Team LOUD WOMEN's coverage of Rebellion Festival continues as Stacy Norman and Donna Craine share their highlights of day three, Saturday.
The Dollheads
Stacy: What better way to start the day than in the Empress Ballroom to catch The Dollheads. Hailing from Las Vegas, this sibling trio are another returning band from last year’s LOUD WOMEN Sunday, and have scored themselves an opening slot on the main stage. They said this was their first time playing in such a huge venue, but it didn’t show – they have a confidence and synergy with each other that some bands don’t achieve after decades of playing together. Despite the early hour, the enormous ballroom was full of eager new Dollheads fans. Angela has an amazing voice, and the new material they played is sounding stronger than ever. Their second album Adol-essence just dropped on Fat Mike’s label, Bottles to the Ground – look out for it!
Split Dogs
Stacy: If anyone was hoping for a breather, they were in the wrong place, as frontwoman Harry tells us “Here’s one you can boogie to!” before going into Monster Truck. Split Dogs have such a raw, inimitable energy.
Jess Silk
Donna: It all started for me with one of my favourite folk singers Jess Silk. Performing her solo set on the Almost Acoustic stage (which I have since learned was the Spanish Hall of Winter Gardens, and explains why there were beautiful ornate mouldings of little houses adorning the walls) Jess had nothing but her guitar and a voice ready to fill the space. And fill it, she did. With a powerful combination of guitar strums and soaring melodies, she held the attention of a captivated audience, proving that you don’t need a band to have a huge impact.
She kicked off her set with ‘Preaching From The Barricades’, a track she penned in 2017. She reflected on the song’s origins, admitting she wrote it about the state of the world at the time, naively thinking, “surely the world can only get better from here.” The irony wasn’t lost on the crowd, and the song felt more relevant than ever.
Later, before launching into ‘Mayday’, she shared a powerful anecdote about performing the song and a woman telling her that it was the most venom she’d ever heard anyone sing but it made her think. Jess said being told that her music made someone think was probably the highest compliment she could receive. This raw, honest exchange perfectly encapsulates Jess’s power as an artist: she doesn’t just entertain, she provokes thought and leaves a lasting impact.
The crowd was also treated to a classic with ‘Bar at the end of the world’, a definite fan favourite. She wrapped up the set with ‘Home is Where the Heart is’, a moment of pure unity and connection. As the final chords rang out, the audience gathered for a circle hug. Jess Silk is more than just a musician; she’s a storyteller and a leader, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
The Meffs
Stacy: I headed up to the Literary Stage to see The Meffs frontwoman Lily Hopkins interviewed. She talked about some other bands she played in before forming The Meffs, and how one of her inspirations, in terms of personality, is Joan Jett.
I, Doris
Having already played an acoustic set and hosted a Doris Disco, I, Doris were back to make yet another mark on this year’s Rebellion. The Dorises were bringing their mummycore to the Opera House stage today, and it was a fabulous half hour of sequins, aprons, and new-wave-tinged feminist bops you can dance to.
Mika Bomb
Stacy: A punk four-piece originating from Japan and the UK, Mika Bomb are certainly not a “new” band – they released their first album back in 2001, and split in 2006, before reforming this year – but this is their first time playing Rebellion. There seemed to be a bit of hype around them, I spoke to quite a few people who were looking forward to seeing them, and I was happy they’d drawn a good crowd.
Kim Hawes
Donna: While the music rumbled on the literary festival was held in the conference centre which contained an arts and crafts market and a beautiful remembrance display, where you could post a tribute to lost loved ones who were Rebellion fans. It also ran a schedule of illuminating interviews with big industry names. This included a conversation between LOUD WOMEN’s own Cassie Fox and the legendary tour manager Kim Hawes, and it did not disappoint.
Kim, who has just released her book titled Lipstick and Leather, shared the story behind the name, explaining her love for punk culture and music whilst growing up in a place with no access to the scene.
When she started, there were only six female tour managers in the world, four of them in America. It was a man’s world, but Kim wasn’t fazed. She described working for Motörhead as the best career move she ever made, a job that showed her everything that could possibly go wrong. She regaled the audience with a story about an overnight journey to Berlin, passing through the Berlin Wall, in a car with Lemmy, who was proudly wearing a WWII-era German hat. It was an anecdote that perfectly captured the surreal, inconsistent, and often unpredictable nature of the job she aptly described as “glorified babysitting”.
