Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has shared his thoughts on how music festivals in Australia (and around the world) can increase the levels of gender diversity seen on their lineups.
Speaking with Music Feeds contributor Brenton Harris this week, Taylor said that while the rock and metal scenes are still male-dominated, he can “absolutely see it changing”.
“Do I think there’s room for everyone else? Of course I do,” he said, before stating that while good music will always grab people’s attention, music fans also need to let “the powers that be” know which acts they want to see live.
“I think what needs to happen is the fans need to collectively get through and show that anyone who promotes and books for them can make money, because that’s how you change their minds,” he said.
“They don’t give a shit about the equal rights of it. They care about the money of it, and that’s just the way it is. That’s the way businessmen think. That’s the way they always have.
“If you can show them that people like the female-fronted bands or the non-binary-fronted bands, you can show that they can make them money, then they’ll absolutely change their opinion.
“That may not be the socially correct answer. But it’s true. Do I agree with it? Absolutely not. I think that there should be an even playing field for everybody.”
Taylor also maintained that while diversity on festival lineups is important, “quality needs to rise to the top”.
“You shouldn’t just get a gig because of what you represent. You should get a gig because you’re good, straight up. I will say that about male, female or non-binary,” he said.
“You should get a gig because you’re good. I will say there should be more opportunities for people to be heard, however they identify or associate.
“There are a lot of things that need to change, obviously. I know that more and more people are supporting that cause, but if you do show that those acts will make money, they’ll get more attention. That’s the way business thinks.”
Stay tuned for Music Feeds‘ full interview with Corey Taylor, coming soon.
Stone Sour will return to Australia later this year to perform at Good Things Festival.
