Panic Shack

Formed in Cardiff in 2018, Panic Shack emerged from the Welsh punk and indie scene with the intention of making band practice more direct, more collective and less codified than in some local circles that were then very male-dominated. The five-piece developed a short, nervous and upfront sound at the intersection of punk rock, post-punk and indie punk, featuring dry guitars, a taut rhythm section, shouted choruses and lyrics rooted in everyday life, often laced with humour, social irritation and observations on gender relations. Panic Shack first made its mark on the live circuit, where the group's energy and sense of timing are central, before widening its UK audience through a series of singles and EPs. As their profile grew, Panic Shack shared bills with acts like Bob Vylan and Soft Play and played festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds and SXSW. The band remains associated with concise songwriting and a very physical live aesthetic, balancing punk tension, a spoken-sung delivery and a strong collective ethos.