Belfast Punk

The Warzone Collective began in 1984 in the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland, when a few local punks decided to consolidate their efforts and secure their own venue, practice, and social space. In 1986, the Collective opened its first premises in Belfast called Giros. It provided a vegetarian café, practice space, screen printing facilities, and more. Over time, the space became a focal point for anarchists, punks, and other forward-thinking individuals.

In 1991, the Collective moved to a larger and more ambitious venue, which is where all of the photographs in Belfast Punk were taken. Over the years, thousands of people passed through Giros' doors and were exposed to some amazing bands and new ideas. A strong D.I.Y. ethic defined the way gigs and events were organised. Over time, a recording studio, screen printing, and photographic dark room facilities were set up, along with a vegetarian café. It didn't have an alcohol licence - Giros was an all-ages venue.

The 'Warzone Centre' or 'The Centre', as it was called by some, became the counter-cultural alternative hub for the greater Belfast area and beyond. Bands from all over the world came here to play. It soon became infamous as one of the most credible venues in Europe for D.I.Y. punk.

The photographs in Belfast Punk were taken sporadically over the years, somewhere between 1997 and 2003. A small window of time considering the Warzone Collective opened its first venue in 1986. Towards the end of 2003, the Centre closed for a number of different reasons, leaving a huge gap in radical Belfast culture. In 2011, the Warzone Centre reopened after an eight-year hiatus, in a different venue on the opposite side of town. It is still going strong today.