By Jai’Michael Anderson
Louisville’s punk rock scene has noticed a recent increase in popularity among teens and young adults.
A growing renaissance
Vendor and photographer, Eden Henry, describes the trend as “a renaissance period”. She says the punk scene has been problematic and pushed away its audience over the past 5 years. However, according to Henry, there has been a resurgence within the last year.
Henry attributes this to older bands making a return, “You’re getting your staple bands back. As soon as you get your staple people that you want to be there, a lot more people that used to go to shows come out, and it’s drawing in newcomers.”
Henry says the crowd’s age range depends on the bands that perform. “Who’s in the bands, that will change the audience, a lot of the time the bands will have people that are around 17 to 23 attending.”
However, Henry has noticed younger audiences recently. “It has been a lot of really young kids. It is really funny because you will see a 12-year-old get crowd-surfed.”
No Comply Night
The increase in interest can also be highlighted by the popularity of local shows like No Comply, which has only been around for three years. No Comply is a non-profit, pay-what-you-can, show held annually at the Dave Armstrong Extreme Park.
In just the second year of the event, 2022, No Comply garnered the attention of over 600,000 viewers on TikTok. This year the event featured sponsors from popular brands like Converse and Thrasher as well as local stores like Vintage Vibe Lou.
Other events like Sweater Fest, and the much newer, Ramen Fest are also popular within the scene.
Henry says the variety of sounds and energy levels is what makes annual events like Ramen Fest and the upcoming Sweater Fest so appealing. “It (Sweater Fest) was the next big thing you could go to after No Comply, it was cheap and you’re seeing a lot of bands in one day. They pretty much label it as a one-day music festival.”
Louisville’s art community overall has also benefited from the resurgence. Henry notes an increase in vendors, photographers, and videographers.
Vendors sell a diverse set of art and handmade items ranging from jewelry to clothing accessories. Most vendors are small businesses or individuals like Henry, who sold crocheted hats and digital art prints at this year’s Ramen Fest.
“If you see somebody at your 9-5 you don’t get to see that creative side of them. The music scene is helping everybody come together and show off how creative they are in a lot of different aspects.” Henry says.
Many of the scene’s musicians are also involved in their own solo and side projects.
TABS guitarist, Mil Mingus, says solo work allows artists to be more hands-on with their music. Mingus says that their band, featuring seven members, is a very collaborative effort.
Mingus’ solo work allows them more creative freedom, “I can nit-pick it and do it exactly how I want to do it.”
Some side projects are a little less serious. Both Mingus and Henry love The Little Michael Experience.
Mingus describes it as some of the punk scene’s best musicians collaborating to make good music, “But every other line they say, Michael.”
There are a few more shows planned for the rest of the year. TABS are performing at Zanzabar on Nov. 11th for $15 and Nov. 18th for $7. Also, Sweater Fest is next month, on Dec. 16, at Headliners, and will be collecting donations for a coat drive. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Photo Courtesy // Eden Henry
