1976 Revisited
I remember the legendary heatwave of 1976. School holidays, endless sunshine and a carefree thirteen year old me had little idea that a musical revolution was about to change British music forever.
During that remarkable year, Ramones released their debut album, The Clash played their first gig, The Damned released New Rose and Sex Pistols took to the stage at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester. Then, in December, came the infamous appearance on television with Bill Grundy. Overnight, punk went from being an underground movement to front page news.
At the time, I didn't fully appreciate what was happening. Like many thirteen year olds, I watched it unfold from a distance, intrigued but not yet part of it. It wasn't until 1977 that punk really reached my ears and became the soundtrack to my teenage years.
Fast forward fifty years and another long, hot British summer has arrived. Somehow it seems fitting that 2026 has become my own journey back to those formative years. Over the course of this anniversary year I've travelled around the country watching many of the bands who helped shape that era, reliving the music that has stayed with me ever since.
The faces may be older, a few original members are sadly no longer with us, but the spirit of those songs hasn't faded one bit..
Click on a band to dig deeper.
- Stiff Little Fingers O2 Academy Birmingham - 20-03-26
- Sham 69 Bedford Esquires - 04-04-26
- The Damned Wembley Arena 11-04-26
- John Otway Bedford Esquires 26-06-26
- Sex Pistols - The Stranglers - The Undertones Cardiff Castle 01-08-26
- Hugh Cornwell Bedford Esquires 12-08-26
- Hugh Cornwell The Devils Arse 15-08-26
- UK Subs Hat Factory 13-11-26
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