A German punk band performing at this year’s Rebellion Festival has recorded a new song titled “Blackpool” as a tribute to the town ahead of their appearance at the Winter Gardens in August.
International act with a local ode
The Dead Dates, a five-member group from Düsseldorf, said they wrote the track as a deliberate departure from clichéd punk lyrics about drinking and brawls, instead focusing on the band’s affection for the Fylde coast and the festival itself. The song runs for almost three minutes and features a chorus referencing the tower lights, pier and the Rebellion event.
“We’re really looking forward to Rebellion, so we wanted to treat ourselves to a little present.”
The band’s lead singer, who uses the name Opa, explained they wanted to avoid “run-of-the-mill lyrics” and wrote the track in part as an acknowledgement of the festival’s founder, Darren Russell-Smith.
Who are The Dead Dates and when are they on?
The Dead Dates formed in 2022. They have released one EP and two singles to date and have a quirky entry in their history as the first German punk band to play three shows on Guadeloupe.
- Performance: 2.25pm, 6 August
- Venue: Winter Gardens, Blackpool
- Festival: Rebellion Festival — one of around 90 bands from 20 countries appearing at the Winter Gardens
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Opa | Lead singer |
| Heiko | Bass |
| Björn | Guitar |
| Karsten | Guitar |
| Tom | Drums |
Local context and what to expect
Rebellion Festival is a major draw for Blackpool each summer, bringing hundreds of acts and thousands of visitors to the Winter Gardens and town centre. The inclusion of international bands such as The Dead Dates underlines the festival’s global reach: organisers say around 90 bands from 20 countries will perform at the Winter Gardens this year.
For local residents and visitors planning to attend, The Dead Dates’ 2.25pm slot on 6 August offers an early afternoon opportunity to catch a band that has clearly embraced Blackpool enough to write a song about it. The track’s chorus includes the refrain referencing the town and the festival, providing a pop-cultural footnote to Rebellion’s diverse line-up.
Further details about set times and tickets are available from Rebellion Festival’s official channels and the Winter Gardens box office.
