Celebrating the Women Headlining Co-op Live in 2026
International Women’s Day is a moment to recognise not only progress, but power – creative power, cultural power and the influence of women shaping industries in real time.
In 2026, Co-op Live’s calendar features an exceptional lineup of female and female-fronted artists whose impact goes far beyond chart positions. From global pop innovators to pioneers of alternative and heavy music, these artists represent different genres, generations and journeys.
Here’s why they deserve the spotlight this International Women’s Day.
Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean has had a breakout year. At the 2026 Grammy Awards, she won Best New Artist, bringing home one of music’s biggest accolades and marking her as a global star to watch. Earlier that same week at the Brit Awards in Manchester, she swept the night with four wins, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Act.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat is one of today’s most versatile performers – a genre-defying force who continues to blur the lines between pop, hip-hop, R&B, and experimental sounds. Her 2025 album Vie kept her firmly in the global spotlight, and she’s one of the most decorated and nominated artists of her generation, with one Grammy win and 19 nominations across her career.
Not only has she dominated charts globally, but Doja’s impact on music and culture is undeniable: she’s broken multiple records and even made history on the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart with her chart-topping hits. Her sound, visuals, and creative expression inspire countless female artists navigating the industry today.
Madison Beer
Madison Beer has steadily become a defining voice in modern pop. With two Grammy nominations, her work reflects both emotional vulnerability and creative control.
Her 2026 album Locket and subsequent world tour show a singer who’s evolving both musically and personally. Madison often explores themes of self-empowerment, identity, and growth — making her not just a chart presence but a relatable figure for young women navigating their own journeys.
Robyn
For over two decades, Robyn has been one of pop’s most quietly influential innovators. Albums like Body Talk helped redefine what independent pop could look like – artist-led and personal.
Robyn’s music balances vulnerability with dance production, creating songs that feel equally suited to a club floor or a solo late-night listen. Her influence can be heard across today’s generation of pop artists, many of whom cite her approach to songwriting and independence as inspiration. At Co-op Live, Robyn represents the power of longevity – an artist who has continuously shaped the direction of modern pop while staying true to her creative instincts.
Evanescence
Evanescence are pioneers in bringing female-fronted rock into the mainstream. With a debut album that changed the early 2000s rock landscape and multiple Grammy wins and nominations under their belt, frontwoman Amy Lee has become an icon for women in harder genres.
Their 2026 world tour and continued relevance highlights the influence and staying power of women in rock. Evanescence bridges generations of music lovers and shows that heavy sounds and emotional depth go hand-in-hand.
Spiritbox
Spiritbox is one of the most exciting acts pushing metal forward today. With multiple Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance – including another nomination in 2026 – the band’s blend of ethereal vocals and crushing riffs breaks stereotypes about women in heavy music.
Led by Courtney LaPlante, Spiritbox’s presence at Co-Op Live is a statement about representation in genres that were long male-dominated. 
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile has built a reputation as one of the most powerful and respected voices in modern Americana and folk-rock. A multiple Grammy Award winner, Carlile’s songwriting blends emotion with themes of identity, resilience and humanity.
Beyond her own music, she has become a champion for collaboration and representation in the industry, working with and uplifting other artists while continually pushing creative boundaries.
Celebrating Women Who Shape Music
International Women’s Day is about recognising the impact women make across every industry, and music is no exception. From chart-topping pop to boundary-pushing metal, the artists performing at Co-op Live represent the creativity and leadership that women bring to the global music landscape. Artists like Olivia Dean, Doja Cat, Madison Beer, Robyn, Evanescence and Spiritbox are not only shaping the sound of modern music, they’re inspiring the next generation of performers, writers and fans.
This International Women’s Day, their presence on the Co-op Live stage is a reminder that women aren’t just part of the story of music – they’re leading it.