Female singers assemble : a study of Cantopop female singer Janice Vidal and girl band FIESTER

Abstract

This dissertation is a study of Cantopop in relation to feminism. Firstly, it discusses gender imbalance in the Cantopop industry, including the singers and musicians behind the scenes. The dissertation indicates the fact that women who desire to work in the production scene are excluded, and how female singers’ authourship is taken away in various aspects. Then, the dissertation examines the performativities of Hong Kong female singer Janice Vidal, and an indie female rock band FIESTER, with various selected texts, such as their interviews with media and music streaming platform, and photos on social media and in the physical album. By observing the mentioned texts, the dissertation presents variables of becoming women. Lastly, by analysing the singers’ songs and music videos, the dissertation investigates the possibilities of grouping music with feminist ideas and coining a new category named “feminism”. With the use of costumes, performances and songs, the female singers can convey feminist messages to audience. However, the dissertation finds that audience usually focus on the singers, the music quality, their bodies, etc., rather than the feminist ideas that the performers try to convey. Therefore, turning ‘feminism’ into a new musical genre requires sufficient feminist pedagogy and tremendous effort.