Cardiff-based punk band Panic Shack are one of my most-listened-to bands this year — and for good reason. They’re fun, fiery, and unfiltered, with humour and hooks packed into every song. Their debut album, released in July, is filled with banger after banger, so it’s no wonder I was compelled to see them live again. I caught them back in June, but after months of having the album on repeat, I was buzzing to see them with fresh ears — and this time, I knew every word.
I was not disappointed. If anything, I loved them even more. Being able to scream and shout along to every song added an extra layer of joy to the chaos. Their set covered every track from the album, plus fan favourites from the Baby Shack EP (2022).
They kicked off with a bang — the feminist, diet-culture-skewering ‘Gok Wan’ followed by ‘Baby’, a hilariously relatable ode to not being the kind of person who likes holding babies. Between songs, the band’s banter was as sharp as their riffs. We learned, for instance, that ‘Personal Best’ was inspired by one member attempting a marathon while on mushrooms (apparently not recommended), and that ‘We Need to Talk About Dennis’ chronicles another member’s drunken alter ego. Panic Shack are gloriously unfiltered — equal parts chaos, comedy, and camaraderie — and they have a way of making you feel like you’re part of their gang.
Somewhat ironically, the biggest mosh pit of the night erupted during ‘Lazy’, an anthem for the unapologetically unmotivated (“’Cause I’m lazy, and I like it”). ‘I Don’t Really Like It’ morphed into a punked-up cover of The Ting Tings’ ‘That’s Not My Name’, and the most unexpected and genius moment of the night came with a riotous cover of ‘War Pigs’ by Black Sabbath.
They closed with ‘Who’s Got My Lighter’ and a massive singalong to ‘Pockets’, complete with the band’s relatable checklist: “Vape. Keys. Phone. Lip gloss.” Add in their choreographed girlband-style dance moves and Panic Shack-themed knickers hanging off the microphones, and you’ve got a show that’s equal parts riot and sparkle.
Panic Shack are the musical embodiment of manic, glitter-soaked joy — chaotic, confident, and completely irresistible. I am all in.
Setlist:
Gok Wan
Baby
Personal Best
SMELLARAT
Jiu Jits You
Girl Band Starter Pack
Thelma and Louise
We Need to Talk About Dennis
Mannequin Man
Do Something
Lazy
The Ick
I Don’t Really Like It/That’s Not My Name (Ting Tings cover)
Unhinged
War Pigs (Black Sabbath)
Tit School
Who’s Got My Lighter
Pockets
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Review and Photographs by Hayley Foster da Silva
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