LISTEN TO WOMXN Virtual Music Festival, an online event providing a "platform for womxn and non-binary artists to be seen, heard and celebrated," according to its website, has announced that it is accepting artist submissions for its 2020 edition now through May 29.
The festival is inviting women and gender non conforming (GNC) artists to apply for the chance to perform in the forthcoming two-day online event, which takes place June 26-27. Each artist confirmed to perform at the festival will receive $250 and opportunities to win prizes.
Artists who are interested in applying to perform at the virtual festival must meet multiple criteria, including: all applicants must be women or GNC artists; their livelihood depends on gig income from public live performances; their music career has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and they have the ability to livestream and record a 20-30-minute set.
Following the submission phase, the festival organizers will select a group of regional semifinalists, who will then go through a voting round that's open to the public.
The festival will announce the 2020 lineup, based on the public voting, June 16, 10 days before the event launches. The ultimate winner will be announced July 1.
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LISTEN TO WOMXN comes as the coronavirus pandemic has decimated the festival and live music industry since mid-March, essentially shutting down the global concert business.
"For artists, this is a paid performance opportunity amidst a time in which live performances (and their income stream) have come to a halt," the event's website states.
The digital event is a direct response to the widely reported gender inequality at musical festivals. A 2018 report from Pitchfork, which analyzed 19 major festivals, found that 19 percent of festival lineups featured women artists.
"LISTEN TO WOMXN is tipping the scales and advancing gender equality - highlighting womxn and gnc artists to level the playing field of opportunities in the male dominated music industry," the event's website states.
The event is also accepting sponsorship opportunities, which will go directly toward women and GNC artists. Sponsorship funds will be allocated to facilitating the online event itself, compensating the artists performing and providing relief during the COVID-19 crisis, according to the LISTEN TO WOMXN website.
LISTEN TO WOMXN is presented by Women That Rock, Illumin Records and Audio Assemble.
Head to the LISTEN TO WOMXN website to learn more and to apply.
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