PREVIEW: Deadpunk Special 2024
After a hiatus since 2017, the Deadpunk Special is set to make a grand return this Friday and Saturday, promising an unforgettable weekend of music and camaraderie at Bristol's Exchange & Elmers Arms. Launched initially in 2012 as the debut event at Exchange, with the Muncie Girls inaugurating the stage before the paint had even dried, this festival has always represented the heart and spirit of the UK's DIY music scene.
Embodying a strong ethos of bringing together diverse talents and fans to share in the love of music, this year's festival not only expands to include two stages at Exchange but also welcomes Elmers into the fold. With a lineup boasting 30 acts including the bold sounds of Queer Anti-Fascist band Joe and the Shitboys from the Faroe Islands, and the eagerly anticipated return of community staples Johnny Foreigner, the Deadpunk Special is gearing up to be more than just a festival—it's a celebration of the vibrant patchwork that is UK's alternative music scene. Whether you're in for the intense Grafteoke night, or to see old favourites and discover new ones, Deadpunk promises a blend of sounds from indie to hardcore and everything in between, making it the perfect gathering for music lovers looking to dive deep into the essence of grassroots musical movements.
Friday
ME REX are not to miss at 8:45 PM
Kicking off this year's Deadpunk Special in style on Friday night is the Warm Up Show, taking place in the main room at Exchange. Featuring two of our favourite bands, Fresh and ME REX, the evening promises to set the party mood perfectly. Doors open at 7 PM, with the music starting at 8 PM when the raucously energetic Manchester punks, PREDECEASED, take to the stage to rev up the crowd.
The excitement builds at 8:45 PM with ME REX, one of Thom’s favourite current bands, gracing the stage. Fresh off the back of their EP Smilodon the band will bring their unique blend of emotive, folky indie vibes to life, ME REX is renowned for their captivating live performances. With only a few dates on their calendar this year, their set at Deadpunk is truly a must-see.
At 9:45 PM, Fresh takes over in what will be a homecoming show for some of the members. Fresh’s recent EP, Merch Girl, was an absolute hit, and with the band soon heading to the USA for solo dates and supporting shows with arguably the best band in the world, Los Campesinos!, catching them on home turf is essential.
The night doesn't end there; at 10:45 PM, it's time to unleash your inner rock star with Grafteoke—where you sing, and they play. Be sure to get your song requests in early by emailing grafteoke@gmail.com.
Saturday
Johnny Foreigner headline the festival at 10 PM in the main room at Exchange
After what promises to be an electrifying Friday night, the main event on Saturday is set to elevate the festival to stratospheric heights. With three stages spread across its two venues, and Johnny Foreigner headlining, this year’s return of the Deadpunk Special is poised to be epic. Adding to the excitement, the festival has partnered with Moor Beer Company to brew a special commemorative beer for the event.
The lineup in Exchange’s main room is one of the strongest I've seen across the entire festival season. Kicking things off at 12 PM will be the non-binary hometown dinopunk band, Nervous Rex. Their set promises to kick off Saturday in complete style – and come on, who doesn't want to start their day with a band that calls themselves dinopunk and plays songs about Pokémon? At 1 PM, it will be time for Newcastle’s Weekend Faithful. At 2 PM, immy will bring their blend of surfy rock to the Bristol stage.
Fresh off the back of their sophomore EP release, What We See In Their Eyes, hometown noise merchants KNIVES will pack out the crowd at 3 PM. If you're a fan of indie pop or riot grrrl, you won’t want to miss Murder Club slaying the Bristol crowd at 4 PM. Their recent EP, Night Out, was a ton of fun and I am super excited to see the songs brought to life on stage. Then at 5 PM, coming all the way from the Faroe Islands, will be the queer anti-fascist band Joe and the Shitboys.
cheerbleederz’s set at 6 PM promises to be one of the highlights of the entire festival; they are such an infectious trio and write absolute bangers, so make sure you don't miss them. Kathryn, Sophie, and Phoebe are some of the hardest-working members of the UK DIY scene, so much so that all three will be showcasing some of their other musical projects throughout the weekend. Things get darker at 7 PM when London post-punks GHUM bring their moody blend of gothic-tinged rock to the stage.
At 8 PM, it will be time for some banging punk-tinged indie-pop as Fortitude Valley takes the stage, fronted by Laura Kovic, the band has featured some of the best of the UK DIY scene in their live lineup over recent years. London-based indie rock stalwarts Tellison hit the stage at 9 PM. Before the headliners and one of my favourite bands of all time, Birmingham’s Johnny Foreigner, bring their scene-defying emo-tinged DIY punk sound to the stage at 10 PM. But stick around, as the party keeps going into the night with The WeakerWeakerthans by The Dave House band bringing the fun at 11 PM.
Downstairs in Exchange’s Basement, the festivities kick off in fine style with Feeble Strength at 12:30 PM. Up next at 1:30 PM, get ready for Shoulder to take the stage. The energy ramps up further at 2:30 PM when BREATHE/RUST unleashes their intense sound. Things take a wild turn at 3:30 PM with Birdman Cult.
In a last-minute shuffle, Get Fucked jets in to fill the 4:30 PM slot, stepping in for Get Wrong who, unfortunately, had to pull out due to illness. No spoilers, but at 5:30 PM, it will be time for… Spoilers, promising an intriguing performance. Dave House and his band will then energize the crowd at 6:30 PM.
The momentum continues to build with Tripsun at 7:30 PM and Sunliner at 8:30 PM, setting the stage for The Social Club to bring the Basement's lineup to a thrilling close with their set at 9:30 PM.
Toodles & The Hectic Pity close things out a The Elmers Arms at 9:30 PM
The Elmers Arms boasts a fantastic lineup on Saturday, kicking off at 1:30 PM with Safe Hands, followed by Dividers at 2:30 PM. The excitement continues at 3:30 PM with a trio of can't-miss acts, starting with Dream Phone who will bring their glitch-pop sounds to the stage. At 4:30 PM, get ready for some epic '90s-tinged alt-rock from Felicette. Teenage Sequence then takes the stage at 5:30 PM, promising one of the festival's most entertaining sets with his unique sound.
At 6:30 PM, Uncertainty will undoubtedly command the stage, bringing their dynamic presence to the festivities. Erica Freas follows at 7:30 PM, and then at 8:30 PM, it’s time for Hot Mass. Closing out the night at 9:30 PM with their blend of beautiful acoustic emo folk will be Bristol’s very own Toodles & The Hectic Pity, ensuring the evening ends on a high note.
