The Ukadelix, an all-female band formed by women aged between 57 and 71, exemplifies how passion and perseverance can overcome physical challenges and societal stereotypes, inspiring a new wave of midlife creativity in London’s community venues.
Tucked away in the snug of the Dog & Bell pub in Deptford, The Ukadelix are proving that it is never too late to start a band. Formed in 2015, this all-female group comprises five women aged between 57 and 71 — Angie, Gill, Heather, Kirsty, and Michele — who came together out of a shared passion for music later in life. What was initially meant to be a brief project has, over nearly a decade, blossomed into a vibrant musical force with a dedicated following across London’s community venues and pubs.
The Ukadelix celebrate a genre-defying sound, playing an eclectic mix of instruments including bass guitar, drums, accordion, harmonica, and ukulele. They write their own songs, drawing inspiration from their London surroundings in tracks like “Loughborough Junction” and “Charing Cross,” alongside more reflective pieces examining the emotions and experiences of midlife. Their music resonates with audiences, young and old, who are drawn to the inclusive and supportive community the band fosters.
Members of The Ukadelix bring diverse life experiences, having pursued careers in acting, illustration, journalism, and education before committing to music collectively. Their stories are imbued with the challenges of ageing, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and vision loss — ailments that make performing more difficult but have not curtailed their enthusiasm or commitment. Michele, the oldest member, also channels creativity into graphic design for the group, underscoring their multifaceted talents.
The band is proud of the message they convey: it’s never too late to explore creative pursuits, and music serves as a powerful coping mechanism and source of joy. “Anybody who has a bit of time on their hand or faces a lot of stress, I’d recommend getting a cheap ukulele and just plucking away,” says Heather. They actively champion female artists, standing against the ageism and sexism occasionally encountered during performances, where some dismissively label them as “ancient Spice Girls” or “a bunch of old mums.” Yet, The Ukadelix embrace these challenges with humour and resolve.
Their journey mirrors and indeed complements the themes explored in the BBC drama Riot Women, which follows five middle-aged women who form a punk band to navigate work, family, and menopause while forging a new kind of friendship. The series, created by Sally Wainwright and filmed in West Yorkshire, has garnered attention for its poignant portrayal of empowerment, resilience, and the reclamation of creativity in later life. While The Ukadelix do not identify as punk rockers, their own story echoes Riot Women’s celebration of female friendship and the reclaiming of identity in midlife.
The band’s members highlight the therapeutic power of music, not just for themselves but for the wider community. They note that audiences often approach them, inspired to start their own musical endeavours, fostering a sense of belonging and interconnectedness. Despite physical hurdles and occasional negative remarks, The Ukadelix show no sign of slowing down, with a busy schedule of gigs and plans to continue bringing people together through music.
As the drama Riot Women airs on BBC One, The Ukadelix stand as a real-world testament to the possibilities that open up when passion meets perseverance, proving that age is no barrier to creativity, connection, and making noise.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (MyLondon)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (MyLondon), [2] (Woman & Home), [3] (inkl)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (MyLondon), [2] (Woman & Home), [3] (inkl)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (MyLondon)
- Paragraph 5 – [1] (MyLondon), [2] (Woman & Home), [3] (inkl)
- Paragraph 6 – [1] (MyLondon), [5] (BBC), [7] (Yahoo Style)
- Paragraph 7 – [1] (MyLondon), [2] (Woman & Home), [3] (inkl)
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative about The Ukadelix forming in 2015 and their activities has been reported in multiple outlets, including a recent article from Woman & Home published on 11 October 2025. ([womanandhome.com](https://www.womanandhome.com/life/inspirational-women/riot-women-band-gigging-through-menopause/?utm_source=openai)) The earliest known publication date of similar content is 11 October 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the presence of similar content across multiple outlets suggests a degree of recycling. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The direct quote from Heather, ‘Anybody who has a bit of time on their hand or faces a lot of stress, I’d recommend getting a cheap ukulele and just plucking away,’ appears in the Woman & Home article published on 11 October 2025. ([womanandhome.com](https://www.womanandhome.com/life/inspirational-women/riot-women-band-gigging-through-menopause/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests the quote may have been reused from earlier material. No earlier matches were found, indicating potential originality or exclusivity.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from MyLondon, a reputable news outlet. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high reliability score. However, the presence of similar content across multiple outlets suggests a degree of recycling.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about The Ukadelix forming in 2015 and their activities are plausible and consistent with information from other reputable sources. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is appropriate for a news report, without being unusually dramatic or vague.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative about The Ukadelix is based on a press release and has been reported in multiple outlets, including MyLondon and Woman & Home. The earliest known publication date is 11 October 2025. The direct quote from Heather appears in the Woman & Home article, suggesting potential reuse. The source is reputable, but the presence of similar content across multiple outlets suggests a degree of recycling. The claims are plausible and consistent with other reputable sources, but the lack of supporting detail from other outlets is a concern. Overall, the narrative is plausible, but the reliance on a single source and potential reuse of content warrant further scrutiny.
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