This Sunday sees the return of Rockstock. The annual, one day mini-festival takes place on the shores of Lough Neagh in Moortown, County Tyrone, and has become a real highlight of the Mid Ulster rock scene. This year it’s lineup is bigger and better than ever, and we thought we’d give a run few of just some of the acts we’re excited about.
Kicking things off are recently reformed local rockers Ziflix. With members going on to play with local stalwarts Nerdmore and Little Sausage Disorder, the Rockstock veterans return will be early anticipated. Their set promises to be both wildy energetic and unpredictable (any special guests are, at this stage however, unconfirmed).
The only returning act from last year’s event are hard rockers Thieves Of Ennui. Their enthusiastic show last year went down a storm, and they’ve only strengthened their popularity with well received local gigs in the likes of Voodoo and McHugh’s Bar. As a result, they were one of the first acts booked for this year’s gig, and should be treated to a heroes’ welcome.
Another interesting addition and a sign of the lineups diversity is Dundalk’s Podracer. The three piece will be bringing their particularly loud take on classic post punk. They’ve won comparisons to local legends like Fighting With Wire and can count Radio Ulster’s Across The Line among their fans, and their performance is set to be one of the most intriguing of the afternoon.
Coming up from the other side of the lough are Lurgan’s finest, The Bonnevilles. The two piece have been touring the US and Europe is support of their latest record ‘Arrow Pierce My Heart.’ It’s ferocious take on dirty, punk blues has made it one of the finest releases of the year, Irish or otherwise, and fans can look forward to typically rip-roaring live renditions of these new cuts alongside Bonnevilles classics.
Rounding things off is local legend Pat McManus. The Fermanagh man’s group with brothers John and Tommy, Mama’s Boys, were the nearly men of 80s hard rock, sharing stages with Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple and The Scorpions without quite ever hitting commercial paydirt. Now touring under his own name, Pat continues to tear it up at venues across the country and is Rockstock’s biggest performer by some distance. Tracks like classic hit ‘Needle In The Groove’ will be livened up by his fretboard pyrotechnics (as well as, hopefully, a bit of fiddle).
Tickets are priced at £12 and available on the day, with free camping facilities. Gates open at 12pm.
For more information head to Rockstock