The conversation inevitably turned to holding your ground as a woman in a male-dominated industry and genre. She spoke about taking pleasure from introducing herself as “the woman who slept under Lemmy”, as people often assume that she is about to reveal a scandalous story. She clarified that this was actually literal, referring to bunk beds on the tour bus. It’s a great story, but more importantly, it’s a testament to the sexualised framing of women in the industry, when her lived experience is grounded in hard work in the often unglamorous realities of an industry that she helped shape.
The Menstrual Tramps
Stacy: Menstrual Tramps formed in the late 90’s and, after a long stretch of things being quiet, are making their Rebellion debut. They play straight-up fast and loud punk – think The Devotchkas mixed with Maid of Ace, and a hint of Bikini Kill‘s punk-rock-feminism. A perfect pick for Rebellion, I could easily see Menstrual Tramps becoming a festival staple.
Girlschool
Donna: After watching an interview with them earlier on the literary stage, I already knew that this legendary (now) four-piece were absolutely hilarious. It was the most I laughed all weekend. Presenting as such lovely, warm and charismatic people and you could clearly see a bond between them that could only come from touring together for 30+ years. They introduced their new band member Liv Airey in the interview as an incredible bass player, I can confirm that she absolutely is.
The interview did not prepare me for the absolute explosive performance that was about to happen in the Opera House Saturday night. Just WOW! They arrived on stage to a calamity of police sirens and then launched into their first song ‘Demolition Boys’. It was so exciting and they were so glamorous. After the first song I instantly text my friends to say I wanted to be Girlschool when I grow up, I’m 45! We were treated to a few songs from the new album WTFortyfive? Which I knew from the earlier interview was a reference to 45 years absolutely smashing it on the metal scene. ‘It Is What It Is’ was my favourite. With an insane metal guitar solo in the middle, it will become my radical acceptance anthem for tough times. Brilliant!
Millie Manders and the Shut Up acoustic
Donna: I’ve already mentioned how beautiful the Almost Acoustic stage at Rebellion is, and it was the perfect setting for the glory that was Millie Manders and the Shut Up. I’ve seen Millie a few times but I’ve never seen her stripped back and the absence of blaring amps and pounding drums allowed a different kind of power to shine through. It was a chance to truly hear her stunning, soulful voice and connect with the raw emotion of her powerful lyrics.
From the moment she took the stage, it was clear she felt right at home, greeting the crowd as her “Rebellion family.” This intimacy was key to the performance, creating a space where every word resonated.
The connection between Millie and the crowd was undeniable, and it reached a peak during ‘One That Got Away’. As soon as she started the first lines, the audience instantly joined in, a beautiful and spontaneous singalong that filled the room. This was a joyful experience.
The Lovely Eggs
Donna: As a long-time fan of The Lovely Eggs, seeing them at Rebellion’s Opera House was a much-anticipated event. I already knew their sound was a glorious mix of intense guitars and drums, combined with Holly’s absolute legendary headbanging and sharp wit. But what their live show confirmed was that their music is only one part of their utterly brilliant ethos.
The performance was filled with the kind of anarchic energy you’d expect, but what really stood out were the moments of conversation between songs. A story about David’s towel, for example, which apparently he has been using for years after being charged to rent a towel when gigging at a well-known venue. I half expected them to throw it out to the crowd at the end of the set, I should’ve known better. David wouldn’t waste a towel!
Bringing us absolute bangers, such as ‘Wiggy Giggy’ and the song that first won my love ‘Don’t Look at Me’. At the start of the gig I was sat down (ridiculous I know). But that didn’t last long and I soon migrated to the front for a dance because who can remain still to the enigma that is The Lovely Eggs?
The Lovely Egg’s punk rock ethos was further hammered home by their discussion on what they believe is the most punk rock thing a band can do: going on tour with a child. Holly spoke of the power of families touring because they ‘believe in their art’, before they sang my fav song ‘F*ck It’. It was emotional. Bloody love this band.
The Hellflowers
Stacy: LA’s The Hellflowers. They have a punk energy, mixed with garage rock, rock and roll, and a bit of rockabilly. This is their second year at Rebellion, and they’re already building a following here in the UK. They’re the perfect, fun vibe for me to end my day on, as I go home to recharge for LOUD WOMEN Sunday tomorrow!