Get Ready to Stand and Deliver—Rebellion 2026
Blackpool Tower—Photo courtesy of ©dickslaughter.com
As the world's premier punk rock festival hurtles toward us like a runaway freight train, I find myself trying to tie up the mountain of loose ends that comes with spending a couple of weeks on the road.
Trying not to emerge from Heathrow after a 14-hour flight in a haze of exhaustion only to realize I've forgotten the camera, or something equally boneheaded. Then there are the ever changing airport security rules. Every year it feels like they've invented a new way to make travelling just a little bit more entertaining.
Did I remember my knickers and socks? Are the TSA Gestapo allowing this colour shirt this year? It sometimes feels like getting through security is more stressful than the flight itself.
I've been making this pilgrimage back to my old homeland every August for more than twenty years now. Every trip seems to bring new travel headaches, yet every year Rebellion somehow makes it all worthwhile.
I can still remember the days when you could simply wander up to the Winter Gardens on Thursday morning and buy a weekend ticket at the door. Then came the year I flew all the way from California only to hear the words no festival goer ever wants to hear.
"Sorry, we're sold out."
That was the last time I ever left buying my ticket until the last minute.
Not willing to admit defeat, I rescued a discarded pizza box from beside The Bench bought a marker from the pound shop down the street and made myself a sign asking if anyone had a spare ticket. I spent the next couple of hours competing with ticket scalpers and hoping somebody would take pity on a jet-lagged punk who'd come all the way from California.
Eventually a gang of skinheads wandered over.
Our mate couldn't make it," one of them said. "You look like a proper original punk. We'd rather sell it to someone who'll appreciate it than let one of these scalpers make money."
They sold it to me for exactly what they'd paid.
I happily bought the first few rounds once we got inside, and friendships were formed that have lasted to this day. That's Rebellion. It's never just about the bands. It's about the people, the unexpected kindness, and the friendships that somehow pick up exactly where they left off a year earlier.
Stories like this are what makes Rebellion special.
Those memories come flooding back as Rebellion celebrates its 30th anniversary. This year's festival sold out even earlier than usual, proving once again that its popularity just keeps growing. Every year I tell friends to buy their tickets early, and every year somebody ignores me and ends up disappointed. The proof is in the pudding.
It is also stunning to have been able to watch and experience this event grow and grow every year I return to the old shores of the country I once called home.
Fun at Rebebellion—Photo courtesy of ©dickslaughter.com
Even if you don't have a festival ticket, Blackpool will still be overflowing with punks from all over Britain and around the world. Plenty of people make the trip simply to meet old friends, enjoy the atmosphere, and catch the countless gigs happening around town. In early August, all roads lead to Blackpool.
This year there's even more reason to arrive early.
Alongside the traditional pub gigs that spring up around the Winter Gardens, Rebellion has introduced an official series of Run Up shows in the days leading into the festival. It's another sign of just how much this event has grown over the years.
One of the biggest additions takes place at the Olympia.
On Tuesday 4 August, the venue hosts Adam Ant, The Undertones, and Altered Images.
These official Run Up shows are a fantastic excuse to make Blackpool a longer holiday rather than simply arriving for Thursday's opening. Between the gigs, the pubs, the beach, and the annual reunion of thousands of punks from every corner of the globe, the festival atmosphere will already be in full swing before the first official Rebellion band even takes the stage.
Charlie Harper at Rebellion—photo courtesy of John Greenwood
Whether you've managed to secure one of the sold out festival tickets or you're simply coming to soak up the atmosphere, there has never been a better excuse to get to Blackpool a few days early.
TV Smith at Rebellion—photo courtesy of John Greenwood
Neville Staple—photo courtesy of John Greenwood
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"Viva" at 3 Church Street, Blackpool, within a stone's throw of The Winter Gardens, is also part of the official Rebellion "Run-Up" Fringe. Commencing on Monday, 3rd August, with Spike (Quireboys), Steve Conte, andJohn Robb; "Voices from the Pool" by Jo Catlow; and Monty Oxymoron (the Damned). The following day, Tuesday the 4th of August, Tom Robison w/ Adam Phillips, Wildhearts Acoustic, and Kirk Brandon Akoustik feat. Sam Sansbury (cello), Steve Drewett, and Dave Sharp & the Hard Travellers take the stage at "Viva." The final day for the "Viva" Run Up shows is Wednesday 5th August when Skids Acoustic, Charlie Harper, TV Smith (New Songs), Mick Rossi,Jo Carlet & the Old Dry Skulls, Dave Deliquent & the IOU's round off the pre-festival official shows. Tickets for all and any of these shows can be purchased via Rebellion Run-Up gigs or click the flyers or photos.
See you in Blackpool a little early this year,
John at the Rebellion Festivals—Photo courtesy of ©dickslaughter.com
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