have always been about bringing people together through the universal language of sound and rhythm. They create spaces where strangers become friends, where communities are built, and where memories are made. Yet for far too long, these gatherings haven’t felt welcoming to everyone. That’s a problem we need to talk about.
As someone who’s been to festivals over the years, I’ve noticed how the crowds often look similar, how lineups tend to repeat certain patterns, and how accessibility sometimes feels like an afterthought. The good news? Things are changing. Festival organizers around the world are finally realizing that inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s essential for creating the vibrant, diverse experiences these events should offer.
Gender Balance Still Has a Long Way to Go
In 2024, less than a quarter of the musicians on stage at major US were women, which honestly feels pretty shocking when you think about the sheer talent out there. The proportion of female acts rose from around one tenth in 2012 to nearly thirty percent in the reporting period of 2022 to 2023 in electronic , according to the female:pressure FACTS report. Progress is happening, sure, but it’s painfully slow. What’s even more frustrating is the continued trend of the largest festivals booking the fewest female and non-binary acts. The bigger the stage, it seems, the harder it is for women to get on it. This matters because representation shapes who feels they belong in these spaces, and ultimately influences which artists get opportunities to grow their careers.
When Gender Minorities Face Inappropriate Behavior
Let’s be real here: festivals should be safe spaces for everyone. Yet research shows that about fifty-nine percent of gender minority members had experienced inappropriate behaviour, compared to roughly one third of female festival attendees. That’s a staggering difference. The most common form of inappropriate behaviour towards gender minorities was harassment because of gender, followed by sexual harassment, physically threatening situations and harassment because of appearance or clothing. These aren’t just statistics, they represent real people having their festival experiences ruined by discrimination and hostility. Creating truly inclusive festivals means addressing these safety concerns head-on, not just hoping they’ll go away on their own.
The Accessibility Challenge for Disabled Attendees
Being disabled or having a health problem is the third most common reason for not participating in arts events, which tells us something important about who’s being left out. Research found that persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses experienced more inappropriate behaviour from security staff, customer service personnel, and other festival employees, than other attendees. Think about that for a moment. The very people who should be helping are sometimes creating barriers. Most ableist practices are due to a lack of understanding and knowledge, with festival organizers’ actions mostly addressing mobility impairments only, while visual impairment, non-neurotypical or autism spectrum disorder are not considered as much. We need to move beyond just ramps and accessible parking, though those matter too. True accessibility means thinking about sensory needs, communication support, and treating disabled attendees with genuine respect.
Why LGBTQ+ Inclusion Creates Better Festivals for Everyone
I think festivals have an incredible opportunity to be spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals can express themselves freely without judgment. Some events are leading the way beautifully. The 2023 All Things Go festival made headlines by centering queer women artists like MUNA, Janelle Monáe, and others as headliners, showing that diverse lineups can be major draws. Creating inclusive environments often requires minimal cost relative to the benefits, according to festival organizers. Creating a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ attendees ends up improving the festival experience for all attendees. When you build gender-neutral restrooms, implement zero-tolerance harassment policies, and train staff on inclusive practices, everybody benefits from that culture of respect and safety.
Racial Diversity Reflects the Music’s Roots
Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: festivals like Glastonbury often have very few black or brown faces in the audience. People of colour usually avoid camping at festivals due to concerns about standing out and facing unwelcoming attitudes. That’s heartbreaking when you consider how much Black, Latino, and Indigenous artists have contributed to the music we celebrate. AFROPUNK Atlanta makes all vendor participation highly inclusive for LGBTQIA+, minority-owned, and woman-owned businesses and organizations, with the fest upholding a strict commitment to platforming and supporting marginalized groups through music, activism, and enterprise, with 2024 social justice programming focusing on environmental racism, housing inequality, and discrimination in healthcare. Festivals that take racial diversity seriously don’t just book diverse lineups, they create environments where everyone feels genuinely welcome.
The Economic and Cultural Impact of Inclusive Programming
Younger generations are driving demand for more diverse and inclusive lineups, as well as experiences that align with their values. These generations are driving demand for more diverse and inclusive lineups, as well as experiences that align with their values, expecting festivals to be socially and environmentally responsible. It’s not just about doing the right thing, though that should be reason enough. The music festival market is projected to grow dramatically, with the music festival market projected to grow at a CAGR of 24% from 2024 to 2031, driven by immersive experiences and diverse lineups. Festivals that embrace inclusivity are positioning themselves for success in an increasingly competitive landscape. People vote with their wallets, and they’re choosing events that reflect their values.
Practical Steps Festivals Are Taking Right Now
So what does real progress look like? Some festivals have signed the Keychange pledge, committing to gender balance in their programming. Primavera Sound has achieved international diversity since 2019, consistently maintaining a 50/50 split on their lineup, with the pledge encouraging festivals and music organisations to include half of women and underrepresented genders in programming, staffing and beyond. Others are using inclusivity riders in booking contracts. Music agent Hannah Shogbola uses an inclusivity rider when negotiating bookings for events, which stipulates that another act from a marginalised group gets offered the same opportunity on the line-up, meaning they will not play the line-up unless there is a fellow Black or brown person, a fellow non-binary person or a fellow gay person. These aren’t just symbolic gestures. They’re concrete actions that change who gets opportunities and who feels welcome.
