Retro cultural festival in Alicante goes to MTV origin and video clip
This project highlights the persistent gender inequality in the music industry. Statistics show that only 14% of independent labels are led by women and just 37% of leadership roles in the wider music sector are occupied by women. Among the three largest multinational labels, the presidency remains male dominated. These figures, compiled by the association Women in the Music Industry, reflect a gender imbalance that continues to shape groups, platforms, and careers. The aim is to study, challenge, and ultimately dismantle the barriers women face in this field.
One initiative addressing this issue is Sorority Lab SOLA, an observatory on gender inequality in music. It was presented on a Thursday as part of the festival, developed within the Cultural Industries research group at the University of Alicante and linked to Barcelona Spring Sound. The project was recognized during Spring Professional as a meaningful contribution to the music world.
A full professor in the Department of Communication and Social Psychology at the University of Alicante, Cande Sánchez Olmos leads SOLA as principal investigator. The initiative was developed with Anabel Jiménez López, a Masters student in Communication and Creative Industries, and a fellow of the Fundación Carolina.
Record This project positions itself as a container platform hosting a range of proposals and associations worldwide that pursue equality in music. It has introduced Sorority Music Map, an interactive map that makes visible and connects platforms, associations, or agents working toward gender equality in the industry. The map characterizes the associational movement of women within music across the virtual landscape.
Aim map and features The map defines its features, services, and the activism and association movement that strive to reduce the gender gap in music. It creates opportunities for connections, collaboration, and ongoing partnerships across regions and sectors, enabling new linkages and future cooperation.
The team noted a scattered movement around the University of Alicante, where there was little documentation about features, services, or the scope of action of these groups. They wondered what factors influence the visibility and effectiveness of different efforts.
Records
This interactive map, designed by Maria Esther Almaral, a PhD candidate in Computer Science at UA, collects 181 asset records aimed at achieving equality in music across 22 countries. The map places these records visually and clarifies how they define themselves, the services they offer, whether they hold manifestos, and whether they provide legal support for women.
The organizations range from 17% associations to 25% international nonprofits, 22% communities, 8% platforms, and 7% networks. Regardless of their self-description, all share a common goal: to narrow the gender gap and combat inequality in music against men, women, and marginalized minorities.
The research also reveals that 26% of these platforms and initiatives include concerts, festivals, and networking as part of their services, while 22% offer workshops and conferences. The issue of gender inequality touches not only performers but also other roles in the industry such as composers, managers, producers, technicians, and educators. While many event participants are women, the data also show underrepresentation in roles like music editors and managerial positions, with women comprising a small fraction of those roles. In marketing and promotion tasks, women account for a larger share, but the overall picture remains imbalanced.
Historical analyses of hit lists indicate that gender inequality has persisted on major charts since decades past. The findings underscore that women, though underrepresented, often achieve notable positions and success, highlighting achievements that deserve visibility.
Cande Sánchez notes that the difficulties faced by women and non-binary individuals in attaining power and representation in the music industry can be explored through both qualitative and quantitative methods. This includes chart analysis, interviews with women and non-binary leaders, and examination of industry structures to inform future generations. Race and ethnic disparities must also be addressed.
The UA team emphasizes that the movement still lacks positioning and visibility. This inequality is not limited to music but appears across stage, theatre, cinema, and audiovisual settings. The Sorority Music Map is envisioned as a living tool that updates as the movement grows, helping expand recognition and opportunities over time. Source: University of Alicante SOLA project and affiliated researchers