International Women’s Day 2026
Soul queens, jazz innovators and global icons – This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the artists who’ve played a defining role in the genres that sit at the heart of our programming.
Throughout the rest of Women’s History Month, we’ll be celebrating the women who shape Band on the Wall, from those working behind the scenes to trailblazing artists heading to our stage later this year.
Follow along as we celebrate the past, present and future of women in music.
Nina Simone
Nina Simone expanded the possibilities of jazz, musically, emotionally and politically. Drawing on her classical training, she merged jazz with blues, folk and soul, reshaping vocal expression in the process. Her songs confronted civil rights and injustice with clarity and control, broadening what jazz could hold and stand for.
Celia Cruz
The Queen of Salsa, Celia brought explosive energy and unmistakable power to Afro-Cuban music. Her bold performances and vibrant voice helped globalise salsa, celebrating Caribbean identity while shaping dance music culture for generations.
Erykah Badu
Blending psychedelic soul with jazz, hip-hop and experimental production, Erykah Badu helped define the neo-soul movement through her distinctive voice and artistic independence. As a key figure within the Soulquarians collective, she influenced a wave of artists through music grounded in identity, experimentation and cultural expression.
Dusty Springfield
Interpreting American soul through a distinctly British lens, Dusty Springfield became one of the defining voices of 1960s popular music. Her emotive delivery and timeless recordings bridged pop and rhythm & blues, shaping the sound of British soul for generations.
Angélique Kidjo
Fusing West African traditions with jazz, funk and global sounds, Kidjo creates powerful, boundary-crossing music rooted in cultural pride. A committed activist, she advocates for education, women’s rights and African representation, extending her impact far beyond performance.