Next weekend sees the Bars Attacks annual invasion of Stoke
We’re well into June, and that means one thing - it’s festival. We have so many amazing large festivals in this country, but the independent festival scene is booming too and next weekend – Friday 13th and Saturday 14thJune, it’s the return of The Bars Attacks in Stoke on Trent.
The Bars Attacks annual invasion Weekender is an independent 2 day festival at The Artisan Tap, Stoke on Trent showcasing the city's best independent punk and punk adjacent acts whilst drawing some of the scene's bigger bands to the city.
This year, the festival organisers (The Two Step Goodbyes) have pulled off a right coup with The Virginmarys headlining. The Macclesfield duo are the rising stars on the rock circuit, well known for the energetic and vibrant live performances. Their latest album “The House Beyond The Fires” released in 2024 has received critical acclaim. They are supported by The Two Step Goodbyes, Great Silence and Wolves In Alcatraz. Check out the video for their recent single My Nettle below:
Saturday is a full day packed with bands and solo artists across two alternating stages, with the main stage being headlined by legendary Garage Punk and Psycho influenced Rockabilly artists the Kings of Hong Kong, whilst the acoustic stage is being headlined by Stoke on Trent's Dead Bird Lady.
Find out a little about some of the other bands in the lineup below from our hosts:
The Crash Mats bringing their infectious fun punk rock to the Artisan Tap. It’s not a real party until these guys rock up!
The Mandelbrot Shakes bring their globe trotting blues punk sound to the proceedings.
Eccie The Dog bring a sense of rave punk mayhem. These guys say they are grotesque / intense / crude / heartwarming, but in our humble opinion, they are the most fun you can have in Stoke on Trent. Expect horns, Synths, Bass and Fredos !
Whilst the Great Silence will be tearing the roof off of Bars Attacks. We are really excited to have them, expect a set littered with gritty, melodic punk rock gems.
Uncle Dad and Dave will be giving a Hardcore DIY demonstration and providing quotes on the day. Expect a 2 piece Hardcore DIY punk rock panto. Their songs are short, their jobs sheets long. Tales of building site fights, crap jobs, macho gobshites, racist dogs. If you like acts such as the Sleaford Mods, Viagra Boys, Yard Act – you’ll love these guys!
Attack Of The Vapours is the brainchild of John MacLeod - singer, songwriter, and tomfooler. John has performed on and around Staffordshire’s music scene for 27
Then there’s the hosts themselves, The Two Step Goodbyes. We’ve been big fans of the Two Steps here at LiveWire for some time. From western inspired punk ballards to songs about local bell ends, expect a set of tight, 90 second bangers that will leave you sticky! We love their 2018 EP 10,000 Volts, as well as their latest release the Punkabilly the Kid EP.
