Dog Day Afternoon, Crystal Palace Park, London 01.07.23

Dog Day Afternoon, Crystal Palace Park, London 01.07.23

What a weekend to be in the big smoke. Pulp in finsbury Park, Def Leps and Mutley spew in Wembley Stadium, Pride and Iggy in The Palace (Crystal Palace that is), Oh and The Dirty Strangers in Kilburn. I arrived just in time to join the snaking queue halfway round sarf of the river but to be fair it moved quickly and bag check was smooth amist all the horror stories of recent events at this venue. Now I could rant all day about the vendors charging an arm and a leg for refreshments and the coast of a 99 or screwball would have my nan turning in her grave but I wont. I chose to be here and whilst I don’t like big outdoor shows where you know youre heading for a good fleecing I don’t really now what the answer is – I could stay away but then I’d be cutting my nose off to spite my face and I wanted to see some bands I probably wont ever get the chance to see again so it is what it is. Oh and I wont mention the cost of merch these days or a poster for £30 so lets get on with the show.

First up today in the baking heat of the SE19 summer sun are Brighton punks Lambrini Girls, a trio the mainstream press has already called Iggy Pop’s favourite new band, and you can immediately see why Mr Osterberg would like them as guitarist/singer ploughs straight into the crowd as the band unleash their very own brand of ‘Big Dick Energy’. The only problem with doing this on such a big stage/large scale event being that apart from the front six rows (who will probably all be there to see you already) no one else in the audience really knows what the hell is going on even with onstage cameras present. So, whilst some get to experience the danger up close and personal, me, I’m left waiting for the inevitable TikTok videos to emerge. Next!

Buzzcocks, My first-time post-Pete, and whilst I grew up loving these songs I was too young for the early days of Buzzcocks I did catch the reunion shows and beyond which is still 30-plus years. I thought they hit a particular high on the pre covid renaissance they were enjoying especially at Rebellion where they properly understood how to do festivals and cram your best into an hour or so. On this day I thought Diggle did particularly well with Pete’s vocals, and whilst there is an inevitable Pete-sized hole it was great to hear those classic Buzzcocks songs perforating the Sarf London air once again. With a dozen songs crammed in from the opener ‘What Do I Get?’ through the groovy ‘Why Can’t I Touch It’ it was my favourite Buzzcocks songs that touched my heart once again, ‘Promises’ and the set closer of ‘Harmony In My Head’ via ‘Ever Fallen In Love’ – Whilst I was happy for Steve to get such warm and rapturous applause I did let my mind wander and that Shelley void was so apparent but I’m sure he’d have looked down and been pleased for his old mates to still be carrying the torch loudly and with such passion and conviction. Easily some of the genre’s finest songs right there in the warm Capitol sunshineeee.

Right thick and fast it is as Rusty Egan spins a few discs before SLF join the party and to be fair they brought their A-game and threw out a set of bangers from start to finish. Burns announced early doors that he wasn’t going to rabbit on and instead was going to play as many songs as possible and true to his words it was something of a best of from ‘Tin Soldiers’ into ‘Nobody’s Hero’ and ‘Roots Radical’ there couldn’t have been anyone inside the park who could be disappointed with that hattrick of tunes.

With a cover of the Specials ‘Doesn’t Make It Alright’ placed in the middle of the set it was heads down and off we go as they peeled back the years for ‘At The Edge’ before signing off with a triumphant trio in ‘Gotta Getaway’, ‘Suspect Device’ and finally the anthemic ‘Alternative Ulster’ and their work was done. A crowd that could only have been happy with that set as they were rightly applauded off the stage.

Next up was the set from Generation Sex that a lot of people had high hopes for and when the four gentlemen ambled onto the stage and kicked off with ‘Pretty Vacant’ I thought Cook was his rock solid best and hasn’t aged for about 30 years. Stoking the fire in the engine room throughout the dozen songs. It was a delight to see a slimmed down Jonesy cranking out those riffs on his trusty Les Paul I have to say after ‘Ready Steady Go’ and ‘Wild Youth’ by the end of the set I thought it was the Gen X tunes that ruled the day. Idol singing from a teleprompter seemed a little unnesasery and it was distracting him from what he does best. It might have been nerves or wanting to give it his best, but, I wanted Idol to own the stage and prowl around snarling, sneering and fist punching his way through the tunes but he seemed a little held back which was a shame, thats just my feelings. Anyway, The band weren’t the tightest but who cares? It was a joy to hear those songs, be it ‘Black Leather’ or ‘Kiss Me Deadly’.

