08.03.26
Today, across social media, we are marking International Women’s Day by sharing, celebrating and honouring ALL of our female-identifying artists taking to the stage for mjf2026. As the UK’s first festival signatory to Keychange, mjf has a long history of gender balance and representation throughout its work: not just in each festival line-up, but in our talent programmes, mjf staff, board, and in our approach to making the jazz sector a fairer place to work and enjoy music. We are proud to programme some of the best contemporary female–identifying stars spanning all ages across the jazz industry. Click here to view our full lineup.
But alongside all this, we’ve been fortunate to sit down and delve deeper into the craft of two of our most unique artists taking to the stage this year: Delphine Joussein (Nout) and Satnam Galsian. From a variety of different backgrounds, each artists’ work contains strong international links. Read on to learn a little more about their work, influences and advice for the next generation..
1.) For an audience that might not be familiar with your sound, how would you describe it?
Instrumental and organised chaos with punk energy. Come with your ears and heart wide open. Maybe with some good shoes too 🙂
2.) Your music is described as ‘the border of jazz and noise’? Could you share how you came to create and establish your sound? What influences shaped the music?
We come from jazz, classical, grunge, rock, noise music. We love to listen to many other aesthetics and they are all a part of us. What we do with our instruments is our personal vision of the sound, of the music, of the world :)… of what we believe looks the most like us.
3.) This is your UK debut! What are you most looking forward to on your trip?
A UK debut! YEAAAH UK!
4.) What can a Manchester audience expect from your gig? Maybe a mosh-pit?
A mosh-pit happened in France, so it may happen in Manchester…who knows! We hope that a Manchester audience will freely live their own experiences of the concert, that’s the best we can wish them.
5.) If you had one piece of advice for an early career female artist on the beginning of her journey with jazz, what would it be?
Be yourself and never give that up!
Nout will play Band on the Wall: The Copper Bar, Saturday 23 May @ 10 PM. Get your tickets HERE.
1.) Could you introduce yourself & your music to our audiences?
I’m a folk singer-songwriter from Leeds. I studied North Indian classical music for years – it’s similar to jazz in that there is a lot of improvisation in it! Through my music I explore both Punjabi & Western folk songs. I realised that Punjabi folk songs, in particular, come from a patriarchal point of view so, I like to reimagine them from a different perspective which is more empowering for women.
2.) What are you most excited for with this commission?
I’m looking forward to working on this commission with the manchester jazz festival, Oldham Coliseum as part of their Kushi Festival and the Old Courts in Wigan. My piece is called ‘Love or Sacrifice’ and I will be looking at the roles and expectations of women in South Asian Culture using punjabi folk tales as a starting point. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with artists from different musical backgrounds.
3.) If you had one piece of advice for an early career female artist on the beginning of her journey with jazz, what would it be?
I would tell them to stay true to themselves, be authentic and take up space.
Satnam will play Aviva Studios: The Home of Factory International, Sunday 24 May @ 5 PM. Free entry, learn more HERE.
