The world’s biggest gathering of punks, Rebellion Festival, is shaping up nicely as Circle Jerks, Anti-Flag and the Tom Robinson Band are among the latest additions to the 2020 line-up.
The four-day celebration of punk in all its forms will again take place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from August 6 to 9 next year.
Among those recently confirmed to play are Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, Peter Hook & The Light, Stiff Little Fingers, The Undertones, Anti-Flag, Tom Robinson Band, Sham 69, The Adicts, Steve Ignorant Plays Crass, and many, many more…
2019 saw one of the best line-ups yet, with iconic acts from every corner of the globe rubbing shoulders with a multitude of thrilling up and comers. The Stranglers, Descendents, Fear, The Damned, The Skids and many more topped the stages and left lasting impressions. You can view a fast-forward recap of 2019 here.
Read our reviews of Rebellion 2019
Day One: Homegrown talent has the edge over US invasion
Day Two: Old favourites rise to the top
Day Three: Oi bands rule the roost on sweltering Saturday
Day Four: A diverse final day spent discovering lots of new bands
The line-up for 2020’s event is already coming together quicker than a Ramone could yell 1,2,3,4!, with a feast of punk rock talent already confirmed to play.
For US hardcore punk fans, the addition of Californian icons the Circle Jerks, reunited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their fabled 14-songs-in-15-minutes album Group Sex, is a thrilling proposition, especially for frontman Keith Morris who has previously appeared at Rebellion with OFF! and Flag.
“The music festival season’s upon us and there will always be the ‘too cool’ or ‘they don’t have enough great bands’ people bitching and whining, and these are the ones with toothpicks lodged in their rectums,” he said.
“Those not up for the fun and adventure of going out to see bands will miss witnessing Scream, The Undertones, Rezillos, GBH, 999, TSOL, Angelic Upstarts, Bad Religion, Channel 3 and Stiff Little Fingers, which is just the top of the roster.
“All these groups and more will be appearing at Rebellion Fest 2020 which is held in Winter Gardens in the beautiful seaside city known as Blackpool. I’ve appeared with OFF! and FLAG during previous Rebellion Fest situations and had nothing short of a great experience!
“I’ll be participating with The Circle Jerks at the upcoming RF and for those of you who aren’t down with the situation there’s always Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat at the end of May…”
Despite many appearances at Rebellion over the years, Northern Ireland’s Stiff Little Fingers are still as excited as ever to support the festival.
Frontman Jake Burns said: “We’re delighted to be once again playing at Rebellion, a festival that’s very close to our hearts, having been involved with it for such a long time now.
“It’s always fun coming back to Blackpool, catching up with old friends and making new ones. Having grown from small beginnings in Morecambe all those years ago to one of the biggest punk gatherings in the world is fantastic and a real testament to the staying power of the music, the bands but mainly the audience. Can’t wait!”
Further highlights include The Dickies, Angelic Upstarts, GBH, Anti Nowhere League, UK Subs, Neville Staple Band, The Boys, Scream, Toxic Reasons, MDC, The Rezillos, Bouncing Souls, T.S.O.L., The Pack, No Fun At All, Conflict, DYS, Scream, King Prawn, Adrenalin OD, 999, Honey Bane, Grade 2, and ATV, with over 150 bands now booked.
Since its inception in 1996 as Holidays In The Sun, Rebellion has aimed to bring together the best punk and alternative music from across the world, and remains a family-run, family-orientated event that celebrates punk in all its forms.
Rebellion Festival is an all ages, family-friendly event, and children under 12 accompanied by an adult are admitted free. More information and tickets are available at www.rebellionfestivals.com