Punk News Reviews

Live review: MoonPunx #5, LVLS, Hackney, 29th June 2025

A new venue where a lot of punk fun was had!

Well, this was a brilliant afternoon! Friends, punk family, and bands. What more could you ask for?! Family Of Strangers singer Lou Moon put on this lovely afternoon gig in a brand new venue, which will hopefully make more appearances for gigs! LVLS is  located by the water, a nine minute walk alomg the bustling River Lee Navigation canal from Hackney Wick train station. It has three levels, the basement being where the gig itself was held. It’s a decent sized venue, great sound, and has the potential to create a home for more bands to play!

Family of Strangers by Ruth
Family of Strangers - photo by Ruth Rae

The first band to start off this gig was Family Of Strangers themselves. And what a way to start! The whole band had great harmonies, playing their hearts out, and had so many catchy tracks to sing and dance along to. They played their self-titled track to end off their brilliant set, and brought the gig to life!

Richie - Family of Strangers - photo by Ruth Rae
Gripper - Family of Strangers - photo by Ruth Rae
Rage DC by Ruth
Rage DC - by Ruth Rae

Next to play were well-known punks Rage DC. There’s nothing new to say about them, they still know how to make a noise! They did however treat us to a cover of Rancid’s ‘Ruby Soho’, which they haven’t played in a long time! They played more new songs from their upcoming album, which still doesn’t have a release date as of yet. And of course they played some popular bangers as well!

Loric Rage DC by Ruth
Loric - Rage DC by Ruth Rae
Chris Rage DC by Ruth
Chris - Rage DC - photo by Ruth Rae
Chaos UK by Ruth
Chaos UK - photo by Ruth Rae

Lastly, we had 70s punk band Chaos UK. The drummer had glowing colour changing drumsticks which I personally have never seen any other drummer use before, it was very cool and different. Their whole set was fun and danceable, with songs to sing along to, including, ‘Insecurity’ and ‘I’m Trash You’re Trash’.  A brilliant band to end the gig!

Gerry - Chaos UK by Ruth Rae

The whole afternoon gig was a lot of fun and the venue itself is such a great one! I want to thank Lou Moon for inviting me as her guest to this lovely afternoon gig so I could review it! Bring on more gigs at this venue asap!

Main Photo Credit: HANNAH CALVER

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