The Irish singer, writer and activist was committed to leaving the world a better place, and that’s exactly what she’ll be remembered for

The Great Escape is back and, as usual, the festival is bringing a wide variety of the best new music to the fore. 2023 is no exception, so here at VOCAL GIRLS we’ve selected 10 must-see artists to catch at this year’s festival, four of whom will be gracing our very own stage…

VOCAL GIRLS are returning to Brighton for The Great Escape festival 2023!

New year, same problems

One week into 2023, we’ve rounded up some of Vocal Girls’ key artists that you need on your radar for the remaining 51.

Past recipients of the award include Tramlines Festival, The Young Musicians Project, and Save Our Scene.

Whilst we’re still fangirling over last year’s Mercury Prize winner, Arlo Parks for Collapsed in Sunbeams, it’s about time we embrace this year’s newly announced shortlist. Following the announcement, VOCAL GIRLS explores 2022’s Mercury Prize nominations and the reaction to this year’s potential albums of the year.

If you haven’t already heard, VOCAL GIRLS are partnering with The Great Escape Festival 2022: a festival for new music based in Brighton that runs from the 11th-14th of May and boasts some of the most exciting upcoming artists in the country. The infamous weekender showcases 500 emerging artists across 30+ walkable venues all over the city, the cherry on top being the pop-up festival site on Brighton beach.

The protest anthem aims to amplify the stories of the women who have lost their lives at the hands of police, and uplift their mothers and families.

The pair join the brand’s project which aims to improve access to creative opportunities amongst communities of under-represented and emerging artists.

With the long-awaited return of live events, we are thrilled to (finally) be announcing VOCAL GIRLS: The Launch, coming to The MOTH Club this autumn on Tuesday 19th October. Tickets are on sale via DICE NOW!

The Windmill Brixton are to offer unsigned female, trans and non-binary artists the chance to collaborate with Goat Girl, Raissa Pardini, Holly Whitaker and Slow Dance Records to highlight the cruciality of independent venues and upcoming artists post-pandemic.

Hope for a more diverse industry: The Brits 2021 will go down in history for being one of the most pivotal events for women in music! 

To mark the start of #mentalhealthawareness week, VG writer and Mental Health Nurse, Claire Rothwell spoke to the team at Music Support; the charity providing help and support for individuals in any area of the UK music industry affected by mental ill health and/or addiction.

The new programme to inspire a generation of female and non-binary talent.

After the stream of undiversified festival line-ups, the 2021 Brit Nominations have offered a refreshing change and step in the right direction for equality in the music industry.

Big announcement, all! Vocal Girls has officially launched our first set of merchandise. We could not be more excited about sharing it with you! Below you’ll find some flicks from a fun shoot we did in Sheffield to premiere the new designs.

This week has been a lot, for many of us. Since International Women’s Day, we have been witness to the discourse surrounding Sarah Everard’s disappearance, the condemnable response to Meghan Markle’s revelations about her mental health and the revealing data that 97% of women aged 18-24 have been sexually assaulted. 

In her short documentary, film student, Ellie Bickerton-Jones has explored the lack of equality within the music industry.

How can we ensure that the purpose of #BlackOutTuesday, and the current wave of support for #BlackLivesMatter, don’t just become fleeting, tokenistic chapters in music history, but instead, mark the beginning of real change across the industry? 

“We must keep the music alive!”

Your live stream music picks for every day this week!

Brought together by artists, musicians, poets and performers, Pxssy Pandemique is an online music festival broadcast entirely via Instagram Live and has raised an incredible £5,580 for the charity Women’s Aid.

During his ‘In Conversation’ tour he stressed that the lack of female representation in the music industry “leaves inspiration and opportunity stagnant”  

Billie Eilish tears, Lizzo tequila shots and big diversity statements!

The band used their first Brit Award win to make an equality statement.

“This is how male artists can be true allies.”

Who we are, what we do and why we do it.