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Irish Examiner

‘Don't Touch My Knob' gig challenges lack of female acts at Cork's Live at the Marquee

As a positive reaction to the lack of gender diversity on Cork's Live at the Marquee line-up, musician Áine Duffy has spear-headed a gig in the historic Elizabeth Fort featuring female artists. Cork City Council and the Night Time Economy have partnered with Ms Duffy to present 'Don't Touch My Knob' in the historic former fort and women's prison off Barrack St. The all-female line-up includes MC and comedian Sinéad Quinlan, musicians Ria Rua, Áine Duffy and electronic DJ Nathalie Mac. Elizabeth Fort was specially chosen for its significant role in history as a female prison and deportation centre between 1822 and 1837. 'No female headliners? No problem,' Ms Duffy said. 'Join us for a powerhouse protest gig celebrating incredible female artists, too often hidden by corporate gatekeepers. No female headliners at the Marquee and just 2% females on the airwaves. We're taking back the stage. 'Expect raw talent, skill, craic, and laughs. This isn't just a gig. It's a statement,' Ms Duffy said. Ms Duffy, a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Bandon, has previously toured the world, including in the US, Spain, Italy, and Canada with her music, which often blends Rock, RnB and Dance. "It's like David Grohl gate-crashed an Irish protest rally," was how one of her gigs was described. Áine Duffy at her mobile gig venue, a converted donkey box, in 2021. During the covid pandemic, she converted a donkey box into a mobile gig venue to safely tour her album outdoors when gig venues were closed internationally during successive lockdowns. Ria Rua is a multi-instrumentalist and artist who fuses alt-pop, electro-grunge, and industrial textures with a powerful, unapologetic sound. DJ and co-founder of the Electronic Music Council Natalie Mac brings powerful beats and a passionate commitment to nurturing Cork's electronic music talent. Comedian and RedFM radio presenter Sinéad Quinlan delivers laugh out-loud humour with an authentic, relatable twist. The gig's name was inspired by a sign Ms Duffy previously erected at gigs which said: "Please do not touch my knob (without consent)" to deter men from adjusting her equipment. She said people, mostly men, consistently came up to her during live performances and tried to adjust her public address (PA) system. 'I was playing a gig in West Cork — it was wonderful but a stream of people kept coming up trying to adjust my PA system. I think they were just trying to help but I know what I'm doing, I've been doing this for years. "A woman came up to me the next day and suggested I put a sign up saying 'keep your hands off my knob' and I did. It's worked so far. 'I want to be gentle and humorous about it. But if I was a man, I would not have to do that.' The women will perform on August 1 at Elizabeth Fort in Cork City from 8pm. Tickets at €20 are available from Read More 50 more acts announced for sold-out All Together Now festival