Where – Witton Albion Football Club, Northwich.
When – 23rd/24th August 2025
Day One – Acoustic Evening
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
Rockwich Festival is one I look forward to every year, and its 10th year is no exception, especially with another strong line-up of bands on offer. The festival is nestled within Witton Albion Football Ground in Northwich and it’s a festival that always feels special.
The Saturday night opener is a relaxed affair, centred around intimate acoustic sets, with the main action kicking off tomorrow. This year, organisers Colesia, Mik, and their dedicated team have raised the bar once again, setting up a large marquee to cater for the festival’s ever-growing audience. For tonight, though, the cosy social club remains the perfect setting for the stripped-back performances.
Rockwich has firmly earned its place on any band’s must-play list, attracting acts like South of Salem, Massive Wagons, Screaming Eagles, The Treatment, The Virginmarys, and many more, artists who love to return time and again thanks to the electric atmosphere and the warmth of the crowd.
As people drift in and exchange greetings ahead of the first act, there’s a buzz in the room. It’s the kind of anticipation that only grows stronger when you know two days of music, energy, and friendships are about to unfold.
Playing tonight are:
Katie & the Bad Sign
Tom Killner
Gin Annie
Katie & the Bad Sign
Usually a five-piece, tonight they were down to a duo, with both Katie and Harry on guitar. Katie’s voice has a raw, bluesy edge that fits perfectly with her brand of country rock, and it really shone through in this stripped-back acoustic set.
Her own songs hit the spot as she dipped into her back catalogue, but she also threw in a couple of covers. Piece of My Heart, first sung by Erma Franklin and later made famous by Janis Joplin. She delivered it with such power that, as far as I’m concerned, she gave them both a run for their money. She also threw in Alright Now by Free, which had me and my friends singing along (thankfully well away from the stage, or we might have put her off!).
All in all, it was the perfect kick-off to the night, stripped back, full of character, and absolutely spot-on.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katieandthebadsign
Video
Cruel to Me
Tom Killner
Next up on this acoustic night was Tom Killner, who strolled on stage with that easy confidence of someone who knows he’s about to win you over. He treated us to stripped-down renditions from across his albums, keeping that country-blues thread running through the evening but putting his own stamp on it.
Armed with guitars and keys, the set had a laid-back feel, the kind that makes you want to grab a drink, kick back, and just let the music do its thing. Before long, the feet were tapping, heads were nodding, and you could tell he had the crowd right where he wanted them. There’s a warmth to Tom’s delivery, part bluesman grit, part storyteller charm, that makes even the quieter moments hit home.
It was the kind of performance that sneaks up on you: no big fuss, no flashy tricks, just great songs played with heart. By the end, it wasn’t just a case of going down a treat, it felt like Tom had bottled the whole vibe of the night and handed it to us on a plate.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TomKillnerBand
Video
Gin Annie
By the time Gin Annie were getting ready to play, the room was buzzing, full of people who’d clearly shrugged off the working week and slipped straight into weekend mode. There was plenty of laughter and smiles all round, as mates caught up, and the drinks were flowing just nicely.
Somehow, Gin Annie managed to squeeze all five of them onto the stage (a bit of a feat in itself!), and once they kicked off, it was pure entertainment from start to finish. Normally known for their melodic rock, the songs translated seamlessly into this kicked-back acoustic vibe, proving that good tunes work in any format. What stood out most was the connection between the band and fans, every chorus had people singing along, every cheeky grin from the stage was met with smiles. It was one of those sets where you look around the room and realise everyone’s on the same wavelength, caught up in the atmosphere and the music.
Kicking off with Rain (we don’t want any more of that!) the continued with crowd favourites like Chains, Next To Me and New Bad Habbit from their 2019 debut album 100%. They had the place filled with song, showing just how strong their material is.
And just when you thought the set couldn’t get any better, along came their take on Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game, moody, atmospheric, and a definite highlight.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GinAnnieUK
Video
Chains
The whole night seemed to fly by in no time, and that’s always the sign of a cracking night. I love the laid-back start this festival offers, top-notch bands, with plenty of character, and musicians who are as happy chatting with fans as they are playing their hearts out. It’s the perfect gentle warm-up to a full-throttle day of music tomorrow…. here’s hoping people had the good sense to head to bed when it finished to avoid a hangover tomorrow, because day two is going to need some
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