Kicking off the celebrations are Stinky Toys, widely recognised as France’s first punk band and one of the few non-UK acts to appear at the original 1976 festival. Their return to the UK stage — their first performance here since 1977 — is a rare and historic moment. Rising from the Paris underground, they fused art-school cool, glam flair and raw punk energy, becoming cult favourites across Europe and one of the era’s key pioneering groups. Headlining the night is Mark Laff’s X Generation X, performing a set inspired by the energy and attitude of early Generation X. Capturing the spirit that defined the era, the band revisit the sound of late-’70s London punk in the very room where so much of that history was made. This first night brings together artists with genuine roots in punk’s original movement, back in the room where so much of that history was made. With Stinky Toys — booked by Malcolm McLaren to play the original festival — and X Generation X, part of Britain’s first punk wave, both on stage on Friday 18 September, this is set to be one of those rare nights for anyone who truly loves their punk rock.
