‘We’re raising the profile of the many great FINTA bands’

An evening in Winterthur, backstage at a local music club. As always, the volunteers from the Gaswerk cultural centre are still sitting together, chatting and reflecting on the evening. Among them are Martina Portmann and Melanie ‘Abe’ Abeyesekere. Their topic: yet another fantastic evening of live music. But once again, there were only men on stage. They agree: this has to change. Both know plenty of good bands with women in their line-ups. Surely it must be possible to offer them a platform?

“We both feel that there’s no point in just getting annoyed. We’d rather set things in motion and show that there’s another way,” says Portmann. They applied to Radio Stadtfilter to become programme producers with a concept that showcases bands featuring FINTA members (female, inter, non-binary, trans and agender). “By this, we don’t mean exclusively FINTA bands. But we focus on them and play the music they help to shape.” Stadtfilter was convinced, and “FINTA Rock” was given a slot. For a good two years now, on the third Monday of every month, Portmann and Abeyesekere have been producing a programme, interviewing FINTA people from the music industry and playing music by FINTA bands. “We’re showing that you can easily fill two hours with great FINTA music and that the clichés – that there aren’t enough FINTA bands or that the quality isn’t up to scratch – are simply wrong.”

As well as the radio show, the pair also launched a concert series in February with Martina Schönberg, who is also a volunteer at the Gaswerk. Their aim: for the majority of the line-up to be FINTA people. Portmann says: “Our society is shaped by the norm that men are taken for granted, whilst FINTA people, although they can participate at any time, are portrayed as a minority. For example, having just one FINTA person in a band is enough for it to be counted as a contribution to equality, even if the majority of the band are men.”

With this explicitly FINTA-focused format, they aim to draw attention to this issue. A lot has already changed in the smaller clubs, says Portmann. “There is now greater awareness of gender inequality within the scene, and more attention is being paid to achieving a better balance when booking acts.” But the more established and long-standing the club or festival, and the older the bands, cultural practitioners and audience, the more men dominate the line-ups. “There’s a lot of money at stake and budgets are tight, and there are more bands than stage slots. And unfortunately, in our culture, the attitude is still all too common: when in doubt, well-known men are booked.” A study on gender ratios in the Swiss cultural sector by Pro Helvetia and the University of Basel shows: In pop, rock and jazz, 11 per cent of performers are women and 89 per cent are men. Portmann is therefore calling for clear rules to ensure that all genders are given equal space on stage. “The current figures clearly show that this won’t happen by itself.”

The feedback on the first two concert evenings was very positive, Portmann is pleased to report. Other encouraging observations: “The audience is slightly younger than usual here at the venue, and there are significantly more FINTA members in attendance. Because we greet the audience before the show, the atmosphere is also a bit more informal.” Nevertheless, the concerts do not feel out of place in the club’s programme: “We see a lot of our regulars and always feel a great deal of backing and support for our concerts here.”

The three cultural practitioners place great importance on a constructive approach and on tackling problems through dialogue. “Funding and the status of culture are already under massive political attack. We don’t need infighting amongst cultural practitioners on top of that.”

Portmann, Schönberg and Abeyesekere also maintain a dialogue with other initiatives and projects within the sector. The three were present at the m4music festival, attend other FINTA concerts in local clubs and organised a summer special at the Musikfestwochen. Portmann also highlights the important work of Helvetiarockt and Changeover, which connect FINTA members within the industry and raise their profile. Portmann’s dream for the Winterthur club scene: “A joint FINTA club festival with panel discussions, jams and lessons in growling.” Until that happens, make sure you tune in to Stadtfilter on the third Monday of every month. And head to the Gaswerk on 23 October for the next FINTA Rock concert. Performing will be Grandmas House from England and King Kong Meuf from France. Mostly FINTA on stage – all genders welcome in the audience!

FINTA Rock every third Monday of the month from 8 pm to 10 pm on Radio Stadtfilter. And on the fourth Monday, from 10 pm to midnight, as a repeat on RADIA, Radio Lora’s feminist programme.

Next FINTA Rock concert: Grandmas House; King Kong Meuf. 23 October 2026, Gaswerk Kulturzentrum, Winterthur.

Further information at www.finta.rocks or on Instagram (@finta_rock)