Punk pioneers The Damned have today been unveiled as the Friday night headliners for Rebellion Festival 2025.
Public Image Limited were confirmed as Saturday night headliners earlier this month, and now The Damned, who were in punk’s vanguard alongside John Lydon’s original band the Sex Pistols, have been added to the line-up.
After having to cancel last year after Dave Vanian hurt his back, they’re back and fighting fit, with the frontman and Captain Sensible joined by the powerhouse that is Rat Scabies on drums and Paul Gray on bass.
This line-up are back playing shows together for the first time in 35 years, and fans can expect tracks from classic albums like Machine Gun Etiquette, The Black Album and Strawberries.
One of the longest-enduring original punk bands, The Damned are one of a very small crowd who don’t rely on past glories, as their 2023 album Darkadelic proved last year, earning them a Top 10 chart placement.
Next year will be 48 years since their groundbreaking debut Damned, Damned Damned was released and 29 years since they headlined the very first Holidays In The Sun festival in Blackpool.
They join an ever-expanding line up of punk and alternative icons and rising new talent at the world famous festival, which returns to the Winter Gardens from 7-10 August 2025.
Bands and artists already confirmed include Peter Hook & The Light, PiL, Hugh Cornwell, The Selecter, Bad Manners, Ferocious Dog, Neville Staple From The Specials, HR from Bad Brains, Anti Nowhere League, DOA, Los Fastidios, Swell Maps, The Courettes, Maid Of Ace, Crux, Buster Shuffle, Down By Law, The Undertones, MDC, UK Subs, Snuff, The Exploited, Riskee & The Ridicule, Voodoo Glow Skulls, 999, Millencolin, Pegboy, Toxic Reasons, Sloppy Seconds and many more.
Rebellion Festival 2025 is shaping up to be one not to miss. Weekend tickets are still available on the monthly payment plan until the end of November, and day tickets have been held at last year’s prices. Head to www.rebellionfestivals.com for more information.
