Problem Patterns are four shouty queers from Belfast who write songs for right now, swapping roles and instruments to get their point across about whatever angers them this week.
After many lonely nights screaming alone in their bedrooms over the state of the world, Alanah, Bethany, Bev and Ciara (aka ABBA) came together in 2018 to invent a new genre they called PUNK. It’s shouty, it’s heavy, it’s tongue in cheek, it’s inclusive, it’s hopeful and it’s fun.
The four DIY punk dads are all about creating havoc in celebratory and cathartic spaces. Bigger than The Beatles, but not yet quite as big as Slipknot, the band have played notable support slots with Le Tigre, Bob Vylan, Dream Wife, the Mary Wallopers and Stiff Little Fingers. In 2024, they landed a spot as Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition finalists, leading them to perform on the festival’s Park Stage that year.
Problem Patterns released their ferocious debut album Blouse Club in October 2023 through Alcopop! Records. The album won the much coveted Northern Ireland Music Prize 2024.
Here’s what some of their icons had to say about them:
“A thoroughly great racket” - Steve Lamacq, BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC
“They make weird music for right now that sounds like no one else and I am addicted” - Kathleen Hanna
“I just think they’re great” - Henry Rollins
“Fuckin’ fantastic!” - Gordon Ramsey