Our first ever LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin landed in February snow at the weekend, organised by the unstoppable Lady Lazarus – the glorious DIY punk band who also ran our very first Melbourne festival back in 2024. Since then, the band has moved to Berlin, built themselves a new life, and embedded themselves deep in the city’s radical music community. When they suggested bringing LOUD WOMEN to Berlin, we didn’t hesitate – if they could swap Australian sunshine for sub-zero temperatures, so could we. (Yes, it was actually snowing when we touched down. Glamorous.)
Thanks to our wonderful sponsors Marshall, the event was upgraded to a larger venue – which is always exciting, but also a little terrifying when you’re launching in a brand new city. More room = more pressure. Would people come? Would Berlin get what we do? Would the scene show up? Reader: Berlin absolutely smashed it. A packed venue, a buzzing atmosphere, and a room full of brand new friends made us feel instantly at home.
And then the music began.
EDDIE kicked things off with gritty, hook-packed post-punk – sharp riffs, punchy shout-alongs, and serious attitude. Exactly the kind of opener you want: urgent, bold, and setting the bar high from the first note.
Ava Adonia followed with dark alt-pop threaded with industrial edge, delivering heavy-hitting songs full of vulnerability and emotional weight. Hypnotic, cinematic, and quietly devastating.
I, Doris — our own menopausecore pop tarts — took to the stage powered by borrowed brilliance, drafting in Lady Lazarus’s drummer Jules, who learned the entire set remotely, without rehearsal, and absolutely smashed it. Zero fuss, pure skill, total legend. We love her and want to keep her (or at least borrow her again next weekend in Hamburg). When the very small contingent of men in the crowd proved reluctant to volunteer for Cowboy duties (if you know, you know), we enlisted Caroline from Lady Lazarus as our second-ever cowgirl — two shows in a row. Iconic behaviour.
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
I, Doris at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals
Wokerati Party were next, and were an absolute blast: furious, funny, ferociously political queer-feminist riot punk, delivered with huge charisma and relentless energy. Total chaos in the best possible way.
Wokerati Party – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Wokerati Party – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Wokerati Party – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Wokerati Party – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Wokerati Party – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne
PIGEONS brought Berlin punk pride in full force — fast riffs, big hooks, and a perfect mix of joy and rage that had the whole room moving.
Pigeons at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Pigeons at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Pigeons at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Pigeons at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Pigeons at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Pigeons at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals
Diana Ezerex delivered a breathtaking set of emotionally rich songs exploring identity, belonging, and social justice, blending pop instincts with deep introspection and immaculate production. Beautiful, powerful, and genuinely moving.
Diana Ezerex at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Diana Ezerex at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Diana Ezerex at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Diana Ezerex at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Diana Ezerex at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán
Bella and the Bizarre turned the festival into a full-blown queer punk cabaret, complete with astonishing dancers, choreographed routines, and outrageous costumes — maximal, theatrical, joyful, and gloriously Berlin. Pure spectacle, total celebration.
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Bella and the Bizarre – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne
borlinghaus shifted the mood with intimate, tender dark pop, creating space for vulnerability, softness and reflection. A beautiful pause for breath, and a reminder of the emotional breadth of this scene.
Lady Lazarus, our organisers and Berlin-based heroes, delivered a powerhouse headline-adjacent set bursting with raw energy, massive hooks, and unbreakable community spirit. Watching them command a room in their adopted city was genuinely emotional. This is what DIY success looks like: friendship, solidarity, and total belief.
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne 
Lady Lazarus – LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – Badehaus – Magda Campagne
LUCIE unleashed glam-electro-trash perfection — fierce, defiant, glittering rebellion for queer souls and anyone done with playing nice. Trashy, glossy, political brilliance.
Lucie at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Lucie at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Lucie at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Lucie at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Lucie at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán 
Lucie at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Cyndi Bazán
Silk brought soaring alt-punk rock, loud guitars and big feelings, delivering anthems that landed somewhere between catharsis and collective release.
Silk at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Silk at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Silk at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Silk at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Silk at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Silk at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Silk at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals
And finally, Clitteband closed the night in legendary fashion — blistering feminist ska punk from the Netherlands, delivered with humour, fury, and total commitment. A ferocious, euphoric ending that left us breathless, buzzing, and completely in love.
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals 
Clitteband at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin – photo by Chris @lionheart.visuals
Behind the scenes, the whole day ran like an absolute dream, thanks to our incredible volunteer team: Sophie, Nat, Christoph, Cyn, Pirita, Nicole, Milane, Sonny, Birgit, Tanja, Yuna and Daniel — you are heroes, every single one of you. Huge love too to Magda and Julie from our London team, who travelled over specially to help us build something magical in Berlin. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Endless thanks to Marshall, our best-ever sponsors, and especially Martin, their man-in-Berlin, who came along and soaked up the chaos with us. LOUD WOMEN sounded loud, powerful, and beautifully resonant on that Marshall backline — exactly how it should be.
Berlin: you were phenomenal. We felt the love, the solidarity, the community, the hunger for something different. Let’s absolutely do this again.
But first – we’re heading back to Germany next weekend for our very first LOUD WOMEN Fest Hamburg at Hafenklang on 28 February. Tickets are almost sold out, so if you want to join us, move fast.
Hamburg, wir freuen uns riesig auf euch — das wird laut, wild und wunderschön. 🖤🔥
