If supporting grassroots music while listening to uplifting melodies is what you’re after, look no further than next year’s Manchester Punk Festival.
Hardcore outfit Paint It Black will play their first UK gig in seven years at the festival and are joined at the top of the bill by New York ska-punk legends The Toasters.
Paint It Black first burst onto the punk scene 15 years ago with their debut album CVA, a record packed with tight, aggressive instrumentation and lyrics touching on topics from interpersonal relationships to political anguish.
Cat’s out of the bag: Our first UK show since like 2009 or something. Very very excited to see you all again. https://t.co/BPxYqY32Af
— Paint It Black (@pibphilly) 7 September 2016
NYC band The Toasters will also come to Manchester with over 25 years of experience blending bouncy ska rhythms with uplifting punk lyrics.
Manchester will also play host to anarchy from punk bands across the globe including Mighty Midgets from Denmark, Dutch band Sweet Empire and Edward In Venice from out of Italy.
There will also be plenty on offer from the UK punk scene, including the melodic skate-punk stylings of York based Larrakia – known for their short songs and manic live performances.
And making the trip up from South Wales is Pizzatramp, who bring with them their distinctly grubby take on high speed skate punk – expect mosh pits a plenty here.
Over 60 bands, including many Manchester based groups, will play at the festival, which will take place from April 20-22.
Numerous venues around central Manchester will be hijacked by punk fans over the weekend, including Sound Control, Gorilla and Zombie Shack.
Formed in 2015, MPF is a not for profit festival run by volunteers that aims to showcase a wide range of talent from the world of punk as well as introduce fans to new bands alongside old favourites.
The MPF is a collaboration between three DIY punk promoters, TNSrecords, Moving North and Anarchistic Undertones.
They describe their focus as: “supporting grassroots music, keeping things ethical and addressing serious issues through music and community.”
Tickets for the event start at £25, though super early bird tickets have already sold out.
For a full list of bands and ticket information, go to: http://manchesterpunkfestival.co.uk/site/
Image courtesy of MPF via Twitter, with thanks.
