From Life-Saving Bassists to Punk Mayhem – Panic Shack’s Legendary Bodega Set

Live Review: Panic Shack at The Bodega – Punk Chaos at Full Throttle

On the hottest day of the year, with the air conditioning barely keeping up and the sweat pouring off the packed sell-out crowd, Panic Shack stormed into Nottingham’s Bodega and unleashed a riotous set that left the venue shaking. From the first chord, the Welsh punk outfit had the audience in a frenzy, their raw, unapologetic sound electrifying the room. Fans bounced, shouted, and lost themselves in the chaos, proving that Panic Shack knows exactly how to command a stage.

The Pill – A Support Act Worthy of the Mayhem

Before Panic Shack took the stage, the crowd was treated to an electrifying set from The Pill, a duo that proved they were more than just a warm-up act. Comprised of guitarist Lily and bassist Lottie, The Pill delivered a set packed with attitude, humor, and razor-sharp punk energy. Their songs—Money Mullet, Scaffolding Man, and Woman Driver—were instant crowd-pleasers, each dripping with their signature wit and punchy riffs.

Before launching into Woman Driver, Lily shared a hilarious anecdote about their Nottingham sightseeing adventure—accidentally looping through the city’s one-way system four times while trying to find The Bodega. Their camaraderie on stage was infectious, with dry humor interludes between songs that kept the audience engaged. Their interactions with the crowd were risqué at times, adding to the rebellious punk spirit of the night.

But what truly set The Pill apart was the sheer energy they unleashed on stage. It was a melee of hair and guitars, Lily thrashing her instrument with reckless abandon, while Lottie powered through basslines. Their passionate performance was a brilliant sight, an explosion of punk chaos that had the crowd buzzing. And for those that weren’t on the front row, they may have missed Lily’s socks-and-heels combo as she stomped away at her pedals—a detail that only added to their effortlessly cool aesthetic.

The Pill are a band not to be missed, and their chemistry and energy made them the perfect support act for Panic Shack.

Panic Shack – The Welsh Punk Powerhouse

The five-piece stormed onto the Bodega stage to a massive cheer from the crowd. Many were Panic Shack veterans—fans who knew exactly what kind of electrifying chaos they were about to witness. They wasted no time, launching straight into Gok Wan, instantly cranking the night’s energy up to 11.

Frontwoman Sarah Harvey commanded the stage with raw, rebellious attitude, bouncing and nodding as she belted out the lyrics with unfiltered passion. Meg Fretwell and Romi Lawrence’s guitars punched through the venue like a tidal wave, while Emily Smith kept the low-end thrumming with her powerful bass work. The lighting intensified the drama unfolding on stage, bathing Panic Shack in vivid magenta and green hues, transforming the venue into a punk-fueled neon dreamscape. Each burst of color pulsed in time with the music, heightening the chaos and amplifying the raw energy pouring off the band.

Straight off Gok Wan, the band dived into Baby Shack, their energy sky-high, but the crowd’s enthusiasm somehow even higher. The entire room moved as one, fans singing along with Sarah, bouncing, swaying, and shouting the words with pure joy. In the midst of the punk mayhem, bassist Emily Smith faced an unexpected wardrobe malfunction—her hairpiece caught in her bass strings mid-headbang, the price of delivering sheer, unrelenting energy. But did she falter? Not for a second. Smith powered through, blasting out bass lines as if nothing had happened, proving that absolutely nothing—not sweat, heat, or tangled hair—could slow Panic Shack down.

Then came something special—Nottingham’s lucky audience was treated to the first-ever live performance of Girl Band Starter Pack, the Welsh group’s latest offering. It’s a signature Panic Shack tune, packed with their punchy energy and attitude, and it was an instant hit with the crowd. As the final chords rang out, a fan called out, “You played that really well!”—a simple but powerful moment that caught the band off guard. Taken aback by the heartfelt praise, the band exchanged smiles and glances, basking in the warmth of the audience’s appreciation before diving headfirst into the next punk-fueled anthem.

The surprises weren’t over yet—Panic Shack unveiled another new song, Thelma & Louise, introducing it as a love song between the band members—a fierce, chaotic expression of friendship and unity wrapped in their signature sound. Delivered with pure vigor, the track ripped through The Bodega with the same untamed energy that defines Panic Shack’s performances. If this song is anything to go by, their soon-to-be-released album is shaping up to be an absolute belter!

At one point during a musical break, Meg Fretwell took the mic to share a truly unexpected story from the band’s journey to the venue. While stopping at a motorway service station for a quick bite, Panic Shack found themselves in the middle of a life-or-death situation. A fellow diner began choking on his egg and tomato salad, and in a flash, bassist Emily Smith sprang into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and saving the poor man from what could have been an untimely demise.

The crowd at The Bodega listened, open-mouthed, as Meg recounted the scene—Emily, bass-playing superhero, stepping in without hesitation. Seeing the stunned reaction from the audience, Smith seized the moment to make what may go down as the most punk-rock PSA in history, grinning as she delivered the ultimate piece of public interest advice:
“Don’t eat salad!”

A classic Panic Shack moment—hilarious, chaotic, and absolutely legendary. One that only those lucky enough to be at The Bodega that night will ever get to share.

As the night raged on, Panic Shack tore into Jiu Jits You, and the atmosphere exploded. Frontwoman Sarah Harvey didn’t just sing the song—she lived it, her facial expressions shifting wildly as she threw herself into each line, acting out the lyrics with infectious enthusiasm. Every movement, every look, was a spectacle in itself, dragging everyone in the venue deeper into the moment. The crowd wasn’t just watching the band anymore—they were part of it. And Sarah? She looked like she was having the time of her life.

And then, for the grand finale—Panic Shack closed their set with The Ick. If anything, they ended the night on an even higher note than when they began. This was only the first night of the tour, yet the energy never dropped, not for a second. The sound, the tunes, the electrifying vocals—it was a brilliant night of entertainment, a punk masterclass that left The Bodega breathless.

Wrapping Up the Night

As the band left the stage, the party wasn’t over. Instead of simply heading backstage, Panic Shack took control of the decks, keeping the chaos rolling with their own DJ set. The venue buzzed with excitement as the band curated tracks that perfectly matched the energy of their performance, ensuring that those who had the stamina could keep dancing long into the night.

But for us old RockNews gig reviewers, the morning alarm loomed too close for an all-nighter. Panic Shack proved once again why they’re one of the most exciting punk bands in the UK right now—raw, wild, and utterly unforgettable.

If they roll through town again, don’t miss them. Just be ready to sweat.

From Life-Saving Bassists to Punk Mayhem – Panic Shack’s Legendary Bodega Set @ Rock News.