Words and images from Dod Morrison
Dod Morrison Photography: http://www.dodmorrison.com/
On the longest day of the year, I found myself in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park for a full day of punk music. Located in the city’s South Side, Bellahouston Park is a sprawling 68-hectare green space—part nature escape, part cultural venue. It’s best known for hosting the massive Glasgow Summer Sessions each August, drawing crowds of up to 35,000. I’ve only been here once before, back when Green Day was supposed to play… only for the gig to be cancelled 40 minutes before doors opened. Safe to say, expectations were a little tense this time around. But thankfully, this day delivered…
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The Rezillos kicked things off in true punk/new wave fashion. Formed in Edinburgh in 1976, they stood apart from the grittier punk acts of the era with their energetic performances and a retro-futuristic, sci-fi-tinged aesthetic. Think upbeat rock’n’roll with comic book flair. Just as they were about to hit the stage, the heavens opened and torrential rain poured down—but it didn’t stop them from powering through bangers like Destination Venus, Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In, and a cracking cover of Ballroom Blitz.
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Next up: The Skids, hailing from Dunfermline, fronted by the ever-charismatic Richard Jobson—still the band’s original frontman and lyricist. His presence is electric, blending passion with a touch of self-deprecating humour. “When I step on stage I feel 16 again,” he joked. “Two songs later—I’m fucked!” Highlights included a thunderous rendition of The Saints Are Coming (he always has to remind people it’s his song, not U2’s or Green Day’s), and the crowd-pleasing TV Stars, which he proudly declared “the worst song ever written”—and played it anyway.
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Buzzcocks followed, charging through their iconic catalogue: Orgasm Addict, What Do I Get?, Ever Fallen in Love—pure punk energy and nostalgia in every chord.
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Then came The Undertones, wasting no time and diving straight into Jimmy, Jimmy. Later they dropped Here Comes the Summer a perfect pick for the day as summer solstice marks the start of summer and closed out with My Perfect Cousin. Just hit after hit from a band that never forgot how to have fun.
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The Stranglers took the stage like a well-oiled machine: tight, no-frills, all business. Little talking, just relentless delivery of classics like Nice ‘n’ Sleazy and No More Heroes, which had the crowd dancing wildly—including one guy spinning joyfully in a motorised wheelchair, completely lost in the moment was a very nice moment.
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Then, the main event: The Sex Pistols, fronted by Frank Carter. I like Frank a lot as a frontman, but I was curious—how would he fit into such iconic shoes? The answer: brilliantly. They waste no time—straight in with holiday sun. As soon as Steve Jones’ guitar kicks in with Pretty Vacant, you know you’re about to hear one of punk’s most iconic anthems.
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More tracks from Never Mind the Bollocks follow throughout the set: EMI, God Save the Queen, Anarchy in the UK—all delivered with raw energy. Frank Carter doesn’t just cover these legendary songs—he owns them, delivering each one with power and conviction. Frank doesn’t try to mimic Johnny Rotten. He brings his own energy, his own interpretation, and it works. It’s still raw, it’s still loud, and it’s still punk—but with a modern edge. A solid end to a high-energy day filled with legends, dad-dancing, anthems. Let’s just say: Bellahouston Park redeemed itself. And then some.
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