ETEP: Let’s Hear It For The Girls

It’s a close call on whether the European Talent Exchange Programme will beat its 2009 record of finding 200 festival shows for 71 acts, but it’s obvious that female talent is having a bumper year.

As ETEP 2011 clocked up its 179th gig, shared across 73 acts, female soloists Anna Calvi, Selah Sue, and Agnes Obel were among the top five most successful artists.

Calvi, who tops the list with 12 shows, isn’t strictly a solo act as she performs with a band named after her, but the balance is restored by the fact Laure and Mimi contribute vocal to Crystal Fighters, which is in third place with 10 shows.

James Blake has 11 shows and is sandwiched between Calvi and Crystal Fighters in second place.

Belgian singer-songwriter Selah Sue has come in for late support and is in fourth place with 7 shows.

Obel has 6 shows and shares fifth position with White Lies, which won ETEP 2009 with a record-breaking 15 shows.