While Silent Radio is a predominantly Manchester-based website, we are always delighted to champion events happening in the wider north-west of England. The weekend of 8-10 August sees the focus shifting to central and north Lancashire with two contrasting festivals taking place: one newish, one long established.
The new contender is Preston Pop Fest which makes its second appearance. The key word missing from the title is indie. Its definition of pop is of the C86 variety. Spread across a variety of venues (The Continental, The Ferret and Blitz), it includes some recently returning heavy hitters such as The Man From Delmonte, Bradford, The Yummy Fur, Jasmine Minks and The Room. Recent Riley and Coe stalwarts in the shape of British Birds, The Cords and Sassyhiya add some pizzazz, along with local favourites Ginnel and Uhr. Silent Radio favourite David Lance Callahan will be providing his perceptive words and distinctive tunings to proceedings. Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian will be interviewed by Jerry Thackray at Vinyl Tap about his new novel as part of a book signing event.
Starting a day earlier, the long-established Rebellion Festival will be taking place in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens. Since its inception in 1996 as Holidays in the Sun, it has gained an increasing reputation for attracting all the biggest names in punk together with plenty of interesting offshoots. Headlining this year are Public Image Ltd and The Damned, together with many other acts including Peter Hook & The Light, Circle Jerks, Ruts DC, Jim Jones Allstars, The Lovely Eggs, Wreckless Eric, Hugh Cornwell, The Selecter, Bad Manners, Ferocious Dog, Neville Staple From The Specials, HR from Bad Brains, Anti Nowhere League, DOA, Los Fastidios, The Courettes, Down By Law, The Undertones, MDC, UK Subs and Snuff.
A couple of acts link the two festivals. The Nightingales featuring Robert Lloyd’s ever knotty lyrics and Fliss Kitson’s amazing drumming will be headlining Preston on the Friday night before heading to Blackpool for a set on Sunday while Callahan will also appear at Rebellion as part of Swell Maps.
