London and Brighton are blazing trails for women-led music, with brand new bands and gig nights appearing faster than we can write about them. These DIY punkistas and riot grrrls of the ‘teens are providing a much-needed boost to the live music scene If, say, Kathleen Hanna flew in to Gatwick tomorrow, grabbed you by the collar and asked “What’s going on here then? Where do I need go? What do I need to see?”, here are some top tips that will be sure to hit the right spot.
Blue Monday
Where The Boogaloo, 312 Archway Road, N6 5AT
When Second Monday of each month
Sound Singer-songwriters
This well-established and popular acoustic night for LBQT women performers has been going for six years, run by musicians MIRI (@miriofficialuk) and Rosered (@lydiathepixie). Everyone is welcome, and the night is straight-friendly. Past performers include Nia Wyn, Minnie Birch, Xylaroo and Dana Immanuel and the Stolen Band. Watch out for their ‘Girls to the Front’ night at the Green Note on 16 October.
Facebook www.facebook.com/bluemondayldn
Twitter @bluemondayldn
YouTube www.youtube.com/bluemondaytv
CLITROCK
Where The Underbelly, 11 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU
When 2 or 3 events per year
SoundRocknroll, afrobeat, pop, soca, and all inbetween!
Clit Rock has been going since 2011, with the twin aims of addressing the gender imbalance in the live music scene, and raising awareness and fund for the anti-FGM campaign. Past acts include Deux Furieuses, Blindness, Madame So and Feral Five. Clit Rock 9 returns this Autumn, and there are plans to curate a Clit Rock stage at a major festival next Summer.
Facebook www.facebook.com/CLIT-ROCK-220135141374485
Twitter @clit_Rock
YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcougq5SpOPefiWlfaVtQQ
Fallopian Tunes
Where The Hope & Ruin, 11-12 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3WA
When 3 mini-festivals a year
Sound Punk, electronica, Femme-C, hip-hop, tekno, riot grrrl, soul
New to Brighton, Fallopian Tunes has been running for six years in Dublin. Past events featured Punkture Sluts, Ophelia MC and My Bad Sister.
Facebook www.facebook.com/Fallopian-Tunes-719845694828269
Twitter @fallopiantunesf
FemFriday
Where Artista Studio, 18 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AD
When First Friday of every month
Sound A mixed bag. Expect loop artists, punk bands, singer-songwriters, rap/beatbox, folk, blues, jazz and rock.
The event was launched by French musician Cess (of the band Greenness) in March 2016 for International Women’s day as ‘FemFest’, which then became a monthly event. The aim is “Showcasing and promoting female musicians in a fun and inclusive atmosphere”. Past performers include Brighton locals Yazmyn Hendrix, Laura and the Bass, Dirty Scavenger and Chuck SJ Hay, but word is spreading up the M23 and London-based acts are starting to play too.
Facebook www.facebook.com/femfriday
#genesisters
Where Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Road, E1 4UJ
When Quarterly
Sound Riot grrrl, feminist punk, female-led rock and pop
This feminist art night has been running since September 2015 at the Genesis cinema, each time screening a feminist music film, hosting all-female or female-fronted bands, and also including feminist zine or merch stalls. Past performers have included Dream Wife, Fightmilk, Fresh, and Majorettes. On Thursday 30th June, they’re screening Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer, the tale of the feminist anti-establishment punk band in Russia, with a special introduction from the documentary’s co-director, Mike Lerner. The fourth #genesisters night is on Saturday 20th August with The Wimmins’ Institute, and further ahead they’re also planning a whole weekend festival of films, bands, zines and workshops from 21st to 23rd October.
Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/1485837781746710/
Girl Power London
Where The Macbeth, 70 Hoxton Street, N1 6LP
When Last Saturday of every month
Sound R’n’B, hip-hop and pop DJs from the 90’s to present day.
A glittery, fun party night with all-female DJ line-ups playing mostly female artists. A range of amateur and professional DJs, including Zoe London, Fabienne and GCDJ. Look out for future DJ sets from Rosie Lowe, and film screenings.
