Contributed by Jonny Collins
Oh damn, it’s nearly Manchester Punk festival time! Feels like it gets earlier every year (except for the years where it’s a bit later, because that’s how Easter weekend works).
Once again, a chunk of the team and favourite acts of Blizzard Comedy will be desperately dashing between venues trying to make all of the best bands and break physics barriers to attempt to watch two clashing bands at the same time. And once again we hope to see as many of you there as possible too!
If, like us, you dislike making decisions and are at a loss of where to go throughout the weekend, I have again decided to pull together this lil guide of my favourite bands on at the festival this year, where and when you can see them, and why I, a transgender socialist feminist music nerd who is probably some flavour of neurospicy, loves them so much. So your mileage may vary with how much you like my reccs, but if that sounds like you why not read on and see how many of these choices you fuck with!
Don’t worry, there won’t be a test. You are under no obligation to follow this guide to a T, lord knows I never manage to myself. Treat this more like inspiration and guidance on the bands to look out for if you have similar tastes to me, or to avoid like keeping promises if you’re a Labour politician in the 2020s if you don’t.
But if you do feel compelled to treat this guide as gospel, I have attempted to make this feasible to do, in that there are no clashing/overlapping bands in this list (which unfortunately meant some BRUTAL cuts, ngl) and I’ve also tried to build in some natural breaks if you need decompression/food/whatever.
Unlike last year I am going to take a slightly different approach. Previously I used to spotlight one song from each band that I thought summed up why they were worth checking out. This year I have decided to focus more on the bands as a whole, as I did end up going to some bands only knowing one song and unfortunately struggling to really connect with the vibes of a full set. (No reflection on the band! That’s just on me for not doing enough festival homework.) This does mean I will be talking about fewer bands, but in hopefully more depth. I still haven’t exhausted these bands’ catalogues by any stretch. But I have decided to only reference bands who I’ve enjoyed at least 3 songs from, so whether or not they play all of them in their set, you should get a feel for their schtick if you read ahead and/or listen to the companion playlists, which you can find here:
And as a quick disclaimer before the list, near enough every band at the festival is worth checking out, as they are every year. I will flag some of my alternate picks in the list if you want something a little different from what I’ve spotlighted, but it feels redundant and too much work to just list every single band and what is great about them, so no shade to any omissions from this list. Absolutely take a punt at a band you like the sound of independently of this guide! You literally cannot go wrong with this line up. Even if there are any bands I actively dislike, that’ll be purely a matter of personal taste, and if it’s your kind of thing I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time!
Friday 3rd April
1: BE N!CE
What: Colourful Feminist Post-Punk
When: Friday – 15:00-15:30
Where: The Union
For fans Of: CHERYM, Lambrini Girls, PUSSYLIQUOR
Listen to: BEDTIME, ONE BAD APPLE, MISINFORMA
Alternate Recommendation: Grail Guard, 15:20-15:50 @ Bread Shed
It’s not often MPF starts with a clash this devastating for me. The entire runup to the clash finder release I was like “I definitely need to see Grail Guard this year, their new output has been incredible, and I missed them last year.” Then boom – they clash with two other bands I desperately also want to see. Fuck’s sake, worst festival ever.
Anyway – because I’d have to miss part of 2 bands for them, and because the two bands they clash with are at the festival less frequently – I am going to prioritise them, but rest assured I’m not happy about it, and I strongly encourage you to check out Grail Guard if you’re less of a fan of girly-punk than me.
BUT if you do like girly feminist punk as much if not more or maybe a lil less but still a lot than I do, BE N!CE are a must see.
BE N!CE make punk that straddles the line between bouncy and moshy, between tongue-in-cheek whimsy and biting feminist rage, and between traditional punk compositions and more experimental post-punk in ways that just push all the right buttons in my brain.
“ONE BAD APPLE” and “MISINFORMA” showcase the band, fully demonstrating their politically insightful lyrical chops and ability to capture that rage in a sound that gets you up and dancing immediately. The no less earnest “BEDTIME” is one of my favourite new tracks I’ve heard from the official playlist, and uses the same energy in an absolute banger about being tired and wanting to stop doing shit and just go to bed and get COSY. Which is entirely my gender.
It’s a song that knows it’s funny but it’s not a comedy song, which is my favourite balance. You can tell from how it’s been performed that it comes from as real and raw of an emotional truth as any of their more overtly political anthems, and I love that. Taking silliness seriously has always to me been important to me both as a creative of sorts myself (if you count performing stand-up comedy to an echo chamber of neurodivergent gays as “creative”) and in the media I consume. I’ve always found it so much more entertaining when artists commit to the bit and fully sell their whimsy with the honesty and defiance it deserves. BE N!CE have demonstrated a textbook example of that.
