The energy was palpable from the moment the doors opened, and by the end of the night, the crowd was left buzzing.
Punchbag kicked things off with a set that was equal parts feral and fun. Their opener ‘Punchbag’ set the tone with gritty riffs and snarling vocals, followed by the crowd-pleasing ‘F*ck It, I Love This’. Tracks like ‘Playing God’ and ‘This Req Effort’ showcased their knack for blending angst with irony, while ‘Used To Be So Sexy’ and ‘Live.Laugh.Love’ had the audience dancing and laughing in equal measure. Punchbag are clearly a band with something to say, and they’re not afraid to shout it.
Then came Panic Shack, and the room erupted. From the moment they launched into ‘Gok Wan’, it was clear we were in for something special. Their set was a masterclass in punk performance: fierce, funny, and full of feminist fire. ‘Baby’, ‘Personal Best’, and ‘Smellarat’ had the crowd bouncing, while ‘Girl Band Starter Pack’ and ‘Do Something’ delivered biting satire with infectious hooks.
The undeniable peak of the night came with 'Jiu Jits-You'. As the band snarled through “I do jiu jitsu / I’m gonna jiu jits-you, bitch”, the crowd exploded. It was a moment of pure catharsis, everyone moving, shouting, and feeding off the band’s unrelenting energy. The song’s cheeky takedown of unwanted attention, wrapped in martial arts metaphors and riot grrrl attitude, hit hard and united the room in a frenzy of empowerment and joy. Their sounds channel the spirit of Bikini Kill but with a distinctly modern twist, think Dream Wife meets Amyl and the Sniffers.
But they didn’t just bring noise, they brought politics. Mid-set, they shouted “Free Free Palestine” to a roar of support from the crowd, a reminder that punk has always been more than music. It’s a movement. A platform. A protest. Their message was clear: punk is about standing up, speaking out, and refusing to be silenced.
From ‘Thelma & Louise’ to ‘Tit School’, Panic Shack didn’t let up. Their cover of ‘War Pigs’ added a classic twist to the chaos, and by the time they closed with ‘The Ick’, the venue was vibrating with applause and chants. They left the stage to a wall of sound and the unmistakable roar of fans who had just witnessed an hour set of anthemic punk songs.
Panic Shack are more than a band, they’re a force of friendship. With a loyal following, razor-sharp lyrics, and a stage presence that’s impossible to ignore, they’re one of the most exciting live acts in the UK right now. If you get the chance to see them, don’t hesitate. Just be ready to move, shout, and maybe even get jiu jits-ed.