Immediately marks probably the most visceral response I’ve ever needed to a Obtain Pageant announcement, and I’ve seen my personal band’s identify on that poster. However even that didn’t examine to the victorious feeling of seeing the Obtain 2026 lineup.
I punched the air, screamed “YES!” on the prime of my lungs and texted each girl within the music business I do know. The large second we’ve been craving for has lastly arrived.
After 22 years of male dominance, we are going to see a band with a lady entrance and centre headlining Obtain in 2026. Emily Armstrong can be commanding that large Donington stage, making rock historical past with Linkin Park. I effectively up simply imagining it.
This isn’t simply one other headline slot: it’s a tectonic shift. It represents a change in perspective towards ladies in rock that claims we’re lastly seen as succesful, we’re valued and we’re worthy of headlining.
Whereas the Obtain lineup has steadily proven extra gender variety over the past 5 years, these coveted headline slots have been at all times reserved for the large boys. There have been far more ladies on the lineup lately, however by no means on the prime, closing out the primary stage.
Once you frequently see all-male bands on the prime of the invoice, it feels silly to dream that headlining the UK’s greatest rock pageant is an achievable purpose as a lady. Now Emily Armstrong is ready to show to 80,000 individuals that ladies can do it too.
Why does this matter? As a result of illustration adjustments actuality. The presence of Linkin Park headlining the primary stage of Obtain sends a loud, simple message: ladies don’t simply belong in rock, we outline it. We take it to new locations.
What number of women within the viewers will witness Emily’s highly effective vocals stay and really feel impressed to start out a band themselves? Her presence on that stage proves to each girl within the crowd that something is feasible. The barrier she is breaking will grow to be one much less impediment for the following era.
I solely must suppose again to the primary ladies I noticed acting on stage at steel festivals to understand what a life-changing impact their presence had on me. Seeing Kittie, Arch Enemy and My Destroy blazing a path 20 years in the past was the precise form of encouragement I wanted to kind a band myself.
Their presence on pageant payments stood out, not simply because there have been so few ladies on these levels again then, however as a result of their defiance and power to exist in a male-dominated sphere was one thing that deeply resonated with me. You may’t think about the goosebumps that hit when a lady lastly strides on stage after ten all-male bands in a row.
These implausible feminine steel musicians confirmed me that you would be able to pursue your passions and carve out an area for your self in steel, towards the chances. I’ve by no means been so motivated to play steel than after I’ve seen different ladies doing it stay.
Again then, you’ll possibly see one or two ladies on a pageant stage like Obtain per day – they usually have been often acting on the smaller levels. That’s why a female-fronted headliner feels completely momentous to me now.
This isn’t nearly illustration, it’s about revolution. It’s the sound of the gates lastly cracking open, of heavy music dwelling as much as its promise of riot and unity. It ignites a flame of hope in me that in the future, headliners fronted by ladies gained’t be an exception at Obtain, however the norm. And that’s a day that I can’t wait to see.
Linkin Park headline Obtain pageant on Sunday June 14, 2026
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