Wasted 2006

Everyone is banging on about punk being 30 years old and that's no bad thing if it gives marketing bods a reason to publish a brilliant book like John Robb's Oral History of Punk Rock (Ebury Press) which begins "Punk changed everything. Not just our trousers" and goes on to give first-hand accounts of the fashion, passion and fury of a movement which lives on today.

Back in the summer of '76 The Sex Pistols, The Stranglers and The Vibrators were playing pubs and clubs in London. The Pistols played two gigs in Manchester in June and July and instantly, you had a punk explosion in the north as well as south. Summer 2006 sees a jaw-dropping collection of original punks gathering and performing at what promises to be one of the most stunning music events this century, Wasted. This 3 day festival in Blackpool Winter Gardens features a bevvy of original punk rock musicians, new wavers, plus some ska legends. The line up - confirmed as much as you can in these situations is historical: Glen Matlock, Hugh Cornwall, The Damned, Sham 69, The Selecter, Neville Staples, UK Subs, 999, The Vibrators, Hazel O'Connor, Angelic Upstarts, Eddie and The Hot Rods, Splodgenessabounds as well author John Robb's mighty band, Goldblade. Now add to this rich visual soup a bunch of mums, dads and kids - for this is a genuine family event - and you've got a pretty compelling festie.

Wasted has been running punk festivals around the world a decade or so and last weekend staged Wasted Amsterdam at the legendary Melkweg, and June 29 sees Wasted's Punk Idol in Ashton-Under-Lyne when six bands battle for the chance to take the stage at Wasted UK.

Wasted UK 2006 is on August 10-13, tickets cost £65 before June 1 and £75 thereafter. Send cheques with SAE to Wasted, 14 Prior Street, Hereford HR4 9LB or book via credit card from Data on 02476 559992, or email tickets@wastedfestivals.com.