Loud Women Fest LDN celebrating a 10 year anniversary
Founded by Cassie Fox, Loud Women began as a much-needed platform carved out for women and non-binary people in the music industry — a space that remains heavily dominated by cisgender white men. Growing up immersed in punk and metal scenes, I saw firsthand how these spaces often excluded or marginalised anyone who didn’t fit the status quo. Misogyny wasn’t just present — it was the norm. Women were often either objectified or dismissed as not being "as good" — a fear-driven tactic to protect the gatekeepers' place at the top.
But Loud Women flips that narrative. It’s loud, unapologetic and fiercely inclusive. With blistering riffs and raw energy, artists like Death Pill and Loose Articles are leading the charge. They are proving that women and non-binary musicians aren’t just part of the scene; they are the scene.
Yes, please — turn it up.
One standout performance came from Luxury Nan Smell, a three-piece from the West Midlands who delivered an incredible set. Not only was their sound on point, but their energy and stage presence were a full 10/10. Their fast-paced performance matched the crowd’s vibe perfectly, especially when fans shouted along to ‘Fucked Up Nasty Man’ with the bassist. A highlight moment? The guitarist spotted a BLÅHAJ (the IKEA shark that’s become a trans rights icon) in the crowd, and someone launched it into the air, symbolically flying the flag for the trans community. With so many Trans+ bands on the bill this year, it was heartening to see Loud Women stand firm in its support of queer artists, especially in times when our rights are being challenged.
Another band to watch was Be N!ce, whose sound is a gritty blend of punk, grunge and metal — the kind of noise that earns a place on your “queer rage” playlist (or whatever you want to name it — no judgment here). The London-based group released their debut EP ‘Where Am I’ earlier this year, and brought a mix of punk metal to the stage with rage and fierce energy.
And of course, I, Doris — the feminist punk-rock band that helped bring this all together. Fronted by Cassie Fox herself, they represent the heart of Loud Women. DIY to the core, their songs are unapologetically political, feminist and funny — with lyrics that double as rallying cries and reminders that, yes, no one should ever vote Conservative.
Twat Union
Look, if this hasn’t been clear, let me make it clear: women rock, and if you’re a misogynist, go fu*k yourself. Now, back to LW to introduce Twat Union, a feminist female punk band from the Isle of Wight. They deliver punk-rock with empowering lyrics with tracks like ‘Little Pink Drill’, ‘UTI’ and ‘Red Flags’, cheeky but oh-so-relatable.
During their performance, the lead singer invited a cis white man from the crowd to join in with a tambourine while the band played and sang:
"Nah, you must be the singer of the band, darling.
You must be the singer of the band.
You must be the singer of the band.
Oh my god, is it an all-girl band?
Yeah, we can put you on for International Women’s Day."
Loose Articles
Near the end, we had Loose Articles — another great punk addition to the lineup, who kicked off their set with tracks like ‘Mr. Manager’ and ‘Are You a Welder?’ eventually leading the crowd into a full-on limbo dance under the mic wire. They're definitely not your typical punk band.
Death Pill
Death Pill is a hardcore punk trio from Ukraine. They closed out LW with a set that was loud, powerful and full of raw energy and rage. Currently on a UK/EU tour, the three-piece band delivered an unforgettable performance, it was a real privilege to see them live again. They released their new album ‘Sologamy’ in June and it’s definitely worth checking out. With support from the British Council and the Ukrainian Institute, their performance was a fitting and impactful end to Loud Women celebrating 10 years.
