First Time Behind the Rail at Rebellion: John Greenwood Learns Blisters Come Free With the press Pass
View from the other side of the rail—photo by John Greenwood.
Well, Rebellion Festival is over for another year, and everybody has had to say their goodbyes until 2026—which is already shaping up to be a formidable challenge, with it being the 30th anniversary and many extra festivities to plan and enjoy. As I sit here writing this on a long, lonely flight back from London to San Francisco, I feel a world away from the sights and sounds that filled this year’s four-day Rebellion Festival. What remains are swirling flashes of images, sounds, and memories ricocheting around my head like a ball bearing through a glass pane window.
I met many inspiring and entertaining new friends and characters—and let’s face it, that’s a good 50%, if not more, of what this festival is all about. After many years of attending as part of the audience, I was honored and excited to be given the privilege of crossing to the other side of the rail this year, photographing the event as part of the In Spite press team. It was a huge honor, and what a difference it made. It was just as thrilling as my very first Rebellion years ago, when I walked in as a brand-new punter. Excitement, trepidation, and awe were all on overdrive.
I also need to give a huge thank you—and newfound respect—to everyone behind the scenes who make this event happen year after year. Their patience and welcoming spirit toward me as a rookie made it a blast, and I hope I get the chance to return next year, this time with some experience under my belt and a few Rebellion blisters to show for it.
There’s far too much to unpack in one sitting, so I’ll be spotlighting certain sets from Rebellion 2025 in the coming weeks. But here are some early highlights from the first day:
Phat Problem—photo by John Greenwood.
Phat Problem on the Introducing Stage were brave, committed, and carried themselves with impressive stage presence—enough to put them firmly on my radar. My first trip to the Empress Ballroom was for Buster Shuffle, who brought cheeky, two-tone-inspired ska energy to the stage. I only caught their first three songs before dashing off to see Dakka Skanks, who lit up the Arena Stage with fresh sounds and vibrant energy.
Buster Shuffle—photo by John Greenwood.
Charlie Harper of the UK SUBS—photo by John Greenwood.
Back in the Empress, Charlie Harper was in fine form as he steered The UK Subs through another classic set. Meanwhile, Slice of Life offered a fascinating, emotional, and thought-provoking turn from Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life in the Opera House—a chance to sit, reflect, and catch my breath.
Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life—photo by John Greenwood.
The Courettes—photo by John Greenwood
One of my must-sees was The Courettes at The Pavilion. A two-piece armed with just guitar and drums, they delivered a throwback ’50s sound made fresh and modern through their captivating delivery. I’m glad I made the effort—their set was lively, alluring, and unforgettable.
Circle Jerks—photo by John Greenwood
Then it was back to the Empress for Circle Jerks, who tore through a relentless set. I even managed a couple of rare photos of Keith Morris without the microphone glued to his upper lip—a feat other photographers compared to spotting Bigfoot or Nessie.
Closing out my first night, and my personal headliner, were TV Smith & The Bored Teenagers at Club Casbah (admittedly, I have a personal bias). With only two other stages still running at this point, I finally got the chance to watch a full set from start to finish—and they were flawless, as always.
Maid Of Ace—photo by John Greenwood
As an added bonus, I stuck around to see Maid Of Ace, the four sisters from Hastings who delivered a ferocious, tight set. Watching them reminded me of one of Rebellion’s most important strengths: diversity. Women-led bands aren’t token acts here—they headline stages as a matter of course, without gimmicks or fanfare. For those of us old enough to remember when punk was far less inclusive, it was something worth reflecting on as I wandered off in search of fish, chips, and peas.
Maid Of Ace packed a formidable punch to end day one on a high note—a perfect close to the first chapter of Rebellion 2025.
