the Lineup
Maidstone, Kent 29 to 30 July
Two years ago saw the first Ramblin’ Man take place and its return for 2017 affirms it as the premier choice for classic rock aficionados, with an impressive array of guitar talent on offer, plus a side helping of blues for good measure.
One of the new players to make an impact in recent years is Dorian Sorriaux, the young French vibrato-toting firebrand with Blues Pills who was there for the first Fair as a wideeyed teenager in 2015. And he can’t wait to come back with the band for this one and see his hero. “The excitement to return to Ramblin’ Man is beyond words,” he tell us. “This year is really special for me because we are playing before ZZ Top, which is my favourite band from childhood. I started playing guitar because of Billy Gibbons – playing on the same stage before them is a dream coming true.” And he’s bringing some added guitar firepower in the form of new touring musician Rickard Nygren, who will be on rhythm guitar and organ duties.
While ZZ Top headline the Main Stage on Sunday, Extreme headline the night before. Nuno Bettencourt tells us he’s always happy to come back to Blighty. “It’s a real honour to headline Ramblin’ Man Fair. The UK was the first market to embrace Extreme as a rock band and they have been there for us ever since.” And like Dorian, he’s looking forward to catching Mr Gibbons and co too.“I’m excited to play with some legendary bands like ZZ Top, and also to see some new favourites of mine like Rival Sons and many others.”
With Saxon heading up the Friday, it’s also worth noting that this is the first Ramblin’ Man to be held over three days. There’s a new stage too, all about celebrating the kind of newer talent with classic values that Dorian is part of. “We’ve added a different stage to this year’s show called the Grooverider,” explains Ramblin’ Man’s creative director, Chris Ingham, “where we pay homage to contemporary retro sounds.Yup, you read that right – with bands like Rival Sons, Scorpion Child, Vintage Caravan, Picture Books and the rather amazing Kyle Gass Band, it’s pretty clear what we mean by contemporary retro!”
Furthering Ramblin’ Man’s commitment to showcasing newer talent is the Rising Stage. “There are over 14 of the very best new artists from across the country,” explains Chris. “Our tip? Don’t miss Kriss Barras, the man will be a star.”
Chris also reveals that among all the rock, there will be a full-scale US Civil War reenactment each afternoon… er, pardon?! “With real cannon,” he adds. “It will be held on the back field next to stage two. They wanted to bring their cavalry and shoot deserters too, but we had to draw the line at the horses – too much poo to clean up.” Quite.
Inevitably, you might get tired from the onslaught of cannon and need a little refreshment after watching Guitarist approved artists such as Black Star Riders, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Supersonic Blues Machine and the fuzzpo wered tones of the aforementioned Rival Sons. So, obviously, you head to the bar – and it sounds like they’ve got you covered with 20 different brews on offer at the ale tent. With other promised activities including clayzer shooting and the rather ominoussounding ‘chainsaw carving experience’, it sounds like there really will be all the fun of the fair this year.