Festival season is well and truly underway and our Michelle Nursimiloo spent a day in Scotland's Highlands for a great punk day out!
It’s not often you need to board a boat in fishnets, tartan skirt and Converse in order to get to see some punk bands but it’s certainly a sure-fire way of attracting some attention when standing on deck!
In the beautiful May sunshine, I was on my way to Punk On The Peninsula– a punk festival set amongst the glorious Scottish countryside. Starting in 2017, the festival has been a labour of love for organiser Iain Kilgallon who has worked tirelessly to provide a stage for punk bands in a stunning setting that welcomes punks from all over the world.Â
It was a full weekend of amazing bands, of which I was lucky enough to be able to make it for the Saturday and take in acts like Fire Exit, Heroes 2 None and Monica and the Explosion.
First band for me was the incredible Monica and the Explosion. Their sound is fun and upbeat- absolutely perfect for the setting! It’s new school punk with an old school feel- this band is certainly one to watch.Â
Being on early in the day as the audience file in can make it challenging to create an atmosphere and keep the energy levels high- but Monica and the Explosion certainly managed it! Catch them live if you can.Â
Straight after them we went into the set for Heroes 2 None- an oi/streetpunk band all the way from Denmark.Â
The singer was sharply dressed in military-style camouflage suit complete with white shirt and braces…and I certainly stood to attention when the band was on! Their high energy performance almost blew the roof off the place and we were only just past lunchtime. Â
And the band that I came here to see- Fire Exit- were up next! Originally from Paisley the band were clearly popular with the crowd who cheered loudly in anticipation of them taking the stage!
They opened the set with the rollicking ‘We’re Gonna Drink‘- pretty much a perfect opener for a set at an all-day festival!
Songs such as ‘Changing‘ had the whole crowd singing along- clearly a fan favourite!Â
Other favourites included ‘Going Crazy‘, ‘United and Strong‘- the band were incredibly tight musically- the guitar riffs, the pounding drums and the bass all merging with the chants of the crowd. A beautiful noise on a beautiful day!
The festival goes on into the night with bands like Resistance 77, and The Oppressed all gearing up towards the last band of the day, headliners Pirates of the Pubs.Â
Punk on the Peninsula was like a gig where everyone knew each other and all the bands were outstanding. Coming from the UK, Ireland and across Europe, there was a real sense of camaraderie and community. The music was a variety of old and new punk with some Irish influenced-punk in there as well.
I can’t wait to go next year and see what’s new on the bill! Festivals like this need our support to keep going so keep an eye out for announcements on next year’s lineup and get yourself a ticket and enjoy everything this festival has to offer!
Punk on the Peninsula took place 25th-28th May in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
Keep an eye out for announcements for Punk on the Peninsula 2024!
All photos taken by Michelle Nursimaloo, 5 D Creations.Â
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