Words: Keira Oldfield, Millie Rogers, Jo Kendall

It’s time to celebrate women from all corners of the world, and all walks and stages of life with International Women’s Day. For LDN, it seems there’s something in the air in the music world right now as pop music is dominated by incredible female talent – and rock, folk, classical and jazz catching up quickly with curators such as Loud Women creating more space for women on stages, web pages and in radio shows.

We’ve created a little playlist of some of our favourite sounds, from Wolf Alice to Spiritbox to Arlo Parks, and below is a top 5 snapshot of some of the most inspiring acts out there today.

Florence Road – ‘Figure It Out’

Irish four-piece Florence Road represent the kind of grassroots rise that feels increasingly lost in the current music industry. Coming together in Bray, just outside Dublin, in 2019, before 2025 the band had barely played outside of Ireland. Yet, within a year they’d by praised by Olivia Rodrigo and found themselves supporting Wolf Alice on their European tour – a major move for any independent band. ‘Figure It Out’ channels the emotional intensity of growing up. What makes Florence Road important is how their music speaks directly to the uncertainty many young women feel while discovering their identity, navigating relationships, and ambition. They show that vulnerability and self-discovery deserve just as much space in music as confidence and certainty. (KO)

Simmy – ‘We Were Here’

We’re throwing back to 2020 for this tune from the South African singer-songwriter. She made a huge impact with her debut album ‘Tugela Fairy’, mostly sung in Zulu, and made up of songs that showed off Simmy‘s love of personal storytelling, mixed with the magic of fairy tales – an influence since she started writing music at primary school. Coming from the isolated rural riverside town of Tugela Ferry, Simmy put the region on the map, and this track perfectly showcases her smooth, soulful vocal amid an intriguing percussive soundworld. Featuring a refrain from ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ it’s an empowerment anthem for the people: ‘Do you recall when we were young/ We didn’t know/That we would get here’. Later, Simmy lauds a community’s tenancity with ‘Nkunz’ engakhathali‘ (a bull that does not tire) ‘Ntomb’ engaGive up-i‘ (a woman that does not give up) and ‘Wen’ ongalilahli ithemba’ (you do not give up). (JK)

girli – ‘Slap On The Wrist’

Artists who capture the messy, complicated realities of being a modern-day woman are always welcome in LDN’s world. Forging this path since 2014, girli was arguably there first, blending hyperpop energy with sharp-witted lyrics, challenging expectations placed on young women from sexuality to emotional expression. On ‘Slap On The Wrist’, the north Londoner openly confronts the way women are policed for their behaviour while men are often let off the hook. Throughout her work, girli has created a space for honesty. Whether it’s about queer identity, vulnerability, or anger – she is a voice for the silenced. In a pop landscape, where polish and perfection are praised, she refuses to filter herself. By embracing herself and speaking openly, girli empowers her listeners to exist loudly and unapologetically. (KO)

JADE – ‘Church (M.A.S.S. version)‘

Singer, songwriter, and performer JADE rose to fame in 2011 as one quarter of Little Mix. Now a breakout solo star, the 33 year-old from South Shields has carved out her place as one of pop’s most exciting divas with her constant stream of unforgettable looks, sense of theatre and standout tracks like Church (M.A.S.S Version). Away from the recording studio, Jade has long been a supporter of hometown charity Cancer Connections, and has advocated for Black Lives Matter, trans rights and the LGBTQ+ community with Pride events taking place in her own cocktail bar, Arbeia. Jade, we salute you! (MR)

Lime Garden – ‘All Bad Parts‘

Inspired by Richard Schwatz’ self-help book No Bad Parts, the Brighton quartet subvert the book’s self-esteem healing guidelines into a wonky, sarcastic, self-loathing disco bop. Sounds fun, eh? Wait for the whole album, ‘Maybe Not Tonight’, due out April 10, which promises “melancholy, chaos and anger” following the story of a hedonistic night out that goes goose-shaped. After nearly 10 years together, Lime Garden’s strength is humour allied to life lessons, imperfections and glimpses of cringe, all wrapped up in confessional electro-guitar indie bliss. Their confidence is growing and now justified. “When we were 17 and thought we were the shit, and nobody could tell us different,” they say. “We’ve got this fresh feeling that we deserve to be here. That’s a special thing.” (JK)

Listen to the full playlist below featuring: Florence Road, Lily Allen, Wolf Alice, Simmy, Charli XCX, JADE, The Last Dinner Party, girli, Girl Tones, Spiritbox, Bonnie Trash, Arya Starr, PinkPantheress + Kylie Minogue, Zara Larsson, ALT BLK ERA, Eaves Wilder, Softcult, Deyyess, Panic Shack, Lime Garden, Folk Bitch Trio, Arlo Parks, Serena Violet, Mabes.