Punk Rock Bowling
Las Vegas Events Center
May 26 – 28, 2018
Photos by Raymond Ahner.
Celebrating its twenty year anniversary, Punk Rock Bowling once again outdid itself with one of its most diverse lineups yet, bringing punk rock fans from all over the world to the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on Memorial Day weekend. As if there was any doubt, the festival left little doubt that is one of, if not the biggest punk rock festivals ever.
Day one of the festival was fully loaded, featuring high energy sets from D.O.A. (now in their fortieth year,) English punk rock stalwarts GBH (who put on one of the best sets of the weekend,) L7, and a band with a name with words, Suicidal Tendencies, before Rise Against closed out the evening, and gave the punks a kick in the ass after a long day and a renewed energy for the evening club shows taking place after the festival.
Starting at precisely 3PM, day two got off to a rousing start with a set from local band Atom Age, who brought the still filtering in fans up to the front of the stage. After energetic sets from Larry and His Flask, Swingin’Utters, and The Partisans, Turbonegro, who had attracted fans to the festival from all over the world, hit the stage with a flair that only they could provide, re-igniting the energy level on the festival grounds. They were a tough act to follow, but Boston’s The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and NOFX did their best to close out another fun day in the sun.
Day three started with a kick in the ass set from the Svetlanas, who practically everyone in attendance had come out early specifically to see. Although it was the final day of the festival and a few fans were showing the repercussions of drinking in the hot sun all weekend, the festival was still packed for Against Me!, X, and At The Drive In, who pulled off one of the most memorable sets of the festival.
Here’s a slideshow with lots more photos by Raymond Ahner from Punk Rock Bowling:
