Here in Digbeth, there’s a little corner of revolution. Hard Headed Women enters its second year with a lineup stacked with the finest in rockin’ female acts, and that not something to be taken lightly. While most all-dayers or weekenders might have the odd act with a lady here or there, this is the first all-female recurring festival on the Rock n Roll scene. Putting aside the props given to Rip It Up Promotions for pulling together an event like this for a second, they deserve all our applause for just making a really awesome day of music, regardless of who’s playing it. With everything from country-influenced boppables through to eighties energy, the Rock n Roll past and present are colliding to build the promise of a great future to come on the scene. 

The Moonlight Sirens start us off our day with some serious cool; they’re the retromodern girl group with a whole lot of attitude barely concealed with a gorgeous gloss. Setting up a galloping beat on ‘Tears Keep Tumbling Down’ gets our feet tapping but it’s Patsy Dee’s timeless radio drama voice that hypnotises above the sixties surf fun of ‘Ciao Ragazzi Ciao’. With a touch of humour and lashings of guitar licks, we’re twisting and hand-jiving our way into the afternoon.

The Latest Flames have to take the prize for the most apt band name: they’re red hot and brand new, a winning combination! Their take on ‘Hop, Skip and Jump’ flings out guitar solos, their update of ‘Shake Rattle and Roll; bounces with flair and genuine charm, and keeping it rough and rootsy adds grit to ‘My Brother Elvis’. Their latest original ‘Nobody Bettabe Interrupting Me (When I’m Talking ‘Bout My Baby)’ shines with passion, exploding with riffs and verve: definitely a band with the potential to add fuel to the scene. Just look at their take on ‘Funnel Of Love’ if you need convincing. 

A trip to Birmingham wouldn’t be complete without The Bitter Lemons. Whether they’re getting slinky with ‘Wise Guy’ or rocking out with ‘Catfish’, they’re always a joy. Catchy, ferociously orignal and always exciting, they just get better every time you see them live. instrument-swapping antics on ‘Curds and Whey’ give way to gloriously upbeat ‘My Time’. New song ‘Big Name On Campus’ bounces with promise of even more Lemon-shaped awesomeness to come, and its double A-Side companion ‘Give Me The Keys’ motors their set through to a spectacular finish that culminates in the rip-roaring ‘Gaslighter’.

Joanna and the Dropouts pack a powerful punch, especially on tough numbers like ‘Sticks and Stones’ with its blues rock edge. ‘You’re So Cool’ stomps with chanted choruses, and when they let out their wails on ‘Mr Honeypot’, their garage energy is burned away in favour of sinister rock n roll. Wild and intoxicating, there’s so much to love about this band and their gutsy, refreshing rhythm.

Rocking black leather, Sharna Mae makes for one heck of a frontwoman. It’s her first show with the Mayhems for quite a while, and we’ve missed her powerful voice and magnificent charisma. The mix of popping bass and the emotion she pours into every note of her originals makes for a winning combination. ‘Double Down’, their country- tinted tune from their last record, is pure rock n roll fun and their ‘bluesy cover’ of ‘Mojo Workin’ is equal parts passion and class. Brand new song ‘If I really Bug You’ gets its live debut and it’s clear the Mayhems are embracing their rock side to maximum effect. Covering Miranda Lambert’s ‘Crazy Ex Gorlfriend’ is a power move and Sharna-Mae and the Mayhems prove once again that whatever they touch turns to gold. 

It’s a day that passes too quickly, and we’re soon at our headliner: the magnificent Dani West, Wild Records artist and the vocalist to watch in 2026. On a day celebrating women onstage, West’s covers are absolutely perfect representation, with he added bonus of being practically made for her hypnotic voice. Backed by Grand Union to keep it Country, West’s twang lights up Tammy Wynette’s ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ and when she adds a touch of soul to take on Patsy Cline’s ‘Dont Ever Leave Me again’. Of course the highlight has to be finally experiencing her Wild Records debut, ‘Ambush’ live: a stunning blend of sixties charm and West’s unique touch to light up the Night Owl. If we were’t already hyped up for her Viva Las Vegas debut, we definitely are now!

Hard Headed Women is more than just a really wicked all-dayer. It’s a spark of change and a celebration of acts who deserve far more attention than they’re receiving. Roll on 2027 and even more fantastic music from those Hard Headed Women!

Kate Allvey