Live Review: Panic Shack

By Resonate | May 17, 2023

Words by Finch Evans

Since bursting onto the scene in 2019, Panic Shack have enjoyed their perennial “Ones to Watch” status. They’ve been critical and commercial darlings, becoming mainstays on BBC Radio playlists, notching up high-profile festival slots and landing support slots with the likes of Amyl and the Sniffers and Yard Act. However, with every young artist, there comes a time when they must cast off the rookie shackles and show that they can carry the party on their own.

This is the stage Panic Shack find themselves. They’ve already proven that they’ve got the tunes. They’ve also proven they’ve got the fans, as showcased by the reception to their Baby Shack EP. Now it’s time to see if they can step up to the spotlight and deliver it without the safety net of a larger headliner to hide behind.

It can’t be said that they made it easy for themselves with their choice of support at their Bristol gig at Strange Brew. Brighton-based punks SNAYX produce a stomping, mechanically tight set, tailor-made to raise the energy level of a room to dangerous numbers. The perfect set-up for a high-octane headline set, but playing at anything less than full-throttle will be glaringly noticeable.

Unfortunately, the Shack seemed to be rockin’ at only around 70%. It could be the weeks on the road were beginning to take their toll, and maybe they were holding a bit back for their hometown at Clwb Ifor Bach the following day, but there seemed to be a little bit missing from the raucous, ready-to-go sound that fans had come to expect. 

In all honesty, it was fine. It definitely wasn’t the best show they’d ever played, but the goodwill from an excited audience seemed to bolster them through the set. Impromptu backing vocals from a (seemingly) very drunk audience member during the intro to I Don’t Really Like It, and a round of tequilas just before the set ended seemed to keep them afloat throughout what was, all in all, a pretty average night. They can’t all be winners, but if this was a loser, I think Panic Shack will be fine.

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