Lisa McHugh says ‘you need a thick skin’ to survive in male-dominated country music

Lisa McHugh says she had to develop a “thick skin” competing with male artists but it taught her the importance of self belief as she prepares to return to music

Lisa McHugh for RSVP Country

Country star Lisa McHugh has spent years building a loyal fan base across Ireland and the UK, but she admits the live music scene has changed dramatically in recent years.

The singer says performing live has become much tougher for artists, with rising costs and fewer venues putting pressure on the industry.

“I definitely think the live scene in general is a lot tougher these days – ticket sales are harder and the competition is really stiff,” she told RSVP Country.

“A lot of venues have closed, which means more artists are fighting for the same dates and spaces. Then you also have the challenge of trying to get people to come to your show when someone similar could have been in that same venue the week before – it’s tough.”

Lisa said that while she has focused mainly on concert venues in recent years, even those have become increasingly challenging for artists trying to fill seats.

“A lot of that comes down to the economy. Money is tight for everyone, the cost of living is high and people just don’t have the extra funds they might have had a few years ago,” she said.

“That’s completely understandable – we’re all in the same boat. Hopefully that will turn around soon so people can get back out and enjoy live music, because there’s really no better therapy than dancing and singing along to your favourite artist and forgetting your worries for a few hours. It can lift your mood for weeks.”

Despite the challenges facing the industry, Lisa says it has only strengthened her determination to evolve creatively.

The singer is no stranger to adversity. Last summer she was was hospitalised after temporarily losing the use of both legs and experiencing excruciating pain in her face and head.

Following extensive tests, she was eventually diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that affects how the brain and nervous system send and receive signals.

“It basically means there’s a nervous system problem and your brain isn’t sending the signals properly to your limbs or body. They call it a software problem in your brain, not a hardware problem,” Lisa explained.

The diagnosis saw her go from touring and raising two young children — Milo, now four, and Hallie, 18 months — to being unable to carry them and relearning how to walk using a frame.

However, her recent health issues have made Lisa more determined than ever to seize every opportunity and she is excited to explore what other avenues might lie ahead.

“I’ve always had it on my radar,” she said of exploring opportunities beyond music.

“I first tried TV presenting ten years ago and loved it. TV and radio is something I have a passion for alongside music. I don’t want to be pigeonholed.”

“I love to challenge myself creatively in the media industry and if the opportunities come along I’m going to grab them with both hands,” she added.

Lisa also reflected on the early days of her career, when the Irish country music scene was overwhelmingly male-dominated.

“When I was doing 140 or 150 gigs a year, I was the only female on the road full-time doing that at the time – the rest were all men,” she recalled.

“I was competing against them for the good venues and the best dates. That was tough.”

She said it took years of persistence to gain the respect of promoters and prove she could draw the same crowds as her male counterparts.

“It took a long time for people to believe that I could sell just as many circuits, if not more, than the male artists they might have chosen otherwise. That takes time, effort and hard work.

“You need a thick skin – you hear ‘no’ more than ‘yes’, and you just have to shake it off, keep hustling and keep working hard.”

Lisa believes the experience taught her resilience, and having had to ‘hustle’ to succeed in the industry before she’s prepared to do it again.

“It’s the same in any job – you can’t just walk in and expect the top seat at the table,” she said. “You have to put in the work, earn respect and trust, and then move up.”

She said that ability to believe in yourself has been crucial to her success in the industry and is something she will rely on again as she prepares to return to music this year.

“You don’t get far in life if you don’t believe in yourself – it all starts there,” she said. “If you don’t believe you can achieve your goals or sell those tickets, no one else will. You have to be confident in everything you do.”

Taking time away from performing can naturally bring some doubts, she admitted, but she remains realistic about what it takes to rebuild momentum.

“Of course, taking time off brings natural concerns – you think, ‘If I’m away for a while, people will forget me.’ They won’t necessarily forget, but you won’t be at the forefront of their minds either,” she said.

“I need to be realistic when I come back. It’s going to take a little time for people to fully realise I’m back, see if I’m doing something new and give them the opportunity to buy into it again.

“But it all starts with you. If you don’t believe in your abilities and what you’re capable of, you can’t expect anyone else to.”

To read Lisa’s interview in full and see all the stunning pictures, pick up the Spring edition of RSVP Country on shelves now.

You can buy your copy and have it delivered directly to your door through our online shop here. Postage fees apply.

Photography by Kate Nolan, SoulSourcedElopements.com, IG: @kate_nolan_photography

Makeup by Laura Cadden, Laura Cadden Beauty & Skin

Hair by Daniel McCrossan, Hair by Daniel Anthony

Styling by Babette Ryan

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