Bold energy to start a festival with content wise – but if previous years are anything to go by, there is a non-0 chance that I will be ready for bad by 3:30pm on the first day, so honestly, inspired, love that.
2: Problem Patterns
What: Weird Political Post-Punk
When: Friday – 15:50-16:20
Where: The Union
For fans Of: Gen and the Degenerates, Le Tigre, pink suits,
Listen to: Letter of Resignation, TERFs Out, I Think You Should Leave
Alternate Recommendation: Grail Guard, 15:20-15:50 @ Bread Shed
After that I’m probably gonna stick around the Union for Problem Patterns, although if you fancied the trek over the Bread Shed you may want to catch the end of Grail Guard, who do amazingly cutting antifascist and antiracist street punk (check out People Just Like You, Our Streets and Anxieties for a feel).
But after that, definitely give Problem Patterns a look in. Problem Patterns have a similar energy to BE N!CE. They’re maybe a lil more low-key with the instrumentals, more stripped back and power-chord guitar driven, but also kinda dampened behind the vocals making sure they’re front and centre of all their songs, enhanced by the underlying groove of fuzzy guitars and steady drumbeats.
Their lyrical content is no less powerful, however, and absolutely drives their songs to greatness. Letter of Resignation is a very fun jaunty track, framing leaving a shitty one-sided relationship where you’re doing all of the emotional labour like quitting an unfulfilling and overdemanding job – which is such a simple but perfectly executed concept that functions as a really great self-worth empowerment track whatever level you take it on. TERFs Out is an uncompromising trans inclusive feminist banger. I Think You Should Leave was one of my favourite songs of 2024, all about the frustrations and fears of living in an increasingly hostile environment in your hometown and working to build communities and spaces internally to try and improve it and fight back against further oppressive politics and degrading infrastructure – which I find very relatable in the context of what I’ve been trying to build Blizzard into as a safe space.
It’s fair to say that if you’ve been looking for reasons to leave the UK over the last 10 years, you have PLENTY to work with – and I do not resent anyone who took the opportunity to get out. But I still feel that staying here and working to improve the culture and community has not only been important for those reasons, but also indulgently for my own mental health. Manchester has been my home for 13 odd years now, and feeling like I’ve made a small but not insignificant cultural impact, and curated a space that many like me can also feel at home in is honestly one of the loveliest achievements I have to my name. And while referencing very different struggles and contexts, I relate to this track a LOT for those reasons. They perform that track with such genuine determination that it hardens me whenever I’m having a little wobble about it. Proper low-fi pump up punk anthem, and I’m so glad I found it, and I really hope they end up playing it live even if it’s not one of their bigger songs.
3: Healer of Bastards
What: Crossover Skate-Metal
When: Friday – 17:50-18:30
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Municipal Waste, Pizzatramp, Suicidal Tendencies
Listen to: Choose Your Battles, Die Die Die Nazi Bastards, Misdirected
Alternate Recommendation: The Click Clacks, 17:50-18:20 @ Yes! Basement
Bit of a break next and then over to Bread Shed for Healer of Bastards – a classic crossover thrash band with real roots and emphasis in their punk sensibilities. Healer of Bastards make proper headbangers with hardcore aesthetics, which is entirely up my street. Fast chuggy riffage, explicit lyrical content, fast driving rhythms, it’s a perfect cocktail of punk-metal goodness, taking the best elements of Trash and the best elements of Hardcore and blending them together in an onslaught of noise and violent rage that is incredibly comforting and cathartic in the times we’re currently living in.
Die Die Die Nazi Bastards is a fave for obvious reasons. I’m also a really big fan of the messaging of Misdirected – all about how so many folk are rightfully angry but often for the wrong reasons or at the wrong people after being manipulated by the class who are causing the issues and keeping us down. Very important message delivered under heavy moshing riffs to really hammer the point home in the most appropriate sound possible to capture this rage.
4: Follow Your Dreams
What: Angry Mathcore
When: Friday – 19:05-19:50
Where: Yes! Pink Room
For fans Of: Electric Press, Protest the Hero, Sikth
Listen to: Maggots, Fuck This, Not Your Meat
Alternate Recommendation: Dry Socket, 18:50-19:30 @ Bread Shed
Next there’s another lil break and then over to Yes! for the last foreseeable live show from Manchester Mathcore mavericks, Follow Your Dreams.
I’ve shouted this band’s praises before many times, featuring them both in recommendations for the punk festival in previous years, and also just for the themed playlists for certain tracks. But it can’t be overstated enough just how fucking brilliant this band is on everything from a technical musicianship level to their live performance energy.
