Festival Preview: Groezrock 2016 – 10 Must-See Bands

One of the finest European festivals is nearly upon us, heralding the start of festival season. Around 40,000 punks from every corner of Europe will descend upon a tiny field in Belgium to sing, dance and drink premium strength continental lager – it really is as good as it sounds.

Of course, it would all count for nought if the bands weren’t up to par, but this year the Groezrock team have really pulled out all of the stops to deliver a line-up that should appeal to everyone with an interest in punk rock – whatever the subgenre.

As ever, just picking 10 acts to watch is near impossible, but here’s where you’ll find us…

Iron Chic

Groezrock faves Iron Chic are returning for yet another dose of festival fun ahead of their hugely anticipated third album, which will drop later this year on SideOneDummy. Promising huge sing-alongs and enough positive spirit to fuel the campsite lights, Iron Chic are the perfect festival band – and appropriately enough, Groezrock is the perfect festival for Iron Chic. It promises to be a blast! (RM)

Where and When: Back To Basics Stage on Saturday 20:20 – 21:10

Modern Baseball

If you caught Modern Baseball on their brief UK stop over recently you’ll know that the Philadelphia emo/pop-punk heroes have never sounded better. Coupled with a new album, ‘Holy Ghost’ that’s due to drop imminently, this could be the point which sends Modern Baseball supernova, in Europe at least. So, get prepared to sing your heart out as you witness history in the making.(RM)

Where and When: Watch Out Stage on Saturday 16:15 – 16:55

Moose Blood

Moose Blood are one of the UK’s leading emo exports, and are sure to cement their place on the global stage with the release of their second album ‘Blush’ in August. Before that though, there’s a small matter of an already long sold-out UK tour to contend with, meaning the Canterbury rockers will be rolling into Groezrock fired up and ready to hit Belgium with some monstrously great heartfelt sing-alongs and killer tunes old and new.(RM)

Where and When: Watch Out Stage on Saturday 21:45 – 22:35

The Movielife

Long Island’s The Movielife made an unexpected return last year – including a whistle-stop UK tour – and now Vinnie Caruana and his emo/pop-punk heroes are bringing the good times back to Europe. If you caught any of the UK shows, you’ll know just how great a return it was (they really were incredible), and in true Groezrock tradition, they’re the sort of band that will go down a storm. Besides, who am I to pass up on an opportunity to lose my voice singing along to ‘This Time Next Year’? Again…(RM)

Where and When: Main Stage on Saturday 15:35 – 16:15

Rancid

I’m of the vintage that I actually saw Rancid play England to support ‘…And Out Come The Wolves’ near 20 years ago. That night in Wolverhampton was one of those that cemented my love affair with music – so to see Rancid hitting the stage to play the record in its entirety is just too good an opportunity to pass up. Sure to be carnage – in the best possible way – such a moment is an honest-to-God event, rather than just another festival headline set. (RM)

Where and When: Main Stage on Friday 23:30 – 0:45

Rozwell Kid

Indie-rock oddballs Rozwell Kid have a number of top-notch releases behind them, and a freshly-inked deal with SideOneDummy is bound to catapult them into an audience far beyond the niche they’re currently in. This represents their first trip to Europe, and the UK will soon get chance to witness their brilliance first hand as they come over to support Into It Over It and The Hotelier. Darkly comic, hugely irreverent and massively contagious, they’re the masters of the riff-tastic sing-alongs. You’re new favourite band? They very well could be… (RM)

Where and When: Back To Basics on Saturday 12:35 – 13:10

The Falcon

Punk rock supergroup The Falcon (featuring The Larry Arms’ Brendan Kelly and Alkaline Trio’s Dan Andriano) returned with the stupendously good ‘Gather Up The Chaps’ earlier this year. For good measure, they roped in buddy Dave Hause of The Loved Ones/Paint It Black notoriety too, resulting in an effort that begs to be sung from the pit, despite the dark lyrical themes. It’ll be The Falcon’s first European trip – you really wouldn’t want to miss it… (RM)

Where and When: Back To Basics on Saturday 17:35 – 18:20

Muncie Girls

Fresh off from the release of their acclaimed debut full-length, ‘From Caplan to Belsize,’ Exeter trio Muncie Girls are heading over to Belgium with array of earnest punk rock songs that carry themselves with plenty of heart. Whilst songs such as ‘Respect’ and ’Social Side’ are thought-provoking. If you’re looking for a break from the rapid punk and frantic hardcore on offer, Muncie Girls are fine a solution. (SR)

Where and When: Back To Basics on Friday 17:45 – 18:25

Letlive.

