The Big Rebellion Festivals Review 2025

Set in the gorgeous grade II listed Blackpool Winter Gardens, Rebellion Festivals returned for its 29th year of punk by the sea. Bringing swathes of punks from across the world to see the incredible offering of 300+ bands across eight stages over four days of nonstop entertainment is an organisational feat that we can only marvel at. 

With plenty to keep us entertained over the weekend working out who to see and balancing clashes was no easy feat. Leaving Blackpool North train station behind, we headed straight over to the venue to pick up our tickets and rushed off to see our first act of the weekend.

Thursday

Thursday started with early trains and a brisk walk to get to the venue in time for Phat Problem and ended with our hearts full and our feet tired in the best way.

Phat Problem

What a way to start the weekend! Phat Problem have an unbridled infectious energy that at 3pm, and after 5 hours on the train, really helped to get us into the swing of things. Angry street punk with songs to get you thinking they aren’t a band that shies away from sharing their truth or calling out the status quo. They’re not festival novices by any means but they took the Introducing Stage by storm and are definitely on track to be higher and higher up the bill each year.

Death of Guitar Pop

If you enjoy skanking your way through the evening Death of Guitar Pop are the band for you. Very much Madness and 80s two-tone revival inspired, they blend ska, punk, and pop in such a high energy way that even the most traditional punk fans found them enjoyable. 

Circle Jerks

A legacy band that did not disappoint! While they are definitely not as young as they used to be, Circle Jerks came with gusto. Blasting through their songs, trying to fit as many into their set as they could, but still pausing to chat to the crowd and bring up poignant cultural concerns. As a band in their 6th decade they have seen and sung it all and it was great seeing them share their legacy and insight with such an engaged crowd. 

Shanghai Treason

High energy and high entertainment, leaving us with a spring in our step leaving the Winter gardens to get some rest ahead of the rest of the weekend. Shanghai Treason were an excellent band to finish the evening on, with a banjo, a flatcap, and some absolute belters, they got the party going and had everyone dancing and singing along.

Friday

After not enough sleep on a sofa in one of Blackpool’s wonkiest rent-a-flats, we were up and at ‘em again, ready for a day largely centered around the Rebellion Introducing Stage.

Wonk Unit

Wonk Unit are one of those bands that just seem to have a profound impact on everyone around them. Well known in the London DIY punk scene and across the UK they didn’t fail to draw a substantial crowd in Club Casbah. Tugging at heartstrings with their more introspective songs and with Alex bringing up Aubrey, his daughter, to dance around the stage, they are proficient at leading a crowd through their feelings. 

Skinhawk

Incredibly new to the scene and playing the UKs biggest punk festival already! Skinhawk should be the name on everyone’s lips. Having only played four gigs before being booked to play Rebellion they did not disappoint when on the Pavilion stage. Loud political nerd punk immersing you in their story telling and anger at the world throughout a dynamic 30-minute set.

Muddy Summers and the DFWs

Taking a break from the Pavilion, we ventured upstairs to the Almost Acoustic stage. The Spanish Hall itself is glorious with beautiful representations of Spanish villages clustered around the balconies and it serves as a perfect contrast to the brash and uncouth (in the best way) deliverings of Muddy Summers and the DFWs. Folk punk, comedy, protest songs, and political commentary to keep you on your toes, they have it all and deliver it beautifully. 

Skunkworm

Another new band, and one of the youngest, on the scene and one to keep your eyes on are Skunkworm! With insatiable energy, great vocals, and inspiring technical knowledge and skills beyond their years, Skunkworm are set to make waves. Despite being more progressive than what a lot of the traditional punk bands and fans go for, they gave the Pavilion their all and impressed us greatly. 

Rifle

“Proper rambunctious oi punk and it's glorious.” - Jez from Skinhawk. 

