READING and Leeds Festival has ensured its more gender-balanced after female artists accounted for just nine per cent of the line-up last year.

Protectivity has analysed the UK’s largest festival lineups to reveal the festival gender split.

It comes after organisers faced backlash following the announcement on the line-up for the 2020 event. The acts were met with criticism from some, who pointed out that a large majority of those performing on the weekend are men, with very few female acts on the list.

Since then organisers have pledged to make festivals a 50/50 gender split.

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According to data, Reading and Leeds festival has now improved its female-to-male artist gender split from 2020 to 2021, with an increase of 5 per cent.

14 per cent of artists are female in the line-up now whereas 81 per cent are male. This shows there's still a long way to go.

Mixed groups are at 5 per cent.

2020 was the worst year for Reading and Leeds festival, with female artists accounting for just 9 per cent of the lineup - 2019 had a slightly higher number of female representation, with 11 per cent of the lineup being female artists.

Parklife is leading the way with the best gender split in festival lineups this year, with a total of 44 per cent of female artists. The other 56 per cent of the lineup is made up solely by male artists.

In second and third place is Glastonbury’s Live at Worthy Farm and Bestival, respectively. The virtual event, Live at Worthy Farm has a split of 50 per cent male artists, 38 per cent female artists and 13 per cent mixed groups.

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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.”