In just 4 weeks time, over the Memorial Weekend holiday, Downtown Las Vegas plays host to the 23rd Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival, a celebration of all things punk rock.
From small beginnings in 1999, the festival has grown and now features more than 120 bands over a four-day period. The main festival outdoors features 2 stages where bands are timed so that performances do not overlap. At the cessation of each night’s outdoor festival club shows take place at various locations in Downtown Vegas.
The festival also features free pool parties with bands playing and of course the famous bowling tournament.
The good weather, 15000 like-minded people, great bands and the general craziness of Downtown Vegas make for a memorable festival every year. It’s good to see old bands still cutting it, but it is also a joy to discover new and upcoming bands that you may not have heard of or normally get the chance to see.
The Bands
The bands cover all of the punk rock spectrum and beyond, so there is something for everybody. The headliners are Bad Religion on the Saturday, rancid on Sunday and Dropkick Murphys closing the festival on the Monday.
Also featuring are The Damned, L7, The Interrupters, The Exploited, Agnostic Front, Suicidal Tendencies, the brilliant Sloppy Seconds, The Svetlanas, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Suzi Moon and GBH, all on the main festival stages.
Bands featured in the club shows include Reverend Horton Heat, Agent Orange, Booze And Glory, The Dickies, The Briefs, Manic Hispanic and Against All Authority. The club shows have separate ticketing arrangements, so you won’t get in with your main festival ticket.
The Timing
The whole thing starts with a kickoff party on Thursday 25th when the Dead Boys, The Dwarves and Zeke appear at The Fremont Country Club.
Club shows start on the Friday and run through until the Monday night. The shows normally start around 10.00pm and generally finish about 1.00am.
The main festival starts on the Saturday and doors open at 1.30pm each day, the first bands are on shortly after 2.00pm and the last band finishes at 10.15 pm.
The pool parties are held at The Downtown Grand Hotel, the parties are free but there is limited capacity which is controlled by hotel staff. If you have booked a room at Downtown Grand through the PRB website, you will receive 2 wristbands. A wristband gives you early priority entrance to the pool parties from 9 – 11am only, after that entry will be on a first come, first served basis.
The Grounds
The main festival grounds are situated at 6th and Stewart, Downtown Las Vegas.
The outdoor festival is all ages. Kids under 8 get in free and do not need a ticket. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by someone over 18. There are no in’s and out’s
Club Shows
Citrus Grand Pool Deck at The Downtown Grand
206 N 3rd Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Backstage Bar & Billiards
601 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fremont Country Club
601 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
The Place On 7th
115 N 7th St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
The Usual Place
100 S Maryland Pkwy suite 110, Las Vegas, NV 89101
This is the way
6th and Stewart, Downtown Las Vegas
The Stay
There are obviously plenty of places to stay in Vegas, but be aware that the festival is over a holiday weekend and rooms will be a little pricey. Make sure that you get a Downtown hotel and not one on the strip so that you can be at the heart of all the action.
Grub and Booze
6,000 sq’ shaded Beer Garden with Seating. Everyone must have a valid Driver’s License or Passport if they want a drink, no I.D. no booze!
Shaded Food Court with seating with all sorts of food on offer at reasonable prices. Grab a slice of pizza, gourmet tacos, vegan comfort food, smokehouse bbq, or a Japanese burrito, all diets are catered for.
Damage and Tickets
3 day General Admission: $190
Single Day General Admission: $90
Club Shows: $25
Good To Know
No outside food or beverages allowed in, although there are water stations inside
Bag policy – Small clutch purses/bags no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ : YES
Standard sized bags under 12″ x 6″ x 12″ including fanny packs, mini backpacks,shoulder
strap bags : YES, but they must be SEE-THROUGH/CLEAR
Non-see-through Backpacks, Purses or Camelbaks : NO
Lockers will be available for a fee on the festival grounds
Professional cameras and video cameras are not allowed in, although non professional ones are
To walk from one stage to the other takes about 1 minute
Be prepared to have little or no sleep over 4 days
Most importantly – don’t forget your sun cream!
So if you fancy some punk rock fun in the sun then get to Vegas for Memorial Day Weekend where you’ll find plenty of it!
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