By Kelly Dent
Mark your calendars, SunLun—this December 8, Bowlfest is back and taking over the iconic Museum Vaults for a night of anarchic energy, community vibes, and quality tunes.
Hosted by DIY label Serial Bowl Records, Bowlfest has become a cornerstone of the local music calendar, proving year after year that Sunderland’s punk scene is alive and unapologetically kicking.
Serial Bowl Records was born seven years ago as a heartfelt tribute to their late friend and Leatherface legend Dickie Hammond, a figure synonymous with the scene. True to their ethos, this is more than just a label—it’s a collective. With over 20 members, no hierarchy, and a mantra as simple as “don’t be a dickhead,” Serial Bowl champions inclusivity and DIY ethics, making their gigs as welcoming as they are raucous. If you’re homophobic, transphobic, or just plain idiotic, don’t bother showing up—this isn’t the crowd for you.
And then there’s The Museum Vaults, the perfect home for Bowlfest. This quirky, cosy pub is as much a character in the story as the bands themselves, providing a friendly, authentic space where the only things that matter are the music and the company.
This year’s Bowlfest lineup is as eclectic as it is electrifying:
- SLALOM D: Expect pure, unfiltered punk chaos.
- BE FAIR: Melodic punk rock with roots in Leeds and Sheffield.
- CAREHOME: Dark punk/noise rock that’s anything but comforting.
- SOLDERER: Self-described “extraterrestrial anarcho-slump dirge” from Leeds—yes, that’s as delightfully weird as it sounds.
- TOP SHORTAGE: Queer post-punk brilliance from Oxford.
But Bowlfest isn’t just about the music. You’ve got the legendary annual raffle, exciting prizes, and the debut of a brand-new Serial Bowl ale on tap, brewed with all the passion and grit you’d expect from these DIY heroes.
Tickets are £10 advance, available on Bandcamp, and with a lineup this good, they’ll go faster than a flip-flop in a mosh pit. Bowlfest isn’t just a gig—it’s a celebration of everything that makes Sunderland’s punk scene unique: raw energy, community spirit, and a refusal to play by the rules.
Grab your tickets, grab a pint, and get ready to shout along. Punk’s not dead—it’s thriving, and Serial Bowl Records has the proof.
The Gan On Team would like to dedicate this piece to Serial Bowl’s Ian Sherlock, gone too soon and missed by many. Rest in peace.
