Infamous Beater
Member
Recently, John Petrucci (Dream Theater guitarist) was asked this question by a Metal Hammer reader:
Given the low ratio of women to men (est. 4:96) at your shows, have you considered using the lack of any line for the ladies’ restroom as a selling point in promoting your concerts?
Petrucci: “That’s funny! I’m not sure why it’s like that. I just did my third guitar camp called John Petrucci’s Guitar Universe and I have lots of guest instructors that come in. This was the first time my wife Rena came as a guest instructor – she’s a guitar player from Meanstreak, which was an all-female thrash band, and she plays in [all-female Judas Priest tribute band] Judas Priestess now.
All the campers there except for two were male. We had discussions on why more women don’t come to camps and concerts in this genre. There are tons of female players and drummers out there, why don’t they come to shows? We’ve seen an increase in DT audiences lately but the ratio is still well off and I always wonder why. I’d love to see more women come to our shows!”
This quote struck me when I saw a photo of the audience of a Snarky Puppy show. I mean what women doesn't like puppies? Yet, while there was a smattering of elder-Moms in the crowd, it was clearly a Dude-heavy event. Why is it that women don't get what men do from Dream Theater's Noodly-Doodly or male Subaru drivers derives from Snarky Puppy's odd blend of rock, jazz, R&B, funk? and world music?
Given the low ratio of women to men (est. 4:96) at your shows, have you considered using the lack of any line for the ladies’ restroom as a selling point in promoting your concerts?
Petrucci: “That’s funny! I’m not sure why it’s like that. I just did my third guitar camp called John Petrucci’s Guitar Universe and I have lots of guest instructors that come in. This was the first time my wife Rena came as a guest instructor – she’s a guitar player from Meanstreak, which was an all-female thrash band, and she plays in [all-female Judas Priest tribute band] Judas Priestess now.
All the campers there except for two were male. We had discussions on why more women don’t come to camps and concerts in this genre. There are tons of female players and drummers out there, why don’t they come to shows? We’ve seen an increase in DT audiences lately but the ratio is still well off and I always wonder why. I’d love to see more women come to our shows!”
This quote struck me when I saw a photo of the audience of a Snarky Puppy show. I mean what women doesn't like puppies? Yet, while there was a smattering of elder-Moms in the crowd, it was clearly a Dude-heavy event. Why is it that women don't get what men do from Dream Theater's Noodly-Doodly or male Subaru drivers derives from Snarky Puppy's odd blend of rock, jazz, R&B, funk? and world music?