There is a very outdated stereotype that Punk rock is for musicians who don’t know how to play their instruments – and there is an extent to which that can be true, in that it is an accessible genre for self-taught musicians to pick up pretty easily with minimal knowledge of musical theory or mastery of complicated techniques/solos. But it is also an incredibly reductive view of the genre, and bands like Follow Your Dreams really show that you can produce music that has the raw angry vibes of punk, whilst spinning it with complicated rhythms and impressively difficult riffs to create a wholly unique and unforgettable sound. It doesn’t take away from the energy and ethos of punk, it just crafts it with a different aesthetic and musical skillset, and it really does scratch my brain in just the right way.
It is genuinely such a loss to the scene for this band to take a hiatus, but I hope it is good for all those involved, and if/when they do return, I’m definitely gonna be right there. Definitely try and catch these guys especially if you never have before. They put on such phenomenal live performances, you owe it to yourself to see them at least once.
5: Ignite
What: Melodic Hardcore
When: Friday – 21:00-22:00
Where: Gorilla
For fans Of: Bad Religion, Hot Water Music, Millencolin
Listen to: Veteran, Bleeding, Fear Is Our Tradition
Alternate Recommendation: Lightyear, 20:50-22:00 @ The Union
Finally on the Friday, my recommended headliner is Ignite ay Gorilla. Lightyear at the Union is also always a fun time but Ignite just nail a particular brand of melodic hardcore goodness that I am obsessed with. They’re angry, they’re hooky, they’re motivating, they’re a fantastic end to day one of punk fest.
Fans of Bad Religion/Rise Against will get a lot out of this band. I particularly like Bleeding for its combination of insightful messaging and incredible chorus work – traits that are reflected across most of their work but particularly solid here. Such driving percussion, lots of great soaring vocal lines, and simple yet punchy guitar riffs that’ll stick in your head for days.
If you like punk music that you can equally skate or start a revolution to, you could do much worse than Ignite, that’s all I’m sayin’.
Saturday 4th April
6: Bureau De Change
What: Discordant Feminist Punk
When: Saturday – 15:50-16:30
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Comeback Clit, Slut Intent, Witch Fever
Listen to: Shortcut to Destruction, Dumb Men, Resistance
Alternate Recommendation: Riskee & The Ridicule, 16:30-17:10 @ The Union
Kicking off our Saturday, I cannot recommend Bureau De Change enough. I’m a big fan of punk or really any musical genre that has an emphasis of abrasive discordance, and Bureau De Change have this in droves. Bureau De Change play the kind of punk that just gives off intensely punk vibes from every angle. It’s loud, it’s opinionated, explicit, and musically unsettling. But all of that in the best possible way.
Bureau De Change have such a sharp lyrical delivery style, using deliberately ugly tones and language to really underline their themes and points, but in a way that you just can’t stop listening – and if you’re anything like me, will get such an absurd groove on to, not in spite of, but because of how inaccessible and uncommercial the music is attempting to be. There is a huge degree of musicality and talent on display here, but they’ve chosen to apply this to music that doesn’t let you ignore it and lends itself to the themes on display beautifully.
I am particularly a big fan of Resistance, with its repeat screamed motif of “Resistance is an act of joy”. Such a blunt yet wholesome message of motivating solidarity – and a reminder that while not easy, resisting oppressive authoritarian and fascist regimes to fight for something better is inherently a good and cool thing to do. It reframes the act not only as something necessary and morally right, but as something that is a channel for optimism and dreams of a better tomorrow. While anger at the status quo is at the heart of that and shouldn’t be lost sight of, it’s also an act of hope, an act of care for yourself, others and the planet, and an act of euphoria to participate in and work towards. And idk, I just really like that way of looking at it.
In the context of successive governments stripping away the rights and protections in place to be able to engage in protest, and where so many are being arrested for the simple act of opposing acts of genocide, it is becoming increasingly clear how damn important it is – and hammering home the joyful acts of it as well as determined moral obligations highlights even more how absolutely fucked up it is that these rights are being stripped away. It’s such an important topic in protest music, and I can see this mantra presented in this song being central to a new generation of activists and resistors to keep up the fight for a better world no matter what. And power to everyone who ever has or will do that, in whatever form they are able to ❤
Anyway yeah, I really like this band, you should absolutely go and see them if any of that sounds like your bag. I also really like Dumb Men. And the song is pretty good too, presenting and satirising rape culture tropes and mind-frames that many men like to perpetuate so brutally, it’s such a powerful track and this band are so badass in basically everything they write and perform. So yeah, big recommend.
