Backstage women spotlighted by new Milk and Honey Festival

New Zealand’s best female artists have come together with an inaugural festival to promote women working in the music industry, especially in backstage roles.

The artists performed as a tribute to and to highlight women whose backstage jobs support the industry – all women crews worked on the night.

DJ Sandy Mill, a finalist for Best Solo Female Artist at the 2018 Maori Music Awards, said it was important for younger women to be able to see role models in all areas of life.

“I think it’s important for women to be able to do what they want to do, and if they want to be a sound engineer… [they should] do it,” she said.

“It’s important for women to feel strong and empowered… these kind of events help.”

The Milk and Honey festival, founded by Elemeno P bassist Lani Purkis and music publicist Teresa Patterson, was organised for this year’s International Women’s Day, and held Auckland’s Powerstation.

“We really wanted to create something where younger girls and women have someone to look up and aspire to, and something where women are clearly visible in all parts of the event,” they said in a statement.

The lineup included country singer Tami Neilson, Nadia Reid, Julia Deans, Ria Hall and DJ Sandy Mill.

Headliner Ms Neilson said there weren’t enough examples shown for women who wanted to have a backstage career.

“Seeing women in the industry is what empowers them to then go ‘Oh, I can do this.’,” she told YouTube music blog The 13^th Floor.

The festival was also held at another five venues around the country, in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Headliners at the other events included Bic Runga, who performed in Christchurch, and Ladi6, who performed in Wellington.