Welcome to the packed to the brim, tiny sweat box that is The Leith Depot. The evening gets off to a somewhat sedentary opening with medical student, climate change and public health activist, feminist and (phew!) song writer, Eleanor Dow. What she lacks in the volume department (she's an acoustic act), she makes up for with her sobering song-writing. Particularly the final song about refugees. Her words are both touching and powerful, if you choose to listen carefully.  

She, as do most if not all of the acts tonight, hone in on the political unrest in the world at the moment, as well as feminist issues, the two not being separate of course.

Unfortunately, the much anticipated Fistymuffs, who were due to be on the bill this evening, could not perform. In their place we have Fistymuff guitarist and tonight’s compare Suki Goodfellow, and Agony Ant Eve King, with some spoken word. Suki's poem about Tennent's Larger is bordering on comic genius; she really has a way of holding the audience's attention, and more importantly making them laugh. She also delivers a composition about love and immigration laws, and a ditty about Nigel Farage accompanied by her trusty ukulele.

Eve King steps up next and recites 'Shake Your Ass or Something' which is a poignant monologue about everyday sexism and beyond. Her performance is very emotive, and the stillness in the crowd is palpable. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm pretty blown away.

Time for a quick break to try and replenish the sweat we've collectively leaked out during the past 90 mins, and it's time for Agony Ant! 

Agony Ant have such an endearing quality about them. Maybe it's their unpolished sound coupled with their enthusiasm of playing live in front of a crowd; well whatever it is, they seem so pleased to be here, and it's infectious. They sing nonchalantly of bread coming out of the toaster, and throw in a couple of covers, a reworked version of The 5678's 'Woo-Hoo' and Le Tigre’s 'Deceptacon', with its booming bassline. Ending their set with a musical version of 'Shake Your Ass or Something' - and hopefully, we'll never be 'ready for this jelly'…

Onto tonight’s headlining Riot Grrls - MiaouMix. Frontwoman, and Girls Rock School co-founder, Caro Marrow and her band tell us that they don't gig that often, but you would never guess, as they all seem comfortable, tight, and don't pull any punches. Songs like 'Biology' and 'Cuts' are pop-punk at its best, and although it seems like a short set, they do come back for one more tune, much to the crowds delight. Which creates another opportunity for more moshing at the front. Marrow also informs us that they are recording an LP soon, so definitely something to look forward to.

Overall a fantastic and refreshing night, and if you enjoyed then don't miss the next Revolution Girl Style Now! special Fringe edition on August 13th (bands tbc), and September 17th with Spat, the Twistettes, Fistymuffs and Playing with Punkarella. More details to follow...    

It’s a hot, wild night in lower swinging Leith Walk , and not just because some footy team have won a cup after 114 years.  Its the inaugural night of Riot Girl Revolution Style Now by Selkie Music Productions in the intimate and funky fairy-lit Leith Depot. And a stellar line up awaits us, with all acts featuring graduates of the first few terms of Girls Rock School Edinburgh…

First up is razor-sharp barbed singer/songwriter Lou Mclean,  endearing and charming the rapt audience with her quirky self-penned songs; laying bare her personal relationships. Tonight Lou’s a bit worried about some of the near the knuckle content of her autobiographical lyrics as her parents are in the audience (it’s her Dad’s birthday, and he gets a big cheer).  Lou gets a warm reception, winning us over with her strong, confident delivery and her unabashed patter, shamelessly plugging her debut EP September to December.  Definitely one to watch.

Next up are Sinister Lamb, with Leith Walk's own Joette Thomas and Rik Hodgson, delivering some dark, original  songs  sung over a brooding Twin Peaks stylee backing track of guitar and drums (their drummer is on holiday).  Joette’ s resonant and soulful voice is beautifully complemented by the Rik's rhythmic rapping, he's smartly dressed in a shirt and tie and chucks in a lovely spot of groove-tastic dancing for good measure.

Selkie Music is the brainchild of our hostess-with–the-mostess  Ashley Stein,  scheduled to be fronting her band The Astroturf Skirts tonight. The Skirts are in the wash, so trooper Ashley steps up to the microphone to perform with Dan Collins on guitar as The Polymorphs. All  green and blue mermaid-y hair and face jewels, Ashley ably delivers some country-punk covers in a lovely strong, full bodied voice reminiscent of '70s Stiff label chanteuse Rachel Sweet.  

The room is now rammed and sweaty, with headliners ZALU! and the Unrepentants  dripping before they even start, and the band crank the temperature up some more  with a set of full throttle punk. Lead singer Sonja Esteparia sings in Spanish and English, her accent making songs such as ‘Health and Safety’ sound way more dramatic than the title suggests.  The audience are up dancing, and it's cracking along at a breakneck pace until the heat forces the band to demand drinks from the bar.  Then it's cans of lager and taps aff all round (apart from Sonja), treating the front row of punters to a thrilling display of some hairy well-defined abs. The set’s end sees the audience howling for an encore, but it’s out of the question as some punters are now  in serious danger of spontaneous combustion.

Going home up Leith walk, picking our way gingerly through the football party debris of  empty beer cans, broken bottles, and inert bodies, we all agreed it had been a great night - and can’t  wait to see what Selkie Music Productions put on next...

Selkie Music Productions Presents Riot Grrrl Revolution Style Now is a monthly happening, more details of forthcoming events can be found here... https://www.facebook.com/revolutiongirlstyle/