Although we like to make it look easy, a lot goes into hosting more than 300 performances per year here at The Bridgewater Hall – and most of it before a single ticket holder has even set foot in the venue. From housekeeping to catering to accounts, it truly does take a village, and whilst none of it would be possible without every single person who’s a part of our peerless team, ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March, we’d like to highlight in particular the remarkable ladies we’re lucky to have within our ranks – from house management to marketing, security to scheduling – who work tirelessly to keep things ticking.
But, of course, our staff aren’t the only ones responsible for the spectacular live experiences we’re proud to provide for our patrons – it’s also essential to celebrate the broad range of brilliant women we’re thrilled to have take to our stage.
Joining us for not one but two sold out nights next month is singer, songwriter and feminist powerhouse, Paloma Faith, stopping by on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 April in support of her sixth album, The Glorification of Sadness. A ‘pretty personal’ record inspired by the dissolution of her long-term relationship, her setlist is sure to be shaped by the fan favourites that have fast emerged following its February release as well as the best of her hit-packed back catalogue, including the songs that first made her a star.
With us also the Spring is irrepressible pop legend Lulu, who’ll be celebrating her 75th birthday year as well as six successful decades in the business on Wednesday 10 April, having stormed the UK charts with her iconic hit Shout at the age of just 15. Boasting a Eurovision win, a Bond theme, a CBE and so much more, she’s comfortably earned her place as a key pop cultural figure both within Britain and beyond, encouraging attendants to this latest tour – as its decadent name would suggest – to raise a glass of ‘Champagne for Lulu’ as she toasts all that she’s achieved so far along with the fans who’ve helped make it happen!
Another icon of the industry with a laudable and ever-growing legacy is author, musician and punk pioneer Chrissie Hynde, who’ll be here with her band the Pretenders on Monday 28 October. After almost fifty years in music, she remains as fierce and influential as ever, reviews for the band’s latest record – 2023’s Relentless – even suggesting a renaissance, with Uncut Magazine hailing the album as ‘the new prime of Chrissie Hynde’. Unsurprisingly, tickets for this one sold out incredibly quickly, fans keen to spend an evening in the company of a seasoned and storied performer still powerfully firing on all cylinders.
Speaking of sold out shows, Sunday 8 September will see us welcome back Sophia and Cinzia – ‘the internet’s favourite best friends’ and presenters of the wildly popular podcast, The Girls Bathroom – following a packed-out performance last year. The pair will be returning with The Planet Tour to offer more advice, recall more stories and share more of their wisdom with the wide-ranging community of young women who’ve connected with their content, existing as a safe space in which their listeners can embrace vulnerability, seek support and tap into the solace of the virtual sisterhood.
We’re also honoured to be hosting musical theatre royalty and ‘Disney Legend’ Lea Salonga at the Hall on Monday 1 July as she brings her brand-new production, Stage, Screen & Everything In Between, to audiences across the UK this summer. Having earned a Tony Award, an Olivier Award and two Grammy nominations for her work both in the West End and on Broadway – not to mention the adoration and admiration of musical theatre fans around the world – she’ll be recounting classics from her best known roles in Miss Saigon, Les Mis, Aladdin and Mulan, along with new-found favourites from Stephen Sondheim, our Hall the perfect acoustic environment for a voice as poignant and powerful as hers.
By no means an exhaustive list, the examples above are just a handful of the fantastic female performers we’re proud to feature within our live programme, International Women’s Day a worthy reminder to reflect on the incredible talent we’re surrounded by, week in, week out, here at the Hall. We look forward to working with and welcoming many more wonderful women both in the year ahead and well beyond.