Fifty years since punk rock detonated, and thirty years since Rebellion Festival first spat in the face of the ordinary, this year, the only rule was: go bigger, go louder, go harder. There are extra events before the Winter Gardens fully open their doors to mark this most special time. Featured are Neville Staple, Adam And The Ants and Altered Images, among others. The four-day line-up was a musical feast to behold. Gary Trueman and Aggy Gillon were the lucky duo in attendance to cover this year’s celebrations.
Gary’s Five Of The Best
Black Water County – It’s Banjo Time
There’s nothing quite like some fast and furious folk punk to get you in the mood on a Thursday afternoon. The Bournemouth quintet come armed with plenty of stage craft and songs that are festival-appropriate, such as ‘One More Beer Won’t Hurt’. Tim Harris (seated due to a leg injury) and Shan Byrom (everything but seated due to excitement) offer perfectly complementary vocals while the music defies you not to dance. This is a party, not a show, and everyone’s invited.
Bar Stool Preachers – A Sublime Show Twice
Whether they’re in full electric mode on the Empress Stage or partially unplugged in the Opera House, the Bar Stool Preachers deliver nothing less than 100%. For raw energy, it’s the former that you need. For something that feels strangely intimate given the size of the venue, then the latter is the place to be. Two shows played and two masterclasses delivered. This is a band so good, with such strong songwriting skills, that they look well placed to go much further yet, well beyond their punk roots. Here at Rebellion, they look and sound like headliners in waiting.
Hex Poseur – The Sound The Future Makes
Music changes, it morphs and progresses, and the march of time is calling. With the heritage acts looking like they’re starting to run on empty, a new generation is making its mark. Stepping back from simply thrashing it out, Hex Poseur hit the Pavilion with a measured assault mixing grunge, rock and punk in equal parts. Things you note are the dirty big bass licks, stylish drumming and memorable vocals. Grabbing the chance to shine in front of an almost capacity audience, this is a stunning performance. What it says is move over, we are the future, and we have arrived.
Die Toten Hosen – Dusseldorf’s Finest
Roughly translated, the band name means ‘the dead trousers’ or ‘boring’ which is about as far removed from what we see tonight as possible. This is a slickly presented and superbly fun set played by consummate professionals. Ringmaster Campino is a joy to watch as he charges around the stage dragging, swinging and hurling the mic stand with him everywhere he goes. He sounds damn good too. The rest of the band aren’t exactly slouches in entertaining either. They radiate how much of a great time they’re having. It’s a cracking set from start to finish.
Discharge – Time to make some noise!
You can’t understate how important the influence Discharge have had on heavy music across multiple genres and sub-genres. Here you get to hear why as they launch into their show with mind-melting ferocity. It’s that minimalist, distorted sound combined with acutely focused vocals that grabs you and won’t let go; the tightness is so impressive. The music sounds massive and organic but is also razor sharp, so you get the intricacies through the mix. JJ has been the vocalist for over a decade now and has given the band a fresh impetus that is on full view tonight. It’s like he’s driving each word into your head with a sledgehammer. It’s a beautifully brutal show that pulls no punches.
Aggy’s Five Of The Best
Beans on Toast – The One Man Band
Headlining the acoustic stage, Beans on Toast arrives barefoot, armed with a guitar and a heart full of love. Delivering an intimate, uplifting performance packed with warmth and charm, watching his set leaves you with a fuzzy feeling inside. ?In his wholesome, storytelling style, he has people hanging on his every word during ‘The Glastonbury Oak’, a song about being gifted and planting a tree. Audience favourites like ‘M.D.M.Amazing’, about falling in love at a festival, and ‘Don’t Forget to Look Up at the Moon’ go down a storm. His natural charisma and conversational delivery make the show feel like an intimate living room gathering. It’s a truly magical performance that balances humour, heart, and folk-punk philosophy in equal measure. Beans on Toast continues to prove why he is an essential festival treasure. He closes out the stage with an unforgettable dose of pure positivity, encouraging people to leave the world a little better than how they found it.
Battery Acid – Ones To Watch
Opening the Casbah stage, Battery Acid immediately let the room know we are witnessing something truly special. Standing out effortlessly on the bill, they deliver a set overflowing with their own authentic identity. Vocalist Adele’s voice is ethereal, multidimensional, and possesses a distinct, sparkling edge that commands your attention. The band’s whole sound and vibe feels completely original. They are not trying to imitate anything that has gone before, nor are they trying to be something they aren’t. This band are in a league of their own. Between songs, their witty banter and ever-so-polite stage demeanour serve as a brilliant reminder that there is a place for everything at Rebellion. They bring an electrifying energy to the day, making their performance an absolute pleasure to experience live. We cannot wait to see what this phenomenal band does next.