After a weird ‘Silly Thing’ maybe Jonesy should have taken the vocals it would have made sense. The highlight of the set for me was a stonking ‘King Rocker’ which to be fair obviously Idol was more comfortable singing his own songs and signing off with ‘Your Generation’ it was then Jonesy finally, got to crank out his signiture Chugg on ‘My Way’ through what has to be said was a crystal clear PA. All in all I was well happy with the set and great to see Jonesy looking and sounding so good. it was what it was punk rock royalty having a blast and kicking out some tunes they wrote many many moons ago. Under rehersed? so what. Sloppy? Fuckin’ right ! Quality? Absolutely.

Next up, Blondie. With a catalogue of hits, every man woman, and child knows the words to bar none. To be fair they’ve been clocking the air miles pretty hard this summer with festival appearances a plenty as well as headline shows all over the place. so, it was expected they would turn in the most polished set of the day on what was icon Debbie Harry’s Seventy Eigth Birthday! Take that in for a minute, and appreciate her brilliance. singing songs that go back almost half a fuckin’ century and still delivering them live without a safety net. She could easily phone in the vocals but that’s not how she’s ever rolled. Her body of work is unrivaled by most other bands who’ve been in the game for years and no doubt soundtracked many in attendance youth and beyond. I’ve seen the debates about phoning in performances from the likes of Guns N Roses to Blondie to anyone over the age of Fifty but I think those people are way off piste after watching how hard the band hit it and knock out a fourteen-track greatest Hits set for the umpteenth time this summer all over Europe and beyond. She’s 78 so why would I expect her to sound like she was in her twenties how many people do? anyway that’s a debate that will rage on and I very much doubt she or anyone else on this bill gives two flying ducks about and rightly so. ‘One Way Or Another’ a punchy ‘Call Me’ through ‘Will Anything Happen’ via the awesome rap in ‘Rapture’ the minutes were flying by as Blondie we’re on fine form and when you see them live you realise how many fantastic songs they have at their disposal with four times as many that its not possible to perform.

With it being Debbies Birthday it seems crazy to think I’ve had many of these songs in my ears since I was in junior school. Call it nostalgia or Blondie Lite without Chris Stein and the other original players but mainly Chris it’s still a thoroughly entertaining set of absolute smashers played by a top-tier band from the youth youth youth flanking the incredible ms Harry via the iconic keyboard licks and that’s not forgetting new signing Glen Matlock and the machine that is Clem Burke who, as it goes still has the best feather cut barnet in Rock n Roll and an unrivaled stamina. Fan-Bloody-tastic set.

Right, the sun is setting in the distance and we shuffle closer towards the stage for what will most likely be the last time many of us get to see Iggy on a stage in the UK. Something I’ve probably been overthinking for weeks, days, and hours. I’ve seen many Iggy shows in many venues and have never ever been disappointed. My first was the Instinct tour which I’ve reminisced over way too many times right up to the last Stooges reunion which was another moment in time to savor such was its spectacular soundtrack. This seventy-six-year-old man I’m waiting on still has the exuberance of a child and the energy of a herd of wildebeests outsmarting a street-walking cheetah looking for a meal. As the PA sparks into life and the band emerges from the shadows the show begins before Iggy rushes on stage and instantly he’s lost his shirt as ‘Five Foot One’ bursts into life and collides with ‘TV Eye’. This is already sounding epic with the addition of the brass section that was taking these songs to places I’d never imagined.

‘Modern Day Rip Off’ was the first new song to get aired as the audience seemed to generate a liquid-like state as it moved and swayed to the rhythm as the brutal ‘Raw Power’ was only slowed in its tracks by ‘Gimme Danger’. Once again Iggy has assembled an incredible band and a special mention has to go to the rhythm section who absolutely nailed it sending shivers down my spine as the dry ice wafted into the darkening south London sky.

