You Can’t See Every Band, But Some You Need To See Every Time.
CHARLIE HARPER of the UK SUBS at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Here’s the thing about the Rebellion Festivals: it’s called Festivals because there are around 300 bands, and there’s a goddamn festival happening in every room, theater, restaurant, and bar in and around the Winter Gardens. You have to make tough—sometimes impossible—choices when it comes to your band list. And the truth is, some bands are just so great you want to see them every time. There are bands on this list that I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen—and I’d see every one of them again. But this list of Dick Picks barely scratches the surface of what this year’s Rebellion Festivals entails.
My suggestion? Pick five or six must-sees each day, and then just see where you end up. One of the best things about Rebellion is discovering new bands.
Bands are listed in somewhat alphabetical order so as not to show too much favoritism.
ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE - 20:40-21:30 - Fri - EMPRESS BALLROOM
One of the staples and crowd favorites in the Rebellion lineup, the Anti-Nowhere League is never disappointing—loud, chaotic, and glorious.
BAR STOOL PREACHERS - 19:55-20:40 - Sun - EMPRESS BALLROOMBAR STOO-ACOUSTIC - 16:45-17:25 - Sat - OPERA HOUSE
Darlings of the Rebellion Festival and playing not once, not twice, but three times this year, Bar Stool Preachers always deliver an incredibly entertaining and energetic show. They’re genuine crowd-pleasers—fun, engaging, and clearly devoted to their fans.
CAROL HODGE - 16:45-17:20 - Thu - ALMOST ACOUSTIC - And with Steve Ignorant’s Slice of life 19:20-20:10 - Thu - OPERA HOUSE
Carol Hodge isn’t just an accomplished singer, songwriter, and composer—she was also voted Punk Hunk of the Year 2024 by In Spite Magazine readers. This year at Rebellion, she’s pulling double duty with a solo set and a performance alongside Steve Ignorant with Slice of Life. Both are always high on my must-see list.
CHARLIE HARPER - 15:40-16:40 - Fri - LITERARY- 16:10-16:40 - Sun - ALMOST ACOUSTIC - with UK Subs - 18:55-19:55 - Thu - EMPRESS BALLROOM
CHARLIE HARPER of the UK SUBS at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
When you think of Rebellion, there are certain people who instantly come to mind—and Charlie Harper is one of them. Whether he’s performing with UK Subs, speaking on the Literary Stage, hanging out at his booth taking photos with fans, or simply enjoying bands in the crowd, he’s always gracious and a true sweetheart of a man.
CIRCLE JERKS - 21:55-22:55 - Thu - EMPRESS BALLROOM
Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Speaking of bands—I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen them, and I still can’t wait to catch them again: the Circle Jerks always kill it.
Colin Jerwood Tribute - 15:10-15:50 - Sat - LITERARY - CONFLICT - 20:15-21:00 - Sat - CLUB CASBAH
Colin Jerwood of Conflict at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
The loss of Colin Jerwood was a shock and a devastating blow. His contributions to our community are immeasurable. There will be a tribute on the Literary Stage with friends and family, and Conflict is on the lineup for what’s expected to be a memorial concert—likely filled with special guests and powerful moments.
D.O.A. - 20:20-21:10 - Sun - CLUB CASBAH
D.O.A at Punk in Drublc —Photo ©dickslaughter.com
D.O.A. is going to be great—no doubt about it. A cornerstone of political punk with decades behind them, I’ve never seen a bad D.O.A. show. They’re like blue lives—they just don’t exist.
THE DAMNED - 23:30-00:45 - Fri - EMPRESS BALLROOM
The Damned at Cruel World —Photo ©dickslaughter.com
The Damned never, ever disappoint. I remember seeing them on one of their first “farewell” tours back in the ’80s and thinking they should just keep going. Now, 30 or so farewell tours later, they’re still just as good.
DIRTBOX DISCO - 23:35-00:20 - Sat - CLUB CASBAH
If you enjoy mayhem, offensive humor, and bands that love dressing up almost as much as I do, then Dirt Box Disco is absolutely for you.
THE DOLLHEADS - 12:45-13:15 - Sat - EMPRESS BALLROOM
I first caught The Dollheads on the Loud Women stage at Rebellion last year and was immediately impressed by their tight musicianship, natural stage presence, and the seamless timing that comes from three siblings playing together. They’re definitely a band worth checking out.
THE EXPLOITED - 22:35-23:40 - Sun - EMPRESS BALLROOM
The Exploited are Rebellion regulars, and their sets are always a chaotic love fest of mohawks and mayhem. They never fail to bring the house down.
HR of BAD BRAINS - 19:10-20:00 - Sun - ARENA - 16:30-17:00 - Sun - LITERARY
HR of BAD BRAINS in Long Beach, California—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Talk about legends: H.R. of Bad Brains will not only be speaking but also performing—an unmissable moment for any punk or hardcore fan.
JACK GRISHAM with TSOL - 21:10-22:05 - Sun - EMPRESS BALLROOM- 18:50-19:20 - Sun - LITERARY
Jack Grisham of TSOL at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Captain Jack Grisham will take the stage with T.S.O.L. for what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable show. I think Jack brings something extra to Rebellion—their sets here always seem just a little more fun than the ones back home.
KNUCKLEHEADZ BAND- 13:35-14:05 - Fri - EMPRESS BALLROOM
The Knuckleheadz Band has come a long way since I first met them on the train to Rebellion. It’s not just that they’ve climbed from the Introductory stage all the way to the Empress Ballroom, or that they’ve played everything from backyard benefits to a slot at the final NOFX show. Through their work with Punk Rock Fight Club, they’ve changed hundreds of lives—using music and mixed martial arts to mentor young people, keep them active, and steer them away from hard drugs and crime. Their journey is as inspiring as their shows are a giant beautiful mess.
