THE WORLD IS LISTENING PRESENTS: A Conversation on music, gender and race with Anoushka Shankar, Rioghnach Connolly & Gwyneth Herbert at Shambala Festival 2016more at www.theworldislistening.co.ukand shambalafestival.org

When women now make up 16% of the UK Performers Rights Society, average about the same in performers at major UK festivals, and even less in producer and executive roles in the music industry, this imbalance leads us to ask, where are all the women?

Tune in to this podcast for a gritty discussion on a Sunday afternoon and hear the inspiring stories from 16% who are working their way to the top. Be part of the discussion about what needs to change in the landscape of music to achieve equality, and of course, how?

Alongside other special guest panelists we have Indian sitar player and composer, Anoushka Shankar. Born in London, her childhood was divided between London and Delhi. Anoushka began training on the sitar with her father Ravi at the age of seven. As part of her training, she began accompanying him on the tanpura at his performances from the age of ten, soaking up the music and becoming acclimatised to the stage. Shankar gave her first public sitar performance on 27 February 1995 at the age of 13, at Siri Fort in New Delhi as part of her father’s 75th birthday celebration concert.

Ríoghnach Connolly is Irish born, Manchester based singer, fluetist and songwriter. She recently signed to Real World studios with her new band The Breath, and their album Carry Your Kin. Rioghnach is appearing at Shambala in her band Honeyfeet and performing in a duo with Ellis Davies playing mostly traditional Irish Music.

Gwyneth Herbert is a British singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Initially known for her interpretation of jazz and swing standards, she is now established as a writer of original compositions, including musical theatre. Her songs have been described as “impressively crafted and engrossing vignette[s] of life’s more difficult moments”.

The World is Listening will continue to share the stories of women performing at Shambala Festival 2016 online and on radio.www.theworldislistening.co.uk