A four-band, female-fronted Punk bill brought a lively crowd to the Hope & Anchor in Islington. With Liliths Army due to play Leicester’s Danfest early the following day, they opened proceedings, launching straight into the brash ‘Bubblegum’ before following up with ‘Eat My TV’. I had mistakenly thought in a previous review that Sylvie Studente was wearing Elvis-style glasses, but repeated listens to the album 'Doll' make it clear the song is a pointed critique of the gaudy posturing and excess of Hip-Hop video culture.

New track ‘Memory’ was also aired, its Grunge-leaning dynamics nodding towards Nirvana without slipping into pastiche. Since the release of 'Doll' last year, and aided by relentless touring, the band sound noticeably tighter and more confident, allowing space for Sam Shepard’s explosive drum moments and for bassist Tommy Mayo to drift into the crowd without losing momentum. They closed with last Halloween’s single ‘Cursed’.

Leeds power trio Kath & The Kicks followed, opening with ‘Neptune’ and keeping the pace high throughout. Matt Larkin’s forceful drumming drives the set, while bassist Tony Harrison holds everything together with a tight, consistent groove. Although Grunge and Heavy Metal influences are evident, their sound is broader than that, incorporating elements of Art-Rock and hints of 1990s Britpop. Barefoot, Kath moves constantly across the stage, balancing headbanging with assured lead guitar work and delivering vocals that span an impressive range.

No Feelings opened with ‘Miss Me’, a Punk-flavoured nod to The Who’s ‘Can’t Explain’, but their set was disrupted by persistent feedback from an unidentified source. Frontwoman Sara and the band recovered well, pushing through to ‘Selfie’, during which Sara leaned into exaggerated posturing to reinforce the song’s confrontational edge. By now the room was packed and responsive, calling for more after an energetic cover of the Sex Pistols’ ‘No Feelings’.

Operation Julie closed the night. Their name appears to reference a notorious 1970s LSD bust in Wales, and they are said to include former members of Post-Punk London band Jelly. Their sound leans firmly towards Post-Punk, with Vera Howard’s vocals recalling Siouxsie Sioux, though an overused slapback effect occasionally dulled clarity. Even so, Mickey Howard’s energetic and melodic lead guitar brought the evening to a confident close.

Review and Photos: Ivan De Mello