Scarborough: Where the Weather Hates You but the People Don't
Hung Like Hanratty — All photos courtesy of Phil Thorns.
I had been looking forward to Scarborough Punk Festival 2026 for months. Set in the picturesque seaside town of Scarborough, it has become one of my favourite festivals. There is always such a warm, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere. It genuinely feels like one big family. That might sound a little cheesy, but anyone who has been there will know exactly what I mean. The only thing threatening to spoil the weekend was the weather. It was absolutely freezing, and there was plenty of the dreaded rain. In previous years we had been blessed with sunshine and surprisingly warm temperatures, but this year was a different story. Thankfully, nobody was about to let a bit of bad weather ruin the fun. The bars were open, the drinks were flowing, and the music was ready to begin.
First up on Saturday were Yur Mum, an English band with Brazilian roots. This husband-and-wife duo wasted no time unleashing their energetic DIY punk sound, blasting through the venue and waking everyone up. It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend, especially considering many of us had only made it to bed a few hours earlier.
Riskee & The Ridicule,— All photos courtesy of Phil Thorns.
Later in the day came Riskee & The Ridicule, a band I had enjoyed at the festival last year. Their unique blend of punk rock and rap creates something genuinely exciting and different. Frontman Scott Pickering also took time to speak honestly about the realities of being in a small independent band and how difficult it is to make a living from music these days. It was refreshing and relatable.
I was certainly no stranger to the next band on the bill, Hung Like Hanratty. Every time they play they get the crowd moving. They are a glorious bundle of politically incorrect fun and pure entertainment. Frontman Al Sation is one of the nicest people you could meet, both on and off stage. He is supportive of smaller bands and always willing to help promote the scene. I've seen that firsthand. The crowd sang and shouted along to favourites such as "The Ghost of Jimmy Savile" and "You Fat Bastard." Hung Like Hanratty is unlike anybody else on the circuit. If you ever get the chance to see them, take it. You'll leave with a grin on your face, and we could all use a bit more of that these days.
Booze & Glory— All photos courtesy of Phil Thorns.
Booze & Glory were completely new territory for me. Despite never having heard them before, it didn't take long to understand why they have such a loyal following. Their singalong street punk anthems had the entire room in full voice, encouraged every step of the way by vocalist Mark.
Formed in London by musicians with Polish roots, Booze & Glory quickly established themselves as one of the leading names in modern street punk. What impressed me most was how easily their songs connected with the crowd. One particular chorus seemed to resonate throughout the room:
"Some people never change. Some people fade away Some people break the rules, but only fools get caught.”
Watching hundreds of people sing those words together was one of those special festival moments that reminds you why live music matters.Some
The Casualties— All photos courtesy of Phil Thorns.
Saturday's headliners were The Casualties, making a rare UK appearance. Originally formed in New York and now featuring members based in the United States, they delivered a blistering set of fast, aggressive street punk packed with hardcore energy. It had been far too long since they had played these shores, and the crowd gave them a hero's welcome.The audience participation was relentless, with vocalist David Rodriguez spending plenty of time interacting directly with fans. It was a whirlwind appearance, flying into the UK for Scarborough before heading straight back to continue touring, but they made every minute count.
Sunday began with Chaos 8 and their outstanding vocalist Becky. Hailing from Sunderland, they are another reminder of the incredible talent coming out of the North East. Their sound combines punk rock with industrial influences, bringing to mind elements of Killing Joke at times. Chaos 8 were the standout band of Sunday. If they're playing near you, go and see them. Supporting smaller bands is what keeps this scene alive. Chelsea took to the stage without their legendary frontman Gene October, who was unable to perform due to illness. Despite his absence, the band delivered a fantastic set and looked genuinely thrilled to be there. The crowd responded in kind, making it one of the weekend's pleasant surprises.
Uk Subs— All photos courtesy of Phil Thorns.
Earlier in the day I had managed to get my copy of Charlie Harper's autobiography, An Anarchy of Demons, signed before UK Subs were due on stage. Years ago, in another life, my own band shared a small tour with UK Subs. Seeing Charlie still out there doing it after all these years is nothing short of inspirational. When UK Subs finally hit the stage, they completely owned the room. Decades later, the energy, passion and commitment remain exactly where they have always been. Long may it continue.
Anti-Nowhere League followed with their trademark blend of rude, raucous rock and roll. Positioned right at the front, I spent the set singing along with hundreds of others. It was one of those moments where everything else disappears and all that matters is the music. This is what makes festivals like Scarborough so special. Strangers become friends. People look after one another. The room fills with smiling faces and shared memories. For a few days, the outside world fades away. Before long it was time for goodbye hugs, promises to meet again and one final ride on that wonderfully eccentric funicular railway. A last drink or two in the hotel bar and then off to bed.
If you ever get the chance to attend Scarborough Punk Festival, do it. You'll be welcomed like family.
I'll see you down the front.
In Spite Magazine (ISM) is a volunteer run, not for profit journalism and artists' cooperative built by people who love music, art, photography, and independent culture. Any merch sold helps keep ISM going, supports independent journalism, and allows us to cover the bands, artists, and scenes that often get overlooked while keeping our content free for everyone.
