Halsey Calls Out Firefly Festival For Lack of Females in 2018 Lineup: ‘Where the Women At?’
Not everyone was excited when Firefly dropped the 2018 lineup on Thursday (Jan. 11).
Not everyone was excited when Firefly dropped the 2018 lineup on Thursday (Jan. 11).
Halsey — who played the Delaware fest in 2015 — sounded off on Twitter at the lack of female artists high up on the poster. “With the exception of (the amazing) Sza, the first like 20 acts on the bill are men. It’s 2018, do better,” the singer-songwriter said.
Damn guys come onnnnnn. Where the women at. This was one of my favorite festivals I’ve ever played and it’s a shame there’s not more females on the bill. With the exception of (the amazing) Sza, the first like 20 acts on the bill are men. It’s 2018, do better!!! https://t.co/8tmeac8mVu
— h (@halsey) January 11, 2018
Of the artists on Firefly’s bill, none of the four headliners — Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monekys and The Killers — are women or have female group members. Only 19 of the 95 artists set to play Firefly are women or have women in the group, including SZA (as Halsey mentioned), Marian Hill, Lights, Betty Who and Lizzo.
After a fan replied in a now-deleted tweet to Halsey telling her to “chill out” and not to “go off on firefly,” Halsey didn’t hold back on explaining that festival bookers are the ones who need to lead the drive for more diversity.
“Festivals ASK artists to play,” she said. “I’m just raising a point! So many dope women in music right now!”
Who am I supposed to “go off on” haha. Festivals ASK artists to play. Artists don’t ASK festivals if they can come. I’m just raising a point! So many dope women in music right now! https://t.co/WGtVO7u2xg
— h (@halsey) January 11, 2018
Halsey won’t be playing Firefly this summer, but will be performing at several fests throughout the year: Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival in March, Hangout Fest and BottleRock in May, and Governor’s Ball, of the ones announced so far. She’s performing on Saturday Night Live this weekend (Jan. 13), with host Sam Rockwell.
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