Saturday

Some days are harder to get on with than others, balancing two full on days, a mega busy Sunday to come, and disabilities makes it difficult to stay 100% raring to go, regardless of how much fun you’re having. But Saturday was still happening and we had to be there to catch some bands!  

Split Dogs

If you need a masterclass in stage presence, Split Dogs are the band to see. Having made their Rebellion Festivals debut just last year on the Introducing stage, they have had an incredible year of grafting and gigging across the UK and Europe allowing them to bring their unique punk-inspired rock’n’roll to the Empress Ballroom. Keeping the energy high and the performance entrancing as Harry struts across the stage, not missing a beat.

Irvine Welsh

Rebellion isn’t just about the music, it’s about the culture of punk too. Having an entire Literary stage dedicated to talks, panels, and promotion across the weekend makes the festival more rounded and intriguing overall. Hearing Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting author, talk about his new book, his experiences as a young punk in the London scene in the 70s, and seeing Oasis on their recent run of tours, was a fascinating insight into how punk is everywhere and is such an important subculture to take notice of at this point in time.

Neville Staple from The Specials

Saturday nights are made for ska! The Specials are possibly the biggest English 2 tone/ska revival band of the past 50 years and original vocalist Neville Staple does that legacy justice. Keeping the crowd moving and grooving while leading them through The Specials discography is a sight every ska fan needs to see. 

Sunday

The final day and we were ready to go! With achy feet, fuelled by caffeine and an immaculate day of music ahead of us, we ventured into the Winter Gardens one last time.

Clobber

Walking out to Freed from Desire by Gala and shouting “What's up Blackpool are you ready for the best sounding band of the weekend?” Clobber let you know where they stand right off the bat. Alternating between hard hitting hardcore and equally hard hitting commentary, “I was asked this week if punk rock has to be political, yes, yes it does [...] if any band this weekend stands on stage and doesn't have anything to say, they're cowards and you should treat them as such.” Clobber delivered a raucous set early on a Sunday, with an even bigger surprise as Charlie Longman took to one knee and proposed to his now fiance, Theresa Vendetta (Jawless), we send our love to them! 

Bruise Control

Truly a highlight of the weekend. Bruise Control never fails to bring it - it being a tiny pair of shorts and a glorious mullet. Outfit choices aside, they are a phenomenal band and have such great energy that spills off the stage and into the crowd. Pits forming and headbanging happening as Bruise Control mash together hardcore, post-punk, and talent for days. 

Redeemon

Ska, metal, punk, skacore? Redeemon are a mish-mash of genres that on paper, shouldn’t work, but hearing live is an auditory treat. Pook’s ability to switch from hardcore screams to trombone playing all while jumping around the stage like he has springs in his shoes and still having the breath to address the crowd should be enough to win anyone over. 

8 Kalacas

After being well and truly warmed up by Redeemon we were ready for Ocho Kalacas, well, as ready as we could be. One of the best, high octane, engaging, musically spectacular performances of the weekend. Coming from Orange County, California, they fold both metal and Latin influences into their music. Most of their songs are in Spanish, but the message and passion goes beyond the language barrier. This chaotic 7-piece gave so much on stage and the crowd loved every second of their set. 

Millie Manders & the Shutup

Closing out Rebellion without seeing Millie Manders would have been a regret, but luckily our weary bones held us up for one last gig. And what a set it was. Filling up Club Casbah like no other band we had seen this weekend, Millie Manders & the Shutup have such a genuine way of connecting with a crowd and guiding them through the full spectrum of emotions. One of the most outspoken acts on the bill, Millie uses her platform exceptionally well. Musically tight, energy immaculate, and lovely people to boot, we couldn’t be happier wrapping up our Rebellion review with them. 

Rebellion Festivals are back for their 30th anniversary in 2026 with an insane line-up and a whole bunch of celebrations planned. You can get your 2026 tickets now: https://www.rebellionfestivals.com/buy-tickets 

Words: Kayleigh Fryer

Photos: Kayleigh Fryer