HYBE and Geffen Data “The Dream Academy International Lady Group Audition Program” could possibly be progress for ladies in music, or a embarrassment. I’m betting on the previous

I’m not positive that that is progress, nevertheless it actually, actually could possibly be.

In case you missed it, HYBE and Geffen Data have been working “The Dream Academy International Lady Group Audition Program”. The aim is to assemble a multinational all woman group that may file, carry out, and in any other case turn out to be a worldwide phenomenon, or not less than successful with a particular target market. 

 I do know, we now have been right here earlier than with the industry- assembled Boy Bands: Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, One Path, and so on. And for essentially the most half they labored – they excited the target market (normally teenagers and pre-teens), made some huge cash for the businesses behind them, made just a little cash for the artists, and some of the blokes went on solo fame.

If it really works with the boys, why not with the ladies? Afterall, all feminine musical teams have been well-liked not less than because the Boswell Sisters  within the Thirties. The time period “woman group” got here into vogue with the wave of American feminine pop singing teams within the late Fifties and early Sixties. Extra just lately, look no farther than Black Pink.

Extra importantly, Deezer and Spotify report that ladies are likely to hearken to principally feminine artists and males stream principally male artists.

Why is that this essential? As a result of a 2022 enterprise survey discovered that ladies make up the vast majority of Spotify streamers,   56% to 44%. And a UK survey discovered that when live performance tickets and merch gross sales are added to streaming and CD income, ladies spend more cash on music than males.

Conclusion:  ladies spend more cash on music than males and so they spend it on ladies artists, therefor a worldwide “woman group” ought to rake within the money, particularly if they’re “Sin Fronteras” – from many international locations every with a target market.

The opposite conclusion you can uncooked from that is {that a} world ladies’s group might transfer the needle forward for ladies within the music {industry}.

Regardless of ladies’s dominance within the market, they’re crushed within the music enterprise, and possibly the “The International Lady Group” may help rectify this. Contemplate:  in 2022, solely  30% of artists on the Billboard Scorching 100 Yr-Finish Chart have been ladies, which was an enchancment over earlier years, however nonetheless dismal.  A International Group might add a couple of extra ladies to the listing, however extra importantly,  elevate ladies’s profile in music …rather a lot.

The  International Lady Group Audition Program exhibits that, whereas the {industry} has its head in its (male) ass, not less than two large names are figuring it out.  And I suppose that the actual fact the biggest and most worthwhile live performance tour this 12 months was led by ladies – Taylor Swift, ( Beyonce was not far behind), helped. The New York Instances estimated that when she concludes her Eras Tour, Swift might herald almost $4.1 billion total- another excuse to go world with the gals.

Alas, the dominance of ladies audiences appears to be waking up the accountants, however the picture shapers haven’t gotten the complete messge.  The advertising and marketing for the International Lady Group Audition presents them as passionate, gifted artists, however concurrently horny knock offs of J- and Okay- pop teams like Able to Kiss – harmless younger ladies dressed to titillate.  

Sorry guys – it’s essential watch the “Eras” movie. If you wish to promote music to the most important consumers – ladies – mixing respect for expertise with photos of younger teen-like ladies briefly skirts, knee stockings and the occasional naked midriff dance costume ain’t going to chop it. And pitting ladies in opposition to ladies in public “auditions” received’t both – this isn’t Prime Chef for ladies who sing and dance.  Keep on with tales of passionate willpower and very good expertise and skip the  grammar-school mini skits. And allow them to converse out.

“The Dream Academy International Lady Group Audition Program” is  –  or needs to be – a critical try to assemble the best group of gifted ladies from all over the world who can appeal to Taylor Swift-level audiences with a Swift-type message that works throughout borders. 

The ladies who spend a lot cash on music are usually not interested in phony  “woman energy”. They need sturdy, gifted ladies who ship the message that feminine entertainers are usually not there for males to fantasize over; they’re there to indicate that ladies can and shortly will dominate the music {industry}. “The Dream Academy International Lady Group Audition Program” could possibly be a milestone for ladies. Or it could possibly be a humiliation for ladies. HYBE and Geffen Data want retool and make it a milestone. They bought this far so I believe they’re good sufficient to make it a milestone.

Patrick O’Heffernan