Last year, a new festival held their first event in the Bay Area in California. Doll Fest describes itself as “a celebration of the feminine energy, friendship, and community gathering together in support of one another.” This year, Doll Fest is back! Volume II will be held in Oakland, CA on March 28th and 29th with a pre-party on the 27th. And the lineup this year is just as jaw dropping and inspiring as the last.
We wanted to get in on the action, so we’ve asked the amazing bands a handful of questions about the festival including who they’re stoked to be playing with and what they think a festival of this caliber means to our scene.
We spoke with Anita and Veronica of the emerging and powerful Bay Area band Black Gold Sun. They discuss the power of femme visibility, how feminine energy can shift a space into something more uplifting and collaborative, and why creating room for women on stage can inspire the next generation of artists. Check out the interview below and grab your tickets to Doll Fest today!
Interview
What does playing a femme-only festival like Doll Fest mean to you personally?
Anita: It’s an honor! I look forward to sharing the stage with women and rocking out for them.
Veronica: It’s about visibility, support, and celebrating the creativity and perspectives that women bring to the stage.
How does playing a festival like this shift the energy—on stage or in the crowd?
Anita: When an event brings in feminine energy the vibration just changes into something higher and more accepting.
Veronica: It feels more like collaborative celebration. Everyone is there to lift each other up, and that makes the crowd engaged and open.
What would you want a younger version of yourself to feel seeing this lineup?
Anita: I think my younger self would have lost her mind seeing women who looked like her rocking out!
Veronica: I think it would have made me feel like picking up an instrument and starting a band! I would feel inspired knowing there would be a place for me.
What does “taking up space” look like for you as a femme musician?
Anita: It’s women performing on stage, jumping in the pit, and leaving their light on.
Veronica: Being able to make and perform the music you believe in. Being unapologetic and willing to make waves for your art. It’s also about supporting other artists and helping create room for women who haven’t always been given the platform.
Who are some femme artists—past or present—who have inspired you or paved the way?
Anita: Big Mama Thorton, and Elizabeth Cotten. Women who created genres of music that changed the world.
Veronica: Musicians in the riot grrrl movement and women in punk helped create space for the next generation. Seeing women who were fearless on stage made a big impact on the music scene.
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