🔗 Share this article

Upon being questioned about the most punk gesture she's ever pulled off, Cathy Loughead responds instantly: “I took the stage with my neck fractured in two spots. Not able to move freely, so I decorated the brace instead. That was an amazing performance.”

Loughead belongs to a expanding wave of women reinventing punk expression. As a recent television drama focusing on female punk airs this Sunday, it mirrors a movement already flourishing well outside the TV.

The Leicester Catalyst

This energy is most intense in Leicester, where a 2022 project – currently known as the Riotous Collective – set things off. Cathy participated from the outset.

“At the launch, there existed zero all-women garage punk bands in the area. In just twelve months, there were seven. Today there are twenty – and increasing,” she remarked. “Collective branches operate across the UK and internationally, from Finland to Australia, laying down tracks, playing shows, featured in festival lineups.”

This explosion isn't limited to Leicester. Across the UK, women are reclaiming punk – and changing the environment of live music along the way.

Rejuvenating Performance Spaces

“Numerous music spots across the UK doing well because of women punk bands,” she added. “Rehearsal rooms are also benefiting, music instruction and mentoring, studio environments. This is because women are in all these roles now.”

They are also transforming who shows up. “Female-fronted groups are gigging regularly. They draw more diverse audiences – people who view these spaces as protected, as intended for them,” she continued.

A Rebellion-Driven Phenomenon

An industry expert, programme director at Youth Music, commented that the surge was predictable. “Women have been sold a vision of parity. However, violence against women is at crisis proportions, the far right are exploiting females to promote bigotry, and we're deceived over topics such as menopause. Females are pushing back – by means of songs.”

Toni Coe-Brooker, from the Music Venue Trust, observes the trend transforming local music scenes. “There is a noticeable increase in broader punk communities and they're feeding into regional music systems, with independent spaces programming varied acts and establishing protected, more welcoming spaces.”

Entering the Mainstream

In the coming weeks, Leicester will host the debut Riot Fest, a weekend festival showcasing 25 all-women bands from the UK and Europe. Recently, Decolonise Fest in London celebrated BIPOC punk artists.

This movement is entering popular culture. One prominent duo are on their debut nationwide tour. Another rising group's initial release, their record name, charted at sixteenth place in the UK charts this year.

One group were nominated for the an upcoming music award. A Northern Irish group earned a local honor in last year. A band from Hull Wench played the BBC Introducing stage at Reading Festival.

This is a wave rooted in resistance. In an industry still plagued by misogyny – where female-only bands remain lacking presence and performance spaces are closing at crisis levels – female punk bands are establishing something bold: space.

Timeless Punk

At 79, one participant is proof that punk has no age limit. The Oxford-based musician in a punk group started playing only twelve months back.

“As an older person, restrictions have vanished and I can pursue my interests,” she said. A track she recently wrote includes the chorus: “So shout out, ‘Forget it’/ It's my time!/ This platform is for me!/ At seventy-nine / And in my fucking prime.”

“I adore this wave of senior women punks,” she said. “I wasn't allowed to protest during my early years, so I'm making up for it now. It's great.”

A band member from her group also noted she couldn't to rebel as a teenager. “It's been important to release these feelings at my current age.”

A performer, who has performed worldwide with various bands, also views it as therapeutic. “It's a way to vent irritation: going unnoticed in motherhood, as an older woman.”

The Liberation of Performance

Similar feelings led Dina Gajjar to establish a group. “Performing live is a liberation you were unaware you lacked. Girls are taught to be obedient. Punk defies this. It's raucous, it's imperfect. This implies, during difficult times, I think: ‘I'll write a song about that!’”

However, Abi Masih, drummer for the Flea Bagz, stated the female punk is every woman: “We are simply regular, career-oriented, brilliant women who love breaking molds,” she commented.

Another voice, of her group She-Bite, concurred. “Women were the original punks. We needed to break barriers to get noticed. We continue to! That fierceness is part of us – it feels ancient, elemental. We are incredible!” she stated.

Defying Stereotypes

Not every band match the typical image. Band members, from a particular group, try to keep things unexpected.

“We don't shout about the menopause or use profanity often,” commented one. Her partner added: “Well, we do have a brief explosive section in all our music.” Ames laughed: “That's true. But we like to keep it interesting. Our last track was regarding bra discomfort.”