LIVE: Skinny Girl Diet (w/ GUTTFULL, The Franklys & Fightmilk) - The Lexington, London 20.07.17

Free EPs, poetry, an inclusive atmosphere and free sweets – we challenge you to beat the generosity of LOUD WOMEN when it comes to showcasing some of the finest female-fronted musical talent in the capital. Punk duo Skinny Girl Diet headlined their latest gig at The Lexington, with support from the equally riotous The Franklys, GUTTFULL, and Fightmilk.

The task of kicking of proceedings fell to self-confessed “indie schmucks” Fightmilk, who delivered their “sweaty pop” anthems with high energy and defiant smiles to a bustling crowd. LOUD WOMEN’s founder Cassie Fox came to the band’s rescue when there was a situation with the drum kit, and she was rewarded with the chant “Cassie Fox fucking rocks!” from vocalist/guitarist Lily. The band succeeded in warming up the crowd and the stage for GUTTFULL, who added more fuel to the fire with their excellent collection of feminist punk anthems.

The five-piece used the event to celebrate the release of their latest EP #NotAllMen, which they were handing out free copies of at the merch stand. There was serious saxophone action and full-on Riot Grrrl attitude throughout their performance, especially during the feisty ‘Gaslightin’ Muthfucka’ and relatable modern message of ‘Keyboard Warrior’. Woman of the hour Cassie Fox proved she “fucking rocks!” on bass guitar, and the band’s witty, loud, “dirty sax” sounds were eagerly digested by the growing crowd.

Third on the bill were garage rockers The Franklys, who had the room swishing their hair in unison to single ‘Too Tall’. The Swedish fans in the crowd made themselves known to vocalist and guitarist Jennifer Ahlkvist who smiled and laughed in recognition, before the band launched back in to their heavy, visceral guitar playing.

Scaled down from a trio to a duo, headliners Skinny Girl Diet powered through their aggressively loud set and were left with ten minutes to spare at the end of the night. “I don’t like talking” confessed guitarist/vocalist Delilah – which is fair – besides, the supportive crowd were there to hear her snarling, attention-grabbing vocals anyway. Drummer Ursula was equally impossible to ignore as she smashed the shit out of her kit with menacing precision. The pair delivered tracks like ‘Silver Spoons’ and ‘Ideal Woman’ with maximum attitude, the latter being the highlight of the set with its abrasive guitar and angry, poison-laced lyrics.

At the end of the night, the crowd rewarded the girls with cheers and applause before turning to each other to wipe the sweat from each other’s brows. With events like this, LOUD WOMEN have once again proved the riot grrrl ethic is alive and kicking, and the appetite for feminist punk bands is as voracious and necessary today as it was in its 90s heyday.