Stiff Little Fingers announce Putting the Fast in Belfast line-up for next year

Stiff Little Fingers have announced the line-up for their seventh annual hometown festival, Putting the Fast in Belfast. Next year, the festival will come to Custom House Square, Belfast, on Saturday August 16. The group will be joined by their friends and special guests Public Image Ltd, Sham 69, Cherym, and DJ Terri Hooley. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday November 8, you can purchase them here.

The Belfast-natives formed the punk band in 1977. They released their debut album, Inflammable Material in 1979 at the height of The Troubles, with most of the album's tracks detailing the time of conflict. Continuing to make music today, the group’s latest track, ‘Hate Has No Home Here’, was inspired by the title of a grassroots campaign that promotes just and inclusive communities that stand up against hate speech.

On the upcoming festival, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the group, Jake Burns, commented: "Once again, we're heading home in August to "put the fast in Belfast" and, as always, we're looking forward to it immensely. This year, we're joined by a true legend in John Lydon, whose band, Public Image Limited, has always been ahead of any curve there was.

“Plus, Sham 69, a band who needs no introduction from me, as well as one who might: Cherym, a fantastic young local band who has a set of incredible songs chock full of choruses with meaningful lyrics. All in all, this is another great bill that we're delighted to be part of. See you up there!"