Irked take on Australia!

Newcastle punks Irked have just played three shows across Australia thanks to Loud Women. The band headed out in November, playing Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on their first trip to the other side of the world.

Irked formed in Newcastle in late 2022 made up of scene veterans who had already been friends for fifteen years. Their lyrics are angry, funny and political in equal measure with vocalist Helen Walkinshaw drawing widespread comparisons to the legendary Poly Styrene. In early 2026 they put out their debut album The Grievance, earning glowing reviews including us here at Sherwood, and more importantly Loud Women.

Starting in London in 2015, Loud Women was founded by Cassie Fox with the simple aim of putting more loud women on stages. A decade on it’s a non-profit, trans-inclusive organisation running gigs, festivals, radio and an online zine whose alumni include Nova Twins, Lambrini Girls, Big Joanie and Dream Nails. One of the priorities of Loud Women is getting the best under-the-radar bands in front of international crowds for the first time, and Loud Women Fest Australia has now sold out two years running, this year growing to three cities with 23 artists playing 37 sets over nine days.

We caught up with both Irked and Loud Women to find out more:

Questions for Irked

Tell us about how and why Irked began?

Is there something different about this band to all your previous projects?

For those that haven’t heard it, what can people expect from your debut album The Grievance?

Tell us about Australia, how was it playing out there?

What ways are the Australian audiences different to the Brits?

Questions for Loud Women

Can you tell our readers all about the Loud Women mission, and how things have grown over the years?

Loud Women has featured and helped so many of our favourite new bands. Beyond being led by women, what do you look for in a band that makes you want to support them?

How do you make such ambitious trips work flying brilliant smaller bands all over the world?

Who are some breakout acts that you’re proud to say you championed early on?

What’s coming up in the near future, and do you have any words of advice for aspiring young women who haven’t formed a band yet?