LADY RAGE - 22:20-22:55 - Sat - ARENA
I first caught Lady Rage—I think it was 2018 at Rebellion—and I’ve been a fan ever since. The band has seen plenty of changes over the years, but one constant is their fierce frontwoman, Siren Sycho, who brings a wild, “anything can happen” energy to every performance. Hard, fast, and loud, Lady Rage proudly identifies as a threat to the heteronormative order—and really, what could be better than that? I missed their set last year and was gutted. I won’t make that mistake again this year.
LOS FASTIDIOS - 14:35-15:15 - Sat - EMPRESS BALLROOM - ACOUSTIC - 12:35-13:05 - Fri - ALMOST ACOUSTIC
Speaking of Rebellion darlings, Los Fastidios from Italy will be performing three times, bringing their infectious blend of Oi, ska, and punk—along with their message of equality—to their large and loyal fan base at Rebellion.
M.D.C. - 19:55-20:35 - Fri - CLUB CASBAH - ACOUSTIC - 15:15-15:50 - Fri - ALMOST ACOUSTIC
One of my all-time favorite punk hunks, Uncle Dave, will be there with MDC—Millions of Dead Cops, still one of the best band names ever. Every time I think of MDC, I remember a friend who spent a holiday weekend in jail in Newport Beach, California, while wearing a Millions of Dead Cops T-shirt. Let’s just say… it was no holiday for him.
THE MEFFS - 19:20-20:10 - Fri - EMPRESS BALLROOM
The Meffs are great and not to be missed—a band that instantly becomes a favorite of everyone who sees them. Do yourself a favor and jump on the Meffs trolley.
NICK CASH with 999 - 15:40-16:25 - Sat - EMPRESS BALLROOM - 20:50-21:30 - Sat - ALMOST ACOUSTIC - 18:50-19:20 - Sat - LITERARY
Nick Cash of 999 at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
They’ve got Nick Cash working overtime this year—playing with 999 twice and appearing on the Literary Stage. I’ve seen 999 about a dozen times, and I hope to see them a dozen more.
PARANOID VISIONS - 15:15-15:50 - Sat - CLUB CASBAH
Ireland’s favorite hardcore band, Paranoid Visions, have played Rebellion around 25 times—and they’re always great. You can still check out Peter’s Rebellion spotlight interview from a few years ago, because it’s just as good now as the day we ran it.
PETE BENTHAM & THE DINNER LADIES - 20:35-21:20 - Thu - OPERA HOUSE - ACOUSTIC - 13:15-13:45 - Fri - ALMOST ACOUSTIC
Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies are always a sight to behold, with coordinated dance moves and theatrical antics that make every set pure fun. This year adds an extra treat: one of the Dinner Ladies has even been immortalized on an In Spite Magazine trading card, set to premiere at Rebellion.
PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED - 23:30-00:40 - Sat - EMPRESS BALLROOM
We can say what we will about John and his concerning behavior and statements—but he’s a true musical genius who reshaped popular music and culture not once, but twice, in less than a decade, he’s kept that wholehearted “go-fuck-yourself” attitude intact and his performances are always stellar.
Steve Ignorant’s SLICE OF LIFE - 19:20-20:10 - Thu - OPERA HOUSE - STEVE IGNORANT 'SLICES OF MY LIFE' - 15:40-16:20 - Sun - LITERARY
Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life is one of the main reasons I come to Rebellion. Steve’s performances with SOL are raw and feel incredibly personal—the blend of punk and folk feels like it was made for him, and the Opera House is the perfect venue for it. Be sure to check out Steve’s Rebellion Spotlight from a few years ago—it still holds up.
SUBHUMANS - 19:05-20:00 - Sat - EMPRESS BALLROOM
Dick Lucas of Subhumans at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
If there’s one thing I can guarantee, it’s that Dick Lucas and Subhumans will deliver an incredible set. I’ve witnessed Subhumans more times than I can count, and they always go beyond expectations. You can check out this Dick on Dick interview from Vegas about Rebellion—it’s still well worth a read.
SVETLANAS - 14:25-14:55 - Sat - CLUB CASBAH
Olga Svetlanas of Svetlanas at Rebellion Festivals—Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Another group I first discovered at Rebellion was Svetlanas—and talk about being blown away. Lead singer Olga Svetlanas seems to be possessed by some kind of demon as soon as she takes the stage. Parts of the performance genuinely reminded me of The Exorcist—a must-see for anyone who enjoys their punk with a side of terror.
TV SMITH & THE BORED TEENAGERS - 22:50-23:50 - Thu - CLUB CASBAH - TV SMITH & VOM RITCHIE - 23:55-00:55 - Fri - ARENA - TV SMITH - 18:50-19:30 - Sat - OPERA HOUSE
When I was conducting interviews about Rebellion a few years back, one of the questions I asked was, “Who is the first person or band that comes to mind when you think of Rebellion?” The number one answer was TV Smith—and for good reason. TV Smith is phenomenal, and seeing him live is something everyone should do.
YUR MUM - 16:05-16:35 - Fri - CLUB CASBAH
Yum Mum is another band I discovered at Rebellion that completely blew me away. A two-piece from Brazil with only bass and drums, they deliver a wild, hard-hitting style that’s absolutely worth checking out—you won’t be sorry.
With about 275 more bands to choose from, that’s just putting a dent in the lineup of Rebellion Festivals.
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