I suppose there have to be the expected songs played such as the ‘Passenger’ and ‘Lust For Life’ get aired before the first curve ball of ‘Endless Sea’ lets Iggy take five and perch himself on the wedge whilst he reenergizes for ‘Death Trip’. The set was motoring on and I was trying to savor every second whilst trying to shut out the age debate I had nagging in my head just as Iggy fell to the floor and began barking at the excited crowd which could only mean ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ was up next again with the inclusion of the horns it was a stroke of genius before ‘Search And Destroy’ sent some insane.

Encore already? Damn, I don’t want this to end as Iggy hit the cruise button, and ‘Mass Production’ followed by the epic ‘Nightclubbing’ was dispatched. Hell, the clock was ticking to curfew so it was ‘Down On The Street’ followed by the sleazy giant that is ‘Loose’ and I think I had a spec of dust in my eye as I headed towards the exit to catch the finale of ‘Every Losers’ opening shot of Fuck You that this man has done for over fifty years. There seems little sign of him “taking it easy” and to think he’d phone in a performance is blasphemy ‘Frenzy’ was the best way to sign off a fantastic day of music from some of the genre’s finest bands, with a songbook that won’t be bettered anywhere in London over this manic weekend or any other to be fair Dog Day Afternoon was a spectacle I was proud to say I was there and if I never have the pleasure of seeing most of these performers again it was an absolute pleasure and never ever a chore.

Author: Johnny Hayward & Dominic Daley

Rebellion Festival – Blackpool, Winter Gardens – 4th-7th August 2022

Rebellion Festival – Blackpool, Winter Gardens – 4th-7th August 2022

Sunday

Is it really Sunday already? We’re only just warming up. Having taken a measured approach to this years post covid proceedings we’ve reached the final day and our party of scribes have eased back on the beers and late nights and are raring to go for one last push.

After another of those exceptional breakfasts, it was straight into the Arena to catch the excellent Thee Acid Tongue hoping that the sound we had witnessed for The Chisel was an isolated incident but sadly once again it was volume over any definition and it really hindered front of house sound. Gone was any subtlety in the guitar sound and it was almost a single low-end blast with the vocal becoming an ear-shattering hum which is such a shame because there were five of us hoping to catch the band live for the first time all agreeing that the sound did them dirty. Note to self (please can they play next year with a good mix – thank you) The band clearly had energy in their performance and if they had a good onstage mix it wasn’t the case out front – shame that because they have some really top tunes so I’d love to have to opportunity to watch them next year on the Pavillion stage chopping out those top tunes they have.

Whilst mulling over the sound in the Arena we headed to the Casbah for some of The Insane at the Casbah where they were playing their first gig in 40 years and the track ‘El Salvidor’ stood out next to their cover of the classic ‘Chinese Rocks’ now every year we like to predict how many bands soundcheck their guitars to the opening riff of ‘Sonic Reducer and how often we get to hear it played this year we had to wait until the final day to hear it even once which must show how the festival is evolving and talking of evolving we now head back to the Literary stage for some chatter that matters and another unique feature of Rebellion.

That was half twelve mid-day but we’re not going to moan about it (too much) we have a busy schedule and we’re onto the next. The Literary stage for some Jeff ‘Stinky’ Turner and his no hold barred stand up. In the brand new conference center that housed the art displays and a moving wall of remembrance, it was also kitted out for interviews and stand up which is where we found ourselves along with plenty of others. With not a single spare seat Turner was to talk us through the life and crimes of a Reject and his firm of equally unhinged nutters. Now, the lead throat of The Cockney Rejects Jeff Turner has wandered through life ducking and diving and along the way upset and been loved by equal amounts of people I’d imagine. I found myself giggling and belly laughing as he doesn’t hold back regaling us with horror stories of touring with the Rejects and growing up in the East End and along the way dismantles many celebrities along the way mainly for faking it and not being stand-up people if you’ve not seen Stand up and be counted then I suggest you do so, partly as a cautionary tale and partly because Jeff is a funny guy and I’m sure he would forgive me for saying this but I find myself laughing with and at him, what a life! He’s honest and keeps it real and when talking about his beloved ‘ammers he chokes back the tears which was wonderful to see and hear as the real human side came out but obviously I can’t condone some of his more violent stories but it was what it was and Jeff owned his darker side along with his warm and caring side which also came through. To be honest the literary stage was packed with awesome turns today from Billy Bragg and Alvin Gibbs to Stuart Pearce the footballer , Steve Diggle and Tom Robinson its a shame I couldn’t stay here all day it would have been fascinating and another wonderful side to this festival that makes it so unique.

