The Non-Punk's Guide to Rebellion ‘25
Taken outside the Winter Gardens—Photo ©dickslaugher.com
I've said this before, but for the uninitiated, or for those requiring a reminder: I am not a punk. But when your editor shoves tickets to the legendary independent punk festival Rebellion into your hands, like myriad other First World Problems, you have to make the best of it. Thus, for those of us in attendance without a mohawk, a safety pin through the nose, or egregious body odor (editor’s note: he doesn’t have 2 out of 3), I have compiled this little guide to some of the acts least likely to cover the front row in flob this year.
Carol Hodge at No Vales Festival - ©dickslaughter.com
On Thursday, the Empress Ballroom is hosting concept cover band Elvana - not to be confused with the Mistress of the Dark - who perform the music of Nirvana, with the vocal stylings of Elvis Presley. A novelty for sure, but a well regarded one that I'm very intrigued to witness. Over at Almost Acoustic, I will certainly be paying In Spite cover star Carol Hodge another visit, her set of highly-charged piano ballads being one of my highlights of the 2024 festival. She will also get my attention later at the Opera House, as Steve Ignorant’s Slice Of Life deliver a near-indescribable mix of spoken word and folk that, despite having played virtually on my doorstep in recent years, I’ve yet to see live.
The Damned at Punk Rock Bowling - Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Friday is obviously dominated by The Damned, though I’ll be there as much for the gothic material as their classic punk work. Here's hoping some of that makes the setlist. At the Opera House, I’ll be making up for last year when I only caught the arse-end of Interrobang’s set. The little I saw of the ex-Chumbawamba post-punk splinter was intriguing enough to guarantee my attendance this year. Speaking of Chumbawamba, they're listed on the Literary stage, alongside Mike Batt, a man whose myriad achievements in the record industry are entirely overshadowed by his work as the musical director of The Wombles, culminating in the worst Christmas song ever recorded. If there’s any chance to learn of backstage shenanigans with Orinoco and Madame Cholet, I want to hear it.
John Lydon of Public Image Limited at the Rebellion Festival—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Post-punk rules on Saturday, with headline sets from Public Image Ltd. and Peter Hook & The Light. Both have extraordinary back catalogues to plunder; here's hoping they stick to their earlier, seminal work from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Hook may have competition though—I've heard very good things about Lancaster DIY psych duo The Lovely Eggs, who will be gracing the Opera House stage simultaneously with Hook and co. As the evening becomes the morning, I will be heading to Club Casbah for some late-night Slady—an all-female Essex-based tribute to glam rockers Slade. Though cover bands have never been my cup of tea, I must confess a declaration of interest—about 400 years ago when I was regularly promoting shows, I booked “Jem Lea” (back when she answered to Wendy) for a solo show, and though I've followed her adventures with Slady with great interest, I've never seen them live. A combination of some classic tunes with a day's worth of Buckfast in my system should guarantee a good time.
Sunday sees the further invocation of CRASS with Eve Libertine at the Opera House, whose songbook will be accompanied by the dark-ambient sounds of Brighton's Eva Leblanc. If you see me running out of their set though, don't read too much into it—I’ll be heading to the Almost Acoustic stage for punk poet Attila the Stockbroker. One of the many stalwarts of Rebellion, his third set of the 2025 festival will focus on his interest in early music, where he will be accompanied by Scottish singer-songwriter Calum Baird, who is also performing solo on Thursday.
Lily Hopkins of the Meffs at the Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
But obviously, this is all bullshit—of course there are a bunch of punk bands I’m looking forward to. I've already written glowingly about Anti Nowhere League, The Meffs, Yur Mum, TV Smith, and McDonalds botherers Knuckleheadz, all of whom I look forward to seeing again. And if you find me milling around in the crowds for The Undertones, UK Subs (and Charlie Harper), Millie Manders and The Shutup, Ed Tudor Pole, Pet Needs, and around the Rebellion Introducing Stage, don't be too surprised. I’ll be the tall one wearing a face mask. Because I don’t want to catch Covid again…
The KnuckleHeadz Band at home in Whittier, CA —Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Animal of the Anti-Nowhere League—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