7: CLOBBER
What: Hardcore Streetpunk
When: Saturday – 17:50-18:30
Where: Gorilla
For fans Of: 25 Ta Life, Anti-Nowhere League, Oi Polloi
Listen to: Karens Gammons Hippies & Conspiracies, The World’s Gone Mental, God Loves Man Kills
Alternate Recommendation: I kinda wanna say Andrew O’Neill over at the comedy stage @ Salutation, but Kirstie will kill me if I don’t say Chewie, 18:30-19:30 @ The Union. Not technically a clash but it is a trek and there is no changeover time, so you’ll have to cut at least one of their sets short
After Bureau De Change, I’ll probably try and catch some of Riskee & The Ridicule’s set at Union, as they are a tremendous live band (although you will unfortunately miss the beginning of their set if you can’t teleport). After that I’d head over to Gorilla to catch CLOBBER – a fairly straightforward hardcore band that would be fucking amazing to get in the pit for if you’re not as afraid of mosh pits as I am.
Not their first MPF performance, or recommendation from me, but I think the last time they played they were on pretty late and I missed them, so I really wanna catch them now they’re on at a human time.
Never let it be said that my tastes aren’t broad. Yeah I like weird artsy takes on punk, but also give me heavy chugging power chords and gravelly yelling about how fucked everything is. As long as the energy is right, I’ll be just as captivated by that as the most experimental band out there. And Clobber are really the bar to hit for this particular style of Hardcore punk; they tick all the right boxes from sound to content to a less definable but ever-present Hardcore energy overall. They’re just fucking great, and as long as you can get on board with the heavier end of punk that CLOBBER occupy, you’re definitely gonna have a great time with this band.
After that, you are gonna have to race back to The Union to make the bulk of Chewie’s set though. I’ve already missed them once at Punk Fest, can’t let that happen again. I think Kirstie might actually stop talking to me apart from anything else. (Also Chewie are fucking fantastic, and only don’t have their own section as they do technically clash with CLOBBER, and I don’t know them quite as well, so I’ve given CLOBBER the edge.)
8: The Iron Roses
What: “Rage Filled Sparkle Punk”
When: Saturday – 19:50-20:40
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Billy Bragg, Mobina Galore, Redskins
Listen to: Raising Hell Raising Hope, Class War Cheer Squad, Fight Back
Alternate Recommendation: The Latchkey Kids, 19:30-20:10 @ Yes! Basement
After Chewie, you should head Bread Shed way for these next two bands. First up, The Iron Roses are a band I hadn’t heard of before checking out the official playlist for the festival, and they are an incredible blend of uncompromising anti-fascist folk-punk and feel-good uplifting vibes that, much like Bureau De Change’s Resistance make standing up to fascists sound not just necessary, but inspiring and fun as fuck as well.
I think that’s an underrated combo in punk honestly, at least the punk I listen to. I am a sucker for angry shouty shit – but we’re entering a new political era for the left I feel, where we’ve had enough of being despairing and desperate, and are for the first time since at least 2018 feeling properly hopeful and excited for the prospect of what could be, not just terror and resignation to a future of unchallenged neo-fash rule.
The Iron Roses are a perfect soundtrack to this political moment and movement of organised optimism, sounding like a cross between Folk-Union anthems and bouncy upbeat pop punk, which just never fails to put a smile on my face, and with tracks like Class War Cheer Squad and Fight Back being so easy to get swept up in and sing and dance along to, inspire an almost spiritual feeling of community solidarity and motivational activism.
I can only imagine how much more intense that’s going to feel in a room full of diverse but like-minded individuals in a room all chanting and singing along with those choruses. I’m as excited to see the energy of the audience for this band as I am the band themselves. If that doesn’t speak to how well the band fulfil their niche of creating this sense of togetherness and unified opposition to fascism, I don’t know what will. Amazing band.
9: The Menstrual Cramps
What: Queercore Riot Grrrl
When: Saturday – 21:00-22:00
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Hands Off Gretel, The Muslims, War on Women
Listen to: Make Girls Feel Good, Neo Nazi, Body Politics
Alternate Recommendation: [spunge], 21:00-22:00 @ Gorilla
And finally my Saturday headliner recommendation should surprise no one. I’ve been singing the praises of the Menstrual Cramps for several years now. Ever since I first heard Make Girls Feel Good, I fell instantly in love with them, and even more so when I listened to their more heavy later stuff. The Menstrual Cramps are one of those bands who give such Riot Grrrl energy that they feel like they’ve been around for a lot longer than they have, truly some of the best of the entire genre and a gold standard for the many other fantastic bands operating within that space.
They are a perfect balance of earnest sapphic whimsy and angry feminist punk, for me who adores both of those musical genders. Whether they’re singing in solidarity with industrial action, making fun of transphobic neo-nazis, or just talking about how beautiful women are, they mean and deliver every word with such earnest authenticity that I genuinely don’t see how anyone even remotely interested in this kind of music wouldn’t get immediately hyper-invested in their work.
