Adam Ant to make Rebellion debut as seaside festival hits 30

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of punk music, and once again the Rebellion line-up reads like a who’s who of punk, bringing together hundreds of acts from punk’s various eras.

The festival runs from Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9. But for the first time there will be additional events – the Rebellion Run Up on Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday August 5 which will also being a host of must-see names.

Adam Ant, the Undertones and Altered Images fronted by Clare Grogan will be playing on the Tuesday and Neville Staples, Death of Guitar Pop and Arthur Kay and the Originals are confirmed for the Wednesday.

As for the official festival, The Stranglers provide the opening day headline act.

And Jimmy Pursey’s Sham 69, who penned the anthem Hersham Boys, have landed top billing on Friday.

German punk giants Die Toten Hosen play on Saturday with 999, Spizz Energi and The Skids.

Burnley’s Notsensibles, performing a rare live show, are also confirmed to play on Saturday at the Winter Gardens.

Belfast’s Stiff Little Fingers, whose first album Inflammable Material, a punk classic, was recorded to the backdrop of the Troubles and sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, are Sunday’s headliners.

When released in 1979, Adam and the Ants debut album Dirk Wears White Sox was hailed as one of post punk’s most original works.

Adam Ant later enjoyed huge commercial pop success with hit singles Prince Charming, Stand and Deliver and Kings of the Wild Frontier.

“Adam and the Ants were my band, my big obsession as a teenager,” recalled Jennie Russell-Smith, the co-founder of Rebellion.

“I was 13 and had Adam and the Ants posters all over my bedroom wall.

“I remember my dad taking me on the bus to Middlesbrough to buy Dirk Wears White Sox.

“The excitement of hearing songs like Car Trouble and Never Trust a Man (with egg on his face) did change my life and I found other new music through that album.

“The funny thing is I’ve never seen Adam play live so I thought ‘Wow’ it would be amazing to try and get him to play Rebellion for our big anniversary.

“When we got in touch, he loved the idea and straight away Adam Ant wanted to be part of it.

“He was one of the first acts to say yes.”

Jennie added: “It is a dream come true and I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally see Adam play.

“He said he is going to delve into the back catalogue and play some tracks from Dirk Wears White Sox so I think it will be a hard-edged set with all the hits too.

“I can’t wait.”

With all four days of the main festival having sold out Adam Ant will kick-start the punk jamboree on Tuesday August 4, with support from The Undertones and Altered Images.

Adam Ant (Picture: rockstarimages.co.uk)

“I’m so proud of what Rebellion has become, the creativity of it, the fun and what it means to so many people,” said Jennie.

“This year we’ve even got a punk tea-room.

“When I moved house, I sorted out my best China so anybody having a cuppa at Rebellion will probably be drinking out of my teacups.”

Jennie adds: “I was 27 when we staged the first Rebellion in Blackpool and it was carnage; absolute mayhem.

“It is a lot more serene now but importantly it is not just a retrospective festival.

“In the last four to five years the younger generation have embraced Rebellion too and given it even more vibrancy and excitement.

“There are amazing young bands like Idles and Wolf Alice and some of today’s generation have found Rebellion because those bands have referenced punk.

“To see the old bands still performing at Rebellion alongside some of the most talented musicians of the next generation is so special.”

Clare Grogan of Altered Images

Rebellion remains a fiercely independent festival with no sponsorship and Jenny says it feels like welcoming close friends when the Rebellion doors swing open each year.

“It does feel like that, yes,” she says.

“Some people come alone, some with friends but they all know how kind and good-natured the atmosphere at Rebellion is.

“Both Darren (festival co-founder) and me can now say we’ve been running this festival for over half of our lives, but it’s what we love.

“Punk was never dead because here we are, still living our dreams.”

For more information about who’s playing when and tickets, visit www.rebellionfestivals.com