A Murder Of Crows – Horror You Can Dance To
A Murder of Crows are a Celtic horror-punk band hailing from the Kingdom of Fife. The five-piece have all donned kilts and are jumping around the stage. It is a sight to behold. There’s a lovable, deep storytelling aspect behind their music, with songs taking us on a dark, narrative journey through Scottish lore, including haunting tales about the historic vaults buried beneath Edinburgh. Adding an extra, dynamic layer to their sound, one of the members wields a keytar, blending unique instrumentation into their heavy, driving riffs. Their stage presence is that of seasoned showmen, seamlessly combining high-energy performance with rich, atmospheric melodies. They command the room from start to finish, delivering a set that is as captivating as it is relentless. Watching them bring such fierce passion and theatrical flair to the stage makes you genuinely proud to be Scottish. They are an absolute standout of the weekend, proving that horror-punk and Celtic storytelling make for an unforgettable combination. This is their Rebellion debut, and we can’t wait for their return.
Spunk – The Fast Rising Stars
After making their debut last year on the RIS stage, Spunk return bigger, bolder, and badder than ever for a well-deserved spot on the Club Casbah stage. The larger stage gives the Hacienda Heights outfit room to truly unleash, throwing themselves around with total, unhinged commitment. Frontman Bruno Bones commands the room from the off, mocking the crowd and teasing the English accent with a cheeky smile that had the entire audience eating out of his hand. When Bones first charges the barrier, members of the front row visibly recoil as if a wild animal has just broken free from its cage. We love how raw and unfiltered they are. Musically, they deliver a blistering, high-velocity set, but a clear highlight is ‘Wish You Were Dead’. Its melodic, driving hook provides a brilliant shift in pace, showcasing a more dynamic side to Bones’ vocal range. Spunk are quite rightly on the lips of many festival goers this weekend. They are easily one of the most exciting new punk bands around, building a fiercely loyal following wherever they grace or disgrace the stage.
Oorya – Something Completely Different
We were overjoyed to discover Oorya this weekend, a total revelation and easily one of the most unique acts of the entire festival. Their sound is an absolute marvel, delivering a compelling performance that completely steals the show. Oorya possesses an extraordinary vocal range, shifting seamlessly from dramatic, operatic highs to rhythmic spoken word, and even into sharp, playful squeaks, a wild, indescribable technique unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. Totally zany and fearlessly avant-garde, their stage presence is magnetic. Between songs, they love conversing directly with the audience, often pausing to chatter away about all sorts, including charming stories about the random toys and figurines they’ve brought on stage. Beyond the sheer creativity of the music, Oorya is such a captivating character that you leave their set feeling as though you have made a new friend. Innovative, heartfelt, and completely unforgettable, Oorya brings a wonderful, refreshing energy to the weekend that will stay with us for a very long time.
The One We Both Agree On – Bite Me Bambi
Gary: If ever a band epitomise the talent emerging from the latest wave of artists at Rebellion, it has to be Bite Me Bambi. Their diverse spin on ska punk is fresh and modern, incorporating a wide field of influences. They perform twice at the Winter Gardens, and each time they show a different facet of themselves. They are upbeat and a whole lot of fun in the Arena but also have a harder edge to their sound. A short 15-minute set on the acoustic stage is more pop-oriented and lighter in mood. They can clearly pen a tune, aren’t afraid to take risks (They covered a Prince song on the acoustic stage), and in Tahlena Chikami-McFaull have a rare gem of a singer, someone who owns a stage. After last year’s debut and this year’s exciting performances, the band already feel like they are a part of Rebellion history. Their meteoric rise looks unstoppable.
Aggy: Bite Me Bambi are the ultimate crowd-pleaser to headline the Arena Stage on Friday night. Singer Tahlena Chikami-McFaull is a dazzling burst of sunshine and energy with soaring vocal prowess, commanding the room with magnetic charisma from the moment she steps on stage. The California outfit bring a bright, infectious presence to the late-night slot. Their bouncy ska and pop-punk tunes give everyone in attendance a massive surge of energy after a long and tiring day at the festival, getting the whole room on their feet. The electric charge in the atmosphere is impossible to ignore.? Delivering tight musicianship, irresistible hooks, and non-stop enthusiasm, they prove exactly why they earned such a prime feature on the bill. It’s a joyful, celebratory performance that closes out Friday night in spectacular fashion.
