Healthy music audiences: music, gender and health is a small research project by the University of Leeds, investigating sexual violence at gigs in Leeds. The researchers are Dr Rosemary Lucy Hill, Professor David Hesmondhalgh and Molly Megson (University of Leeds). The project is a collaboration with The Leeds Music Hub, a venue and community music centre, and Girl Gang Leeds, a promotions collective that organise events in support of the artistic endeavours of women and LGBTQ people.
The project undertook research between February and September 2018. They sought to understand how sexual assaults and harassment are experienced by gig goers, venues and promoters in Leeds. The research particularly wanted to know what venues and promoters are already doing to prevent and respond to incidents and to consider what more might be done. Their focus was on small independent venues. They spoke to seven gig goers, three venues, three promoters, and three anti-violence campaigning organisations. They also observed three gigs.
With input from the campaigning organisations, the Healthy Music Audiences: music, gender and health research project has created a set of guidelines for venues, promoters and gig goers.