When asked about the most punk thing she's ever done, Cathy Loughead doesn't hesitate: “I performed with my neck injured in two locations. Not able to move freely, so I embellished the brace instead. That was an amazing performance.”
Cathy is a member of a expanding wave of women redefining punk expression. Although a new television drama highlighting female punk airs this Sunday, it echoes a movement already thriving well past the TV.
Igniting the Flame in Leicester
This energy is felt most strongly in Leicester, where a recent initiative – presently named the Riotous Collective – set things off. She joined in from the outset.
“When we started, there weren't any all-women garage punk bands in the area. In just twelve months, there were seven. Currently, twenty exist – and counting,” she stated. “There are Riotous groups across the UK and globally, from Finland to Australia, laying down tracks, playing shows, appearing at festivals.”
This boom extends beyond Leicester. Across the UK, women are reclaiming punk – and altering the scene of live music in the process.
Breathing Life into Venues
“Numerous music spots across the UK flourishing due to women punk bands,” noted Cathy. “The same goes for practice spaces, music instruction and mentoring, production spaces. That's because women are in all these roles now.”
They're also changing who shows up. “Women-led bands are gigging regularly. They attract more diverse audiences – attendees who consider these spaces as safe, as belonging to them,” she continued.
An Uprising-Inspired Wave
A program director, programme director at Youth Music, stated the growth was expected. “Females have been promised a vision of parity. But gender-based violence is at epidemic levels, extremist groups are manipulating women to spread intolerance, and we're deceived over issues like the menopause. Ladies are resisting – by means of songs.”
Toni Coe-Brooker, from the Music Venue Trust, sees the movement reshaping regional performance cultures. “We are observing more diverse punk scenes and they're integrating with local music ecosystems, with grassroots venues programming varied acts and establishing protected, friendlier places.”
Gaining Wider Recognition
Soon, Leicester will host the first Riot Fest, a weekend festival showcasing 25 all-women bands from the UK and Europe. Recently, an inclusive event in London showcased BIPOC punk artists.
This movement is entering popular culture. The Nova Twins are on their debut nationwide tour. Another rising group's debut album, their record name, charted at sixteenth place in the UK charts this year.
Panic Shack were in the running for the a prestigious Welsh honor. A Northern Irish group earned a local honor in 2024. A band from Hull Wench played the BBC Introducing stage at Reading Festival.
This is a wave rooted in resistance. Across a field still plagued by misogyny – where all-women acts remain less visible and music spots are facing widespread closures – female punk bands are establishing something bold: a platform.
Ageless Rebellion
Now 79 years old, Viv Peto is proof that punk has no expiration date. The Oxford-based musician in horMones punk band picked up her instrument only twelve months back.
“Now I'm old, there are no limits and I can pursue my interests,” she declared. Her latest composition includes the chorus: “So scream, ‘Fuck it’/ It's my time!/ The stage is mine!/ I am seventy-nine / And in my top form.”
“I love this surge of elder punk ladies,” she said. “I wasn't allowed to protest during my early years, so I'm making up for it now. It's great.”
Another musician from the band 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 traveled internationally with various bands, also considers it a release. “It's about exorcising frustration: going unnoticed in motherhood, at an advanced age.”
The Power of Release
Comparable emotions led Dina Gajjar to create her band. “Performing live is a release you never realized you required. Females are instructed to be obedient. Punk rejects that. It's noisy, it's imperfect. As a result, when negative events occur, I consider: ‘I should create music from that!’”
Yet, Abi Masih, a band member, said the punk woman is all women: “We are typical, working, amazing ladies who enjoy subverting stereotypes,” she explained.
Another voice, of the Folkestone band She-Bite, agreed. “Women were the original punks. We had to smash things up to be heard. We continue to! That badassery is in us – it seems timeless, instinctive. We are incredible!” she declared.
Breaking Molds
Not all groups fits the stereotype. Julie Ames and Jackie O'Malley, from a particular group, aim to surprise audiences.
“We don't shout about certain subjects or use profanity often,” said Ames. Her partner added: “Well, we do have a small rebellious part in each track.” She smiled: “You're right. However, we prefer variety. Our last track was on the topic of underwear irritation.”
