The Rebellion Festival is a curiously addictive beast. A full on four-day indoor Punk and alternative Festival held in the grandiose surroundings of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, traditionally in the first weekend of August. It draws punters and bands from all four corners of the globe. The Rebellion vibe is relaxed, friendly and organically independent without a hint of aggression. So let’s lubricate those appetites with a preview of Britain’s greatest music festival, bar none.
Where.
Rebellion 2019 takes place at The Winter Gardens, Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 1HL.
When.
Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th of August.
Numbers.
Up to ten thousand people per day.
Getting there.
Blackpool is/was one of Britan’s best-loved seaside resorts so it has excellent public transport links and is easily accessible by land sea or air. (The closest major airports are Manchester or Liverpool.)
Parking close to the Winter Gardens can be expensive but free on the outskirts of town and if you’re staying for the weekend most B&B’s and Hotels have there own Car park or spaces.
*Tip* If travelling by Train then book your journey early for the cheapest advance saver deals, like now.
Tickets.
Weekend tickets are now £170 (plus fees), with day tickets coming in at £65 (plus fees). Individual day tickets are usually available on the day, expect to pay £70.00 cash on the door. Rebellion also offers a payment plan for those wishing to spread the cost over a period of time. Those who took advantage of the early bird options for 2019 paid as little as £145 for the full four days.
The wristband exchange is open from 10 am Thursday-Sunday and also on Weds from 1-7 pm.
When you collect your wristband you’ll receive a free programme with all the running times and also a handy pocket-sized stage & times guide.
*Tips* Saturday sees Rebellion favourites Cock Sparrer headling this will sell out so if you’re just coming for Sparrer buy in advance and direct.
Sunday has Punk legends The Damned performing the seminal ‘Machine Gun Etiquette’ album in full as well as The Skids co-headlining, so again, this will undoubtedly be close to capacity.
*Tips* Avoid paying fees on your tickets by, wait for it, sending a cheque or postal order to Rebellion direct. Details from the link at the bottom of this article!
A limited amount of weekend tickets for 2020 will be on sale at the box office at 2019’s early bird prices.
Stages.
There are numerous stages at Rebellion including The Empress Ballroom, The Casbah, The Arena, The Opera House, Almost Acoustic & Introducing Stage. All the stages are no more than a minute or two apart.
Food & drink.
Inside the venue, there are bars in every performance space, literally everywhere and you’ll pay £4 a pint. You’ll rarely have to queue but if it is rammed head up to the Art exhibition bar which is always quiet and offers the chance to take your foot off the gas. The pubs around the Winter Gardens tend to be cheaper and they also embrace the influx of Mohawks with many playing Punk tunes throughout the day and just being incredibly welcoming.
There is a decent sit-down restaurant in the Winter Gardens which serves meals all day as well as the pit stop type Pie & Mash & hot dog stalls plus a buffet serving some great baps ‘n’ rolls, ideal for soaking up those fizzy pints. If you manage to find yourself in the backstage/artist area its only vegetarian/vegan food available. The Winter Gardens in bang smack in the middle of Blackpool and is surrounded by a plethora of eating and drinking establishments. Including the usual high street chains Pizza Hut, Bella Italia, Mcdonalds, Marks & Spencers cafe and Pizza Express. Also, you can’t beat 2 am seafront chips and curry sauce!
*Tips* Just around the corner from The Winter Gardens is the Piazza Italia restaurant which is always popular and generally busy. Great home cooked Italian food and Morretti on tap…perfect.
M&S has great toilets.
Free drinking water is available throughout the Winter gardens so keep hydrated.
Accommodation.
Blackpool has hundreds of B&B’s of varying quality and price. Hotel wise there are a few chains such as Ibis, Hilton and Premier Inn.
*Tip* Much like Train travel book early for the best deals.
Merchandise.
Rebellion has it’s famous horseshoe stall area which arches around the Winter Gardens. Here you can buy T-shirts, records, posters, memorabilia, books, magazines and some wonderfully independent and eclectic clothing. Many bands man their own stalls, so if you’re a selfie or autograph type of a person it’s here you’ll bump into the bands.
Upstairs in the Spanish rooms, The Rebellion Art Fair always does a bristling trade with many well-known performers such as Charlie Harper (UK Subs) and Knox (The Vibrators) showing off their artistic wares. Rebellion has it’s own stall at the front of the horseshoe with event T-shirts setting you back between £15-17. There will be cheaper looking bootlegs outside, £10-ish but for the extra fiver try to support the Festival.
*Tips*
If you strapped for cash and want/need a T-shirt or spill Guinness down your shirt the Rebellion stall normally has previous years T-Shirts available at a knockdown price.
If you’re interested in buying some art go to the exhibition early as many pieces sell extremely quickly and are one-off’s.
What to wear?
Whatever you want, literally. Rebellion is an indoor festival so no need to pack your waterproofs.
*Tip* Pack some pocket-sized wet wipes, just saying.
Timings.
When arriving at Rebellion you’ll need to exchange your ticket for a wristband. Doors open at 11 am on Thursday and 12 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Last entry is usually midnight. The last band is normally on between 12-1 am accept on Sunday when Rebellion finishes slightly earlier.
Stage times/splits are released a month or so before so check Rebellion social media and the link at the bottom of this page.
On Thursday morning there will be a queue so if possible plan ahead and get there in plenty of time. Wristband exchange is open from 10 am Thursday-Sunday and also on Weds between 1-7 pm.
*Tip* The acoustic stage is always busy so if there is a band/performer you want to see grab a seat early. Oh and Max Splodges 12 ‘o’ clock Bingo is a must!
Guy’s five bands to see each day. (It’s only an opinion!)
Thursday.
Descendants, Queen Zee, Poison Idea, Bar Stool Preachers and Spear Of Destiny.
Friday.
UK Subs, Interrobang, Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions, The Stranglers and Ruts D.C.
Saturday.
Cock Sparrer, The Godfathers, Guida, Wonk Unit and Walter Lure’s LAMF.
Sunday.
The Skids, The Damned, The Professionals, Hands Of Gretal and Surgery Without Research.
One of the many brilliant things about Rebellion is once inside your never more than two minutes from a stage, bar or bathroom. You are free to check out all the bands, some you may never have heard of or are just curious about along with the more established headliners.
*Tip* The Empress Ballroom will be rammed for both Cock Sparrer & UK Subs so get in early for a decent vantage spot.
In conclusion.
The four days will fly by and before you know it you’ll be checking hotel prices, work rosters, timetables and Rebellion’s Facebook page for next years line-up.For more Rebellion Information including ticket links, merchandise, stage times and up to the minute festival news go to http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/