Last time they played punk fest, I missed the first half as I had to run back from Yes! This time I’m already going to be in Bread Shed before for Iron Roses, so I’m very excited to finally get to experience a full set of theirs. The fact that it’s a headline spot is even more of a bonus. They’re gonna be so fucking good, and I better see each and every one of you there.
Sunday 5th April
10: Slash Fiction
What: Uplifting Queercore Emo
When: Sunday – 14:00-14:30
Where: The Union
For fans Of: Kermes, Onsind, My Chemical Romance
Listen to: We’ll Hold This Line, Coming Out, Until Hell Freezes Over
Alternate Recommendation: Honestly there’s not much on at this time anyway, might as well just have a lie in if you don’t fancy these. (No shade to the other bands on at this time, they just didn’t super click with me, but to reiterate there is something for everyone at this festival, you will definitely have a good time wherever you go if this doesn’t sound like your bag!)
Got a fairly early start Sunday here with Slash Fiction on the main stage. I’m not super familiar with their work, but their 2024 album We’ll Hold This Line Until Hell Freezes Over is a strong contender for one of my faves of the year. The album is queer solidarity distilled until a defiantly impactful emo-indie style that I can already tell is going to hit hungover me stupid hard in the feels at 2pm.
The opening track We’ll Hold This Line, while definitely just intended as an introduction to the album rather than a stand-alone track, is a fantastic summary of the album’s mission statement, about holding the line together, in unwavering solidarity in the face of oppression no matter what happens. It’s a beautiful start to the final day of Punk Fest and I really hope they play it.
Also Coming Out just fully makes me cry every time I hear it at the best of times. So yeah, if you see me, be prepared for waterworks and smudged make-up before 3pm. A lovely warm and defiant way to kick off a festival defined by among other things its inclusivity and community spirit.
11: Rain McMey
What: Folky “Pixie Punk”
When: Sunday – 15:20-15:50
Where: Yes! Basement
For fans Of: Grace Petrie, The Narcissist Cookbook, Ryan Cassata
Listen to: Rich Club, Apocalypse Buddy, Bottom Of The Barrell
Alternate Recommendation: Nathy SG, 15:40-16:10 @ Yes! Pink Room (a contender for Top 3 worst clashes of the festival this – I was so excited to see Nathy doing a solo set, but I also fell properly in love with Rain McMey as soon as I listened to them. Thankfully they’re in the same building, so I might catch the end of Nathy’s set, but still, very mad these sets overlap.)
I try to avoid advising bands that require going back and forth so much. I’ve learned my lessons from previous years that I just can’t hack that as much as I’d like to. But you’ve got near enough an hour each side to go to Yes! and back for this act, and my god they are so worth it.
I’m a sucker for a witty satirical folk punk singer-songwriter at these festivals, Sally Pepper being one of my all-time faves from years past. And Rain McMey definitely occupies a similar space, with maybe a little more subtly delivered but no less explicit commentary.
Bottom of the Barrell is an incredibly cool and funky send up of Reform and far right anti-migrant political propaganda. Rich Club is more scornful commentary on the elite wealth classes and their stranglehold over political power no matter which of the main parties or political figures are “in charge”. But my favourite song is Apocalypse Buddy, which continues a lot of the same themes, but framing that around a hook referencing companionship in these incredibly politically scary and terrible times. It’s bleak, and doesn’t pull any punches, but idk, I find it a weirdly comforting energy, and continues their effortlessly cool delivery and songwriting to leave a proper earworm in your head.
They’re fucking great and honestly might be one of my top overall picks for this festival on any day. I highly recommend checking them out (but not too many of you preferably, Yes! Basement is pretty small and I wanna make sure I get in lol).
If you can’t get in though, Nathy SG of Onsind fame is doing a solo set upstairs – and right up until I saw this clash I was sure he was gonna be one of my shoe-in picks for this list. Can’t believe they put these two queer solo guitar acts on at the same time and didn’t expect there to be any audience crossover that might wanna see both, smh. (This is a joke, so much logistical planning goes onto organising a festival like this, and they always do a cracking job, there’s just inevitably going to be a handful of clashes when you book THIS MANY fantastic acts on the same weekend.)
12: Proper.
What: Art Punk
When: Sunday – 16:50-17:30
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Coheed & Cambria, Panic! At The Disco, Tripsun
Listen to: It Turns Out There Aren’t Many Perks to Being a Wallflower, Red White & Blue, Middle Management
Alternate Recommendation: Incisions, 16:40-17:20 @ The Union
Another lil trek back to Bread Shed, but don’t worry, my suggestions are to stay here for the next few bands so your feet can get a lil rest.
