Live Review: Bratakus + Fightmilk at The Grace 19/2/26

Last night was my first time visiting The Grace, a small venue tucked right next door to The Garage. Perhaps that’s why the security guard asked me what I was there for. I answered, “the gig,” assuming it was the usual pub-downstairs, club-upstairs setup. “What gig?” he asked. When I said Brakatus, it felt like I’d cracked a secret code-he let me up the stairs to the venue. Only later did I realise the mix-up probably happens often, given how close the two spaces are.

For those who haven’t been, The Grace is intimate and chaotic in the best way: a small space with a bar at the back and the ceiling packed with disco balls. There are no barriers, so you can get right up close to the stage.

At the last minute, London-based four-piece Fightmilk stepped in as the support act. I’d vaguely heard the name before but never listened, and I instantly fell in love. Their music is rocky, punky, danceable, and infused with feminist sensibilities. “Summer Bodies” is a standout, opening with the striking line, “summer bodies are made when you hate yourself,” complete with screams of frustration at our body-obsessed society. Singer Lily was instantly likeable, bantering about “bastards called Greg, but loving Greggs,” and I left determined to buy all their music. The band’s energy was electric, pulling the crowd in from the very first note, and I found myself swept up in every song.

Next up were Brakatus, a band I’d only recently discovered while reviewing their second album, Hagridden. For anyone unfamiliar, they’re two Scottish sisters and a drum machine (though their latest album features live drums). Experiencing them live was something else—like hearing the album, but amplified and intensified. They opened with “Final Girls” from Hagridden, dedicating it to trans women, and instantly I was thrown into punk heaven. Brakatus sound like The Distillers armed with a machete: rough, raw, passionate, and fast.

Their passion isn’t just musical; it’s ethical and political too. A Palestinian flag was proudly displayed on stage. (they later called for a Free Palestine during their set). Their songs tackle issues from female musicians being tokenized, to safety in gigs, and equality. The intensity of their performance left the room charged—raw, furious, and alive—but it was also empowering, a reminder of why punk exists as both music and action.

Though I can’t find a setlist online, I’m fairly sure they played all of Hagridden alongside selections from their first album. The older tracks hit like short, explosive blasts to the brain, while the new songs stretched out, letting the raw emotion breathe. The audience loved them, calling for an encore and leaving the band genuinely surprised by the adoration.

I may have been late to the Brakatus party, but now I’m fully immersed. Between Fightmilk’s fiery punk-pop and Brakatus’ ferocious, politically-charged punk, the night left me exhilarated, empowered, and more connected to the scene than ever. It was a reminder that music isn’t just sound—it’s energy, emotion, and community. Nights like these don’t just entertain; they sharpen your perspective, fill you with fire, and leave you wanting more.