LA’s Bad Cop/Bad Cop unleashed ‘Warriors’ this time last year and it was an album which almost never saw the light of day. (Too much) partying and various other issues reared their ugly heads, as can sometimes happen in the world of punk, so it’s particularly enthralling to see such a fabulous release emerge (largely) unscathed on the other side. It’s wall-to-wall anthems, even when the band drop the tempo. If you’re unfamiliar with Bad Cop/Bad Cop, we strongly suggest you allow them to be your greatest festival discovery.
Revenge of the Psychotronic Man
The perennial underdogs who have flung themselves face first into every beer-soaked punk lineup which would have them over the past decade. Unfortunately, as we move towards December we also move towards their premature demise as the band plan to head out with (what else?) a punk rock all-dayer in their hometown of Manchester. Before they finally put down their guitars, make sure you're there for one last human pyramid.
IDLES
One of the decade’s most unexpected success stories, IDLES have burst from relative obscurity to selling out venues they were supporting in less than a year ago. Then again, that’s what being one of Britain’s greatest living live acts will do for you we suppose. As they barrel towards the release of their second album, it’s thrilling to see that the new material sounds like it might even top their inimitable debut. Fast, furious and intense; this is one set you really can’t afford to miss.
Aerial Salad
Another Manchester special, the boys from Aerial Salad served up ‘Roach’ last year and it’s a thrusting, raging explosion of energy, angst and partying. As with all the best bands, they manage to steal creatively; using their own punk rock influences to build something entirely unique. Aerial Salad are undoubtedly a band who will be bothering the Rebellion Festival line-up for many years to come and we strongly suggest you indulge sooner rather than later.
The Menzingers
The best thing to come out of Scranton, Pennsylvania since Michael Scott, The Menzingers are steadily unleashing an album every two years and, like a fine wine, their material is getting better with age. Last year’s ‘After The Party’ saw them successfully straddle the more aggressive intentions of their early material while breaking new melodic ground elsewhere. The biggest surprise about The Menzingers is quite simply that they’re not already playing to tens of thousands.
Rebellion Festival remains one of the best value events the UK has to offer. Tickets are available now and you can buy them from the festival website - www.rebellionfestivals.com/tickets