Where – Witton Albion Club, Wincham, Northwich
When – 29th/30th Aug 2026
Review and photographs by Linda McDermott
Saturday 29th August
Rockwich Festival is a little gem of a festival and one of the highlights of the year for me. Based at Witton Albion Football Social Club, it is a big supporter of grassroots rock music and local charities. Organisers Mik Matzen, Colesia Pryse and their team have honed it perfectly, keeping it a compact gathering of around 400 rock fans. Now in its tenth year, and having raised thousands of pounds for a variety of charities, they celebrate with a stonking lineup to be the envy of other festivals. But it’s not just the lineup that makes Rockwich special, bands love playing here because of the great atmosphere and friendly feel.
This year, the festival is raising money for St Luke’s Hospice, Cheshire, a charity that has been providing palliative care and support to local people since 1988. Going beyond what the NHS can provide or fund, St Luke’s supported more than 1,000 local people last year, offering a wide range of care, from end-of-life care on its ward, support for carers, to helping children cope with grief and assisting patients as they return to work following illness.
St Luke’s was created following a local fundraising campaign in the mid-1980s, championed by people in the community, and more than 35 years later that same community spirit continues to keep the charity going. Almost 85% of its care is funded through donations, making fundraising events such as this festival an important part of helping St Luke’s continue its vital work. Website link below.
The Saturday August bank holiday is when it all begins and, even though the weather has turned and the rain has decided to try and dampen our spirits, it doesn’t. We arrive in plenty of time and, as those lucky enough to get a ticket slowly assemble, the spirits lift as everyone says their hellos.
Tonight is all about catching up with others and settling in with a night of acoustic sets. Mike Hoskins, took to the stage and I thought I recognised him, but as soon as he started singing, I knew exactly where I knew him from, the band KinStrife. With his lovely deep, rich voice adding plenty of depth and emotion to his vocals, Mike soon had everyone settling into the evening. With an album coming out next week, it was a great chance to showcase the songs on it and gain some new fans.
As people arrived and settled in, catching up with friends and the rock family, Mike played on and dedicated Thousand Miles of Rain to all the ladies in the room, a relaxed melodic number that I really liked. There was also room in his set for an acoustic version of Word Up which was a surprise, but it had people joining in and singing along.
There was a big cheer when Mike asked who had the KinStrife album Fools and Monsters, before playing Make Me, a favourite song that is still in my playlist from 2020. It was great to hear it done acoustically, I even learnt some more of the correct words! He then asked if it was okay to sing a song that wasn’t a rock song because he loves it, before launching into, I’m Sexy and I Know it, by LMFAO, which had people smiling and joining in, while a couple of guys thought they had the moves to go with it. They didn’t have the moves, but they were having the best time.
We also got an early listen to Welcome Wagon, a song Mike had only played once before. It isn’t on his debut album but is going to feature on the next one, so it was a nice little preview of what’s to come. Angry Young Man rounded off a brilliant set, complete with plenty of “oh, oh, oh, ohs” from the crowd. A fantastic way to ease everyone into the festival vibe.
Next, Ashley Sherlock and a friend brought their own mix of original material and covers, and the whole thing had the relaxed feel of a great jamming session. Among the covers were Layla, and Jolene, which had the crowd joining in with the chorus, and some Chilli Peppers, alongside Ashley’s own songs. Out of Sight, a brand new song, gave us another taste of his songwriting, while Jimi Hendrix’s Hey Joe showed off the full range of his vocals.
There was also a brand new tune about getting sober, showing another side to Ashley’s songwriting. It was a great addition to the set, although singing about getting sober to a room full of rockers, some of whom had clearly started their evening early, did raise a smile!
As the rockers continued to form an orderly queue at the bar, I was really looking forward to hearing Luke Appleton’s acoustic set, as I’ve only previously heard him playing with Blaze Bayley, Absolva and his three-piece rock band, The Luke Appleton Power Trio. His set started off brilliantly before a supposed technical problem saw him asking organiser Mik Matzen to come on stage to sort it out. Except it was all a lie, and the real reason for getting Mik on stage was to sing Happy Birthday while the crowd donned masks of his face and applauded. There was cake and candles too, making it quite a birthday surprise. If you were there, you’d have seen the joy on his face!
Once the celebrations were over, Luke got back to the music kicking off with Snake Eyes, the title track from his acoustic album, it’s a chilled laid-back song, that was quickly followed by Medusa, a real foot-tapper. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing this different side to Luke’s music. There was a cover of Numb which was a great move, producing a choir from the crowd as everyone sang the choruses loudly.
Then came a particularly poignant moment when Luke introduced Forever Viking, a song he had written for a friend, Wayne Turnbull, known as The Viking. It was an emotional performance and one that clearly meant a great deal to him.
There is something about acoustic music, stripping songs right back and laying them bare, producing totally different emotions from it being played electric.
Luke also treated us to a few more covers, including Ozzy Osbourne’s Mama, I’m Coming Home and Tenacious D’s Tribute, and who doesn’t like a bit of that? Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall followed, before Iron Maiden’s Wasted Years brought the evening to a close.
Those who had lasted until the end, sang their wee hearts out and it was a joy to watch. Three great acoustic sets showcasing three difference styles and all hitting the mark.
And with that, the night was done. New friends made, hangovers a few hours away, but at this moment in time, it was just the best start to what was yet to come.
Please check out the act’s socials, it really does help if you give them a follow, download their music and watch any videos.
Socials
Mike Hoskins
https://www.facebook.com/mike.hoskins.56
Ashley Sherlock
Luke Appleton
https://www.facebook.com/luke.appleton.9421
St Luke’s Hospice, Cheshire
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