Where was I? oh yeah, damn you Jeff Turner making me laugh meant I missed my visit to the pavilion to watch The DeRellas who went down a storm from a few people we spoke to who attended the performance which didn’t help. So many things to see so little time and soooo many clashes.

Anyway, where was I? Our schedule was now in the bin as choosing between who to see and where we were supposed to be was now futile so I missed the almost acoustic performance from Dave Sharp interviews with Alvin Gibbs and Steve Diggle. Buzzcocks outside at R Fest and The Avengers in the Empress. it was time to assess who what where and when so it was Chelsea in the Empress as Gene led the band through a solid set kicking off with a sprightly ‘Evacuate’ and an impressive ‘War Across The Nation’ before finishing the set with the classic ‘Right To Work’. We then maneuver ourselves across the Winter Gardens for former Misfit Doyle who is in the Casbah and was also the first act to take twenty minutes to get onstage which was disappointing. It was a well-choreographed thrash fest from the former misfit and his band who did the whole punk/metal thing as well as expected with frontman Alex Story prowling the stage like a madman helping pass half an hour before we headed back to the Empress for the mighty UK Subs.

It was now the final straight for us this year and we nestled ourselves down the front to witness another fantastic set from Charlie and the boys. They treated the packed Empress to a tight – no fuss – zero bullshit, rapid best-of set that took in UK Subs classics such as ‘I Live In A Car’, ‘Down On The Farm’, and the sing-a-long that has become the subs anthem ‘Warhead’. It’s been a while and the Subs are masters of playing Rebellion and what is required of the established bands and their back catalogue.

There were a few moments during the set that encompassed everything that is held special about the band where crowd surfers caught the eye of Alvin, Carlie, and Steven and it seemed to spur them on and raise the already volcanic temperature even higher creating one of those moments and Charlie fuckin up the lyrics here and there much to the amusement of Steven and Alvin its these glimpses into a world where Charlie has sung ‘Barbies Dead’, ‘Limo Life’ and ‘Emotional Blackmail’ a bazillion times yet caught in the moment it can and does happen. The Subs have become something of an institution and Rebellion stalwarts deserving of their elevation up the bill and on the biggest stage. Tonight they were fantastic, they gave the fans exactly what they wanted and some and provided a real weekend highlight for me -long live the UK Subs.

We decided to zig-zag our way back to the Casbah to catch NYC hardcore legends the Cro-Mags for their set but without John Jospeh I can’t help but feel the intensity and performance was missing something. With him prowling the lip of the stage leaving Flanigan to get on with what he does would have been something to behold. However, the set kicked off with a thunderous ‘We Gotta Know’ and that intensity was raised for ’20/20′ but it was a ten-song set that featured four tracks from the classic ‘Age Of Quarrel’ album. It was great to catch them finally. Get em back in the Arena (with a good sound) alongside Sick Of It All, Bloodclot, Stigma and Agnostic Front and I’ll get in training right now, that would be insane. If only eh Hardcore fans?

Right, this was it one final hurrah! Empress Ballroom for Stiff Little Fingers then the hell outta dodge and the nine-hour bus trip from hell home haha! Again the Empress is packed to the rafters for this performance and again SLF didn’t disappoint. Covid might have delayed and derailed their anniversary celebrations but tonight the band was determined to make up for those lost couple of years and the Empress was about to join them for a huge celebration. Opening with the awesome ‘Suspect Device’ followed by ‘At The Edge’ this was shaping up to be an awesome set already. No bullshit nor fucking about it was down to business and hit after hit rattled off the balcony and around this cavernous and beautiful venue. ‘Nobody’s Hero’ followed by ‘Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae’ sounded fresh and as we headed through ‘Strummerville’ towards ‘Gotta Getawy’ it was time for the no-encore encore and a final salvo of ‘Tin soldiers’ followed by ‘Alternative Ulster’ and the band left the stage to rapturous applause and another fantastic Rebellion Festival set. Me I was soaked through and done. My body battery was registering extreme lows and another year was over and an exceptional four days of friends, fun, fantastic music, and everything besides was locked into the goldfish-like memory bank. We discussed highlights of which there were many, regrets of bands we missed and simply couldn’t see, and discussed next year’s wish lists of who should be added to what still is the best punk and alternative festival on the planet. Adios amigos same time same place next Year? Fuckin’ right it is…

