RockWich Festival – A Small Festival With Balls!

Where – Witton Albion Club, Wincham, Northwich

When 30^th/31^st August 26

Review and photographs by Linda McDermott

Sunday 31^st August 26

After settling into RockWich Festival yesterday, with an evening of acoustic sets, Sunday was all about the main event. Twelve fantastic rock bands were on the bill, bringing a great mix of the rock genre to the day’s proceedings. The weather might have had other ideas, but nothing was going to dampen the spirits of a marquee full of rock fans ready for a full day of music.

Roxy and the Lockhearts had the unenviable job of kicking things off, but they certainly weren’t lacking in energy. Their sleazy, punk edged rock got the festival moving. They threw themselves into the set, playing songs I’d not heard for a while, and I loved their growing confidence as they rattled through them with Miss Militia from The Lost Girls adding a bit of extra spice to the performance. Favourite song was Rip N’ Tear a single from last year. Then, just to make things even more Rock Wich, a fluffy hamster went hurling towards the stage, making Josh laugh as he told the story of why!

The early start didn’t stop the atmosphere building, and VAZON took it up another notch. The Bradford duo had stepped in at the last minute after another band pulled out, and what a replacement they were. In fact, I think I may have found a new favourite band. There was something different about their energy, and they oozed confidence from the moment they appeared. They began with a slow instrumental build before the vocals came in melodically, hitting those high notes as the song gradually let rip. From there, one great song followed another, I love Rage, it’s on repeat now and I hope to see more of them on the grassroots circuit.

No Favours continued that momentum with a set packed with heavy numbers and riffs to die for. Their army of fans certainly weren’t going to let the weather outside spoil the party, as they were totally focused on the band. Always Young, their new single, isn’t released until next month, but it’s already getting an airing on the RockWich CD, which every band has contributed to. It’s a cracker, and I suspect there will be plenty of people looking forward to hearing the finished release.

The changeovers were quick and efficient, keeping the music coming, and The Soul Survival wasted no time getting stuck into their powerful blues rock set. Opening with the brilliant Won’t Bring Me Down, they had the crowd with them straight away. They finished with Show Me the Right Way, a song that requires a little audience participation, and there was certainly no shortage of willing volunteers. Ste recognised a couple of children in the crowd, Samuel, and Reuben, so he came off stage and got them to sing part of the song with him, to a massive cheer. It was one of those special moments that says a lot about the atmosphere at RockWich.

There was just enough time after their set to nip into the main hall of the social club, where every band had their own merch table. It was buzzing in there, with people chatting to the bands, buying merchandise, and getting things signed. There’s a connection between the musicians and the people who had come to see them. This is what RockWich is all about, the community, the closeness of bands and fans, and that feeling that everyone is part of the same thing.

Then it was back to the marquee for FangSlinger and their brand of redneck rock. This band are going from strength to strength, and considering they only played their first live gig less than a year ago, what they have achieved already is impressive. Songs from their debut album Welcome To The Lost Souls Saloon gave new fans a showcase of what they are about, with Bare Your Teeth and Bloodsucker Blues among the tracks getting an airing. They encouraged the crowd to join in with the choruses, and finished with what will be their new single, Undead Red Neck Rock And Roll, due out in October. If the loud chorus being sung back at them was anything to go by, it’s a hit.

Alabama Crow were up next, and they entertained as they always do. There’s something about this band, and Billy’s banter in particular, that puts smiles on people’s faces. The musicianship is great as well, with soaring riffs and a beat that keeps your focus. Their new song Reach Out got a great reaction, as did the rest of the set, particularly the self titled Alabama Crow, with its easy to learn chorus that had newbies to the band singing along at the top of their voices.

With the marquee already lively, We Three Kings cranked it up another level. Their fuzzed-up punk pop was almost impossible to resist, and I certainly wasn’t the only one bopping along. Rich and Pete don’t hang about, unlike Bonesy, and they ripped through their set in front of a sea of We Three Kings fans proudly wearing their T shirts. Blackout got things underway and there was no let up from there. Near the end came a surprise in the shape of Judas Take Me Home, a firm favourite from the album. The surprise was that they were collaborating with FangSlinger on it, and as the band came onto the stage, the crowd erupted. It’s a great track anyway, but hearing both bands sing it together worked brilliantly.

