Grade 2 + Crashed Out + Deaf Devils at Benidorm Punk Weekender (Day 3) in Benidorm, Spain on 12 April 2025.
The 3rd and final day of Benidorm Punk Weekender 2025 begins for me with a long walk around the town after breakfast to discover the sites, and in an attempt to get rid of the hangover from the previous day/evening. Overall, Benidorm exceeds my expectations in all senses. The bad elements are worse than expected (mainly the “strip” where all the pubs and nightclubs are located), and the good elements are better than expected (the old town and castle area). The punk festival makes it all worthwhile though.
Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions are the first band that I catch on the 3rd day, and they deliver a fine set, as always. The usual catchy tunes get everyone singing along as always, despite the relatively early time that they take the stage. Sorry, no photos, however. 🙁
Next up, the “discovery” highlight of the festival for me, Deaf Devils from Spain. I meet their bassist on the first day over a few beers, but it doesn’t register with me until I see them play on the last day, that they are a band that has been recommended to me by a few friends recently. They give a brilliant performance, completely bonkers, but one that will remain in the memory for quite a while to come. Fortunately, they are on the bill of Breaking Barriers festival in Leuven, Belgium next weekend, which I am going to, so I will have the opportunity to see them again soon.
Next on are Crashed Out, another fine no-nonsense old-school punk rock band that I know pretty well. They play a great set within the time allowed, incorporating the traditional smattering of covers of songs by the Angelic Upstarts, which get most of the crowd singing along.
Final band of the festival is Grade 2, another of my favourite current live bands who definitely bring the event to a close with a bang. Brilliant stuff from these 3 lads who are going from strength-to-strength.
All kudos to organiser Matt for taking the risk of putting this event on, and for pulling it off so well. Pretty much everything is spot on, apart from the weather after the first day. 
Great people, great staff (including security), cool venue, bargain beer prices, fantastic lineup. 
Even the relatively late start each day gives us old folks a chance to sleep off the previous day’s excesses before starting again the next day. 
I will definitely come back next year if I can, and if Matt manages to put it on again. A fantastic 3 days and highly recommended.
