2019 looks set to be another bumper year for festival goers not just here in the Midlands but also further afield and the MR team are already looking forward to revisiting some old favourite’s aswell as checking out one or two more recent additions to the calendar. Below we offer a quick preview of just some of those we can recommend….
There is not long to wait for the first festival of the season as melodic rock label Frontiers has put together a strong looking line-up for their inaugural UK event which takes place at the O2 Institute on February 9th. The one-day rock extravaganza showcases some of the finest established and upcoming talent signed to the label with Inglorious heading the bill along with the Toby Jepson fronted Wayward Sons, plus Vega, Bigfoot, Doomsday Outlaw and City of Thieves.
https://academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham/events/1222280/frontiers-festival-tickets
The following weekend the metal hordes will be gathering just across the City at the O2 Academy for HRH Metal III which takes place on the 16th and 17th and includes headliners Decapitated and Trollfest along with a whole host of other bands including Raging Speedhorn and Thrash veterans Acid Reign.
Check out all of the info and book tickets here:-
Bearded Theory’s annual Spring Gathering once again takes place at Catton Hall in Derbyshire across 23 – 26 May and offers a diverse line-up that includes headliners The Cult, Suede and Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul along with an array of supporting attractions and other events taking place during the weekend that takes the total number of artists performing to more than 200.
Along with the music there’s a ‘quiet space’ campfire area with story reading, discussions and poetry, a (non-animal) circus, and late-night comedy. Every year Bearded Theory attempts to break the world record for the most amount of people wearing fancy dress beards in one place and at one time so if that sounds like something on your “to do” list then head over to https://beardedtheory.co.uk/ and grab your tickets now.
There are less than 23 weeks until Download Festival 2019 which still remains at the spiritual home of all things Rock and Metal, Donington Park. The headliners this year have been confirmed as Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool, with others including Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Whitesnake, Rob Zombie, Trivium, Amon Amarth, Carcass, Delain, BlackBerry Smoke, Opeth, Power Trip, Reel Big Fish, and many more to be announced over the coming weeks.
https://downloadfestival.co.uk/
The family friendly Rock and Bike Fest returns to the grounds of Carnfield Hall, Alfreton, in Derbyshire and will happen from Thursday 11th until Saturday 13th July 2019. Aside from the music you’ll find good food, great beers, great family entertainment, creative arts & crafts, and there is also a children’s zone onsite. Amongst the artists confirmed so far are Kingdom of Madness: Classic Magnum, Toyah, The Quireboys and Bad Touch. Tickets are just £35 and all of the info can be found here:-
http://www.rockandbikefest.co.uk/
Spirit of Rock present the 4th annual Ramblin’ Man Fair returning to Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July 2019. Among the names confirmed so far are Foreigner, The Darkness, The Wildhearts, Beth Hart, Anathema, Living Colour, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Riverside, Pain of Salvation, and more. Now an established fixture on the festival calendar Ramblin’ Man has a unique philosophy. It is a rock festival designed for rock fans by rock fans with the aim to create the ultimate festival experience.
http://www.ramblinmanfair.com/
Bloodstock Open Air 2019 is back at Catton Hall in Derbyshire from Thursday 8th until Sunday 11th August and after last year’s appearance by Judas Priest the organisers have once again pulled off something of a spectacular exclusive with headliners the Scorpions playing a rare UK show. Joining the German maestros across the weekend are Sabaton, Anthrax, Children Of Bodom, Dimmu Borgir, Code Orange, Cradle of Filth, Queensryche, Dee Snider, Hypocrisy, Soilwork, and more to be announced.
https://www.bloodstock.uk.com/
Hopefully the above has whetted the appetite for the coming months; if you will be in a field somewhere this summer then don’t forget your wellies and see you down the front!