With the festival in full swing now, the music continued with Beth Blade and the Beautiful Disasters, who brought melodic gritty rock to the day. They gave us exactly what we wanted, pure rock and roll wrapped up in songs with plenty of oomph. Hell Yeah opened the set, taking us back to their first album, before they brought out a few of my favourites, Tonight I’m With You, This Bitch Bites and Jack and Coke. Add plenty of riffs and a great backbeat and I was happily bopping away at the back of the marquee.

Then came This House We Built, a band that has a great following and with reason, because they are pure entertainment from start to finish. They kicked off with guitarist Andy taking lead vocals on Broken Dreams from their second album Get Out The Rain, before Scott took over lead vocals for the rest of the set. Fan favourites Fair Weather Friend and Rock N’ Fkin Roll were among the highlights, but there is something about their music that stays with you. Whether it’s the vocals, dual guitars, bass, or that infectious beat, you find yourself humming the tunes long after the set has finished. Coming Home To You is one of my favourites, a melodic, easy-listening swayer with backing vocals and a groove that makes it impossible not to get caught up in. It was a fantastic way to finish their set.

Then came Apriori, and I knew it by the number of ladies who had suddenly appeared at the barrier! The trio are known on the grassroots rock circuit as the nicest, hardest working band to come out of Blackpool. Tony on guitar and vocals, Mark on keyboards and Mouse on drums create a sound that is completely their own, heavy with a foot firmly in classic rock. We were treated to songs from all three of their album releases, with most coming from their latest, Voodoo Love. It’s a brilliant album and well worth your ear. Turn It Up got the crowd involved from the get-go, followed swiftly by Fear, but my favourite is the title track of the album. It has guts, a great beat and, in the middle, Tony’s instrumental that has me mesmerised every time. Then came the tambourine, thrown to someone in the crowd as is tradition at their gigs, one day that tambourine shall be mine!

By now the day was disappearing far too quickly, and it was time for the penultimate band, Black Lakes. This band are on fire at the moment and, as I’ve said before on many occasions, they are heading for bigger things. The Blacklist fans were firmly standing at the barrier as the band exploded onto the stage with Burn, greeted by a rapturous cheer. The set was full of bangers, from Avarice to Fragments, my favourites Verity In Flames and then the mighty Dead Gods from their debut album. When Will asked for lighters or phone torches to be held high, there were a few small lamps lifted into the air, a joke from their appearance at Fiftyfest which now seems to be following them around. If you like your rock heavy and in your face, go check out the Dead Gods album.

There was a short break while the stage was prepared for South of Salem, making it the perfect time for the raffle to raise more money for this year’s chosen charity, St Luke’s Hospice, Cheshire. St Luke’s has been providing palliative care and support to local people since 1988, going beyond what the NHS can provide or fund. Last year it supported more than 1,000 local people, offering end of life care on its ward, support for carers, helping children cope with grief and assisting patients as they return to work following illness. Almost 85% of its care is funded through donations, making fundraising events such as RockWich an important part of helping it continue its vital work.

Finally, the stage was set with coffins, lights, and risers. The lights went out as the intro music played and, one by one, South of Salem came onto the stage to massive cheers.

Joey, with his blood-soaked dagger mic, had the crowd from the start with Let Us Prey. They raced through songs from both albums, delivering chorus after chorus that demanded audience interaction. Left For Dead, Static, Vultures and Pretty Little Nightmare all hit the spot before my favourite, Jet Black Eyes. I love that song and it didn’t disappoint. With a tent full of people not ready to go the band sang Death of the Party and Cold Day In Hell.

Pete K Mally, compère for the evening, had the unenviable job of trying to get a marquee full of fuelled up rockers to pay attention. He actually did a fantastic job, with most prizes being claimed. Pete was the glue that held everything together between the bands, keeping everyone’s attention with jokes and lighthearted banter.

And that was RockWich 2026 over for another year.

There’s something about this festival that draws old and new faces into its vibe, and I think that’s all down to organisers Mik and Colesia and their team. They have created something special for both bands and punters, something that is hard to put your finger on but impossible not to feel when you’re there.

With only around 400 people having the privilege to experience RockWich each year, it’s a festival not to think twice about when the tickets are released. The early bird tickets for 2027 sold out in just 19 minutes, without a single band being named. If that’s not an indicator of what RockWich has created, I don’t know what is.

Please go listen to the bands, follow their socials, and support grassroots music.

South of Salem

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https://www.facebook.com/southofsalemband

Black Lakes

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https://www.facebook.com/Blacklakes

We Three Kings

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https://www.facebook.com/we3kingsband

Apriori

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