The Zine UK

8/11/26 The Bands Come Out To Play Finals, Soho

It’s the 50th anniversary of PUNK in 1976 then, additionally, of PUNK really taking off as a global, rebellious counter culture phenomenon in 1977. This planet has never looked back. It’s affected everything.

This and next year are for turning possibilities around from what we could slide into.

Something is in the air to round off 2026

Anarchy isn’t just in the UK. There’s loads to rebel against and the young (of all generations), are fuelling a global, political (r)Evolution. People power is punk.

It’s as if Nature wants humans to play more.

Loudly.

You are reading this. You are part of this.

Its the music. The art, film and photography. The DIY style. The politics. The heritage and also the future.

Our “playeaux tapestry” has fave golden threads like Decolonise Fest, Cro Cro Land, Kick Out The Jams, LOUD WOMEN and many more woven and weaving.

DIY professionalism in the arts is an unprivileged necessity, not a fad. Add community and it gets results that could not have been dreamed of otherwise.

Artist supporters like Musos Awards, Music Venue Trust and Featured Artists Coalition help to change the landscape and narrative for musicians at a time of blighted venues, touring, funding and hopes. Talented potential can’t even give up their day jobs so anything positive, cool gigs included, is to be celebrated.

Giving the next generations a platform and support is vital.

The above is a facet of what our editor, Dizzy Spell, presented as an in-depth article for TheZineUK earlier this year. Being articulate and researched, it is worth a read and some conversations or debate. Musos Awards community can probably relate to more than one point.

**Read the full article** **https://thezineuk.co.uk/articles/punk-50-years-political-music-priced-out‍ ‍**

Make More Possible

Highlighting talent and sharing opportunities is how Music Industry Soccer Six events operate. As part of alternative rock n roll stories of The Many, the interdependent sector network that it is part of… works.

On Sunday 8th November, there's a fresh variety show of bands from far and wide who are hitting landmark grassroots music venue, the 100 Club, for The Bands Come Out To Play.

The Musos Awards are a way to get up coming artists onto iconic stages, their names profiled and new connections made.

It’s an invitation to audience members to possibly come away more involved with the new industry of creators and allies.

A sweet 16 of Semi Finalists from October

Making The Musos Awards PUNK Finals 2026

Music Industry Soccer Six and Music Venue Trust present a live show of chosen bands. New names who entered a competition to be listened to and noticed. That actually happened and they not only made the above mentioned semi finals, but have gone on to be part of the multi-faceted punk stories connecting face to face in The 100 Club.

With God Save The Queens and multiple more moments in the mix of this year, there is much to celebrate and create. One of our ArtfulFest recommendations was the book, ‘NOT DEAD VOLUME 2’ by Jeanie Jean (whose Musos Awards images we have swooned over). There was also an October/November exhibition at at Museum Of Youth Culture. The book sold out (twice) and raised £400 for Music Venue Trust from a portion of the sales.
”I once overheard someone say to their mate:
‘There’s nothing creative going on with young people now.’
I say bollocks to that. I’ve been saying this now for nearly five years.”
Jeanie Jean
https://instagram.com/jeaniejeanphotos

We are a situationist documentary so can only say that good times will be had at the weekend because there are excitements and good souls in this world. There will be pictures and clips, as ever. Watch https://instagram.com/musosawards

The Artists and their audience are the next chapter story.

TheZineUK documentary has repped at NextGen Musos Awards and launches. These are bargain entry live music socials for gig afficionados with an all-headliners variety show.

Welcoming and informal with musical peers, industry, scouts, supporters and creators in the mix of live sets. This makes new futures possible. The individual stories don’t stop. Our crew are not the only music fans recording these moments. Fast forward to more back stories in the musical heritage of now and next.

Here’s half a shaky TikTok minute of I See Orange rocking the very first edition of The Bands Come Out To Play at the start of last year.

We've checked out this year's artists and if it was hard for the team to pick the finalists it won't be easy for the industry panel to choose the winner at Sunday’s matinee.

£10 on the door (18+ event). TheZineUK documentary follows **Musos Awards artists and adventures.** There’s usually a limited soccer-six-quid (i.e. guest donation/artists entry price of £6 + booking fee) for these gatherings.
https://fatsoma.com/e/gqeg6yws/the-bands-come-out-to-play-punk-finals

Then another opportunity

Musos Awards: PUNK happens at Camden Town’s Electric Ballroom on Thursday 3rd December with some well known names, behind the scenes, already in the mix for appearances, anecdotes, art and gongs. Winners of The Bands Come Out To Play will grace a second illustrious venue when The Stars Come Out To Play.

It’s presented by the Minister of Counter Culture, himself John Robb. Immortalised in arts and hearts, the multi talented whirling dervish of the music world and beyond is as much of a legend as the names who will be under one roof for “The First Event Of Punk’s Next 50 Years”.

See you on the Musos Green Carpet.

2027 is go, then

The roadshow (Musos PUNK in Winter, Musos INDIE in Spring, Soccer SixFest in SUMMER etc.) kicks off this weekend on Oxford Street. A Music Tourism recommendation to step inside the world famous 100 Club with the Musos Awards. A rich story in their own right. Always finding ways to celebrate.

We’ll see you there. London. Calling…