Beyond the endless array of concerts and festivals that grace the Los Angeles landscape, imagine an experience that goes deeper. In the breathtaking beauty of Taos, New Mexico, the She Rises Music Festival offers more than just incredible music; it’s a community, a celebration of sisterhood, and a powerful platform for female artists to connect and inspire. This year, July 18 and 19 heats up in with the talented females of She Rises.
She Rises offers Angelenos an authentic and empowering musical experience, something truly unique — a vision brought to life by the inspiring journey of artist Andrea Magee. It was a bold leap across the Atlantic from her home in Belfast, Ireland — a move that followed a childhood steeped in Celtic traditions and the sounds of instruments like the bodhrán – that ignited Andrea’s passion to create a space where women in music could not only perform but truly rise together. In 2014, Andrea courageously stepped into her power and set her musical path ablaze and ultimately paved the way for the creation of She Rises.
“I knew that if I didn’t remove the security blanket of my family and my home, I’d always have that safety net to run back to,” Andrea said. Trading familiarity for the unknown, she arrived in the United States with a dream and a deep-seated belief in the magic of music. It wasn’t long before the universe affirmed her choice. She was offered a life-changing opportunity to open for the legendary Brian Wilson (of the Beach Boys) on his Pet Sounds tour. A two-show gig in Galway and Dublin — both on home soil — which grew into a three-year global tour. “That moment,” she says, “felt like the universe talking to me, affirming that this was the right thing to be doing.”
While her music is infused with her Irish heritage, Andrea’s songwriting transcends tradition. “I love traditional Irish music, but that’s not what I write most of the time. I write from the heart,” she explains. Her authenticity, shaped by a culture that values realness and resilience, has kept her grounded in an industry that can be as unforgiving as it is thrilling.
It was this same authenticity that inspired Andrea to create She Rises, a women’s music festival designed to uplift, celebrate, and amplify the voices of female musicians. The idea was born after Andrea experienced the electric, soul-nurturing energy of a women-led festival called Love & Happiness. “It was the first time I’d been surrounded by an entire weekend of women in music. The energy was electric, supportive, and nurturing,” she recalls. “I remember thinking, ‘Why isn’t there more of this?’”
When Andrea later moved to Taos, New Mexico — a town known for its artistic spirit and natural beauty – she felt an undeniable calling to birth something similar. She Rises was never meant to be just another festival. It was envisioned as a space where female musicians, whether seasoned or emerging, could come together, share their stories, lift each other up, and show audiences what happens when women are given the room to rise.
“My hope is that people leave feeling connected — to themselves, to the people around them, to the music, and to something bigger than all of us,” Andrea says. She Rises isn’t just about performances . . . it’s about creating community. She wants festivalgoers to depart with hearts full of hope, bellies sore from laughter, and maybe even a few tears of joy, having felt seen and supported.
When it comes to curating the festival’s lineup, Andrea is intentional. “I love championing artists that inspire me — whose music moves me and whose hearts are in the right place.” It’s about more than talent; it’s about spirit, integrity, and a willingness to contribute to the collective energy of the event. Diversity, dynamic voices, and cross-cultural representation are essential elements of She Rises, ensuring it remains an inclusive, global celebration.
Andrea is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of female artists. Her advice? “Trust yourself. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you you’re good enough. If you have a passion for creating, for singing, for writing — follow it. It probably won’t be easy, and it might not look like what you thought it would, but it’s your voice, and the world needs to hear it.” She also emphasizes the importance of building a community of good people who believe in you and lift you up, reminding aspiring artists that none of us are doing this alone.
Looking ahead, Andrea envisions She Rises expanding beyond the hills of Taos. “I’d love to take it to different cities, different countries even, and create little pockets of this beautiful energy all over the world,” she says. It’s not just about building a festival — it’s about building a movement. A platform where established artists and emerging voices alike can rise together, heal through music, and remind one another of their strength and beauty.
In a world that often asks women to shrink or conform, She Rises is an unapologetic, celebratory stand for expansion, expression, and sisterhood. And in Andrea Magee’s hands, it’s only just beginning.
More information at: sherisesfest.com
Audrey Keller is a freelance writer who contributes articles to cover topics and stories that are relevant locally and or nationally.