The annual rip-roaring punk and alternative music festival is back for another huge event in 2024. North East Calling (formerly Durham Punk Fest) is a long-running, one-day punk festival that focuses primarily on punk rock, ska, and alternative music.
Well-known for featuring a mix of classic punk bands, emerging acts, and legendary headliners, over the years North East Calling has established quite the reputation for being a key event in the UK punk calendar. And this year will be no different, with its mammoth line-up including hugely successful UK punks bands such as Sham 69 (who have been going strong since 1975), U.K. Subs, Subhumans, Random Hand, Barstool Preachers, Gimp Fist, The Defects, Riskee and The Ridicule, Knock Off, Guitar Gangsters, and In Evil Hour.
While many of the bands that perform each year at North East Calling tend to originate from the 1970s and 1980s, the festival organisers, JS Promotions, are consistent in ensuring that they provide a platform for newer bands in the punk, ska and alternative genres to be able to perform alongside the musical legends.
In addition to the live music, North East Calling often includes plenty of merchandise stalls that sell band merchandise, vinyl records, punk-themed clothing, and accessories. So for anyone who is after a keepsake from the event, you can bet your boots you’ll find something good there. A range of food and drink options will also be available on-site, catering to the festival-goers’ needs throughout the day.
North East Calling is being held a little later in the year than normal but don’t worry, you only have to wait until Saturday 19th October (and it will be worth the wait).
North East Calling never fails to attract a fiercely loyal audience of punk enthusiasts from all across the UK, but for first-timers to the festival, this year will be a wonderful introduction to the event, offering a unique chance to see iconic bands in an intimate setting.
The festival’s dedication to celebrating the spirit of punk ensures its place as a fixture in the UK’s punk scene, making it a highlight for both nostalgic listeners and those discovering punk for the first time.
If you’re a fan of punk music or are interested in the culture surrounding it, North East Calling is where you want to be this month.
Tickets, priced from £30.00 in advance, are available from seetickets.com.
