Rebellion reveals dates for 2020 and early line-up announcements

Infirmities (Peter Goodbody)

Rebellion is already getting into gear for 2020 with 39 bands confirmed even before the dust has settled after this year’s event, Getintothis’ Peter Goodbody can’t wait.

Although the memories, the hangovers and the hearing loss of this August’s immensely successful Rebellion Festival are still vivid and fresh, with hardly a pause for breath, the Rebellion Family are already hard at work planning next year’s event and 39 bands have already been confirmed for 2020.

Scheduled to take place Thursday August 6th to Sunday 9th 2020 at it’s home, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Rebellion Festival is now wildly recognised as the largest gathering of punks in the world and continues to grow every year.

2019 saw one of the most prestigious line-ups yet, with iconic acts from every corner of the globe rubbing shoulders with a multitude of thrilling up and comers.

The Stranglers, Descendents, Fear, Spear Of Destiny, The Damned, The Skids and many more all topped the stages and left lasting impressions.

Although very much at the early stages of booking, the bands confirmed for the 2020 event already include some surprises and many returning favourites.

Jimmy Pursey’s legendary herberts Sham 69 will be returning to the festival for the first time since 2015, whilst former Crass frontman Steve Ignorant will be performing a full Crass set. Also returning are The Dickies, Angelic Upstarts, GBH, Anti Nowhere League, UK Subs, Neville Staple Band, The Boys, Scream, Toxic Reasons, MDC and many more.

Rebellion

The line up so far, and subsequent additions are on the festival website.

Rebellion 2019: review, gallery, best bands and what we learned from Blackpool

Since its original inception in 1996 as the then named Holidays In The Sun festival, Rebellion has always aimed to bring together the best punk and alternative music from across the globe, and is still a family-run, family-orientated event that celebrates punk in all its forms.

Rebellion Festival is an ALL AGES, family friendly event and children under 12 are admitted free of charge (accompanied by an adult). More information and early bird tickets are available now.

Editor’s comment

I was a bit late to the party and first came across Rebellion only in 2017. But what a revelation and the discovery for me of this simply brilliant festival.

Of course, it helps that I dig (most of) the music and the line up is always littered with bands I’ve grown up with since my early gig going days while I was still at school.

But there’s always something new to discover. The Rebellion booking policy is impeccable and it’s not just punk throwbacks who get on the bill. Rebellion is always on the lookout for new talent and, as I’ve said in my previous reviews of the festival, the Introducing Stage is often one of the best places to spend time.

There are always discoveries to be made there and just because you’ve never heard of the band, or only been vaguely aware of them, the quality control is of the highest order. One of the stand outs for me was Californian band The Infirmities in 2018, with whom I’ve swapped messages from time to time ever since.

It was a treat to meet the band’s lead singer, Jason, outside the Winter Gardens this year and manage a quick chat. Such is his love for the event he’d brought the whole family over from the States for their return visit. And they stayed all weekend, soaking up the atmosphere. They were fans too.

And that’s the other point about Rebellion. It’s a massive social gathering and an opportunity to meet like minded souls in a completely safe environment. There’s never any needle. Quite the opposite; it’s totally inclusive no matter who you are or what you look like.

It is a superbly well run machine and the organisers manage to get something in the region of 300 bands on stage and on time over the course of the 4 day weekend.

And it’s all indoors. And in Blackpool in August. What’s not to like?

Peter Goodbody