Punk Rock Bowling 2021 – Spectacular – Friday, September 24

Table of Contents

PUNK ROCK BOWLING – TOC

MAIN STAGE

Descendents | Frank Turner | The Menzingers | Dillinger Four | F.Y.P. | The Darts | The Sunnydales

MONSTER STAGE

Anti-Flag | The Queers | Dwarves | Pears | Bad Cop/Bad Cop | The Linecutters | Jerk!

CLUB SHOWS (NERD BAR)

Dr. Know | Ill Repute | False Confession | Stalag 13

Punk Rock Bowling started out strong on Friday with bands like Bad Cop Bad Cop, The Dwarves, and Anti- Flag. Bad Cop/Bad Cop left the whole crowd excited – their set was referenced in performances from the other bands throughout the day. One of the bands stated, they are “representing the women at Punk Rock Bowling and they are doing a great job at it”. Later on that night, The Dwarves brought out a huge crowd as they blew the audience away with killer guitar riffs. Their lyrics, however, may need a parental advisory warning on them, which the crowd loved. They tributed a song to recognizing the Earth and its depleting ozone – making a strong statement.

Next on the Punk Rock Bowling Monster Stage, which had some of the best shows all day, were The Queers. They had the best entrance with a Beethoven sounding song greeting them onto the stage, building the crowd’s anticipation. They started their set with super fun energy until they were set back by a broken amp. Once they fixed the technical problem, they continued to have an amazing show and sounded great.

Frank Turner’s performance at Punk Rock Bowling followed The Queers’ on the Main Stage. His acoustic set was very well performed and loved by the crowd. Anti-Flag owned the night with their show. They came out playing Die for Your Government, getting the crowd fired up. They had the most interactive audience of the day as they encouraged singing along, dancing, and a family-like atmosphere. Their message is unmatched and poses a real threat to the establishment as it is heard and felt by the audience on a personal level, inspiring needed change. They have zero tolerance for fascism, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc… and are not afraid to say the truth about these evils which is a very needed influence in today’s society. The crowd took in every word they said and stood in solidarity with their fists in the air. They are the hardest working and most relevant band in punk today and will continue to spark a flame under societal change towards equality and love for everyone.

To close out the friday night shows, the Descendants played on the Punk Rock Bowling Main Stage which was packed solid with people. The pit was a perfect circle movement and was so refreshing to see so many people enjoying the same music in one place together after so long in quarantine. They played an amazing set, as usual, and had people running over from Stage 2 in advance – because to miss the Descendants would be a sin as they are a punk rock classic. They finished the friday shows off perfectly – Punk Rock Bowling’s friday lineup was great!

– Madison Mairs
13 Stitches Magazine