Under a bright harvest moon on September 25, London-based grunge-infused punk rock power trio Thunder Queens took to the main stage at Punk Rock Flea Market London to celebrate the release of their sophomore album Deep Below.
Their hometown release show could not have taken place at a better event, their formation brought about thanks to PRFM London seven years ago, marking a full-circle moment for the band. Dundas Street was packed with people of all ages, their community showing up in full force to support them.
The trio started their set a little differently with the live debut of “Falling Rain,” the acoustic closing track on Deep Below. The vocal harmonies between Lola Good, Violet Bruneel and Clara Magnan were off the charts; everyone’s voice was strong and playing perfectly off of each other.
After the band talked about what PRFM London meant to them, Good called for everyone to move up, the audience taking one big collective step forward as the band launched into the rock blast of “Wait.” Even though the album came out the day before, people were already singing along, having already learned the lyrics by heart. This would continue on throughout the set, reaching a fever pitch with “Birds on a Wire” and “Bluebells.”
The dynamism of the band was on full display on a trio of songs from their new album, “Walk With Me,” “Deep Below” and “Misplaced Heart,” which are made to be played in sequence. The songs embodied the band’s musical growth, showcasing their mastery of deeper tones, frenetic energy, carefully controlled chaos and seamless harmonies. The crowd was clapping along, adding extra depth to the trio’s full sound. They moved through the songs flawlessly, never missing a note and inspiring the mosh pit to kick into high gear.
“If you’re moshing, leave my accounting teacher alone!” Lola said with a laugh before the band started up “Teenage Years,” another riot of singing and clapping, moshing and dancing. This raucous energy carried through into the only song in the set not from their new album, the pure punk ripper “Stereo Cat”; this was the first song they wrote together, a favourite of their tourmates Cancer Bats.
There were several parents with young kids around me, including a father and daughter I’d seen before at a Thunder Queens show. The kids, mostly girls, were protected from the pit, but that didn’t stop them from rocking out, banging their heads, dancing like there was no tomorrow, and singing at the top of their lungs. At one point, I heard a kid behind me explain to her mom how cool she found Good’s drumstick technique.
There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing kids have some of their first experiences with live music, being moved by the sheer sonic power and collective experience, and finding their voice within it. It’s powerful to see generations unite in the worship of punk, and showcases the vital need for more all-ages spaces, because when we share music together, we’re all better for it.
Thunder Queens closed the night in a flurry of singing and dancing, the pit in full effect and everyone as close to the stage as possible, proving that no one rocks harder than them. This was more than a show; it was a statement of intent, cementing Thunder Queens’ rightful place as one of the most vital live bands and the future of rock. I want to be like the Thunder Queens when I grow up.