Proper. (side note, the full stop stylisation the band use REALLY confuse Word’s grammar checker) are a fascinating sounding band that are really hard to define. Somewhere between emo, power pop and prog rock honestly, like Coheed & Cambria meets Panic at the Disco. You kinda just have to listen to them to get a feel for them, but one thing’s for sure they are an unforgettable band, and I am so curious to see them in a live setting.
Red, White & Blue is a conceptually brilliant song singing about USA like they’re an abusive partner. Absolutely inspired, and yet so obvious once you hear it. Complete with proper catchy hooks, slightly offbeat riffs and verses, and a really moving vocal delivery – it might genuinely be one of the most technically best songs I’ve heard from any of these bands from concept to execution.
I also really enjoyed It Turns Out There Aren’t Many Perks to Being a Wallflower – which isn’t a source material I’m super familiar with, but I really connected to the midpoint of the song; with the frustration of trying to make friends and just not connecting with them or always feeling like a spare part they just tolerate but don’t actually want to hang out with – then having a realisation that actually maybe you’ve been doing that to others too, and maybe you shouldn’t be trying to force friendships with people who you’re really not hitting it off with, and instead thinking about where or how to find other people and make friends who are like you and have stuff in common with personality wise. I spend a lot of time wanting everyone to like me whilst if I’m honest with myself, not neccesarily reciprocating that like on anything more than just a polite and naturally friendly state. Actually I am so much happier with my own people with similar experiences and anxieties and loves. This is probably a drastic oversimplification of the nuances of this song/story – but this hooked me in to maybe want to check out the source material properly based on the themes present in that song.
Regardless, this is a band who have such a fantastic artistic flare that I am super excited to experience live, and you should be too if you’re anything like me. And if you’re not? Well, thank you regardless for reading this far into my blog, I appreciate you too.
If this sounds a bit too pretentious for you, that’s probably 99% me explaining it and not actually the band’s fault, I just write like that, soz. But Incisions are on at the Union around the same time and are fantastic and straightforward hardcore juggernauts that you absolutely can’t go wrong with.
13: Brassick
What: Riffy Hard Punk Rock
When: Sunday – 17:50-18:30
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Rash Decision, Sadaxe, Throwing Stuff
Listen to: Vultures Of The Poor, They Say, Nobody
Alternate Recommendation: Bethany Black, 17:25-18:00 @ Salutation
As a bit of an antidote to the more arty/proggy elements of Proper., Brassick are just pure hard rock goodness. Riffs, hooks, headbangers for days. Completely with proper punky lyrics and energy, they are a perfect addition to this line-up, and I feel like if you’re at the festival at all you are probably going to vibe with these a lot.
They Say and Nobody In Particular are a nice sold distillation of political rage that feels incredibly relevant right now. Sometimes you just wanna scream over heavy distorted riffs and Brassick are among the best to ever do it.
Don’t take my briefer paragraph for this band as any kind of indictment of the band’s quality or intrigue. Some bands just require a little more explanation and unpacking to communicate why I love them – others it is purely self-explanatory and trying to go any deeper would be redundant. I love a mixture of bands I can write dissertations on and ones that when I listen to just make me wanna shut my laptop and get up and dance to the riffs in my living room.
If you wanted a break from the music for a bit, Bethany Black is headlining the comedy stage at Salutation, and she’s an absolute darling. I’ve not mentioned the comedy stage too much this year as there’s just been so many bands I’ve prioritised, but the line up is as always amazing on that stage, so if you wanna watch something but need something a bit quieter and less intense, pop along to Salutation on the Sat/Sun for some amazing comedy from a variety of the most alternative and polished acts the circuit has
14: BEX
What: Nu-Punk
When: Sunday – 18:50-19:30
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Calva Louise, Delilah Bon, Scene Queen
Listen to: Slave 2 The Grind, Misogynistic D***s, Silence
Alternate Recommendation: There’s no specific clashes here for me, but you are leaving it tight for the next act on my list if you stay to the end here – might wanna get ahead of yourselves and go over to The Union early to make sure you can make her.
Staying in Bread Shed, although this next one is a little risky for me as it runs very close to the next act I desperately wanna see in a different venue, but I also adore this artist so I’m gonna take the risk and hope it works out.
BEX blends Riot Grrrl punk sensibilities with a modern Nu-Metal revival sound, and those are two things I absolutely adore in music, so I was always gonna love BEX. Silence is an absolute banger about the risks of remaining so, Misogynistic D***s speaks for itself. Slave 2 The Grind I find intensely relatable in my current 2.5 jobs era, and general tendency to overwork and burn myself out. (Tell me again why I’m putting so much time and energy into this blog prolly no one will even read?)
