CAMP BESTIVAL has been dubbed among the most gender inclusive music festivals in the UK.

Festivals are due to make a comeback this summer and organisers are releasing their headline acts and line-ups. In recent years, organisers have discussed making festivals a 50/50 gender balance split, and with more festivals signing up, this appears to be happening.

Protectivity has analysed the UK’s largest festival line-ups in previous years, as well as 2021, to reveal the festival gender split.

While festivals in 2020 were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, overall the line-ups were the best for gender splits at festivals, with line-ups including almost a quarter (22 per cent) of female artists on average. 2021 has an average of 21 per cent female artists represented in festival line-ups, whereas 2019’s line-ups had on average 20 per cent female artists included.

Dorset Echo: Grace Jones performs on stage at Bestival, Dorset, UK .Picture: Finnbarr Webster Photography.Grace Jones performs on stage at Bestival, Dorset, UK .Picture: Finnbarr Webster Photography.

Camp Bestival has improved its gender split the most over time, with an increase of 10 per cent from 2020 to 2021. This year’s lineup includes nearly a third (32 per cent) of female artists, whereas 2020 was 22 per cent, and 2019 was 25 per cent.

Camp Bestival , due to be held between July 29 to August 1, sees the likes of Kelis, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Becky Hill among the female headliners at Lulworth Castle, along with Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada and the Sugarhill Gang.

Camp Bestival also has Cheryl Hole, the UK drag queen famous for her feature in the first series of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. The festival ranks in the top three this year for female acts at 32 per cent and second place for mixed groups of both male and female mainstage acts at seven per cent and four per cent classed as other - those who are gender neutral.

Parklife has the largest number of female artists performing in 2021, with 4 out of 10 (44 per cent) being female.

Sean Walsh, marketing manager from Protectivity Insurance said: “It’s been a tough 18 months for the events and music industry, and with the exciting return to normal life after restrictions it’s vital to get festivals and music events moving forward again.

"It's important for the gender gap to be closed in all settings, whether that be at festivals or the workplace - so it’s great to see that some of these festivals are striving towards having a 50/50 split and working towards an even playing field for all.”

To take a look at the gender split at festivals, visit the link here: https://www.protectivity.com/gender-split-at-uk-festivals/