Photo by Holly Homan
Last year I attended the Punk Rock Bowling festival in Vegas. As rock festivals go, I found it very well run, the staff very friendly and helpful, the porta potties kept clean, but I thought this would be a one-off. I live in Seattle and it’s an expense to buy plane tickets, hotel, etc. Then this year’s line-up was announced.
The fact that Madness is the headliner was incentive enough. I’ve waited over 40 years to see this Two-Tone ska band. Then I saw some other favorites: Devo, for instance. I haven’t seen Devo in 40 years. 999 are playing. I saw them once in 1981 and have photos from that show. Gogol Bordello are on the bill and though I’ve seen them multiple times, I am excited to see them again. Billy Bragg will play on the first night (May 25). I’ve been a fan of Billy since the late eighties. The English Beat, Lagwagon, Skatalites and Bad Cop Bad Cop are also on the bill.
The aforementioned are playing the main festival. There are club shows happening as well. I bought a ticket to see the Suicide Machines since they never, ever play Seattle.
So once again, I plan to attend Punk Rock Bowling which happens in Vegas this Memorial Day Weekend. And this time I’m also going to check out the new Punk Rock Museum in Vegas.
Check out all the artists scheduled to play Punk Rock Bowling 2024 and head on over to Vegas.
