The Über Rockin’ Guide To… Rebellion Festival

Written by Dom Daley
Saturday, 30 June 2018 04:00

Easily the United Kingdom’s finest, best-run alternative festival, Rebellion once again takes place in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool over the first weekend in August. Always a marathon and never a sprint, the Gardens host a bill matched by no other in its multiple venues. It’s a magnificent setting for any festival.

From the security to the organisation, it really is a pleasure to attend such an event. Sure, there are crowd-pleasing bands who play multiple times, but there are always more new bands than you can shake a shitty stick at… Yes, there will be the inevitable clashes – oh, and it can also get like a sauna if the sun’s shining: but, if it’s raining then you’ll be delighted it’s all indoors.

It’s not always about the rock and roll (granted, it’s a big part), as the stalls that wrap themselves around the venue are always a treasure trove of punk rock ‘n’ roll goodies: it’s where you can often meet many of the headlining bands, as they mingle happily with the fans. There are art exhibitions to tickle ones fancy… food (reasonably priced) and merch, merch and more merch!

At £140 for four days, it’s an absolute steal – and, situated right in the heart of Blackpool city centre, it’s got hundreds of affordable B&Bs within staggering distance, and a city centre that is welcoming. Rebellion has been around since ’96, and has also been all over the place as well, offering its unique festival in places like Ireland and Holland to name two countries

You also get a free festival programme – yup, I did say free! Art, poetry and workshops, as well as music and lots of music from all over the globe, are represented at the festival, so there is always something for everyone… there really is.

There are interviews taking place a cinema, which is also (not surprising) showing music films and such like. So, as well as being present for the John Lydon interview, you can take in the artwork on display, as well as a dedicated ‘Introducing…’ stage that is wall to wall new bands. You also have the very popular acoustic stage that has in the past thrown up some of the highlights: Barstool Preachers set the place ablaze a couple of years ago, and that cemented them on the right track to this year’s headlining slot, that is so richly deserved. This year also sees the return of The Boys, who are also playing acoustic as well as electric, and the ever-widening pool of bands booked sees a festival debut for the incredible Michael Monroe, who will tear it up with his uncompromising and captivating live show on Sunday.

There are dozens of bands making a festival debut that headline big venues in their own rights, such as The Wildhearts and The Adicts and headliners PiL, and the always on tour SLF and Buzzcocks. I’m sure there are bands to suit all tastes and in some of the coolest venues and all at the most reasonable price tickets.

Rebellion is aware of the rising cost of live music and the state of the country and always keeps costs down; merch is affordable, like the tickets, and the quality is always high. I defy anyone who attends to turn around and complain about what’s on offer at Rebellion, and if you can’t find a fistful of bands to see or your new favourite band isn’t playing, then maybe alternative music isn’t for you.

Rearrange your diary for the first weekend in August and get up to Blackpool quick smart. I’m sure it’ll be your new must-do festival every summer. Its long been a must for Uber Rock HQ, and this year is no exception. So much to see, so little time… now, if only I could multiply myself and be in all the different places at the same time…

www.rebellionfestivals.com/