Punks are set to descend on the town centre this week as Rebellion Festival returns for 2023. There’s a huge line up at the main festival but venues around the town are also opening their doors for a great programme of fringe events.
Blackpool’s favourite basement venue is not one to be upstaged when it comes to live music. Bootleg is hosting tonnes of bands to warm up the crowds before the festival and to cater to those who don’t want to let the party die after. If you’re at the main festival and looking for an afterparty, look no further than 30 Topping Street – a stones throw from the Wintergardens.
Blackpool’s only horror bar puts on live bands from 6pm. Find them round the corner from the Wintergardens at 33 Birley Street. It’s keeping the party going right through to Monday.
The newly opened Abingdon Street Market is undergoing yet another transformation with its Rebellion takeover. It has have live bands and punk DJs throughout the weekend. Use the Edward Street entrance into the food hall.
Never one to shy away from getting a bit grubby – Dirty Blondes hosts a Dirty Punk Weekender, with live bands taking to the stage Thursday to Sunday at 8pm. Find them at Back Church Street, a few stomps from the main festival.
Meanwhile Reclaim Blackpool, who will be hosting a stall inside the main festival arena, is also hosting a safe space at Aunty Social, 28 Topping Street. Expect punk crafts and a chill out area if you need to catch a bit of down time. Visit reclaimblackpoolmap.co.uk to find out more about the project working to keep women in the town safe.
Wednesday 2nd August
Even before the festival kicks off Blackpool’s bars are catering to your punk hunger pangs. Babytron and Bootleg present a Rebellion pre-show featuring Svetlanas, Girls Like Us and Death Trails.
Often called ‘the most dangerous band in the world’, Svetlanas manage to build a strong reputation in the music community enhanced by furious performances at international festivals like Vans Warped Tour and South by Southwest. They perform with support from London Garage Punk band Girls Like Us and local punk trio Death Trails.
Over at Scream and Shake Hacksaw, Redlightz, Filthios de Inacio, and T Bitch warm up for a headline set for Celtic punk band Pirates of the Pubs, before their performance in the main festival arena.
Thursday 3rd August
Aunty Social’s safe space will be open throughout the day as festival goers head into the Wintergardens for the main event.
In the Afternoon, Abingdon Street Market hosts Tommy Biscuits while, from 6pm, Scream and Shake host The Pawns and The Hate perform before Mike from Scumbag. Meanwhile Dirty Blondes welcomes Autumn Fries to the stage at 8pm.
The party’s not over until Riskee & The Ridicule’s special midnight show following their Empress Ballroom show at Rebellion.
Pioneers of the grime punk subculture Riskee & The Ridicule released their critically acclaimed album Body Bag Your Scene in 2019. Described as “a bombshell of challenging themes” (Kerrang!) and “a focused assault that hits you in the heart like a hammer” (Mass Movement).
Friday 4th August
Aunty Social’s safe space will once again be open throughout the day for festival goers wanting some down time.
Those who don’t can head to Abingdon Street Market at 3pm to watch Violent Hate before listening to tunes from punk DJ Deanimartini. From 6pm Scream & Shake hosts massive line up of Porno Massacre, Blackpool band Hot Pink Sewage, Ugly Fly Guys, The Webb, Shannon, and Titan Strongman. Dirty Blondes welcomes Parallel States to its stage at 8pm.
Bootleg hosts three live sets for its after party from 11pm. Manchester’s The Island kick things off with their blend of grunge, metal, punk, and prog, followed by indie rockers Sample Text. Doin Sublime round off the night as they pay tribute to the American rock band Sublime.
Saturday 5th August
Aunty Social’s safe space will once again be open throughout the day for festival goers wanting some down time.
At 3pm Abingdon Street Market has a live set from The Underclass before punk DJ Nick Charles at 6pm. Scream & Shake welcomes Narcoleptic Youth, Knuckleheadz, Twisted Nerve and Father Stone, and Leevil. Meanwhile The Papashangos take to the Dirty Blonds stage at 8pm.
Self-described purveyors of Seaside Punk, Dischord first formed to play on the closing night of the old Tache. They’ve been rocking out ever since and will be kicking off Saturday’s Rebellion after show party at Bootleg. They’re followed by Blackpool’s most demented and dangerous band, Hot Pink Sewage, who play their loud, cheap and nasty electro punk. South London’s Vanity follow with their post-hardcore sound, and Another Thursday round out Saturday night’s proceedings.
Sunday 6th August
Aunty Social’s safe space will once again be open throughout the day for festival goers wanting some down time.
At 3pm Informal Complaint perform in Abingdon Street Market before Scram and Shake continue proceedings with The Velocettes, Jim Gee and Luddite Collective all perform and more TBC. The Hate take to Dirty Blonde’s stage at 8pm.
Monday 7th August
Scream and Shake refuse to let the party die after the festival ends with Punk Karaoke for anyone who’s been inspired to take to the mic over the weekend.
Main photo: Jill Reidy
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