If I could be so bold and suggest some bands for next year I’d love to see a return of Clowns from Australia and whilst their at it maybe pack a flight from down under and get Grindhouse, Civic, Stiff Richards, the cosmic Psychos, Coffin on board just for good measure. I’d also get The Lords Of The New Church with Michael Monroe into headline one night there are a plethora of great UK bands we need to see play from The Hip Priest, Deathtraps, Black Bombers, Continental Lovers and Rough Gutts to some from the States like Wyldlife from NYC, Guerilla Teens and about a hundred more I could name but maybe some will be entertained and make Rebellion 2023 better than this year’s event. So without further waffle RPM Online would like to Thank Rebellion Festivals for what must be a terrifying experience yet equally rewarding, James Sherry @ Division PR, Stu Taylor at the Rebellion merch table and all those who put in the hard yards behind the scene and of course all the bands, stall holders and staff at Winter Gardens & R Fest for another truly unique yet excellent festival. Oh, and before I forget, to my traveling companions and roommates for looking after me and making it such a great time, again. Love you long time…respect!

Why not buy tickets for 2023 and come join us by the seaside beside the sea Here

REBELLION FESTIVAL 2021 CANCELLED

REBELLION FESTIVAL 2021 CANCELLED

 I guess it was edging ever closer so a decision had to be made sooner rather than later but every cloud has a silver lining and get your diary out and pencil at the ready.

REBELLION FESTIVAL 2021 CANCELLED

 

NO INSURANCE, NO GUIDELINES, NO GUARANTEES, NO RE-ENTRY = NO FESTIVAL!

FESTIVAL CONFIRMED TO RETURN 2022 AUGUST 4TH – 7TH AT THE WINTER GARDENS, BLACKPOOL

www.rebellionfestivals.com

 

 

This time last year the organisers of Rebellion, the world’s largest punk festival, were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to cancel the four-day event due to the global pandemic. A year on and the dedicated Rebellion team are absolutely devastated to confirm that yet again, the hugely-anticipated event, due to take place this coming August 6th – 9th with legendary artists such as Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, The Undertones, Tom Robinson and Stiff Little Fingers, at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool, is no longer able to go ahead.

Despite the intention, desire and willingness of Rebellion, the venue, the bands and the local businesses for this year to go ahead, it has become increasingly clear that due to circumstances beyond the festival’s control, it can’t. With no clear guidelines from the government in terms of insurance, guarantees, policies on re-entry, testing and potential vaccine passports, the festival simply can’t go ahead.

Rebellion has been open and transparent throughout this pandemic and were hopeful (but cautious) about this year but required a few essential things to be confirmed for the event to go head. The feeling is that music festivals are being ‘timed out’. No one is saying they CAN’T go ahead, but nothing is in place yet that means they CAN either. That is why the last few weeks have seen many independent festivals take the tough decision to cancel.

All of this, combined with the ongoing global travel restrictions means that Rebellion would not be able to put on the event that they desire, and their audience expects. The Rebellion family is global. Around a third of the people that attend are from overseas and with no touring bands (many agents and bands from overseas have pulled their European tours and rescheduled them for 2022), it would simply not be the festival that Rebellion wanted to stage.

But there is some good news. Rebellion 2021 has been moved to 2022. Both 2020 and 2021 tickets will roll over to 2022. For those of you wanting a refund, visit the website where full details are published. All day tickets will be refunded automatically.

REBELLION 2022 is 4th – 7th August. So put that in your diary! Some surprise headliners have already been confirmed, plus many reconfirmed that were due to play this year. And don’t get rid of your hotel or B&B bookings for this year just yet as there is still hope that some kind of scaled back event this year is possible. Watch this space.

Tickets for 2022 will go on sale on Monday August 9th.