BEX’s songs just hit indescribably hard, and I think might even compare to Scene Queen’s pit energy just off of vibes. Either way, I’m excited to find out! You might wanna leave maybe 5 minutes early if you wanna make sure you can get to the Union in time for this next act who I’ve been wanting to see for years though.
15: Laura Jane Grace
What: Queercore Folk-Punk
When: Sunday – 19:40-20:40
Where: The Union
For fans Of: Against Me! (obviously), Bad Cop Bad Cop, Dead Pioneers
Listen to: Anna Is A Stool Pigeon, Dysphoria Hoodie, Mine Me Mine
Alternate Recommendation: Worst clash of the weekend, both Face Up in Gorilla @ 19:50-20:40 and Meryl Streek in Bread Shed @ 19:50-20:40 are well worth seeing. To me it just came down to the fact that I’m less likely to be able to see Laura Jane Grace at any other time as she’s not UK based, and I want to stay for the main headliner in this venue too, otherwise I’d very easily be recommending one of those others. God Damn this was a hard choice.
What is there to say about Laura Jane Grace? Shortly after coming out as non-binary is when I first properly started getting into Against Me! – specifically Transgender Dysphoria Blues era, and…oh god, any transfemme in particular who’s heard that album knows just how intensely relatable, cathartic, comforting and harrowing and just essential that album can be.
I have no idea if she envisioned herself becoming such a stalwart of trans voices in pop/alternative culture when she came out. And it’s kind of sad that she had to, simply being a significant trans figure in the genre in an era where that was … niche. And going into an era where it’s the victim of an intense satanic panic. I do not envy her in the slightest, and I even feel bad that she is something of a trans hero of mine at this point, as I am sure she, like the rest of us, simply want to live our lives, express our love, create our art, and just…live as ourselves.
But for better or for worse, she was one of the first really visible trans women I heard of and connected with, and as such is a huge part of my own processing and realisation of who I am and not just accepting but celebrating that.
I do prefer her work with Against Me! just because in general I connect with her angrier, fuller punk sound than her more stripped back stuff. But her solo work is still phenomenal and has a lot of really cute simple tracks that properly cut through to my very soul in a way few other artists can.
Dysphoria Hoodie in particular is a very relatable track about those comfort items of clothing you wear to hide from the shape of your body when it’s causing intense discomfort. And she’s also got the more overtly political ones like Anna Is a Stool Pigeon, a telling of a romantic tragedy where an activist falls in love with someone who turned out to be an FBI spy (a thing I understand is not unheard of occurring, and it frankly fucking terrifying if you operate in those activist circles). And one of my more recent faves, Mine Me Mine, sounds almost more like an Against Me! track – short, punky, clear in its meaning and themes but keeps it simple and focuses on being an absolute jam to sing and bounce along to. An absolute tune and I really hope it makes a showing at this set.
Laura Jane Grace has been someone I’ve been dying to see live for ages, my partner even got a cameo from her for my birthday like two weeks after my mum died, and I still have it saved and watch it when I’m feeling sad. That’s how important this artist is to me. So despite clashing with Face Up and Meryl Streek, two other bands I desperately wanna see live too, this is my recommendation on a purely personal level. But yeah, any of the main 3 stages have great bands on at this time, so wherever you go you’re gonna have a fantastic time.
16: Strike Anywhere
What: Melodic Skate Punk
When: Sunday – 21:00-22:10
Where: The Union
For fans Of: Billy Talent, Propagandhi, Rise Against
Listen to: Refusal, Question the Answer, I’m Your Opposite Number
Alternate Recommendation: Inner Terrestrials – 21:00-22:00 @ Gorilla
Laura Jane Grace is a headline act for me, and honestly depending on how emotionally drained I am after a very emotionally intense band schedule on the last day of the festival, I might call it a night there. But as for the actual headliners, Strike Anywhere is on just after her and they are an incredible closer for the weekend. Incredibly tight political skate punk that might just be the standard for their genre. As a huge fan of Billy Talent and Rise Against, listening to Strike Anywhere, I was captivated immediately by the sheer power their songwriting and performance exudes.
Refusal, I think, appeared in a Tony Hawk game, so I was familiar with the riffs already, but listening to more tracks they have a hugely impressive back catalogue I’ve only just scratched the surface of, but can already tell they are going to be one of the best sets of the whole weekend. As long as I have the energy I am going to be there, and highly recommend you are too!
Inner Terrestrials are also fantastic though if you’re nearer the Gorilla and don’t fancy the trek, so you have options.
