Iggy Pop Set to Headline the Most Unmissable Punk Festivals of 2025

May 15, 2025 rocknews

CBGB Festival (Brooklyn, NY – September 27, 2025) & Bearded Theory Festival (Derbyshire, UK – May 21-25, 2025)

Few artists define punk’s chaotic brilliance quite like Iggy Pop. From his early days with The Stooges to his explosive solo career, Iggy has been the beating heart of rebellion for over five decades. In 2025, he’s taking center stage at two of punk’s most electrifying festivals—the historic CBGB Festival in Brooklyn and the UK’s Bearded Theory Festival.

These aren’t just gigs; they’re a celebration of everything punk was built on.

CBGB Festival: The Resurrection of Punk’s Holy Ground

Few venues are as legendary as CBGB—the 1973 birthplace of punk in New York. Originally founded as a spot for country and bluegrass, CBGB became the home of rock revolution, launching icons like The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, and Patti Smith. Though it shut its doors in 2006, its legacy still pulses through every distortion-fueled anthem. This year, it’s roaring back to life.

📍 Date: September 27, 2025
📍 Location: Under the K Bridge Park, Brooklyn

Lineup Highlights:

🔥 Iggy Pop
🔥 Jack White
🔥 Sex Pistols
🔥 The Damned
🔥 Marky Ramone
🔥 Melvins

Expect vintage CBGB installations, rare merch, and a lineup that screams anarchy.

🎟️ Tickets go on sale May 15 (presale) and May 16 (general public). NYC residents under 25 can snag the Young Punk GA ticket for £73, paying homage to CBGB’s founding year.

Bearded Theory Festival: From Pub Gathering to Alt-Rock Empire

Across the Atlantic, Bearded Theory Festival has grown from a grassroots pub event in 2008 to one of the UK’s most celebrated independent music festivals. It’s survived tornadoes, venue changes, and the push of commercialization, remaining fiercely DIY—no corporate sponsorships, no mainstream branding, just pure festival spirit.

📍 Date: May 21-25, 2025
📍 Location: Catton Park, Derbyshire

Lineup Highlights:

🔥 Iggy Pop
🔥 Manic Street Preachers
🔥 Sisters of Mercy
🔥 Nova Twins
🔥 Leftfield
🔥 Asian Dub Foundation

With eight stages and a commitment to creativity, Bearded Theory has evolved into Britain’s premier punk and alt-rock festival.

🎟️ Tickets available now via BeardedTheory.com.

Why Iggy Pop Is Still the King of Punk

James Osterberg Jr. wasn’t born Iggy Pop—he created that legend through chaos, raw vocals, and primal performances. From The Stooges to his collaborations with David Bowie, Queens of the Stone Age, and Josh Homme, Iggy never stopped evolving.

Now, at 78, he’s bringing punk full circle—leading the charge, returning to its birthplace, and proving that punk isn’t dead—it just gets louder.

Get Your Tickets—This Is Punk History in the Making

If you’ve ever wanted to feel the sweat-soaked, electric chaos of a true punk show, this is your chance. CBGB Festival revives the most legendary era of punk, while Bearded Theory keeps the flames burning for the next generation.

🎸 Get your tickets. Get your boots. Get ready to witness rock history.