LOUD WOMEN's Donna Craine got onside with Manchester's feminist punk band Loose Articles at Atherton's The Snug venue.
Initiated in 2023, the Loose Articles Kick Like a Girl Tour got much demanded and needed extra time. This is more than a gig. It’s an all encompassing project that happens to also bring a party in the form of a Loose Articles gig every night of the tour. The gig was a party and I’ll obviously be gushing about that later.
But first it’s important to talk about the project, which is aimed at supporting young female/non- binary people into live music across a range of areas, from performance to sound and technical roles, to bagging a slot supporting the band.
“Across all the job roles that exist—from being in a band to being a sound tech, promoter, manager etc—we want to encourage young women and non-binary people to get involved and feel like they can succeed in this line of work. As a band our song topics touch on gender roles and overcoming the struggles of being a gender minority in a male dominated industry, so why not actually practice what we preach about in our songs and really try to make a difference? We want all of the gigs we play to be a safe space for all regardless of gender identity. Everyone is invited to get involved with the party!”
The tour is being held at grassroots music venues across the North that are often overlooked on the mainstream touring circuits. This night was held at the incredible SNUG in Atherton, a brilliant venue that has given rise to many up and coming bands in Manchester.
Because of this project, the gig crowd was a delightful collection of people, akin to the crowd at our very own LOUD WOMEN FEST. Rarely do I get to go to a gig and dance with a vibrant array of young people at the front. It was clear to me also that the band were revelling in chatting and engaging with the future of the industry. This is exactly what we need and I’m so pleased extra time was called. Do we get extra extra time Loose Articles?
The Girls
The gig started with a band that had grabbed the opportunity discussed above called The Girls. A two-piece with a singer and guitar performing a collection of well chosen covers and their own music, this band was perfectly placed as support. Their original song, ‘If Time Grew on Trees’, showed the wisdom and depth that these young musicians had to build a fantastic career on. Excellent guitar and confident performers. The band seemingly were not settled on the name ‘The Girls’ and asked for recommendations. Based on the incredible Dolly Partonesque vocals I’d like to suggest The Partons.
Bek Jones
Ah, Bek managed our expectations at the start by telling us she was poorly and apologising in advance for ‘any squeaks’. This was completely unnecessary as from my perspective she gave a beautiful vocal performance and hid her flagging well being perfectly. Opening with the entirely appropriate song “Woman”, she delivered a set of country/folky loveliness; her original songs “Thoughts of a Mother” and “Change” were my faves. Also the brilliant rearrangement of the ABBA song, ”Money Money Money”. Hope you feel better Bek, you smashed it.
Loose Articles
On my journey home, whilst I was still buzzing from the vibe and power of this band, I reflected on what I love about them. So I’m going to try to articulate it. I love all music, I particularly enjoy the often socially conscious lyrics and anthemic punk sounds. With male punk bands, I go, I scream, I shout and I bounce around. But I leave and; I may have gotten angry alongside some men who are also angry. I may have had a cathartic experience. But the anger is all I remember.
With Loose Articles, it’s so much more. Loose Articles are a band with as much rage and as much to say as the other bands I’ve seen but it hits differently. The joy of the band’s project cannot fail to create the loveliest, most inclusive and energised atmosphere, which always leaves me filled with love. There wasn’t a moment in the gig when every single band member wasn’t smiling, laughing or generally having an awesome time, and that traversed into the entire crowd. It was literally like being at the house party of a kinship of charismatic hosts. The sound this band creates goes far beyond the basic discordant guitars of a punk band. With a cacophony of synth, cowbell, whistle, guitar, bass, drums, vocals and the mandatory screams, with catchy chanty lyrics, they always bring an exhilarating performance. I will hear the words, “It’s not my fella’s guitar!” as an earworm for the rest of my life I think.
On all accounts, great work Loose Articles, the world would be a duller, less funny, less musical and less inclusive place without you.
There still tome to catch this tour, get your tickets here
Dates:
14th February 2025 – Bootleg Social, Blackpool
21st February 2025 – Future yard, Birkenhead
22nd February 2025 – The Vale, Mossley
28th February 2025 – Barrow Underground, Barrow
8th March 2025 – More Music, Morecambe
Loose Articles info