The Exploited + GBH at Scarborough Punk Festival 2025 (Day 2) in Scarborough, UK on 30 March 2025.
Day 2 of SPF 2025, is the day of the “hard hitters”. Anyone who knows me will be in little doubt that I would attend a festival that had both GBH and The Exploited up there amongst the headliners. It also turns out to be the day of “spot the lineup changes” for several of the bands.
My highlights of day 2:
- Crashed Out: despite being the first band on at 12.30, and the beautiful weather outside (and the fact that the clocks went forward the previous night), C/O pull in a very respectable crowd. Not surprising really, as they’ve built up quite a reputation with their constant gigging.
- Gimp Fist: a band that have not really convinced me when I’ve seen them previously. However, my mate Frank convinces me to watch their whole set, and I must admit they may be starting to grow on me.
- Steve Ignorant Band: quite a revelation this one. I was a fan of Crass at the time of the release of “Feeding of the Five Thousand”, but nowadays I find it a bit difficult to listen to. But this is altogether another level. The band and Steve Ignorant give a whole new life to the old songs, making them sound very contemporary. But It is the female vocalist (also playing keyboards) who does it for me with a fantastic voice rendering even the songs that I wasn’t so keen on back in the day sound fantastic (“Berketex Bride”, “Shaved Women”). Great stuff.
- Conflict: a bit of a surprise that singer Colin does not make an appearance today. Apparently, Wattie made a pre-gig announcement that he is unable to make it due to health reasons, but I missed that. The rest of the band put in a fine performance with Fiona on vocals covering well for missing Colin.
- GBH: not much to be said that I haven’t said before about one of my all-time favourite bands. After a bit of a technical hitch at the beginning (I’m sure it was Jock who accidentally pulled his guitar lead out, ya silly bugger
), the band put in their usual blistering performance, so no disappointments there. They finish by giving us “the babies”, as (the other) Colin so eloquently puts it (“City Babies” and “Revenge”).
- The Exploited: once again one of my fave bands of all time, so also not much more to say than what I’ve said before. Stevie is absent on guitar, with a familiar face (Robbie) returning to fill in for him (temporarily, I believe). This results in the familiar set of songs being given a different dynamic, but the band sound as tight as always.
I manage to last the whole of the GBH set and two-thirds of the Exploited set up front at the barrier. However, towards the end, the exuberant moshing behind me starts to pose a risk for my back. Wishing to avoid my discs popping out again, I make a hasty retreat for the last few songs.
A great ending to a great festival, meeting up with great friends. See you there next year.
