Yesterday’s TRNSMT conversation is not anything new that women in music deal with on a regular basis. It is incredibly boring at this point but can also be really tiring. Can we please just fully celebrate our favourite guitar playing women and non binary folk today? I’ll start:

Rachel Aggs, whose style is so unique you can tell it’s her playing as soon as the track starts. Shopping, Sacred Paws, Trash Kit, etc. She has been building a legacy for herself and it’s up to us to make sure her name sticks to this era of music history. Photo: Antonia Odunlami

Nadia Javed AKA @Nadtut of the Tuts and now her solo work. Another greatly skilled guitarist with a distinct sound. Photo by Kirstin McEwan

Katie Gatt of @Personal_Best_ , whose tone and solos remind me of every favourite band I’ve ever had, but yet still feels so fresh and innovative. Photo by Helen Messenger

Hannah Richardson of @Cherymofficial is knocking out some of the best riffs in modern pop punk, and the band don’t even have a full length album out yet. Photo by @TheFragiIe

Rose Melberg’s melodies have been massively influential on my life. Tiger Trap is one of the best debut albums of all time (and the only album by the band). She’s had seemingly a dozen projects since and every one has been amazing. Photo by Ester Segretto

Em Foster of Nervus. One of my fav songwriters at the moment, in an essential band, who released two albums of the year two years in a row. I still haven’t seen this band live and I’m hoping to change that soon as every clip I’ve ever seen sounds incredible.
Photo: Jessie Morgan

I’m gonna go a bit personal now and give a shout out to my older sister Claire, who may as well been born with a guitar. She was my introduction to playing, even if she was more into metal than the power pop riffs I’d beg her to learn for me. First photo by my Mum

Continuing this personal block for a sec, I grew up with Paterson (So Young) and Julia (Moon Hag/Whipkisser) 2 siblings who started out folky but blossomed into their own musical stylings that couldn’t be more different. Photographer unknown for both :(

Wrapping up the totally biased choices, Beverley Boal of @probpatterns. 3/4 of us play guitar but I am always in awe of what Bev brings to the table. She is my favourite guitarist in the world and I’m honestly so grateful I get to do anything with her. Photo: @ciara606

Kaila Whyte of Youth Man. Writes riffs I could never dream of playing, even if I was being as ambitious as possible. Another band I need to see live because I know I’d just have my mind blown seeing this in person. Please end the hiatus.

Ash of Strange New Places may not play lead guitar but is absolutely 1 of my favourite songwriters right now. They are one of my favourite bands in the world and aer presence and performance style is so utterly beautiful to have the privilege of witnessing. Photo: @HighHawkSeason

AK/Ann Kristin Traaen of Dark Times. Dark Times are one of my all-time favourites and the go to answer whenever anyone asks about my own personal punk inspirations. Photo: Marcus Reistad

Charlotte Hecking Hatherley (not her real middle name). Mostly known for playing lead guitar in Ash, which honestly, changed my life as a teen girl. Solo work very underrated. A pop song mind with a weirdo heart.

Sophie of @genderchores. This band have changed my life forever, beyond just being very lovely. A big part of Gender Chores’ sound is down to Sophie’s punchy riffs. They also happen to have 2 new songs out today- but would be here regardless! (Cropped) pic by @HighHawkSeason