2019 Rebellion Festival Preview: Millie Manders & The Shut Up

Ahead of this year’s Rebellion Festival we’re asking a selection of the band’s who are appearing about what we can expect, and for their advice on surviving the four day festival. In the fourth of The Punk Site‘s 2019 Rebellion Festival previews we speak to Millie Manders. Millie creates cross-genre punk that is hard to ignore, with lyricism that pokes fun, draws you in or leaves you questioning social norms that is teamed up with vocal dexterity, grinding guitars, irresistible horn hooks and a pumping rhythm section, together Millie Manders & The Shut Up churn out more raw punk fusion than you can shake a stick at. You can read about what to expect from Millie Manders & The Shut Up at the Rebellion Festival below.

Is this your first experience of the Rebellion Festival or have you played before?

We have now played two Rebellion festivals! In 2017 we played the Introducing stage – we were blown away by how much support people give to an unknown band there. Then last year, we played the Empress Ballroom which was just mind blowing. An unreal turnout! I also have had the honour of playing the acoustic stage both years too.

What can we look forward to from your set?

Well….. We always try to bring the energy and we love a bit of a sing along. You’ll get screams, sings, shakes, psychotic rambles, bouncing and my ultimate joy, the knee brace, because who doesn’t want to look bionic because you refuse to stop dancing on a dislocated knee, eh??

What makes the Rebellion Festival special for you?

The people! From the stage teams to the sound people to every volunteer, stall holder and punter, everyone is just lovely. We are well looked after and it runs like clockwork. Rad all round. Not to mention every venue backs on to each other without any sound clash which makes seeing at least half of every set you want to catch an absolute breeze!

Will you have the chance to catch anyone else whilst you’re there and is there anyone else on the bill you’d recommend people go and see?

I’ll be aiming to catch (and fully recommend every single one of these bands)  Riskee and The Ridicule, Counting Coins, Mollusca, Bar Stool Preachers, East End Baddoes, In Evil Hour, Call Me Malcolm, Popes Of Chillitown, Svetlanas, Hands Off Gretel, Murder Burgers, Maid Of Ace, Codename Colin, Pizza Tramp, The Pukes, Spoilers. I’ll also be trying to catch a bunch of bands I don’t know yet. It’s all about finding a new favourite!

If you could pick one band to appear at the Rebellion Festival who would it be?

Stand Atlantic. I’m obsessed.

Do you have a favourite memory from a previous Rebellion Festival?

Hell yeah! Watching the Empress Ballroom fill up to near capacity at 1:30 in the afternoon, and the acoustic stage spilling out into the corridor the day before. Had to hold back tears several times from being so overwhelmed by the support at both shows. SO grateful.

Are you currently on tour if so where else are you playing this year?

We have shows all over the UK still to come and several festivals! You can check them all out on our website

What can we look forward to from you in the next twelve months?

I just wrote another 4 songs with the lads, so EVERYONE CROSS YOUR FINGERS because I want us to drop an album. We’ll also be doing a serious amount of touring in 2020. We’ve had a l’il break. Time to get monstrous. Haha!

Do you have any festival survival tips?

Sleep if you need to. Take hard wearing fruit and veg – apples and carrots are awesome tent survivors and make great energy boosters. Drink tonnes of water. Buy insect repellent suncream.

Is there anything else in Blackpool you’d recommend people experience whilst they’re in the town?

There are some lovely eateries that do lush vegan noms. Google it! Also, visit The Waterloo. Ian and his team are wonderful and it’s a brilliant live music venue. Give him a hug from me please….

Finally when and where are you appearing?

We are playing twice, both on Thursday:

3:05pm, CASBAH

6:50pm, ALMOST ACOUSTIC

Thanks for taking the time to speak to us, we’ll see you down the front

Millie Manders & The Shut Up‘s website is here and you can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube