The first Margate Rock Festival will be held at Dreamland this month with a packed bill of acts including headliners Orange Goblin.
The new festival, organised by event producer Jake Cook, will feature a mix of local talent and established bands from further afield.
Thanet rockers Collateral, the isle’s Drones, Black Roze from Westgate, Herne Bay’s Pryma and Famyne from Canterbury will hit the stage along with Florence Black from Wales, Asomvel, Cobra Spell- who are flying in from Spain- Wytch Hazel and London’s loudest band DeVere.
Headliners Orange Goblin are a British hard rock/metal band, celebrating 30 years together in 2025. They released debut album Frequencies From Planet Ten in 1997 and their tenth studio album: Science, Not Fiction, was released this year.
For Orange Goblin frontman ‘Big’ Ben Ward, the festival will be a homecoming.
Ben was born in Margate’s QEQM in December 1974 and grew up locally. His parents ran a pub in Ramsgate and both they and extended family still live in Thanet.
Ben said: “I was born in Margate and raised in Thanet so this show has a very special place in my heart.
“Margate has been crying out for an event like this for years and what a line-up the organisers have put together! It will be an absolute honour to come back to Margate with Orange Goblin in October, armed with a brand new album and a set that will be a selection of highlights from across our entire catalogue. Bring it on!”
It is hoped the festival can become established in the Rock calendar and organiser Jake has been on a mission to get the word out, delivering some 10,000 flyers and contacting every outlet and rock organisation possible.
The festival is being held on October 26 across both stages in The Ballroom and Hall by the Sea.
Jake said: “The two stages are alternating, so festival-goers will be able to catch each and every band, I think that’s important and if they aren’t into a particular band, they can chill in an outside courtyard with seating, food trucks and an acoustic stage – hosted by John and Dave from their band Sunset Alley.”
The gig is for those aged 14 and over, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Doors open at 1pm, music starts at 1.30pm and runs until 11pm, last entry 9pm.
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