The night has been going just since April. Organiser Jenny Cotter says, “We are not aiming to be exclusive or anti-guy. We just want the girls to be running the fun and the music, and to create a space for the feminine and girly to be celebrated by everyone.”
Facebook www.facebook.com/girlpowerldn
Twitter/Instagram @girlpowerldn
LOUD WOMEN
Where Hope & Anchor, 207 Upper Street, N1 1RL
The Lexington, 96-98 Pentonville Road, N1 9JB
and Veg Bar, 45 Tulse Hill, Brixton
When Multiple dates at multiple venues
Sound Punk, pop and riot grrrl
LOUD WOMEN gigs were launched in October 2015 by Cassie Fox of The Wimmins’ Institute, as a not-for-profit DIY collective dedicated to putting talented women on stages who might otherwise have struggled to get heard, and having plenty of fun while they’re at it. In that time, they’ve showcased 42 women-led acts via 17 shows, and raised nearly £1,000 for Women’s Aid. Shows are mostly in London, but not exclusively so: recent dates included cracker events at Newport and Brighton. In February, the LOUD WOMEN eZine was launched to over 1,000 subscribers, featuring news, interviews, videos and music reviews. All-ages matinee gigs are also proving a popular with parents. A festival featuring 25 acts is planned for September: the line-up so far includes Vodun, Desperate Journalist, Dream Nails, Louise Distras and Grace Petrie.
Tegan Christmas, of The Ethical Debating Society, says LOUD WOMEN are the “Best shows in London for grrrl fronted guitar action! Inclusive, friendly and inspiring.”
Bob Oram wrote in The Morning Star that “Loud Women will undoubtedly be the beacon for all the best new female talent in 2016”.
Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/loudwomen
Twitter @loudwomenclub
Instagram @loudwomen
Website loudwomen.org
Resist Psychic Death
Where DIY Space for London
When Irregular
Sound Riot grrrl/punk
Run by Karis, this DIY night has only put on a few shows so far, but with line-ups including riot grrrl royalty such as Shopping, The Ethical Debating Society and Skinny Girl Diet, they are sure to be ones to watch for the future. RPD gigs are benefit shows, which have raised money some amazing causes and groups, including Focus E15 Mothers, the Women’s Project at Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network, Solace Women’s Aid, the Good Night Out campaign and DIY Space for London.
Facebook www.facebook.com/resistpsychicdeath
Shatterproof
Where Ziferblat, 388 Old Street, EC1V 9LT
When Irregular
Sound Solo and duo singer-songwriters, poetry and spoken word performances
A new event showcasing female and LGBTQ+ musicians and spoken word artists. All genders and sexualities welcome. Performers have included Daniel Versus the World, River Harper and Baby Arms (the solo project of Jennifer Doveton from Colour Me Wednesday). The next show is 29th July with Cath Elms.
Facebook www.facebook.com/shatterproofmusicpromo
Who Run the World
Where Apples and Pears Bar, 26 Osborn Street, E1 6TD and
Muse, 23 Frith Street, W1 4RR
When Monthly shows at multiple venues
Sound All sorts! Acoustic, rock, pop, soul, blues, metal, riot grrrl, punk.
Musician Beth White launched Who Run the World (WRTW) in August 2015, and since then she’s hosted around 25 gigs, with 10 in the pipeline at the time of writing. She’s a woman on a mission: “To help improve visibility of women in music in London’s grass roots scene”. Past gigs have seen the likes of ARXX, Berries, Salwa Azar and Nova Twins. As well as the regular LGBTQ night at Muse, and acoustic night at Apples and Pears, WRTW will be helping bands with their Summer tours, and teaming up with LOUD WOMEN for a sisterly contribution to the We Shall Overcome events in October.
Facebook www.facebook.com/wrtwuk
Twitter @wrtwuk
Instagram @wrtwuk
Website www.whoruntheworld.co.uk