The RETURN OF REBELLION 2022 is going to be massive! The exciting news is the council have agreed for the festival to have the area of the promenade right in front of Blackpool Tower (Tower Headland, on the ‘comedy carpet’). This is an amazing space for an outdoor stage. A straight walk down from the Winter Gardens. Rebellion can double the capacity with this area and have some fantastic plans to make both sites amazing.

To better times. And a colossal Rebellion 2022!

 

For full statement read here: www.rebellionfestivals/news  Head to www.rebellionfestivals.com for more information.

 

Twitter: @rebellionfest  Facebook:  Facebook

 

 

SLF – Exclusive limited edition t-shirts – all profits will go in aid of the band’s crew

SLF – Exclusive limited edition t-shirts – all profits will go in aid of the band’s crew

The year 2020 will be forever imprinted in our memories as the year live music stopped. An abrupt and dramatic halt which saw band cancelling shows whilst on the road and postponing entire tours to the following year.

Aside from the bands themselves, the covid-19 pandemic affected and continues to affect tour crews. And at this point perennial punk rockers STIFF LITTLE FINGERS show their support and respect their road members with an incredible initiative. The band launched an exclusive limited edition “Crew Support” t-shirt which is available through the band website here. 100% of profits from the sales will be given to their road crew to help them during these unprecedented times until they can get back on the road.

Jake Burns comments: “Three dates into the usual U.K. March tour, the coronavirus impacted not just that, but the whole world. Initially, we thought this would keep us off the road for a couple of months at most. However, as we all know now, SLF will not be playing any shows until 2021 at the earliest. Obviously that is a blow to us as we now face a year with no real income, but we are not the only four impacted by this. Our tireless road crew also has an uncertain year ahead. When SLF aren’t touring these guys work with other bands. But when NOBODY is touring…well, you can work that one out. So we came up with this great looking t-shirt to raise some much-needed cash for them to help during the pandemic. It’s a variation on both the “SLF 2020 Vision Tour” and “SLF Barrowland” shirts and features the crew on the front. Every penny of profit will go to the crew members and you get a smart looking and unique shirt. Win-win!”

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS recently announced their 2021 March tour, full dates below:

The March 2020 dates only had 3 shows completed (Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham) before the Covid 19 live show ban took hold and the remaining shows from this year’s tickets will remain valid for the 2021 dates.  The band have added new Bristol, Cardiff & Birmingham dates with tickets available via the links below.

The full March 2021 schedule is as follows::

Thursday 4thMarch 2021                   Bristol, O2 Academy
Friday 5thMarch 2021                        Cardiff, Great Hall
Saturday 6thMarch 2021                    Birmingham, O2 Academy
Monday 8thMarch 2021                     Portsmouth, Pyramids
Tuesday 9thMarch 2021                     Northampton, Roadmenders
Wednesday 10thMarch 2021             Norwich, Waterfront 
Friday 12thMarch 2021                      Newcastle, O2 Academy
Saturday 13thMarch 2021                  Leeds, O2 Academy
Sunday 14thMarch 2021                    Nottingham, Rock City
Tuesday 16thMarch 2021                   Troon, Concert Hall
Wednesday 17thMarch 2021             Glasgow, Barrowland
Friday 19thMarch 2021                      Manchester, Academy
Saturday 20thMarch 2021                  London, Roundhouse

Tickets available from the following links:
Tour: Tickets

The following shows are on sale from 10am Friday June 26th2020
Bristol / Cardiff / Birmingham

Special Guests on all shows with be THE PROFESSIONALS and TV SMITH with NEVILLE STAPLE BAND as Special Guests in London Only.

Stiff little Fingers March UK tour plus full support

Stiff little Fingers March UK tour plus full support

Legendary Northern Irish punk rock act Stiff Little Fingers are delighted to announce a full UK tour in March 2020 – The 2020 Tour.

The tour will see the band play their 29th consecutive Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom St. Patrick’s Day show as part of their traditional March tour. The band also headline London’s Roundhouse to end the 13-date run.

All the dates will feature support from The Professionals and TV Smith.

The full tour dates are as follows:
Thursday 12thMarch 2020                               Bristol, O2 Academy
Friday 13thMarch 2020                                     Cardiff, Great Hall
Saturday 14thMarch 2020                               Birmingham, O2 Academy
Monday 16thMarch 2020                                Norwich, UEA
Tuesday 17thMarch 2020                                 Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom
Thursday 19thMarch 2020                               Troon, Concert Hall
Friday 20thMarch 2020                                     Newcastle, O2 Academy
Saturday 21stMarch 2020                                Leeds, O2 Academy
Monday 23rdMarch 2020                                Northampton, Roadmenders
Tuesday 24thMarch 2020                                 Nottingham, Rock City
Thursday 26thMarch 2020                               Portsmouth, Pyramids   
Friday 27thMarch 2020                                     Manchester, Academy
Saturday 28thMarch 2020                               London, Roundhouse

Tickets are available from www.slf.rocks

In addition to the dates announcement Stiff Little Fingers have just put out two special ‘Virtual Reality’ videos filmed with a 360 degree camera attached to the drum kit, from this years “Putting the Fast In Belfast 3” show in August. This gives the user, via their mobile viewing device or computer, the option to view whatever part of the stage and or band member they so wish via movement of the viewing device or via a mouse or pointing tool. The two tracks are their iconic punk anthems “Alternative Ulster” and “Tin Soldiers” 

Stiff Little Fingers have been incredibly active in recent years, playing some prestigious live shows, including three years of headline sold-out hometown performance in Belfast’s Custom House Square; London’s Hyde Park British Summer Time concert with Green Day; the 28th traditional St. Patrick’s Day sold-out show at Glasgow iconic venue Barrowland Ballroom.

In addition to the live performances, the past five years saw Stiff Little Fingers release two records: their tenth studio album “No Going Back” in 2014, which showcases a band at the height of their powers, still able to capture the heart of the listeners with relevant topics and honest sound, reaching #1 in the UK charts; and a live album “Best Served Loud – Live At The Barrowlands” in 2017, which immortalises Stiff Little Fingers’ epic performance at their annual St. Patrick’s Day show.

Formed in 1977 in Belfast Stiff Little Fingers were among the pioneers of punk rock. Joining ranks with the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Damned, Buzzcocks, and Undertones they brought in a new era of music and they’re still keeping that spirit alive 42 years on!

www.slf.rocks  / www.facebook.com/StiffLittleFingers  / www.twitter.com/RigidDigits

Stiff Little Fingers are delighted to announce a full UK tour in March 2020

Stiff Little Fingers are delighted to announce a full UK tour in March 2020

Legendary Northern Irish punk rock act Stiff Little Fingers are delighted to announce a full UK tour in March 2020 – The 2020 Tour.

The tour will see the band play their29th consecutive Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom St. Patrick’s Day show as part of their traditional March tour. The band also headline London’s Roundhouse to end the 13-date run.

All the dates will feature support from The Professionals and TV Smith. The Roundhouse show only will also feature a very special guest slot from the Neville Staple Band. With an iconic career of over 40 years, Stiff Little Fingers remain as vital as ever.

The full tour dates are as follows:
Thursday 12thMarch 2020                               Bristol, O2 Academy
Friday 13thMarch 2020                                     Cardiff, Great Hall
Saturday 14thMarch 2020                               Birmingham, O2 Academy
Monday 16thMarch 2020                                Norwich, UEA
Tuesday 17thMarch 2020                                 Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom
Thursday 19thMarch 2020                               Troon, Concert Hall
Friday 20thMarch 2020                                     Newcastle, O2 Academy
Saturday 21stMarch 2020                                Leeds, O2 Academy
Monday 23rdMarch 2020                                Northampton, Roadmenders
Tuesday 24thMarch 2020                                 Nottingham, Rock City
Thursday 26thMarch 2020                               Portsmouth, Pyramids   
Friday 27thMarch 2020                                     Manchester, Academy
Saturday 28thMarch 2020                               London, Roundhouse

Tickets are available from www.slf.rocks

In addition to the dates announcement Stiff Little Fingershave just put out two special ‘Virtual Reality’ videos filmed with a 360 degree camera attached to the drum kit, from this years “Putting the Fast In Belfast 3” show in August. This gives the user, via their mobile viewing device or computer, the option to view whatever part of the stage and or band member they so wish via movement of the viewing device or via a mouse or pointing tool. The two tracks are their iconic punk anthems “Alternative Ulster” and “Tin Soldiers” available via the links below and on the bands own YouTube Page.

