🔗 Share this article

If you inquire about the most punk act she's ever accomplished, Cathy Loughead responds instantly: “I played a show with my neck fractured in two spots. Unable to bounce, so I bedazzled the brace instead. That was an amazing performance.”

She is part of a growing wave of women redefining punk culture. Although a new television drama focusing on female punk broadcasts this Sunday, it echoes a phenomenon already flourishing well beyond the screen.

The Spark in Leicester

This momentum is felt most strongly in Leicester, where a recent initiative – currently known as the Riotous Collective – set things off. Cathy participated from the outset.

“In the early days, there weren't any all-women garage punk bands in the area. By the following year, there seven emerged. Now there are 20 – and increasing,” she remarked. “Collective branches operate around the United Kingdom and internationally, from Finland to Australia, recording, playing shows, taking part in festivals.”

This boom doesn't stop at Leicester. Around the United Kingdom, women are reclaiming punk – and altering the landscape of live music along the way.

Rejuvenating Performance Spaces

“Numerous music spots across the UK doing well due to women punk bands,” said Loughead. “So are rehearsal studios, music education and guidance, studio environments. The reason is women are filling these jobs now.”

They're also changing the crowd demographics. “Female-fronted groups are performing weekly. They draw wider audience variety – attendees who consider these spaces as protected, as for them,” she continued.

A Rebellion-Driven Phenomenon

A program director, programme director at Youth Music, commented that the surge was predictable. “Women have been sold a ideal of fairness. However, violence against women is at epidemic levels, radical factions are exploiting females to promote bigotry, and we're deceived over subjects including hormonal changes. Ladies are resisting – by means of songs.”

Another industry voice, from the Music Venue Trust, observes the trend transforming regional performance cultures. “We are observing more diverse punk scenes and they're feeding into community music networks, with local spots booking more inclusive bills and creating more secure, more inviting environments.”

Gaining Wider Recognition

Later this month, Leicester will present the debut Riot Fest, a three-day event showcasing 25 female-only groups from the UK and Europe. In September, Decolonise Fest in London honored ethnic minority punk musicians.

And the scene is gaining mainstream traction. The Nova Twins are on their debut nationwide tour. A fresh act's initial release, Who Let the Dogs Out, hit No. 16 in the UK charts recently.

One group were nominated for the 2025 Welsh Music Prize. A Northern Irish group earned a local honor in recently. Hull-based newcomers Wench performed at a notable festival at Reading Festival.

This is a wave rooted in resistance. Across a field still plagued by misogyny – where women-led groups remain underrepresented and live venues are facing widespread closures – female punk bands are establishing something bold: opportunity.

Ageless Rebellion

At 79, Viv Peto is evidence that punk has no expiration date. From Oxford musician in a punk group started playing only recently.

“As an older person, there are no limits and I can pursue my interests,” she stated. A track she recently wrote features the refrain: “So shout out, ‘Who cares’/ Now is my chance!/ The stage is mine!/ I am seventy-nine / And in my top form.”

“I love this surge of older female punks,” she remarked. “I couldn't resist in my youth, so I'm making up for it now. It's great.”

Kala Subbuswamy from her group also mentioned she was prevented to rebel as a teenager. “It's been really major to release these feelings at this point in life.”

A performer, who has traveled internationally with multiple groups, also considers it a release. “It's a way to vent irritation: being invisible in motherhood, as a senior female.”

The Liberation of Performance

Similar feelings inspired Dina Gajjar to create her band. “Being on stage is an outlet you never realized you required. Females are instructed to be obedient. Punk rejects that. It's raucous, it's imperfect. As a result, when bad things happen, I say to myself: ‘I can compose a track about it!’”

But Abi Masih, a band member, said the punk woman is all women: “We are typical, professional, brilliant women who enjoy subverting stereotypes,” she commented.

Another voice, of the Folkestone band She-Bite, shared the sentiment. “Females were the first rebels. We needed to break barriers to be heard. We still do! That fierceness is in us – it feels ancient, instinctive. We are incredible!” she declared.

Breaking Molds

Not every band conform to expectations. Band members, from a particular group, try to keep things unexpected.

“We rarely mention certain subjects or curse frequently,” said Ames. Her partner added: “Actually, we include a brief explosive section in all our music.” Julie chuckled: “You're right. But we like to keep it interesting. Our most recent song was on the topic of underwear irritation.”