Gig Review: Panic Shack Nottingham – October 2025

October 19, 2025 rocknews

Panic Shack: Total Mayhem in Nottingham – The Verdict from the Pit

Panic Shack Gig Review: Cardiff’s most vital export, Panic Shack, are riding a relentless wave of unstoppable momentum. It was barely six months ago that they absolutely tore the roof off the intimate Bodega for a now legendary, sweat-drenched show. But with a chart-topping debut album under their belts, the Welsh superstars are operating on a whole new level. Tonight, their triumphant return to the city saw them upgrade to the hallowed, packed-to-the-rafters Rescue Rooms—a venue with a history steeped in the sweat of bands on the cusp of greatness, and tonight, it was subjected to a Category Five storm of pure, unadulterated punk-rock brilliance.

The five-piece powerhouse, armed with an infectious blend of riot grrrl attitude, garage-punk grit, and an almost absurdly funny lyrical wit, played a show that was a full-scale, joyful invasion. The anticipation for this Panic Shack Gig had been building all week, fuelled by the July release of their scorching self-titled debut album. By the time the band hit the stage the air in the capacity filled room was thick with the visceral energy of a crowd ready to be led to the abyss, provided the soundtrack was a series of three-minute, high-velocity anthems about the mundane horrors of modern life.

The moment the house lights dipped, a raw jolt of high-voltage adrenaline Not from the band, mind you, but from a crowd barely contained by the barricade shot through the venue. This Panic Shack Gig Review will confirm what countless UK gig-goers already know, you don’t merely watch Panic Shack; you participate. Tonight was no exception.

[ Read The Rock News Panic Shack Bodega Gig Review Here ]

Panic Shack Gig Review: Chaos Theory, Fashion Statements and Frenetic Start

From the moment they launched into the set, the pace was relentless. Opening with the strutting confidence of ‘Gok Wan’ a track that sets their tone of high-fashion irreverence against brutalist punk riffs and the band was instantly dialled in. Vocalist Sarah Harvey, a whirlwind of sardonic energy, wasted no time connecting with the sweaty throng, while guitarists Meg Fretwell and Romi Lawrence carved out hook after undeniable hook, expertly supported by bassist Emily Smith and drummer Nick Doherty-Williams.

The collective energy is a key factor in their success: they move as a single, choreographed-yet-chaotic unit. Their stage presence is immediately stamped by their look, a magnificent cacophony of non-conformist, questionable fashion choices that serves as their uniform. Take vocalist Sarah Harvey, for instance, who sported a top with “Dennis Who?” a brilliant, tongue-in-cheek nod to the track ‘We Need To Talk About Dennis’ coming later in the set. This ritual of stylistic defiance signals the high-octane launch into pure, unbridled rock & roll mayhem.

The setlist, a tight run of certified bangers, barrelled through fan favourites like ‘Baby’, ‘Personal Best’, and the gloriously filthy ‘Smellarat’. But it was in the deeper cuts that the full weight of the Panic Shack experience truly landed. The one-two punch of ‘Girl Band Starter Pack’ and ‘Jiu Jits You’ saw the room erupt into a swirling, good-natured maelstrom.

Panic Shack Gig Review: Studio Grit Meets Stage Groove – The Ali Chant Effect

The crowd reaction was immediate and overwhelming. For tracks like ‘Thelma & Louise’, the chant-along was deafening. This isn’t passive consumption; it’s active participation. Harvey’s genius lies in her ability to flip the script. She transformed the audience from passive spectators into a crucial auxiliary chorus. When the band ripped into the newer surging anthem ‘Do Something’, it went down like a seismic hit, proving its instant classic status. This is the mark of a band that commands the stage and owns the room.

The mid-set dive into the irreverent ‘Mannequin Man’ and the visceral punch of ‘Unhinged’ showcased the band’s newfound muscle. The strength of these, and other tracks from their debut album, owes a debt to their collaboration with heavyweight producer Ali Chant (known for his work with PJ Harvey and Yard Act). The songs, road-tested on the tour, have a tighter, more propulsive rhythm section than their earlier EP material, with Smith and Doherty-Williams laying down a foundation of granite-solid groove that frees the guitars to fly off the rails.

[ Read The Rock New Review Of The Self Title Panic Shack Debut Album Here ]

Then came the blistering pace of ‘Lazy’, where Sarah literally performed the song lying down on the stage which served as a furious bridge to one of the set’s biggest surprises, the Black Sabbath behemoth ‘War Pigs’. Even its slightly jarring inclusion felt natural as they injected it with their signature sneer and a ferocious energy that only a band completely comfortable in their own skin can achieve. It’s not just a cover, they’ve claimed it as their own. Panic Shack easily demonstrate how they transcended genre boundaries with their ambition.

Panic Shack Gig Review: The Ick and the Unstoppable Momentum

The momentum never flagged. Following the thunderous cover of Sabbath’s War Pigs detour, they launched straight into the raucous, playful provocation of ‘Tits School’. It was, however, during the delivery of the older track ‘I Don’t Really Like It’ that frontwoman Harvey paused, issuing a typical, endearing punk apology for the song sounding “a bit rough and ready,” she admitted, clarifying that while the band had changed up the arrangement, the fans would “get the hang of it.” That self-aware, honest moment perfectly encapsulates their charm.

The final stretch was a blur of frenetic noise and glorious, collective catharsis. Tracks like ‘Who’s Got My Lighter?’ are a clinic in raw energy, while ‘Pockets’ delivered that immediate, high-octane punk that sticks to your ribs long after the sweat has dried. They are already teasing new material, confirming they will be back in the studio to work on the follow-up to their debut album.

The true measure of a great band is the closer, and in the relentless, genre-defining blast of ‘The Ick’, the final song, a furious commentary on those inevitable, tiny turn-offs that ruin attraction. Blasting through the song Harvey excitedly leapt from the stage to the barrier, igniting the Rescue Rooms with a raw, electric connection. Thrusting the mic to fans who belted out lines with unhinged passion, turning the crowd into the night’s final, triumphant chorus.

The Rock New Verdict

The Rock News Panic Shack Gig Review confirms the rumours: they are one of the best live acts in the country right now. They came, they saw, they conquered the Rescue Rooms. If this is the form they’re in ahead of their next album, the world needs to start bracing itself. The only negative takeaway from this Panic Shack Gig is that it had to end. Go and see them immediately.