Sold Out HITS 25 Festival To Be Live Streamed

Despite Rebellion Festival being postponed again this year due to the ongoing restrictions with the Covid pandemic, one point that became clear to the dedicated organisers early on was that, festival or no festival, punks from all over the country were still going to head to Blackpool. Previously due to take place August 5th – 8th at the famous Winter Gardens, one of the things that makes Rebellion Festival different to many other music festivals is the undeniable fact that the audience, bands, promoters and everyone involved are all one big family. Long established as the world’s largest punk festival, the fact that so many regular attendees were still prepared to come to Blackpool and support the city that has always welcomed them, and spend time with their extended punk family, without the festival even being on, meant that if it was possible to host at least some kind of gig for the people heading down, Rebellion would.

When news came that covid restrictions were going to be lifted on July 19th, Team Rebellion went into overdrive and have successfully pulled together in record time ‘Hits 25 – Celebrating 25 years since Holidays In The Sun‘, the event from which Rebellion Festival was originally born, which is being held in the Blackpool Winter Gardens on Saturday August 7^th. The event is now completely sold out, however the Empress Ballroom main stage will be live streamed and the Blackpool Winter Gardens will have FREE ENTRY for Thursday / Friday and Sunday, giving everyone a place to meet up and hang out on those days. and there is an additional free entry party night at the Arena Stage on Friday August 6th featuring acoustic sets and an unlockeddown quiz.

“We understand the disappointment many of the Rebellion family have that they can’t make it to the gig on Saturday. Either due to travel restrictions, having to isolate, not feeling ready to attend a large event yet or just those that can’t get a ticket as it’s sold out. We’re excited to announce that the Winter Gardens have yet again stepped up help and we’ve managed today to agree to live-stream the main Empress Ballroom gig from 12.30 on Saturday afternoon through to midnight featuring all 11 live bands: Cock Sparrer, Cockney Rejects, UK Subs GBH, The Barstool Preachers, Dirt Box Disco, Maid Of Ace, Gimpfist, Fire Exit, Mille Manders & The Shut Up, Death Trails,. The live stream will be FREE. There are obvious costs involved but neither the Winter Gardens nor Rebellion want to profit from those that can’t attend. However, there will be a DONATE button and donations are being encouraged with all monies raised donated to Trinity Hospice & Palliative Care Services, Blackpool in memory of Greg Johnson. Husband of key Winter Gardens team member Donna, Greg passed away in 2020 following a cancer diagnosis. Both he and Donna were offered the invaluable support and compassion of Trinity as have thousands of others through the invaluable work they do. We’d like to give back to the wonderful team that help us each year, so anything you can do would be much appreciated.”

Full details of the live stream and how to donate are available via Blackpool Winter Gardens