 

Stiff Little Fingers have been incredibly active in recent years, playing some prestigious live shows, including: three years of headline sold-out hometown performance in Belfast’s Custom House Square; London’s Hyde Park British Summer Time concert with Green Day; the 28th traditional St. Patrick’s Day sold-out show at Glasgow iconic venue Barrowland Ballroom.

In addition to the live performances, the past five years saw Stiff Little Fingers release two records: their tenth studio album “No Going Back” in 2014, which showcases a band at the height of their powers, still able to capture the heart of the listeners with relevant topics and honest sound, reaching #1 in the UK charts; and a live album “Best Served Loud – Live At The Barrowlands” in 2017, which immortalises Stiff Little Fingers’ epic performance at their annual St. Patrick’s Day show.

Formed in 1977 in Belfast Stiff Little Fingers were among the pioneers of punk rock. Joining ranks with the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Damned, Buzzcocks, and Undertones they brought in a new era of music and they’re still keeping that spirit alive 42 years on!

www.slf.rocks  / www.facebook.com/StiffLittleFingers  / www.twitter.com/RigidDigits

Band picture credit to :  Bernie Mcallister

Black Heart Breakers – Rotting Out (Self Release)

Black Heart Breakers – Rotting Out (Self Release)

Dom Daley.

Australian rock and rollers are back in their corner taking another swing

Australia has got a fine pedigree for making top-notch punk rock n roll from the saints through Radio Birdman and more recently The Chats, Amyl & The Sniffers and who can ignore Main Street Brats and Living End and Cosmic Psychos.  Well kids add Black Heart Breakers to that list as their coming of age release is with us.  Rotting Out might only have six tunes on it but they are the best the band have written so far and show a quality of songwriting they’ve not displayed thus far and I’m somebody who liked what they’ve done before when I say liked I loved it.

Having knuckled down and earned their stripes by playing shows with the likes of Radio Birdman this Sydney four-piece have stepped up a notch and deserve your ears for what amasses to six songs in sixteen minutes and within those sixteen minutes, they capture some real genuine magic.  They marry some classic influences and make something that isn’t just a copy but have moulded their influences into something they can claim to be their own which isn’t something that every band achieves and isn’t easy to do.

‘Why Not Me’ starts with a thunderous bass and floor tom work out that harnesses some pace and aggression as we hurtle to the gang vocals that the likes of the Living End have made a living off.  The production is sharp and sympathetic to the passion that is obvious to anyone listening.  It’s great to hear a band firing on all cylinders straight out of the blocks and if this slab of punk rock and roll is an indication of what’s to come then play on!

The band has made no secrets of loving the Ramones and to be honest there might not be enough bands out there that hold dear the melodies that Da Brothers used to hack out but Black Heart Breakers understand this and thrive off it. ‘Melody’ might be about a young lady but if she’s listening then she’s gonna be one happy lady because this is excellent. The playing is noticeably better than anything they’ve done before as ‘Angels Take Me’ has some sumptuous basslines rolling through its melodic sub-three minutes of punk rock.

Had someone like Green Day released ‘Save Me’ people would be drooling over it and the gang vocals I bet are great live and having one converse foot firmly planted in Dee Dee’s lyric book it’s all good now let’s go Hey Ho!. But the best is coming over the horizon as ‘Burning Out’ introduces a horn section and as I raise an eyebrow as soon as the first toots hit my speakers I’m sold.  This is the finest few minutes that Hayden and the boys have had so far.  What a song! The breakdown is Clash-tastic and I mean that as a badge of honour and in no way a bad thing.  Fantastic track.

To take this mini album home ‘Giving Up’ is a laid-back tune about friendship that builds and builds sure it’s been done a million times but if the song works then do it and this works a treat.  I love the rolling drums on the build-up to the chorus and the solo is on fire! Tres bien boys tres bien.  One of the most rounded and best mini albums I’ve heard all year. Check out Black Heart Breakers because the world needs youngsters like these they make old men like me fall in love with music over and over again. Cheers!

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