Daily Round Up
Thursday
Thrown Away are the first act of the day, drawing a packed crowd and tearing the roof off the RIS stage. Hailing from Stirling, Scotland, the band deliver a blistering set driven by sharp political commentary and raw social critique. A young trio, The Smoking Fingers prove that ska-punk is showing no signs of slowing down, with their colourful set. A standout track about the dread of checking your bank balance the morning after a night out hits especially close to home for a festival crowd. NOOSE deliver a high-octane set packed with dirty guitar riffs and anthemic hook-driven choruses. The honour of opening the festival on the mighty Empress stage falls to Korean favourites 18Fevers who repay that trust with a typically entertaining set. Rap punk upstarts Dog Rotten have grown hugely in a year since their debut here. Today they sound on top form. Part of the emerging scene, Face Up look right at home on a big stage. In Evil Hour are becoming a must-see on the acoustic stage, with Alice Hour once again proving what a fine voice she has.
The Doll Heads have grown up a lot, and their sound reflects that. Their story looks like it could go on for a very long time. Splodgenessabounds turn their set into a full-blown pub party, with their classic Oi! sing-alongs. The fun is kept going well by Fire Exit frontman Gerry Attrick subbing for Max Splodge, who’s missing after taking a tumble. Pop punkers Slackrr should have called themselves Slickrr as they are such a well-oiled machine. Everywhere they go, they bring sunshine and happiness through their songs. The Opera House stage is huge so you need real presence to fill it. The Molly Vulpyne Band have that and some to spare, with Molly’s voice lifting the rafters and filling the entire venue.
Hairdye are an exciting young, up-and-coming band making a stir right now. They seamlessly blend genres, with the grunge elements being a particular highlight. Their high-energy set made it clear they are definitely a band to watch. Be N!ce blend raw punk attitude with a sharp sense of humour. With cheeky lyrics and catchy hooks on tracks like ‘Buddy’, their set proves why they’re one of the most entertaining rising acts to catch live. It’s great to see Natalie Thornton back on the mic with Headstone Horrors after hospitalisation forced them to cancel two years ago. They put in a fine shift in the Arena. Gobby and comedic, a Pizzatramp show also shines a light where others fear to go – but is that beef with Bar Stool Preachers real or just an inside joke? Watch this space. The sisters of Maid Of Ace once again prove to be an irresistible watch. They are now a vital part of the punk rock music tree. Millie Manders And The Shutup are playing their ninth consecutive year, and all that hard work pays off with a stunning headline spot on the Casbah stage. Let’s hope they get to celebrate a full decade in style next year.
Friday
Father-daughter duo Voodoo Radio deliver a fun and highly entertaining acoustic set complete with Paige’s stand-up drum rhythms. They have everyone in attendance smiling from ear to ear. Club Brat turn heads in their suit-and-uniform attire. They put on a wild, energetic set driven by poetry and bizarrely captivating vocals. It’s an unhinged, highly entertaining performance that leaves a lasting impression. The nerves were no doubt jangling for Christmas Kwon as she stepped away from leading the line with 18Fevers to play her debut solo acoustic show in The Old Vic. What we hear is someone who has a high-quality voice that often gets overlooked in a band mix. All on her own, she truly shines. Catfight‘s set is packed with incredible energy and memorable moments, highlighted by tongue-in-cheek tracks’ Security Love Me’ and ‘No Breakfast’. You often see acts announce themselves, look like the next big thing, then fade. Not so Riskee And The Ridicule, who, by mixing in grime, rap and metal, just keep going from strength to strength. Mother-daughter outfit Critical Candy blend kitsch with killer while glamming it up in the ever-so-slightly humid Pavilion. One-man ball of anger, Meryl Streek is raw, unfiltered, heavy, and loud. His lyrics cut deep, channelling an unmistakable rush of rage and passion that surges straight off the stage.
For those not in the know the sight of a packed-out Arena for Gatecrash might have raised an eyebrow. This, though, is something of a supergroup featuring members of Cock Sparrer, Spunk Volcano and The Eruptions, Dirtbox Disco, etc.The music is well written, performed and received. Could we also be seeing the foundations of a move on to pastures new too? Time will tell. Belgian punk pioneers, The Kids put on a fantastic show, tearing through a set of classic anthems. The Anti Nowhere League remain firm favourites, with Animal proving he still has those trademark gruff pipes locked down and loaded. Many people thought the Deaf Devils had blotted their copybook forever after their last outing included an act of immolation. But they’ve clearly been forgiven and are whirlwinds of energy and excitement. They get extra brownie points for singer Lucyfer’s speedy mid-set costume change and for keeping their matches in their pockets.
