RECAP: Camp Punksylvania Brings Loaded Lineup To Fans Of Annual Punk Rock Summer Camp
- Scott Kucharski
- Jul 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 10, 2024
The annual "Camp Punx" was by far the coolest thing in the Pocono Mountains on an otherwise sweltering holiday weekend.
Camp Punksylvania, nestled in its new digs at the tranquil West End Fairgrounds of Gilbert, PA, roared to life this past weekend for its fourth annual punk rock extravaganza. For three days, from July 5th to 7th, the fairgrounds transformed into a haven for the anti-establishment crowd, offering not just music but an immersive experience that celebrated all things punk.
The relocation to Gilbert proved to be a stroke of genius from Riot Squad Media, the event’s
organizers, by offering attendees the idyllic blend of rustic charm and festival convenience. Gone were the sweltering parking lot feel of previous venues; here, shaded camping areas, clean facilities, and an array of food vendors provided a comfortable home for the weekend’s festivities. As the event unfolded across four stages— including the Main Stage, Riot Stage, Shadow Stage, and the Wax Pax Stage —it became clear that Camp Punksylvania had found its perfect home in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
Speaking of those four stages, each had its own unique feel. The Wax Pax Stage was more of a space in one of the ground’s streets than an actual stage, but that turned out to be a perfect spot for a bunch of punks to set up and rock out with a group of their closest friends and fans.
It was only a few steps away from the Riot Stage, a covered, medium-sized stage at one of the fairground’s permanent buildings.
The Main Stage featured a state-of-the-art digital backdrop which displayed each bands name along with the eye-appealing graphics of Camp Punkssylvania during each headlining set while flashing ads for current vendors and photos from Camp Punx past in between.
Lastly, The Shadow Stage was a full stage constructed inside one of the permanent fairgrounds exhibit buildings featuring performances that would last well into the early morning hours each night. Fans who bought upgraded tickets to the Shadow Stage were treated to intimate sets that ranged from solo acoustic performances from bands like Dead, Dead Swans to full-blown, mainstage-worthy onslaughts from bands like The Dirty Nil and
everything in between while taking the sounds inside and away from neighbors and campers looking to get some rest before the next day’s shows. It was a smooth, well thought-out layout that allowed fans the opportunity to catch each band’s full sets as none overlapped and walks between stages were short along tree-lined paths.
Beyond the venue, the diversity of the lineup was the standout draw for concertgoers. From local talents to national headliners, each day was a sonic journey through the spectrum of punk rock music.
Friday kicked off at 5:00 PM with a Wax Pax Stage set from Coffee With Lions and featured electrifying Main Stage sets from D.O.A., 7 SECONDS, and personal favorite set of the night from Codefendants with Zeta setting a high bar that continued to rise throughout the weekend.
Despite a brief encounter with thunderstorms overnight into Saturday, which only added to the festival's gritty charm, spirits remained high throughout the weekend.
Saturday saw an impressive lineup of 23 bands, including standout performances by The Car Bomb Parade, Vulture Raid, Beef, Catbite, Big D & The Kids Table, The Bronx, and Canadian trio, The Dirty Nil, captivating fans until well past midnight.
After almost 40 sets in two days, Camp Punx attendees were in for one hell of a grand finale. Sunday again brought high temperatures in the 90s and plenty of killer sets beginning at 11:00 AM. I made sure to get there early for this one as I didn’t want to miss a highly anticipated set on the Wax Pax stage by Pennsylvania’s own Old Daggers. The Scranton quartet didn’t disappoint as they ripped through a gnarly half-hour set of old school punk originals with catchy hooks that crawled into my head for the rest of the afternoon.
Old Daggers were followed immediately by The Chemical Imbalance on the Riot Stage. The Jersey rockers who deem themselves as Mathcore meets Death Ska left fans a sweaty mess and themselves a little battered as well after pouring it all out in the midday heat.
Sets continued through 9:00 PM on the Riot Stage with alternating performances on the Main Stage beginning at 5:00 PM featuring The Whiskey Bats, Racist Kramer, Mary Shelley and Main Stagers The Venomous Pinks, Skating Polly, Diesel Boy, Bad Cop Bad Cop and headliners Less Than Jake.
While I can’t say I caught every set on Sunday, my highlights were without a doubt the sets by Old Daggers, Racist Kramer, Diesel Boy, Bad Cop Bad Cop and fan favorites Less Than Jake.
After two plus days in the heat, I spent some time on Sunday strolling through the vendor village speaking with record store owners, record label owners, t-shirt makers, tattoo artists, craftspeople, concessionaires, and fans. Vendors I spoke with had come from as far as Georgia to display their wares and promote their indie labels and artists under the canopy of shade trees that provided a welcome break from the heat. Fans I spoke with had nothing but praise for the smooth operations, ample parking, camping spaces, showers, bathroom facilities, kid-friendly atmosphere, and of course the lineup of amazing artists that were Camp Punksylvania 2024.
The women of Riot Squad Media and their team deserves commendation for executing a seamless three-day festival and fostering a sense of community that also retained its grassroots authenticity amid the sprawling fairgrounds without any of the corporate bureaucracy of the big music machine.
As the final notes faded and the last tattoos were inked, the consensus among attendees was clear: Camp Punksylvania 2024 had exceeded expectations. With whispers already circulating about next year’s event, one thing is certain—this gathering of punk rockers has found its home, and its heart, in Gilbert, PA.
In the end, Camp Punksylvania isn’t just a music festival; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of punk rock, a celebration of non-conformity, and a reminder that sometimes, the best moments come from embracing the unexpected. Here’s to Camp Punksylvania 2025—may it rock even harder than before.
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