Music fans wait for Mexican singer Danna Paola's performance during the HERA HSBC music festival in Mexico City, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo)
Mexico City's Hera HSBC music festival on Saturday showcased an all-female lineup, featuring both Latina and international artists like Kesha, Demi Lovato, and Camila Cabello. The event, named after the Greek goddess Hera, took place at a pivotal time for the country, as Mexico is set to inaugurate its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum.
With over 48,000 attendees, the festival was held at the capital's race track, a venue known for other major music events like Corona Capital and EDC Mexico. Hera was unique not only because of its all-women performers but also because women took charge behind the scenes as producers, engineers, and more. This focus on female empowerment was a key goal for the festival, according to Itzel González, a festival promoter, and Ximena Sariñana, a Mexican singer-songwriter who co-created and directed the Hera committee.
During her performance, Sariñana expressed gratitude to the crowd, saying, "Thank you truly to all of you for coming and being part of this unique and historic moment here in Mexico City."
Ivan Huerta, a 28-year-old attendee, appreciated the all-female lineup, stating, "I love it. As part of the LGBT community, I feel more comfortable that it’s all women. It’s amazing that there is a festival for them and for everyone."
Despite the progress, gender inequality in the music industry remains a challenge. A study by the University of Southern California found that, in 2023, men made up 64.6% of artists on the Hot 100 Billboard Year-End Chart, while women accounted for 34.8%, and 0.6% were gender non-binary. Additionally, less than 25% of performers at major U.S. music festivals are women, according to the nonprofit "Book More Women."
At Hera, Puerto Rican and transgender rapper Villano Antillano was a highlight, thrilling the crowd with her performance. Dressed in leather, she opened with "Super Hoe" from her new album "Miss Misogyny," celebrating female rappers. The audience cheered her on, with fans shouting, "Villano, sister, you’re already Mexican!" Antillano responded warmly, saying, "When one (woman) rises, we all rise," and expressed her deep bond with Mexico, particularly with her "Mexican transgender sisters."
Even as rain began to fall in the late afternoon, fans eagerly awaited pop star Kesha's performance. Kesha, who has been in a legal battle with producer Dr. Luke for over a decade, returned to the stage with renewed confidence. She reflected on her struggles, telling the audience, "I was so scared that people were going to judge me... Thank you for being by my side during the hardest years of my life." She then performed her new single "JOYRIDE," marking her first independent release after breaking away from Dr. Luke’s label.
The festival also featured performances by Mexican singer Danna Paola and Colombian group Bomba Estéreo, adding to the diverse and powerful lineup of female talent.
