Panic Shack / Duvet, Band on the Wall. 16th May 2025

The last time I was in Band on the Wall, it was for an animation event. Very different tonight as Duvet take the stage. I’ve seen this lot a couple of times before and always been impressed. They deal in straight up no nonsense punk fury with a fucking brutal bottom end. Yes the guitars squeal, but it’s all very bass heavy. Which is probably why I like them. Singer, Grace is the obvious focal point, whilst the other four members go about their business in a nonchalant fashion, she’s the firecracker, shouting and screaming as her hair flails, on her knees one minute, climbing the mic stand the next. It’s when they dial it down though that they hit the sweet spot and ironically it’s the same song as last time, that mentions crop circles (possibly ‘Evil Twin’) that gets me. It’s got a bit more funk than punk it is step. ‘Cowboy’ ties it all together best, post punk power with a dose of indie pop. I like the heavy shouty stuff, but they’re undeniable better when they add a few more gears to the sound, let the guitars jangle a bit more and let the whole band have some fun. They’re definitely getting better to watch live though, hopefully there’ll be a record to match it soon.

The last time I saw Panic Shack, they upstaged headliners Soft Play. I’ve seen them pull this trick on a few occasions, but they’re even better when it’s their name at the top of the bill, not least because this is their crowd. They do have their debut LP on the horizon which is where they start with new track ‘Gok Wan’. It’s fast furious fun and bodes well for what’s to come. Their sound is all about witty cutting lyrics delivered with raw power, like on ‘Baby’. When Sarah says she doesn’t want to hold your baby, I believe her. In fact I believe every single word tonight, these lyrics are personal. ‘Mannequin Man’ is Pistols meets Sultans of Ping FC, without being reductionary to either particular sound. “I think this is the biggest crowd of the tour. Contender for the best night” says Romi, no pressure then. The reaction to ‘Girl Band Starter Pack’ is encouraging though, as the pit kicks off. It’s pure energy as “we get loose we get lairy”. ‘Jiu Jits You’ takes us back to the early stuff. Highlighting just how great they were right from the very start. Honestly there’s no bad songs. It’s an all out assault. They’re tight, a proper band, in scene where there are an increasing amount of identikit hangers on. They’re the real deal, authentic, singing songs that feel like they matter, but are delivered a wonderfully engaging way with no pretentious, but sometimes with a spot of choreography. Who else can you rely on to satirise the ‘Meal Deal’ with under 3 minutes of perfect pop punk. A new one which might be called ‘On The Run’, we’re told is a love song about each other. It calms the crowd because no one knows it and we probably need a breather, but it’s great and shows again Sarah’s vocal dexterity. ‘I Don’t Really Like It’ stands out as its stripped back intro lets the power of the lyrics take over. They mash it up with The Ting Tings ‘That’s Not My Name’ in a vitriolic storm that clearly speaks to a lot of the women in the room. It’s a 50/50 crowd. In a genre of music that’s still male dominated, this is what we need more of. Along with songs about broken washing lines, tits and stolen lighters, Panic Shack have all the important topics covered. They look like they’re having fun, as do the crowd. The pit is full of smiling faces in one surging mass of pure joy, plus one lad impressively keeping his lighter lit as he gets bounced around during ‘Who’s Got My Lighter?’. ‘Pockets’ I suspect might be the next single, as the audience are asked to sing along with the “vape, phone, keys and lipgloss” line while a lad with a camera rolls for a video. They close then with ‘The Ick’. This was the break out song and it’s a fitting finale. I’ve seen them slot it in earlier before, but it feels at home closing, as they bring a euphoric Band on the Wall to its knees with a perfect hour. I’m sure they could do more, but honestly this was incredible. I can’t wait to see them again.