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The Ferret is set to host a powerful weekend of live music and community events in celebration of International Women’s Day 2026.
Running from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 March, the event will shine a spotlight on female artists and women in music while raising funds for women’s charities.
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On Friday night, Manchester-based four-piece Vélez bring their Latin jazz-infused bossa sound to Preston. Fronted by Spanish-born singer-songwriter Cloe Vélez, the band fuse sultry rhythms with sharp, contemporary lyricism.
Support comes from Ellie Winstanley – formerly of British Birds – performing her debut solo show, plus local outfit Face Ache. While not officially part of the International Women’s Day programme, the event sets the tone for a weekend celebrating female creativity on stage.
The International Women’s Day All-Dayer will take place on Saturday. The centrepiece of the weekend sees Madrid street punks GRIPPERS headline a diverse cross-section of female-fronted and feminist punk and alt-rock talent.
Since 2014, GRIPPERS have built a reputation for their fierce DIY spirit and explosive blend of street punk and hardcore. They’re joined by a regional line-up including Death Trails, Two Tonne Machete, Dead Sheep, PLAYMATE, and Cock Batteth.
Ticket proceeds will support Young Women’s Trust and Lancashire Women, two charities working to tackle gender inequality, economic injustice and barriers facing women across the region and nationally.
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On Sunday – International Women’s Day itself – Preston DJ Social host an afternoon DJ Hangout and Open Deck, inviting women DJs from across Lancashire to connect, collaborate and play in a safe, supportive environment.
The event is a collaboration between Preston DJ Social, Pink Rizla Riddims, Our House Your House, Preston Pride UK and Elder Emo. Open to all abilities, the session is woman-identifying and trans inclusive. Everyone is welcome to attend, with DJ slots available on the day for women participants.
Female representation in festival line-ups rose from around 9 per cent to 26.9 per cent between 2012 and 2021, but recent statistics from Not Bad For A Girl UK highlight regression amid male dominated headline slots.
A spokesperson for The Ferret said: “We acknowledge that women remain underrepresented across live music line-ups and the wider industry. Over the past year The Ferret has welcomed an expanding roster of female and non-binary talent to the stage and continues working to improve representation both on and off stage.
“We’d love music fans to join us this weekend to celebrate women’s creativity, energy and influence across punk, alternative, jazz and DJ culture, while contributing to meaningful change locally and nationally.”
For more information and tickets, visit The Ferret website.
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