17: Tomar Control
What: Peruvian Straight-Edge Hardcore
When: Sunday – 23:00-23:40
Where: Bread Shed
For fans Of: Black Flag, Cocaine Piss, G.L.O.S.S.
Listen to: Patria Muerta, Aunque nos maten, Represion
Alternate Recommendation: At this time of night? Probably bed tbh, if you’re like me you’re gonna be dead by this point.
I did just say Strike Anywhere would be an excellent end point to the festival, and I do stand by that – but I also want to give a shout out that if you’re younger and more physically fit than me, Tomar Control are an incredible band from Peru who are playing an afterparty set at Bread Shed. I really recommend checking them out, whether at the festival or just listening to their music in your own time.
MPF always seem to try and put on a few international bands who write and sing in languages other than English, and it’s really cool to see a snippet of the scenes in these other parts of the world, and see how even when you need to translate the lyrics to fully understand what they mean, the energy and the expression transcends that language barrier at its best. And Tomar Control are absolutely among the best I’ve ever heard (caveat that I am by no means an expert in their national punk scene, or indeed any others out of the English-speaking world, but from what I’ve heard at least they blew my fucking mind away).
They are raw, they throw back to the early days of Hardcore, retaining that energy (but with slightly less unpleasant production that doesn’t lose the vibe, just makes the sound a little bit denser), they are political and angry, and even if you don’t look into the lyrics, there is a strong chance you’ll connect to it purely on a musical level and feel the antifascist energy ingrained in the composition.
I don’t know if I’ll make it out this late, but if I do, this is where I’ll be.
And there we are, those are my personal recommendations for MPF 2026! Because of my rules of making this list feasibly achievable to do in its entirety, there are a bunch of bands I missed out, and indeed some bands who I enjoyed but didn’t quite click with me as much as these others – so some quickfire bands that I didn’t manage to include:
Grail Guard – Streetpunk – Friday – 15:20-15:50 @ Bread Shed
The Domestics – Hardcore Punk – Friday – 22:15-22:55 @ Yes! Basement
Gaydar – Queercore – Friday – 23:15-23:55 @ Yes! Basement
Release The Hounds – Simpsons-core – Friday – 00:15-00:55 @ Yes! Basement
From The Cradle to the Rave – Electro-Rave-Punk – Friday – 01:00-02:00 @ Bread Shed (DJ Set)
Billy Liar – Folk Punk – Saturday – 14:00-14:30 @ The Union
Last Edition – Ska Punk – Saturday – 15:00-15:30 @ Bread Shed
Maxine Wade – Comedy – Saturday – 16:30-16:40 @ Salutation
Riskee & The Ridicule – Grime Punk – Saturday – 16:30-17:10 @ The Union
Tony Basnett – Comedy – Saturday – 16:40-16:55 @ Salutation
Katie Mitchell – Comedy – Saturday – 16:55-17:15 @ Salutation
Andrew O’Neiill – Comedy – Saturday – 17:15-18:30 @ Salutation
CHEWIE – DIY Irish Punk – Saturday – 18:30-19:30 @ The Union
The Latchkey Kids – Throwback Emo – Saturday – 19:30-20:10 @ Yes! Basement
November – French Metallic Hardcore – Saturday – 22:15-22:55 @ Yes! Basement
Sully O’Sullivan – Comedy – Sunday – 15:30-15:45 @ Salutation
Nathy SG – Singer-Songwriter Punk – Sunday – 15:40-16:10 @ Yes! Pink Room
CF98 – Pop Punk – Sunday – 15:40-16:20 @ The Union
Eddie French – Comedy – Sunday – 15:45-16:00 @ Salutation
Tiny Stills – Pop Punk – Sunday – 15:50-16:30 @ Gorilla
Charlotte Cropper – Comedy – Sunday – 16:00-16:20 @ Salutation
Incisions – Hardcore – Sunday – 16:40-17:20 @ The Union
Bethany Black – Comedy – Sunday – 17:25-18:00 @ Salutation
FACE UP! – Hardcore Punk – Sunday – 19:50-20:40 @ Gorilla
Meryl Streek – Post-Punk – Sunday – 19:50-20:40 @ Bread Shed
Sourflake – Dance-Punk – Sunday – 14:50-15:20 @ Yes! Pink Room
Krupskaya – Grindcore – Sunday – 22:15-22:55 @ Yes! Basement
And to re-iterate, I’m just one bitch with my own tastes – every band on this festival has something to offer and will connect with many of you more than they did with me, so whatever you end up going to see this year, you’re gonna have a blast! If you see me around come say hi, and I hope this list has helped you – if not for festival planning then for just discovering new bands to listen to!
Catch you all around ❤
