International Women’s Day, the Punk Way: Dream Nails in Cologne
There’s something irrepressibly thrilling about celebrating International Women’s Day in a setting that’s as raw, loud and chaotic as a tiny punk bar in Cologne. On this night, the rules of the outside world seemed to dissolve: sweat, noise and joy became the currency, and everyone present was there to claim space, scream their hearts out and celebrate feminist and queer solidarity in its purest form. The venue itself, a cramped local bar, made everything deafeningly loud and added to the authentic DIY atmosphere. From the first act to the final note, it was clear that this night wasn’t about spectacle or ego, but about energy, connection and making space for voices that are too often sidelined.
The evening opened with the female duo Periotators, who set the tone perfectly with high-energy riffs and sharp feminist lyrics. Even though Dream Nails were scheduled for an early set, the small bar was already buzzing with anticipation by the time they stepped on stage. From the very first song, the crowd erupted. After the opener, the band called all women, trans and queer people to the front, encouraging them to claim space, feel safe and go wild. What followed was a chaotic but joyful blur of moshing, dancing and screaming along to anthems like ‘Vagina Police’. With ridiculously catchy riffs and fierce lyrics tackling anti-capitalism and LGBTQ+ rights, Dream Nails turned the tiny venue into a sweaty celebration of resistance, solidarity and pure punk energy.
The connection between band and audience was constant throughout the show. At one point, the raw energy of the room peaked when a woman in the crowd was handed the drumsticks straight from the stage. Moments like that captured the spirit of the night perfectly, this was a space where everyone felt part of the experience.
Lead vocalist and bassist Mimi summed it up best after the show: “We just played our show in Cologne and I think it was sold out and it was such a good show, the energy of the crowd was amazing. Everyone dancing, everyone moshing. It’s International Women’s Day today, we called women, trans and non-binary people to the front. It was just an amazing show. We loved Cologne, we hope we can come back soon.”
What makes Dream Nails truly special, however, is not just their music but the way they connect with their audience. With zero rockstar ego and no backstage to disappear into, the band stepped straight off stage after the set, grabbed drinks at the bar and hung out with the crowd. They chatted with fans on eye level and patiently signed every piece of merch. By the end of the night, it was clear that this show was a celebration of community, resistance and joy, exactly what queer feminist punk is all about.
