Listen to singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy, Radio 1’s Clara Amfo and DJ Lulu LeVay discuss the role of women in pop music, in a debate chaired by writer and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer. 

This was the 15th event in the ongoing series, 37 Things You Need To Know About Modern Britain, which is a partnership between BUG and The House of St Barnabas.


The high profile success of Beyonce’s Lemonade illustrates how completely a new generation of female artists is dominating the pop charts. Since the 2000s, artists like Adele, Taylor Swift and Rihanna have challenged the way women are traditionally regarded in the entertainment industry. And their imagery and public statements have played an important part in the debates thrown up by the new wave of feminism.

Thing 15 : Is Pop Music the New Feminism?

Listen to questions from the audience and discussion with singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy, Radio 1’s Clara Amfo and DJ Lulu LeVay, in a debate chaired by writer and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer. 

This was the 15th event in the ongoing series, 37 Things You Need To Know About Modern Britain, which is a partnership between BUG and The House of St Barnabas.


The high profile success of Beyonce’s Lemonade illustrates how completely a new generation of female artists is dominating the pop charts. Since the 2000s, artists like Adele, Taylor Swift and Rihanna have challenged the way women are traditionally regarded in the entertainment industry. And their imagery and public statements have played an important part in the debates thrown up by the new wave of feminism.

Thing 15 Part 2 of Is Pop Music the New Feminism - The Discussion

Long hours, low pay, endless emails, sexist bosses, stupid meetings, management-speak… when did modern work become quite so awful? Modern workplaces were meant to be creative and fulfilling places, but in reality we’re just working longer hours than ever for less pay. A record number of us have now ditched the 9-5 to work for ourselves but with 80 per cent of the self-employed living in poverty, the dream of flexible working brings its own nightmares.

To explore what can we do to make work better join Lucy Kellaway, Associate Editor and management columnist at the FT, Robert Kelsey, best-selling author of What’s Stopping You, and leadership expert Gareth Coombs, in a debate chaired by writer and journalist Stephen Armstrong.

This talk took place on Thursday 4th May 2017 in the beautiful chapel at The House of St Barnabas. It was the 18th event in the ongoing series, 37 Things You Need To Know About Modern Britain, which is a partnership between BUG and The House of St Barnabas, forged from a mutual desire to examine modern life and popular culture.

The House of St Barnabas is a charity whose vision is to create a future where lasting work is a reality for people affected by homelessness and social exclusion.

The image is used with permission from The Official Home Of Modern Toss.

#18 Modern Work Is Rubbish

#18 Modern Work Is Rubbish Part 2

Bug is a group of writers and commentators, based in London.

The members of Bug share a common interest in the way popular culture and social behaviour reveal currents of belief, emotion and thought in contemporary society. 

We also explore that idea in talks, notably our ongoing series 37 Things You Need to Know About Modern Britain with London’s House of St Barnabas.

Bug also partners with brand and business to produce bespoke reports, research and to consult on brand strategy.  www.buglondon.co.uk