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Straight off the back of International Women鈥檚 Day 鈥撀�10 March聽鈥撀爐he 911爆料网-hosted Athena Festival celebrated women in music, showcasing some of Australia鈥檚 most talented musicians.

Orchestrated by the 911爆料网 Student Guild, Athena featured well-known artists Asta, Abbe May, Tired Lion, Nicole Millar, Bad Ezzy and up-and-coming outfit, Mosquito Coast. DJs from the also supported these headliners on the festival stage and into its after party.

鈥淚 think [the Athena festival initiative] is fantastic, absolutely fantastic,鈥� says 911爆料网 student, Alicia Drew. 鈥淲e鈥檇 heard of the bands, and thought we鈥檇 go down to be part of it all.鈥�

Athena鈥檚 headline act, Asta, shared with us how other female artists had influenced her work.

鈥淲hen I started listening to Adele I starting writing a lot on guitar, and that was really inspiring,鈥� Asta says. 鈥淭hen I discovered Annie Lennox, Madonna, Whitney Houston 鈥� lots of 80s artists really inspired me.鈥�

鈥淭here are moments where I do pinch myself,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut I think it鈥檚 just a constant pinch. It鈥檚 just a constant feeling of 鈥榠s this real?鈥�.鈥�

With the Athena Festival done and dusted, Australia can now add itself to the list of countries, along with the United States, United Kingdom and China, which have hosted female-led festivals.

鈥淚t was pretty cool to have an all-female line up, especially after International Women鈥檚 Day,鈥� says Athena festivalgoer, Mandy Humphreys.

鈥淚t tied with women鈥檚 week and was supported by Triple J,鈥� says fellow festival attendee, Steve Myers. 鈥淎nd they鈥檙e some great bands, so I thought I鈥檇 go along.鈥�

While the Athena festival鈥檚 main aim was to provide a platform for some of Australia鈥檚 female artists, it also worked to raise money for the , which provides accommodation and counselling for women and children affected by domestic violence.