Levy Punk Weekender - Day 1

Levy Punk Weekender – Friday 26.07.24

I headed up to Manchester with MWJ, Rich, and Saw for the start of the Levy Punk Weekender, a three-day celebration of DIY punk culture held at the Klondyke Club in Levenshulme. The Klondyke itself has a fittingly eccentric history – originally a working men's club, it’s since become a quirky community venue known for its welcoming vibe, outdoor stage, and fiercely independent events.

But before the official weekend kicked off, we had something special lined up – a guerrilla gig under a bridge in Fallowfield. And when I say “under a bridge,” I mean exactly that: concrete overhead, spray-painted walls, and the sound of freight trains rolling by in the distance. It felt raw and real – the kind of scene you’d expect to find in old footage of 80s hardcore shows in the U.S., not tucked away in a corner of South Manchester.

Four bands, a battered PA system, crates of beer, and a bubbling pot of vegan hotpot set the tone. The lineup? Slutch! – outrageously young and full of fire – alongside State Sanctioned Violence, Victim Unit, and WND. Each set felt urgent and completely unfiltered. As the music roared on, passersby wandered along the footpath, double-taking at the sudden burst of noise and energy in their otherwise quiet neighbourhood. It was chaotic, joyful, and just about perfect.

We spent the afternoon chatting, reconnecting with old mates, and getting to know new faces. There’s a certain magic to these unofficial gatherings – no security, no barriers, just shared passion and a love for punk in its purest form.

Two urban guerillas, Oskar Crutches and myself

Eventually, the four of us made our way to what we jokingly called Hotel Barely Adequate – a no-frills crash pad, one room, two double beds, no wardrobe and one toilet that flushed hot water! We guesstimated that the one toilet catered for about 30 people. After checking in (and checking out of life) we headed to the Klondyke to dive into the weekend proper: more beer, more bands, and a whole lot more punk rock.

The Friday night lineup didn’t disappoint. We caught a cracking range of bands, each bringing their own flavour to the mix. In alphabetical order: (I'm pretty sure these all played the Friday, I was very very drunk at the time and my notes resemble hieroglyphics!!)

• Crutches – D-beat punks from Sweden, known for their blistering speed, raw aggression, and bottomless Buckfast reserves. Their set was absolutely feral – one of the standouts of the night.

• Derrumbando Defensas – A politically charged punk/hardcore outfit originally from Chile but now partly based in Europe. They delivered a tight, furious set with Latin American anarcho roots and international solidarity vibes baked into every shout.

• Flowers of Flesh and Blood – Fast, noisy and completely uncompromising. Think grindcore/hardcore with a splash of powerviolence. Not for the faint-hearted, and a total blast live.

• Hard Skin – Legends of the punk parody world, playing up their skinhead personas with tongue firmly in cheek. Their set was as hilarious as it was catchy – a brilliant way to end the night.

• Prise – Hardcore punk from Liverpool (I think) with a sharp, screaming edge. 

• Yersin – Crushing, sludge-tinged hardcore with a bleak intensity that left the room breathless. Yorkshire-based, I think – very heavy, very loud, very good.

A proper mixed bag of chaos, character, and community. And that was only Day One.

(Shit pic by me - all the good ones by Rich Phillips and Saw)