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Boston Globe

Meet the radical ruckus of We Make Noise Fest

We Make Noise Boston director Naomi Westwater says that one of the biggest misconceptions about gender inequity is the mere fact that it's still an issue in 2025. Don't let last year's Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up In fact, women saw slight dips in already-meager representation last year, shrinking to 18.9% of songwriters and 5.9% of producers, according to the study. Nonbinary artists made up less than half of one percent of each discipline. The study calculated the figures based on data from each year's Billboard Hot 100 Year-End charts, providing a nationwide snapshot of the music industry. But Westwater says the patterns are mirrored in smaller music communities like Boston. Advertisement 'There's a huge gap in educational, pay, and work opportunities based on gender and [this] hurts the local music scene,' Westwater says. Advertisement We Make Noise Fest is one effort to tip the scales and offer a sizable public platform to an array of regional artists. This year's lineup ranges from Maine singer-songwriter The event is an eight-hour, medium-spanning encapsulation of what it means for everyone to have their time in the spotlight. It's also only one component of leveling the playing field in the arts. In addition to its annual festival, We Make Noise Boston coordinates workshops and workforce development opportunities year-round, while festival partner Mass NOW, a grassroots feminist organization, advocates for intersectional legislation pertaining to issues like reproductive justice and gender-based violence. But the responsibility to maintain that social progress also applies to general music fans. Showing up at gigs that aren't branded as a special occasion is an essential part of ensuring that shows like We Make Noise Fest become the norm instead of one-off events. Festival performer Advertisement Actively streaming – or better yet, purchasing – music is just as key for fueling the festival's momentum. Get a head start by streaming the new song 'dependents' by Boston soul artist When they perform the tune next Saturday, McCracken says they'll see it as a vehicle for both rebellion and connection. 'We started this year with the new [presidential] administration declaring my identity as non-existent,' McCracken says. Which is why being on that stage in Downtown Crossing – and offering an 'access point' to passersby who might have never met a non-binary person before – feels extra important. 'They're gonna learn something about me. Then they're gonna know who I am,' McCracken concludes. GIG GUIDE MGM Music Hall at Fenway brims with the sounds of Nashville this week, as Advertisement In a similar vein, Saturday's an ideal night to support Boston artists headlining club shows; Dorchester emcee Or, step back in time at The Burren on Ray Lemieux share a bill at the venue's Back Room. Aerosmith has retired from the road, but the Two standout – and largely underrated – leading ladies round out the week at City Winery. Advertisement (The fact that this gig guide consists mostly of men this week is coincidental, but I'll let that skewed ratio of this week's major shows speak for itself). NOW SPINNING Chance the Rapper , 'Star Line.' It's been a roller coaster of a decade for Chance the Rapper. After releasing his much-lauded 2016 mixtape 'Coloring Book' – then his more tepidly-received debut 'The Big Day' – the emcee resurfaces with 'Star Line', his sophomore album inspired by 'travel and personal change.' Lead single 'Tree,' a collab with Lil Wayne and Smino, sets a swaggering yet somber tone. Chance the Rapper's sophomore album "Star Line" was inspired by "travel and personal change." Keeley Parenteau Jill McCracken , 'dependents.' McCracken's signature soul music finds a raw edge on their first single in two years. Tucked inside the mounting frenzy of 'dependents' is a hard-fought journey towards self-reliance. 'By the end, you've clawed your way, tooth and nail – for the first time – to being your own protector,' the Boston artist explains. The finish line is as satisfying as it is explosive. Jill McCracken's signature soul music finds a raw edge on their new single, "dependents." Tory Corless Marissa Nadler , Marissa Nadler's LP "New Radiations" exhales ghostly wisps of ambient folk. Ebru Yildiz BONUS TRACK Before tourist season hits, Witch City soaks up the grooves of the Advertisement Victoria Wasylak can be reached at . Follow her on Bluesky @