Last Wednesday night, Papillon in Southampton hosted a night of chaotic punk, courtesy of Lambrini Girls with support from South London’s Alien Chicks. The converted church venue is a perfect setting for a punk gig: high vaulted ceilings, the long room giving a great view from every angle , and an upper circle overlooking the floor below, offering sanctuary for those wanting to avoid the chaos of the mosh pits. There is a small barrier pushed right up to the stage, making it an almost barrier-less venue. Perfect for any band/artist who likes to get in with the crowd – something that Lambrini Girls took full advantage of!
The night started with Alien Chicks, a three-piece from South London who were a great choice to open the show. Their set was loud, fast, and full of energy – a mix of post-punk, hardcore, and sharp, politically charged lyrics. The band didn’t waste any time getting the crowd moving, with heavy guitar riffs and quick drumming. The bass guitarist in particular was constantly in motion, jumping from the riser at the back of the stage and raising his arms to get the crowd moving and cheering. For an opening act, they played with a confidence and intensity that could’ve easily belonged to the headliner. By the end of their set, the crowd was fully warmed up and ready for more heavy music.
Alien Chicks
As Lambrini Girls took the stage, the sold out venue was packed. The Brighton-based punk trio have built a reputation for unfiltered rage and chaotic performances, and they delivered in full. Lead vocalist, Phoebe Lunny, didn’t waste any time getting involved with the crowd – she was in and out of the pit multiple times, getting people to crouch low before launching everyone back into chaos when the beat kicked in again.
Their sound was loud, fast, and in your face – just as we all expected – however, there was still a real focus to it all. Their lyrics cut through clearly, covering themes like gender, identity, and politics without ever feeling forced or heavy-handed.
Midway through the set, the band led the crowd in a loud chant of “Fuck fascism,” which everyone jumped into without hesitation. It was one of several moments that blurred the line between gig and protest – something Lambrini Girls and their growing fan base thrive on. Phoebe climbed onto barriers, crowd surfed, and basically turned the whole floor into part of the show.
The upstairs circle at Papillon gave people a good view of the action without having to get caught up in the pit, but even from up there, you could feel how intense the atmosphere was. People were shouting along, dancing, and fully locked into the energy of it all.
For a venue not originally built for live music, it was incredible! Everything came through clearly, and the back of the venue was just as loud and as clear as the front. Again, perfect for this sort of gig where the crowd were part of the performance and everyone felt included. The back was much calmer than the front, but they still chanted along just as loud to the political chants led by the band.
Lambrini Girls gave the crowd exactly what they came for – loud music, no filter, and a sense that everyone in the room was part of something great.
Lambrini Girls didn’t just play a gig at Papillon — they turned the place inside out. With sweat dripping from the rafters and the crowd still buzzing long after the lights came up, it was a reminder of what punk does best: disrupt, provoke, unite. And in a venue that once preached doctrine, they preached defiance.
If you weren’t there, you missed something special. But if this gig is anything to go by, Lambrini Girls aren’t slowing down any time soon. Catch them while you can – especially while they’re still playing these intimate venues that blur the lines between artist and crowd.
It was a solid night for both the band and the venue, and a reminder of how good live punk can still feel when it’s done right. If they keep this momentum going, it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing a lot more of them!
