Each month in our Guestlist podcast, StuBru presenter Rik De Bruycker explores what goes on behind the scenes in AB.

In this episode, as a part of Pride, Rik speaks with Hendrik Wittock of Vice and Jessica Gysel of Mothers & Daughters about the link between pop music and gender expression. 

What do Lil Nas X, Kurt Cobain, Sylvester, Bowie, Rob Halford, Big Mama Thornton and Sophie have in common? They are all musicians who broke typical gender stereotypes.  

Inspired by the book “Glitter Up The Dark : How Pop Music Broke The Binary” by Sasha Geffen, Hendrik Wittock sheds light on the relationship between music and queer culture. “Kurt Cobain was a sort of non-binary spokesperson too”. 

Jessica Gysel is a journalist for Girls Like Us and one of the founders of lesbian & trans bar Mothers & Daughters. She see the nightlife as a place to be yourself and talks about the importance of having an own club or bar for the queer community.

For the “MishMash” section, Rik sends Jaouad to the Kunstenfestivaldesarts for the performance “Chou” by Chassol. And we hear what Sam De Nef thought of Zwangere di-Guy-taal. Lighting engineer Jan Van Lindt gives a music tip. Does it still make sense to organise test events? We asked Mike Naert (Depot, Crisiscel Cultuur), Willem Vandesande (All Eyes On Hip Hop, Busker), Irene Rossi (Couleur Café) and Esther Lybeert (The Antler King).

Pictures: Lien Peters