Letlive. are back! With expectations for ‘If I’m The Devil…’ reaching breaking point, their return to Groezrock isn’t one to be missed. With a combination of their socially conscious lyrics, genre-bending sound and the always charismatic Jason Aalon Butler, Letlive.’s live show isn’t one to be missed. One of the key elements to their success in recent years is their show-stealing festival sets, and we expect no different at Groezrock. (SR)

Where and When: Impericon Stage on Satuday 18:10 – 18:55

The Dirty Nil

After delivering an exhilarating album in ‘Higher Power,’ Canadian trio The Dirty Nil make their Groezrock debut with a wave of momentum. If you’ve yet to hear the aforementioned record, do yourself a favour and listen to it on repeat before you head to Groezrock. The Dirty Nil’s high octane rock n roll style is unrelenting and simply thrilling to hear. Groezrock is the perfect chance to catch one of 2016s most exciting bands.(SR)

Where and When: Back To Basics on Friday 16:25 – 17:05

Playlist

Set Times

Friday April 29th

Monster Energy Stage
The Aggrolites 15:45 – 16:30
Four Year Strong 17:05 – 17:50
Less Than Jake 18:25 – 19:15
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls 19:45 – 20:35
Hatebreed 21:15 – 22:15
Rancid 23:30 – 00:45

Impericon Stage
Hellions 15:45 – 16:25
Blessthefall 17:05 – 17:45
Despised Icon 8:25 – 19:05
Walls of Jericho 19:45 – 20:30
Saosin 21:15 – 22:05
No Fun At All 22:45 – 23:35

Back To Basics Stage
The Dirty Nil 16:25 – 17:05
Muncie Girls 17:45 – 18:25
Siberian Meat Grinder 19:05 – 19:45
Terror 20:30 – 21:20
Youth Of Today 22:05 – 22:55

Watch Out Stage
Coma Commander 16:25 – 17:00
Off The Cross 17:45 – 18:20
Tangled Horns 19:05 – 19:45
We’rewolves 20:30 – 21:15
Double Veterans 22:05 – 22:55

Saturday April 30th

Monster Energy Stage
Not on Tour 12:00 – 12:35
Venerea 13:10 – 13:45
Flatcat 14:20 – 15:00
The Movielife 15:35 – 16:15
Juliette & The Licks 16:50 – 17:35
Mad Caddies 18:10 – 18:55
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes 19:30 – 20:20
Face To Face 20:55 – 21:45
No Use For A Name & Friends 22:20 – 23:20
Sum 41 00:00 – 01:10

Impericon Stage
Broken Teeth 12:00 – 12:35
Northlane 13:10 – 13:45
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes 14:20 – 15:00
Burn 15:35 – 16:15
Bury Your Dead 16:50 – 17:35
Letlive. 18:10 – 18:55
Emmure 19:30 – 20:20
Caliban 20:55 – 21:45
Sick of it All 22:20 – 23:10

Back To Basics Stage
Rozwell Kid 12:35 – 13:10
Pears 13:45 – 14:20
Knockout Kid 15:00 – 15:40
Modern Baseball 16:15 – 16:55
The Falcon 17:35 – 18:20
SNFU 8:55 – 19:40
Iron Chic 20:20 – 21:10
Dillinger Four 21:45 – 22:35
Dag Nasty 23:10 – 00:00

Watch Out Stage
Teen Agers 12:35 – 13:10
The Bennies 13:45 – 14:20
Bad Cop / Bad Cop 15:00 – 15:40
Clowns 16:15 – 16:55
Night Birds 17:35 – 18:20
Much The Same 18:55 – 19:40
PUP 20:20 – 21:10
Moose Blood 21:45 – 22:35

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Words by Rob Mair (RM) and Sêan Reid (SR)