Techno, turntables, and tokenism: A mixed-methods exploration into the experiences of female DJs in electronic dance music culture

This thesis seeks to investigate and amplify the lived experiences of female DJs in electronic dance music (EDM). The small amount of literature that exists on female DJs has shown that the EDM scene is inherently sexist, an ‘all-boys’ club’ that excludes women through its culture of misogyny and the masculinisation of technology (Farrugia, 2012; Gadir, 2017a; Gavanas & Reitsamer, 2013). However, little is known about women’s experiences or about how these may be impacted by their intersecting identities. This project provides new insights into women in EDM by using an intersectional lens through which to explore their experiences, supported by the voices of a diverse sample of female DJs. The majority of EDM literature favours the male perspective, whilst research specifically on female DJs favours White, Western, cisgender, heterosexual women. As such, this thesis is the first to employ a large-scale, mixed-methods design that offers an in-depth and systematic investigation of the experiences of female DJs, as well highlighting alternative viewpoints from voices often missing from EDM literature.
This thesis adopts a sequential qualitative to quantitative mixed-methods approach, whereby data collected from semi-structured interviews (N=23) was used to inform the questions asked in a subsequent survey with a larger number of respondents (N=176). Findings significantly expand the limited literature on female DJs thus far, exposing the ‘gendered nature’ of their experiences. Although women encountered gendered barriers at all stages of their career (e.g. gatekeepers, hierarchies), many worked to actively challenge them, as well as the sexism present in the wider music industry, perceiving their role as a female DJ to be political. Further, in carving out their own spaces for inclusion, through communities, collectives, and alternative spaces, women made it possible for themselves and other minorities to thrive within EDM, despite its male dominance. Crucially, this thesis uncovers the ways in which gender intersected with other aspects of identity to shape experience. For example, professional DJs reported experiencing depression and PTSD more frequently than amateurs, and queer women reported more negative experiences within the EDM scene overall compared to straight women. This project also provides new perspectives on, and a greater understanding of, some of the issues discussed in prior work (e.g. safety, community). For example, solidarity was identified as a benefit of community that appeared unique to women.
Findings have important implications for the development of policies and guidelines within EDM, and the wider music industry, to foster a safer and more inclusive scene. For example, the creation of safer spaces policies, procedures for reporting and dealing with sexism and harassment, or to pressure festivals, venues, and promoters to diversify their line-ups in genuine and non-tokenistic ways. Further, this project lays the foundation for the creation of resources or programmes specific to female DJs that they could engage with whilst on tour to maintain a good level of wellbeing. Additionally, it advocates for more financial and behind-the-scenes support for organisations that support female DJs in order to continue their vital work. As the first large-scale, in-depth investigation into female DJs, this thesis makes a significant contribution to the field, providing a deeper understanding of their experiences, inclusive of a more diverse range of voices, that has not previously been achieved.