🔗 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 broken in two places. I couldn't jump around, so I decorated the brace instead. It was a fantastic gig.”

Cathy is a member of a expanding wave of women redefining punk expression. As a recent television drama spotlighting female punk premieres this Sunday, it echoes a movement already blossoming well outside the TV.

The Spark in Leicester

This drive is most intense in Leicester, where a local endeavor – now called the Riotous Collective – sparked the movement. She joined in from the outset.

“At the launch, there weren't any all-women garage punk bands in the area. By the following year, there we had seven. Now there are 20 – and counting,” she remarked. “Riotous chapters exist across the UK and globally, from Finland to Australia, producing music, playing shows, featured in festival lineups.”

This explosion extends beyond Leicester. Across the UK, women are reclaiming punk – and changing the landscape of live music along the way.

Breathing Life into Venues

“Numerous music spots throughout Britain thriving due to women punk bands,” she added. “Rehearsal rooms are also benefiting, music teaching and coaching, studio environments. The reason is women are in all these roles now.”

Additionally, they are altering the audience composition. “Bands led by women are gigging regularly. They draw wider audience variety – people who view these spaces as protected, as intended for them,” she added.

An Uprising-Inspired Wave

Carol Reid, involved in music education, commented that the surge was predictable. “Women have been sold a dream of equality. But gender-based violence is at alarming rates, radical factions are using women to peddle hate, and we're deceived over subjects including hormonal changes. Females are pushing back – via music.”

Another industry voice, from the Music Venue Trust, notes the phenomenon altering local music scenes. “There is a noticeable increase in more diverse punk scenes and they're integrating with community music networks, with independent spaces scheduling diverse lineups and establishing protected, more welcoming spaces.”

Gaining Wider Recognition

Later this month, Leicester will stage the first Riot Fest, a three-day event including 25 female-only groups from the UK and Europe. Recently, an inclusive event in London showcased ethnic minority punk musicians.

And the scene is entering popular culture. A leading pair are on their maiden headline tour. A fresh act's first record, their record name, hit No. 16 in the UK charts recently.

One group were shortlisted for the a prestigious Welsh honor. A Northern Irish group won the Northern Ireland Music Prize in recently. A band from Hull Wench appeared at a major event at Reading Festival.

This is a wave born partly in protest. In an industry still plagued by misogyny – where female-only bands remain lacking presence and music spots are shutting down rapidly – female punk bands are establishing something bold: space.

Timeless Punk

In her late seventies, Viv Peto is testament that punk has no seniority barrier. From Oxford musician in a punk group started playing just a year ago.

“As an older person, restrictions have vanished and I can do what I like,” she said. Her latest composition includes the chorus: “So yell, ‘Forget it’/ This is my moment!/ This platform is for me!/ At seventy-nine / And in my top form.”

“I love this surge of elder punk ladies,” she remarked. “I couldn't resist during my early years, so I'm making up for it now. It's fantastic.”

Another musician from the band also noted she couldn't to rebel as a teenager. “It has been significant to be able to let it all out at this point in life.”

Another artist, who has performed worldwide with different acts, also views it as therapeutic. “It's a way to vent irritation: going unnoticed as a mother, at an advanced age.”

The Liberation of Performance

Comparable emotions inspired Dina Gajjar to form Burnt Sugar. “Being on stage is a liberation you were unaware you lacked. Women are trained to be obedient. Punk rejects that. It's loud, it's flawed. As a result, when negative events occur, I say to myself: ‘I can compose a track about it!’”

However, Abi Masih, a percussionist, said the punk woman is all women: “We are typical, professional, brilliant women who like challenging norms,” she said.

Maura Bite, of the act the band, agreed. “Ladies pioneered punk. We were forced to disrupt to gain attention. We continue to! That rebellious spirit is within us – it feels ancient, elemental. We are amazing!” she stated.

Defying Stereotypes

Not every band fits the stereotype. Band members, involved in a band, aim to surprise audiences.

“We don't shout about age-related topics or curse frequently,” commented one. Her partner added: “Actually, we include a small rebellious part in all our music.” She smiled: “Correct. Yet, we aim for diversity. Our most recent song was on the topic of underwear irritation.”