Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
READY, RAMBLERS?
Turn it up, live it large and rock out at the Ramblin’ Man Fair. Angela Cole dons her denim to preview the show which has put Kent firmly on the rock music map
For lovers of music that’s heavy – and the heavier the better – the Ramblin’ Man Fair takes its third loud, long haired and lively bow in the centre of Maidstone. In its third year, fittingly, the fair has extended to spread over three days. It has become a firm fixture in the rock calendar for thousands of music fans from all over the UK and beyond. Running from Friday, July 28, to Sunday, July 30, it will take over the County Town’s Mote Park in a wave of metal and leather.
Previous headliners have included Saxon, Whitesnake and Europe, known for their 80s anthem The Final Countdown.
The festival will have a number of stages: the Planet Rock main stage, Prog In the Park, Grooverider, Outlaw Country stage and the Rising stage.
Festival favourites Saxon headline the first day, the Friday.
Formed in 1977, Saxon have had a career spanning 40 years and have sold more than 15 million albums.
Frontman Biff Byford said: “After a great time at the first Ramblin’ Man Fair we are very happy to be asked back to headline the inaugural Friday night this year. Get out your denim and leather – it’s going to be special.”
Rockers Extreme, who have sold more than 15 million albums, will headline the fair’s main stage on the Saturday.
Everyone knows More Than Words, but there’s more to them than that. They’ll be showcasing in its entirety the million selling breakthrough 1990 album Pornograffitti, which the single and Get the Funk Out were taken from.
Their appearance will be a UK festival exclusive. “There will always be a special place for the UK in our hearts,” said guitarist Nuno Bettencourt. “Recognizing Extreme as a rock band first and foremost has and will always connect us. Cannot wait to rock with you at Ramblin’ Man.” Bearded rockers ZZ Top, who formed in Texas in 1969, and have kept the classic line-up of Dusty Hill, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard for more than 45 years, will headline the main stage on the Sunday. Festival director Chris Ingham from Spirit of Rock said: “Last year’s Ramblin’ Man Fair was a huge success in all areas. We promised that we would up the ante for 2017 and the team at RMF HQ can guarantee that the bill that has been assembled will hit every lifelong rock fan’s sweet spot.” Reef also play the main stage on Saturday, as do British Lion, the band from Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris.
Also playing are the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band on the Outlaw County stage, Blues Pills, Focus, The Gift, Ghoultown, Jessica Lynn,
Vintage Caravan and The Picture
Books.
‘Get out your denim and leather – it’s going to be special.’