “expect my album in September.” But to the dismay of her gigantic, adoring fanbase, Adele’s longtime manager Jonathan Dickens recently stated that because of the coronavirus pandemic, the album “Is not coming in September, it’ll be ready when it’s ready.”, and will most likely drop sometime in 2021. 

When explaining the reasoning behind the album’s postponement, Dickens maintained that “We’re all in the same boat, you’re doing stuff and then all of a sudden, the world stops”. Dickens also said that Adele’s new album will “come when it’s ready. I cannot put a date on that yet. We have music, but we’re still working.”

Nevertheless, news of the Hello chart topper uniting with Raphael Saadiq for her fourth studio album has given Adele’s excited fans more to look forward to. Boasting high calibre collaborations with the likes of Snoop Dogg, the late great Whitney Houston, and Mary J Blige, Saadiq has produced hits for some of music’s best, as well as cultivating his own thriving solo career. 

Adele is reportedly ecstatic to be working with the former Tony! Toni! Toné! Frontman. With deep admiration for Saadiq herself, Adele “has been a fan of Raphael since she was a teenager”, and “wants her next album to be full of soul, with a more eclectic sound”, thus making hitmaker Saadiq the perfect sonic fit for Adele’s next project. 

No stranger to singing about heartbreak, Adele’s next record could be a cathartic release for the songstress, as it reportedly centres around the demise of her marriage to husband Simon Konecki, whom the singer separated from in April 2019. A source says that “Adele is pouring her heart and soul into this record, including how she feels post-divorce.” So fans can expect another beautiful but heart-wrenching record from the star. 

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Today, Sunday, is 3 years since #Grenfell. 72 lives will be forever in our hearts. Join with me & @grenfell_united to REMEMBER at 6pm on youtube.com/GrenfellUnited – to Show that we’re still united for change & justice. Follow @grenfell_united for more info. #Grenfell #Demandchange

A post shared by Adele (@adele) on Jun 13, 2020 at 6:20pm PDT

Last month, the stupendous vocalist also took to social media tribute to the victims of the Grenfell Tower in London. Writing on Instagram, Adele conveyed her support for the victim’s families the National tragedy, saying “Today, Sunday, is three years since #Grenfell. 72 lives will be forever in our hearts.” The post was met with solidarity from fans and received over 247,000 likes. 

Adele also penned her condolences for the murder of George Floyd on Instagram and showed her support for the Black Lives Matter movement, writing in a post on June 1st: “This is about systematic racism, this is about police violence and inequality. I wholeheartedly stand in solidarity with the fight for freedom.”