Punk legends The Exploited are set to return to Newcastle for the first time in eight years to headline North East Calling 2023.
The all-day festival has become a popular part of the region’s punk scene since it started life as Durham Punk Festival in 2006.
It moved to Newcastle in 2013, and this year will be its 10th as North East Calling (NEC)
The Exploited, formed in Edinburgh in 1979, have only rarely played in the city in recent years, with their last NEC appearance back in 2015, so the show at Northumbria University in Newcastle on Saturday 23 September is long-awaited.
Fans will be keeping an eye out for news about the health of the band’s 65-year-old singer Wattie Buchan, who collapsed in Bogota, Colombia, during the band’s recent South American tour.
The Exploited will be joined by two other legendary ’70s bands, Cockney Rejects and UK Subs, for whom it could be the last time in Newcastle, as both are calling a halt to touring after this year.
The Rejects headlined NEC in 2019, but announced late last year as they released their latest album Power Grab (reviewed here), that they wouldn’t tour again after 2023.
The UK Subs, who are one of the hardest-gigging bands around, are currently on their final full European tour, and have indicated they will be scaling things back, as singer Charlie Harper is 78!
They have appeared at NEC and its predecessor Durham Punk Festival several times over the years, most recently in 2016.
Also on the bill after a successful appearance in 2021 are the Steve Ignorant Band, who will be performing a set of Crass material.
Another veteran band making a return after a long absence are Birmingham band Drongos For Europe, whose only appearance at the all-dayer was back in 2008, when it was still in Durham.
Completing the line-up are four bands who will be making their NEC debuts – Dragster (though their singer Fi did appear with Conflict in 2021), Wonk Unit, Voodoo Radio and local lads Zero Tolerance.
This year’s event will also have an acoustic stage, whose line-up will be announced at a later date.
Early bird tickets are on sale now, priced £25 until 31 March, from www.gigbox.co.uk, www.seetickets.com, or in person from record shops Reflex in Newcastle and Hot Rats in Sunderland. Under-18s’ tickets are £10 when bought with an adult ticket.
