🔗 Share this article

When asked about the most punk thing she's ever pulled off, Cathy Loughead answers without pause: “I took the stage with my neck broken in two places. Not able to move freely, so I embellished the brace instead. That show was incredible.”

Loughead belongs to a rising wave of women reinventing punk culture. Although a new television drama highlighting female punk airs this Sunday, it mirrors a scene already flourishing well past the television.

The Spark in Leicester

This momentum is most palpable in Leicester, where a 2022 project – currently known as the Riotous Collective – sparked the movement. She joined in from the beginning.

“In the early days, there were no all-women garage punk bands in the area. Within a year, there we had seven. Now there are 20 – and counting,” she remarked. “Riotous chapters exist throughout Britain and internationally, from Finland to Australia, laying down tracks, gigging, appearing at festivals.”

This surge doesn't stop at Leicester. Around the United Kingdom, women are taking back punk – and altering the scene of live music in the process.

Revitalizing Music Venues

“Numerous music spots around the United Kingdom flourishing because of women punk bands,” noted Cathy. “So are rehearsal studios, music instruction and mentoring, recording facilities. This is because women are occupying these positions now.”

Additionally, they are altering the audience composition. “Female-fronted groups are playing every week. They attract wider audience variety – ones that see these spaces as secure, as for them,” she continued.

A Rebellion-Driven Phenomenon

Carol Reid, from a music youth organization, stated the growth was expected. “Females have been promised a vision of parity. But gender-based violence is at crisis proportions, the far right are manipulating women to promote bigotry, and we're deceived over issues like the menopause. Ladies are resisting – by means of songs.”

Toni Coe-Brooker, from the Music Venue Trust, notes the phenomenon altering local music scenes. “We are observing varied punk movements and they're feeding into local music ecosystems, with grassroots venues scheduling diverse lineups and establishing protected, more inviting environments.”

Entering the Mainstream

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

And the scene is edging into the mainstream. A leading pair are on their first headline UK tour. The Lambrini Girls's first record, Who Let the Dogs Out, charted at sixteenth place in the UK charts this year.

One group were shortlisted for the 2025 Welsh Music Prize. Problem Patterns earned a local honor in 2024. Recent artists Wench played the BBC Introducing stage at Reading Festival.

It's a movement originating from defiance. Across a field still affected by misogyny – where female-only bands remain less visible and music spots are facing widespread closures – women-led punk groups are establishing something bold: opportunity.

No Age Limit

At 79, a band member is evidence that punk has no expiration date. The Oxford-based percussionist in a punk group began performing just a year ago.

“As an older person, all constraints are gone and I can pursue my interests,” she stated. A track she recently wrote includes the chorus: “So yell, ‘Forget it’/ Now is my chance!/ I own the stage!/ I'm 79 / And at my absolute best.”

“I love this surge of senior women punks,” she commented. “I couldn't resist when I was younger, so I'm rebelling currently. It's great.”

A band member from her group also mentioned she was prevented to rebel as a teenager. “It's been important to release these feelings at my current age.”

A performer, who has toured globally with multiple groups, also views it as therapeutic. “It involves expelling anger: being invisible in motherhood, as an older woman.”

The Power of Release

Comparable emotions led Dina Gajjar to establish a group. “Being on stage is a liberation you never realized you required. Women are trained to be obedient. Punk isn't. It's noisy, it's raw. It means, during difficult times, I consider: ‘I should create music from that!’”

Yet, Abi Masih, a percussionist, stated the female punk is every woman: “We are simply regular, professional, amazing ladies who love breaking molds,” she said.

Another voice, of the Folkestone band the band, concurred. “Ladies pioneered punk. We needed to break barriers to gain attention. This persists today! That badassery is part of us – it seems timeless, primal. We are incredible!” she declared.

Breaking Molds

Not every band fits the stereotype. Two musicians, involved in a band, try to keep things unexpected.

“We avoid discussing age-related topics or swear much,” said Ames. The other interjected: “Actually, we include a brief explosive section in every song.” Julie chuckled: “Correct. However, we prefer variety. The latest piece was regarding bra discomfort.”