🔗 Share this article

When asked about the most punk thing she's ever accomplished, Cathy Loughead doesn't hesitate: “I took the stage with my neck broken in two places. I couldn't jump around, so I embellished the brace instead. That show was incredible.”

Cathy is a member of a growing wave of women transforming punk music. While a upcoming television drama focusing on female punk broadcasts this Sunday, it reflects a movement already flourishing well beyond the TV.

Igniting the Flame in Leicester

This momentum is felt most strongly in Leicester, where a 2022 project – now called the Riotous Collective – set things off. Cathy participated from the start.

“When we started, there were no all-women garage punk bands in the area. By the following year, there we had seven. Now there are 20 – and growing,” she remarked. “There are Riotous groups around the United Kingdom and worldwide, from Finland to Australia, recording, playing shows, taking part in festivals.”

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

Breathing Life into Venues

“There are music venues across the UK flourishing because of women punk bands,” she added. “So are rehearsal studios, music teaching and coaching, production spaces. The reason is women are occupying these positions now.”

They are also transforming who shows up. “Women-led bands are performing weekly. They're bringing in wider audience variety – attendees who consider these spaces as protected, as for them,” she added.

A Rebellion-Driven Phenomenon

A program director, from a music youth organization, said the rise is no surprise. “Females have been promised a vision of parity. But gender-based violence is at crisis proportions, radical factions are exploiting females to peddle hate, and we're manipulated over topics such as menopause. Females are pushing back – through music.”

Another industry voice, from the Music Venue Trust, sees the movement reshaping regional performance cultures. “There is a noticeable increase in varied punk movements and they're feeding into community music networks, with independent spaces scheduling diverse lineups and establishing protected, more inviting environments.”

Gaining Wider Recognition

Soon, Leicester will stage the inaugural Riot Fest, a three-day event featuring 25 all-women bands from the UK and Europe. Recently, an inclusive event in London honored ethnic minority punk musicians.

This movement is edging into the mainstream. One prominent duo are on their maiden headline tour. A fresh act's first record, Who Let the Dogs Out, reached number sixteen in the UK charts this year.

One group were shortlisted for the an upcoming music award. Problem Patterns won the Northern Ireland Music Prize in 2024. Hull-based newcomers Wench played the BBC Introducing stage at Reading Festival.

It's a movement born partly in protest. In an industry still dogged by misogyny – where all-women acts remain lacking presence and performance spaces are shutting down rapidly – female punk bands are creating something radical: opportunity.

Ageless Rebellion

In her late seventies, a band member is evidence that punk has no seniority barrier. Based in Oxford percussionist in her band began performing just a year ago.

“Now I'm old, there are no limits and I can pursue my interests,” she said. A track she recently wrote features the refrain: “So scream, ‘Forget it’/ Now is my chance!/ I own the stage!/ I'm 79 / And in my top form.”

“I love this surge of older female punks,” she said. “I didn't get to rebel in my youth, so I'm rebelling currently. It's fantastic.”

Another musician from her group also said she hadn't been allowed to rebel as a teenager. “It has been significant to be able to let it all out at this late stage.”

Chrissie Riedhofer, who has toured globally with different acts, also sees it as catharsis. “It's a way to vent irritation: being invisible in motherhood, as a senior female.”

The Liberation of Performance

Comparable emotions inspired Dina Gajjar to create her band. “Performing live is a release you didn't know you needed. Girls are taught to be compliant. Punk isn't. It's raucous, it's raw. As a result, during difficult times, I consider: ‘I'll write a song about that!’”

However, Abi Masih, a percussionist, said the punk woman is any woman: “We are typical, career-oriented, talented females who love breaking molds,” she said.

Maura Bite, of her group She-Bite, shared the sentiment. “Females were the first rebels. We had to smash things up to gain attention. We still do! That rebellious spirit is within us – it appears primal, elemental. We are incredible!” she stated.

Breaking Molds

Not all groups conform to expectations. Two musicians, part of The Misfit Sisters, aim to surprise audiences.

“We avoid discussing certain subjects or swear much,” said Ames. Her partner added: “However, we feature a brief explosive section in all our music.” Ames laughed: “You're right. Yet, we aim for diversity. Our most recent song was regarding bra discomfort.”