Country music festivals face criticism over male-dominated lineups

Despite a surge in popularity for female country artists like Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, and Shania Twain, upcoming music festival lineups are being criticized for a lack of gender diversity.

Some festivals are making strides toward inclusivity. The Two Step Inn in Georgetown, Texas, scheduled for April 17-18, features Ella Langley as a headliner alongside Brooks & Dunn. The lineup also includes veteran female artists such as Jo Dee Messina, Pam Tillis, and Lorrie Morgan.

However, other major events appear to be leaning heavily on male performers. The Stagecoach festival has announced a lineup headlined entirely by white men, including Garth Brooks, Riley Green, and Zach Top. Similarly, the Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida, features an all-male headlining roster including Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean. Critics note that even festivals with female representation, such as Chicago’s Windy City Smokeout, maintain a significant male majority in their headlining slots.