MUSIC

Celebrating women in music

To celebrate International Women's Day, Music writers discuss the music industry's greatest female icons

Florence Welch

WITH last year’s album Dance Fever gaining widespread acclaim and a tour currently underway, there’s no better time to celebrate Florence and the Machine’s frontwoman, Florence Welch. One of the most interesting and inspirational women working in the British music industry, part of the reason Florence is so brilliant is because she’s completely unique. From vocals which border on ethereal, to haunting lyricism — there’s nobody quite like Florence Welch on the music scene at the moment. In part, it’s her otherworldly imagery which makes Florence so appealing, embracing an aesthetic which is somewhere between pre-Raphaelite painting and medieval witch. There has been so much written about why women and girls in particular are drawn to the figure of the witch, and it's epitomised by Florence — she has a powerful voice, both literally and metaphorically, in a world where women are often denied power. Her music and poetry are dark and achingly honest, touching on topics as varied as love, addiction and even Virginia Woolf. In short, she offers escapism at the same time as relatability, exhibiting female rage, mystique and power in a way women aren’t always allowed to express. When I first listened to Florence, as a young teenager who hadn’t yet discovered many of my favourite artists, she was a revelation. From classics like ‘Dog Days are Over’ to the hauntingly sad such as ‘St. Jude’, her songs made me who I am. Florence and the Machine was not only my gateway into music, but Florence herself became a kind of personal icon; she made me feel powerful. She still does.

Amy Rushton, News Editor

Hayley Williams

WITH a career spanning almost 20 years, Paramore’s return with This Is Why last month has erased any doubt that the band are one of the biggest names in rock. It is almost impossible to extricate the band’s success from that of frontwoman Hayley Williams, best known for her iconic orange hair and powerful vocals.

In spite of periods of uncertainty concerning the band’s line-up, she has been unafraid to experiment with musical style and to pursue new possibilities, including founding hair dye company Good Dye Young and releasing two solo albums. Williams’ recent career is characterised by a community ethos, evident in how the singer has spoken against political injustice and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. This is reflected by the band’s loyal fanbase and the trademark chant of “We are Paramore” which is part of every live performance.

Williams’ openness about her struggles with mental health, both in interviews and in her music, clearly resonates with listeners. You only have to look to artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Willow or Billie Eilish to see Paramore’s influence. She is unapologetic about the band’s changing sonic direction, which has developed from pop-punk to bouncy 80s-influenced bops with lyrics that are no less hard-hitting. Their sixth album This Is Why is a further iteration of this style which partially returns to Paramore’s guitar-driven roots. It navigates personal, emotional turmoil set against an unstable post-pandemic world, never losing the undercurrent of angst that originally drew fans to the band’s music.

Lucy Facer