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When asked about the most punk gesture she's ever accomplished, 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 show was incredible.”

She is part of a expanding wave of women redefining punk culture. Although a upcoming television drama spotlighting female punk broadcasts this Sunday, it mirrors a scene already thriving well past the television.

The Spark in Leicester

This energy is most intense in Leicester, where a recent initiative – now called the Riotous Collective – sparked the movement. She joined in from the beginning.

“In the early days, there were no all-women garage punk bands locally. By the following year, there seven emerged. Today there are twenty – and counting,” she remarked. “Riotous chapters exist across the UK and internationally, from Finland to Australia, laying down tracks, performing live, featured in festival lineups.”

This surge isn't limited to Leicester. Across the UK, women are repossessing punk – and changing the environment of live music in the process.

Breathing Life into Venues

“There are music venues throughout Britain thriving because of women punk bands,” noted Cathy. “Rehearsal rooms are also benefiting, music instruction and mentoring, recording facilities. That's because women are in all these roles now.”

They're also changing who shows up. “Women-led bands are playing every week. They draw wider audience variety – people who view these spaces as protected, as for them,” she added.

A Rebellion-Driven Phenomenon

Carol Reid, programme director at Youth Music, stated the growth was expected. “Women have been sold a vision of parity. But gender-based violence is at crisis proportions, extremist groups are using women to promote bigotry, and we're deceived over subjects including hormonal changes. Ladies are resisting – via music.”

A music venue advocate, from the Music Venue Trust, notes the phenomenon altering community music environments. “We're seeing varied punk movements and they're integrating with community music networks, with local spots scheduling diverse lineups and creating more secure, more welcoming spaces.”

Gaining Wider Recognition

Later this month, Leicester will present the debut Riot Fest, a weekend festival including 25 female-only groups from the UK and Europe. In September, Decolonise Fest in London showcased ethnic minority punk musicians.

This movement is edging into the mainstream. The Nova Twins are on their maiden headline tour. A fresh act's initial release, Who Let the Dogs Out, reached number sixteen in the UK charts this year.

A Welsh band were in the running for the 2025 Welsh Music Prize. Problem Patterns earned a local honor in 2024. A band from Hull Wench performed at a notable festival at Reading Festival.

This represents a trend originating from defiance. Within a sector still dogged by misogyny – where all-women acts remain less visible and live venues are closing at crisis levels – female punk bands are establishing something bold: opportunity.

Timeless Punk

At 79, Viv Peto is testament that punk has no expiration date. The Oxford-based musician in a punk group picked up her instrument only recently.

“At my age, there are no limits and I can do what I like,” she declared. Her latest composition features the refrain: “So scream, ‘Who cares’/ This is my moment!/ This platform is for me!/ I'm 79 / And in my top form.”

“I appreciate this influx of older female punks,” she remarked. “I didn't get to rebel during my early years, so I'm doing it now. It's fantastic.”

A band member from the band also noted she couldn't to rebel as a teenager. “It's been really major to release these feelings at this point in life.”

Another artist, who has performed worldwide with different acts, also sees it as catharsis. “It involves expelling anger: going unnoticed as a mother, as an older woman.”

The Liberation of Performance

That same frustration inspired Dina Gajjar to establish a group. “Standing on stage is an outlet you were unaware you lacked. Girls are taught to be obedient. Punk defies this. It's noisy, it's imperfect. It means, during difficult times, I consider: ‘I should create music from that!’”

However, Abi Masih, a percussionist, remarked the punk lady is every woman: “We are typical, professional, talented females who enjoy subverting stereotypes,” she commented.

Maura Bite, of the act the band, shared the sentiment. “Females were the first rebels. We had to smash things up to be heard. We still do! That badassery is in us – it feels ancient, instinctive. We are amazing!” she stated.

Breaking Molds

Some acts match the typical image. Julie Ames and Jackie O'Malley, involved in a band, try to keep things unexpected.

“We don't shout about certain subjects or use profanity often,” commented one. Her partner added: “Actually, we include a bit of a 'raah' moment in every song.” Ames laughed: “That's true. But we like to keep it interesting. Our last track was regarding bra discomfort.”