Keychange Pledge Research Report

Keychange today publishes its Keychange Pledge Report 2023-2025, offering one of the most comprehensive public datasets to date on gender balance and intersectional inclusion across the global music industry.

Drawing on data from hundreds of Pledge signatories worldwide, the report shows that while gender balance targets are being met by a significant proportion of organisations (50.7%), progress remains uneven across regions, sectors, and identities, with Western European festivals continuing to dominate participation and reporting.

The findings underline a critical reality: commitment alone is not enough. Without stronger accountability mechanisms, broader sector and regional engagement, and targeted leadership development, structural inequalities in music will persist.

“The latest pledge report demonstrates that gender equity in music is achievable and sustainable,” said Aysha Hussain, pledge co-manager. “The progress is not without its challenges; financial pressures, market inequalities, and gender imbalances in leadership roles continue to slow change, while consistent data reporting and intersectional inclusion require continuing development. However, pledge signatories are increasingly embedding systemic intersectional inclusion in their gender equity work, highlighting the crucial shift beyond stage visibility, to internal organisational culture and infrastructure for long-term change.”

What Comes Next

The Keychange Pledge Report will inform the rollout of the Keychange Toolkit and Online Signatory Environment, designed to support organisations with practical guidance, benchmarking, and peer learning.

As International Women’s Day approaches, Keychange will also announce the 2026 cohort of its Talent Leadership Programme, translating the report’s insights into concrete investment in the next generation of music leaders from underrepresented genders and backgrounds.