MABEL headlines at LooseFest 22 as report highlights the importance of female representation at live music events. will.I.am dramatically stops his performance to help medics attend a fan in need.

With only 13% of festival headliners this year reported to be women or minority groups, it's refreshing to hear that MABEL was one of the headliners at LooseFest this weekend. The irony of MABEL performing her “empowering” new banger GOOD LUCK feels somehow fitting, with the international female music artist the penultimate set closing the weekend. 

Rapper will.i.am and his band Black Eyed Peas were the Saturday headliners with the

crowd going wild when the “new Fergie”, J. Rey Soul (real name Jessica Reynoso) performed. The rapper and his group were halfway through the show and performing recent hit 'GIRL LIKE ME', when he dramatically brought the music to a sudden halt to speak to the crowd, urging spectators to "clear the way" as medics jumped in to help a fan in need of assistance.  The crowd waited patiently, as will.i.am reminded the crowd to put "safety first" as he was applauded for his kind-hearted action, before the band re-started the song, which came before a final flurry of hits including 'Where is the Love?' and 'I Gotta Feeling'.

Over 70 music artists performed at LooseFest including AJ Tracey, Paul Woolford, Patrick Topping, Example, Alan Fitzpatrick, Wilkinson and Clean Bandit. 

Brian Austin, one of the directors of LooseFest said; “There are some very talented female artists on the music scene with emerging talent more prolific than ever.  We love to champion talent, many who have emerged after finding their musical vocation (and decks) in lockdown.

Founder Austin continued; "Securing international music artists like Mabel and Black Eyed Peas was a huge moment for the team, especially after the challenges for the music industry, It's been intense, but we were determined to make it happen.  We're so proud of what we have achieved."

The directors of LooseFest defied the odds after one of the most challenging times in the music industry, pulling it together in just four months and investing millions in the process.  LooseFest 2023 has been confirmed.

Dean Saunders, a director of LooseFest, said; “This has been everything we have ever dreamed of, so much work has gone on behind the scenes, day and night to try and make it as amazing as possible for everyone. It was incredible to see loads of people enjoying themselves again".

Jonas Blue, Sigala, Disciples, Jess Bays, Patrick Topping, Alisha, Belters Only, Lindsey Matthews. Kara, Julian B2B Ollie, Eurasia, Kings of the Rollers and Phats & Small are just some of the talent showcased across four all-weather stages.  Posh toilets were even on the list, with the team determined to re-think the current festival vibe.  The festival goers enjoyed a carnival and fairground rides, big top and a food village, which kept the crowds entertained all weekend.

*SOURCE The Progressing Gender Representation in UK Dance Music report - published today the first to apply detailed qualitative and quantitative data to the multiple barriers and challenges faced by female and non-male artists in the dance music scene.”