GOD SAVE THE QUEENS: A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS OF WOMEN IN PUNK |

LIVE REVIEW | GOD SAVE THE QUEENS w/Essential Logic, HotWax, Gina Birch and The Unreasonables, and Big Joanie | ELECTRIC BRIXTON, LONDON | 16th October 2026 by Kim Sabatelli

When the poster promises a night filled with female punk legends, expectations are high. God Save The Queens at Electric Brixton, London, did not disappoint.

Bringing together a cross-generational bill of musicians, the evening celebrated 50 years of women in punk, showcasing the influence that OG’s such as Poly Styrene from X-Ray Spex had on the scene.

Guiding us through the evening was Vivien Goldman, renowned author of ‘Revenge of the She-Punks’, whose role as compere brought context to proceedings and honoured the women who have made noise, challenged expectations and carved out their own space in music.

Opening the night was Essential Logic, founded by Lora Logic who previously played saxophone in X-Ray Spex. Although the venue was still filling up, their post-punk sound quickly lifted the energy in the room. Blending hints of funk at times, their set offered something a little different, setting the tone nicely ahead of the night’s second act, HotWax, who took to the stage next.

Essential Logic (Kim Sabatelli/Northern Exposure)

They were the youngest band on the bill, but there was nothing tentative about their performance. If the evening was about celebrating five decades of women in punk, HotWax provided a timely reminder that the spirit is alive and kicking in a new generation. Having watched them play a few times before, this was the most confident I’ve seen them, and they absolutely smashed it. Singer and guitarist Tallulah Sim-Savage looked every inch the punk pin-up, and bassist Lola Sam radiated attitude as she moved around the stage often playing her bass while holding it aloft. Near the end of the set, Tallulah took things a step further, climbing down from the stage and heading straight into the audience. She strode across the floor as though it were her own runway before a lucky fan had the opportunity to sing into the microphone. It was spontaneous, unpredictable, and a demonstration of the band’s rebellious spirit.

HotWax (Kim Sabatelli/Northern Exposure)

Next up was Gina Birch and The Unreasonables, bringing the experience and attitude of a different punk generation. In a yellow suit and sunglasses, Birch’s introduction set the tone perfectly; “No tricks, nothing up our sleeve. Except a little electricity!“. There was a wonderfully defiant edge to the set, particularly during ‘I Will Never Wear Stilettos‘, with its unapologetic declaration “Why should I!?”. It was the kind of sentiment that could easily serve as a mission statement for the whole evening. Their final song brought the energy down a notch, offering a more laid-back close to a set that had been full of personality.

Gina Birch and The Unreasonables (Kim Sabatelli/Northern Exposure)

Big Joanie, a black feminist punk band, brought another dimension to the night. The band’s name, inspired by singer Stephanie Phillips’ mum Joan, also carried a message of strong, confident women which was entirely fitting for an event as such as this. Their sound brought together punk ferocity and riot grrrl attitude. The bass in particular, expertly played by Estella Adeyeri, had a fierce, confrontational edge, adding real weight to the performance. There was a sense of purpose to their music, with a sound and presence that refused to be neatly boxed in. They were another reminder that women in punk aren’t simply preserving a legacy; they’re expanding it.

Big Joanie (Kim Sabatelli/Northern Exposure)

By the time the supergroup took to the stage, fronted by Hollie Cook (The Slits) with Celeste Bell (daughter of X-Ray Spex frontwoman Poly Styrene), Estella Adeyeri, Lora Logic, Gina Birch, Paul Deam (X-Ray Spex) and Akiko Matsuura (Comanechi/PRE), the evening had built towards a celebration of the women whose influence continues to ripple through music. Special guests were brought up on stage to join in, including Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers), John Robb (The Membranes), Bishi and Skin (Skunk Anansie), making the night truly unforgettable.The set brought X-Ray Spex classics into the spotlight, alongside covers of ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine‘ and ‘Lola‘. ‘Oh Bondage! Up Yours!‘ made for a spectacular finale. The presence of so many legends made for a genuinely special performance. As Bishi put it, she “wouldn’t be the artist she is today without Poly Styrene”. It’s a sentiment that I suspect could be echoed by countless musicians, particularly women who have found inspiration in Poly’s singular voice, fearless individuality and refusal to conform. Her influence is woven into the fabric of punk, and the evening made that legacy feel tangible rather than merely historical. Bishi herself was a highlight, playing the electric sitar while her voice rang out across the room, ethereal and beautiful. It was a striking sound, adding another layer an evening that served as a reminder of just how broad the possibilities become when artists are free to follow their own instincts.

God Save The Queens (Kim Sabatelli/Northern Exposure)

What made God Save The Queens so compelling was the sense of connection between past, present and future. From HotWax throwing themselves into the moment to the seasoned musicians bringing decades of experience and influence to the stage, the evening never felt like an exercise in nostalgia. These are artists with their own identities, sounds and stories, united by a shared refusal to be quiet. Fifty years on, women in punk are still here, still pushing boundaries and still doing things their own way. God Save The Queens wasn’t just a celebration of those who came before; it was proof that the noise is nowhere near dying down.

UP YOURS! Collective is a non-profit community organisation founded by Celeste Belle, independent curator Lauren Estelle Jones and Vivien Goldman. For upcoming events, CLICK HERE to find out more and book your tickets!