Saturday
One feature of this year’s event that was universally welcomed was the installation of a portable air conditioner in the Pavilion stall holders’ walkway. Bravo to the organisers for that much-appreciated move. Bambees impress on debut on the much-loved Introducing stage. It’s easy to dip in and out of areas and go on a voyage of discovery, and two bands of note that kept hold of explorers were the Diaz Brothers and 4ft Fingers who played consecutively in the Arena. Clit Spit put on a fantastic set, packed with killer songs and a brilliant vocal performance capped off by a moment of true punk grit. When the bass guitar becomes unusable for the last song, they just charge ahead without it. Many artists stick with a core sound for life, but that’s not for Paranoid Visions, who are masters of morphing and are well known for walking untrodden paths previously.Today the darker tones come to the fore, giving a gothic contrast to the anarcho-punk tempo. Aoife Destruction’s vox adds depth to each song. Ricky Warwick played to 65,000 people with The Almighty at Eddfest just a month ago. Today he’s armed with his voice and a guitar, wowing the acoustic stage crowd with a show of pure, spine-tingling class. If someone wants to know how to be a musician, how to behave, how to be a pro, tell them to take a look at how this guy does it.
Fire Exit are true punk rock veterans with nearly half a century of experience to back it up. Continuing a heartwarming tradition, they once again give away a guitar during their set, hoping to inspire a young person to start a band. They live and breathe the genre, love what they do, and the audience loves them even more for it. Mexican riot grrrls Bloody Benders have a full sound and seemingly boundless enthusiasm. They also play strikingly tight, making them ones we will hopefully see return swiftly. Keeping the international flavour are The Jungles from Japan, who mix in hints of classic rock and grunge to punk foundations. Helen McCookerybook wins the room over with her beautiful voice and brave, deeply personal songwriting. Tackling serious themes with pure heart and soul. Pussy Liquor are now a well-known part of the new wave of riot grrrl acts squaring up to misogyny and outdated social conventions. What makes them stand out is their use of melody and the inclusion of a little humour too. They remain a raw force of nature but also have the focus and talent to endure. Full of daft banter and endless laughs, Spunk Volcano and the Eruptions put on yet another epic show. Spunk himself is all smiles despite falling over the week prior, even getting the entire audience to hilariously boo his wife for giving him stick about it. Dividing opinions before they even stepped on stage, The Wurzels ultimately deliver a high-spirited, joyful set. The Skids know how to put on a show. They ought to be considering how long they’ve been doing this, but while many have lost their way and, in some cases, the plot, these guys just give the fans what they want how they want it.
Sunday
It’s day four, and by now feet are sore, shoulders ache, and hangovers are rife. No matter, though, because Mika Bomb are here to entertain you shortly after midday, and they do a great job. The acoustic stage is becoming more popular each year, which means when Millie Manders And The Shutup play their acoustic set early afternoon, the place is rammed full. The huge crowd are treated to a display of sublime skill and vocal ability that gives you goosebumps. It’s so good to see Choking Susan back with their glammed-up leader Colleen Caffeine. They play it up tempo and with a massive helping of fun. Convict Class have a massive crowd that leaves the Arena Stage completely packed out. Their hard-hitting track ‘Enemy of the State’ has such raw energy that the whole room is roaring. Sally Pepper wows everyone in the Old Vic with a classy solo set.
Harley Flanagan is in superb form with the Cro Mags. The hardcore outfit never miss a beat throughout their triumphant set. Enticed by a great band name, Breakup Haircut deliver a solid set on the Loud Women takeover stage. Loud, heavy-hitting, and bursting with passion, the Whoremones bring serious attitude. One of the things about Rebellion and punk in general is how quirky humour is fully embraced. Take Pete Benthan And The Dinner Ladies, for instance. Their songs are a commentary on daily life issues and northern life in particular but done via an art rock platform that includes school dinners-themed cabaret artists. It’s niche for sure, but thanks to strong songwriting alongside the clowning, they are a great watch. It’s great to have a fire in your belly but so important to focus it. Hawxx do that with a barely contained rage that ignites the Arena stage. Total Chaos do what it says on the tin. They play loud and proud, then leave with you wanting more. If pop punk had a ground zero, then The Dickies would be it. Formed in 1977 and active ever since (other than a short break in 1981), the Californians may be getting older, but oh boy, they can still play. Tonight they are a joy to watch as they simply give it everything. Lady Lazarus produce a fiery, captivating set. Dummy Toys are a force to be reckoned with. Heavy, aggressive, and completely in your face, the Chinese street punk quartet bring unmatched attitude and a crushing sound. It’s down to Stiff Little Fingers to close what has been a fantastic celebration. They are the perfect choice and rise to the occasion.
A music genre rarely has such a clearly defined starting point. Obviously, there were punk-style acts and inspirations before 1976, but that is the year the scene so beloved exploded into the public eye. 20 years later, Jennie and Darren Russell-Smith started a festival called Holidays In The Sun, changing it to the now familiar Rebellion to reflect a more forward-looking event. The rest, as they say, is history. So, it is fitting to raise a glass and celebrate two comings of age, one a movement that has social conscience at its core and one not just an event but a community and a family.
Review by Gary Trueman and Aggy Gillon
Photos by Gary Trueman