Lost your password?

The RUSHONROCK team enjoyed two days of red hot rock and soaring temperatures as Ramblin’ Man Fair made its move as Britain’s best new festival. Full reviews to follow all week but here’s our take on Day Two.

You’re never too old to realise a dream

It took The Kentucky Headhunters the best part of 50 years to play live in the UK. But it only took the Southern Rock vets minutes to make Ramblin’ Man’s main stage their own. Watched by Black Stone Cherry’s John Fred Young – son of Headhunters’ founder Richard and nephew of drummer Fred – this was the feelgood set of the weekend.

Let’s raise a glass to proper beer at a proper festival

Ramblin’ Man struck lucky with the weather but everything else was planned right down to the tiniest detail in order to make this festival experience the best ever. And serving a range of real ales and award-winning whisky was a masterstroke. Nobody minds paying five quid a pint when the beer’s this good and this cold. Fast service and friendly staff meant it was dangerously easy to get happily drunk.

What’s in a name?

Black Wolf were one of the best young British classic rock bands of the modern era…until they evolved into one of the UK’s most exciting modern rock prospects. With a change in musical direction comes a change in name and The Illustr8ors made the most of the their bristling debut on the Rising Stage. Still the same guys, the same talent and the same determination – still well worth a punt.

Spinefarm Records have 21st century rock well and truly wrapped up

The label that’s home to Michael Monroe, Ghost, Reckless Love and more is on a mission to keep rock and metal alive. Not only did the Spinefarm team give away sackfuls of goodies at their Ramblin’ Man tent but they brought Whisky Myers, Von Hertzen Brothers, Purson and Airbourne along for the ride. Exciting times.

The live stage is an unforgiving place

Black Stone Cherry worked their butts off for more than a decade to reach headliner status at a major UK festival. But when that day arrived their backdrop didn’t. Neither did some of their gear. And then acoustic showstopper The Rambler was dogged by technical problems. But none of that mattered. BSC battled through – as they always do. And theirs was a spine-tingling set nobody inside Mote Park will ever forget.