New initiative demands we confront the lack of female safety at gigs
In light of UN data revealing that 40% of womxn under 40 have been sexually harassed at UK music events, Safe Spaces Now is calling for commitment to meaningful action and better condemnation of abusive behaviour within the industry. Since one of the most resonant cases of violence against womxn...
Current in Media
Opinion – Britney is a pop idol turned women’s rights icon
Some might say this headline is a stretch, but it’s undeniable that Britney’s conservatorship case has shed light on two very important topics. You may have noticed #FreeBritney trending numerous times across social media in the last year. Even if social media isn’t your thing, you’ve likely stumbled upon a...
Euros 2020 final confirms racism is very much alive in UK
Several players from England's national football team are being bombarded with racial abuse after a difficult loss at Wembley Stadium. On Sunday night, 31 million people watched from across the nation as the winner of the Euro 2020 final was decided in a penalty shootout. Within minutes of England’s loss, racist...
Opinion – media still has a problem with authentic representation
Modern media is struggling to properly represent the LGBTQ+ and LatinX communities in both film and television. In an increasingly diverse society, how is the genuine portrayal of important groups still causing problems for pop culture?
The UK has steadily become more diverse over the last few decades, with
Festivals are making an eco-friendly comeback
After a difficult 2020, music festivals are beginning to make a comeback – and they’re bringing a new, greener approach. Many music lovers are desperate to return to live performances now lockdowns are lifting. Although some festivals must wait until 2022, this summer promises the likes of Reading and Leeds,...
New Spotify report says streaming improves Gen Z wellbeing
87% of millennials and 77% of Gen Z say they use audio to reduce stress levels and four in five say they view streaming as a ‘mental health resource’. Ever had a bad day and turned to your favourite album or podcast as a coping mechanism? Do you obsess...
Black TikTok creators on strike points to a wider cultural issue
The app’s most famous dances have come from Black creators who rarely receive recognition for their creativity. To prove a point, they’ve stopped posting content. Megan Thee Stallion’s new single, ‘Thot Shit’, is a track that sounds like it was manufactured for TikTok choreography. Yet, two weeks after its release, a viral dance on the platform has yet to emerge. The creatively underwhelming clips attached to the song’s audio on TikTok...
V&A stands firm on true history of its colonial artefacts
The Victoria and Albert Museum, based in central London, has emphasised its responsibility to tell the true history of the origins of its collection of artefacts. You may already be aware that a large majority of the V&A Museum’s permanent collections include items that were looted by British forces during the colonial era. However, the preservation of controversially acquired artefacts and commemorative statues only came under intense widespread scrutiny during the...
Disney casting for Snow White remake causes social media stir
The film that propelled Disney forward as an animation legend is getting a live action revamp. This time, Snow White is, well, not so white. Rachel Zegler, the actress and singer known for playing Maria in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, has been casted for the lead role of Snow White. Born in America of a Colombian mother and Polish father, the colour of Zegler’s skin is being contested...
All-Black Gateways Orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall
The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra are set to perform at Carnegie Hall on April 24th, 2022, making them the first all-Black orchestra to do so in the renowned venue’s 130-year history. Since its inception in 1993, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra has cultivated diversity in the classical music scene. It provides a space for Black professional musicians to create music and perform together from all across the US, away from...
