The Malvern Rocks Music Festival is back for its 2024 event after last years successful relaunch. The three-day, multi-venue festival will take place over the weekend of 2 – 4 August 2024.
At 6pm this Friday night the music will start as the opening acts of the sixth Malvern Rocks Music Festival take to the stage. Bar Limon and the Red Lion in Stifford’s Bridge are the first to crank up the volume but they are soon joined by the Three Horseshoes, The Unicorn, The Water Cure, Barnards Green Cricket Club and the New Inn.
In all, there will be twenty-two performances of rock, folk, punk, funk, prog and several other genres. And that’s that just the first night!
On Saturday, more venues will open their doors to music lovers from Malvern and beyond. The Morgan, Malvern Lounge, even Dirty D’s doughnut shop become a stage for live music as another forty-four performances happen in and around the town.
Saturday also sees Malvern Rocks Priory Park, a mini festival in itself, where bands will play in the bandstand while visitors can enjoy a drink at the Hop, Sip and Pump bar and eat at one of the food stalls. The family-friendly event, organised in conjunction with Severn Arts, also has several participatory arts workshops where kids can get involved. The Music Box bus will be there to show youngsters how to play and record musical instruments and aspiring guitar players and singers from Worcester and Bromsgrove Rock Schools have their own showcase stage where
they will show us what they’ve got. Highlights of this year’s festival include Collective Sleep, a funk outfit from Birmingham who will be opening for the mighty Cantaloop who specialise in infectious dance music.
You can also see Malvern’s own Two Pounds Down, a group of young jazz-funksters who have been making a splash on the Brighton music scene. Or, if you fancy some Brummie banter combined with garage rock grit look no further than the Unicorn on Saturday at 3pm where you can see Phwoar! Who have been compared to Nirvana with their catchy hooks and dark, swirling soundscapes. Bristol based Nuns of the Tundra are having a bit of a homecoming gig on Saturday night at the Three Horseshoes. Formed by former pupils from the Chase High School the Nuns of the Tundra are now a towering force on the alt rock music scene. They have recently signed a record deal and their first album is to be released soon.
Audiogenika (Unicorn 7pm Sat) bring a fascination with synthesisers and electronic dance music and combine it with the powerful vocals of Sarah Bouchier. Female vocals are also a feature of teen singer-songwriter Milly Mason who returns to play her second Malvern Rocks at two venues over the weekend. Just a few years older than Milly are the trio known as Molly Gone Mad. These three childhood buddies from Cradley deliver catchy melodies, soulful vocals, funky basslines and electrifying guitar.
At the other end of the age spectrum, you will find Troy. A raucous punk band formed in Malvern in 1980 that have reunited for a one-off gig at the festival. If you like your rock harder and heavier then checkout Sideborg who are to be unleashed on an unsuspecting Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile at the other end of the musical spectrum, Headquarters of Groove are a seven-piece acid-jazz, neo-soul band who will have your feet a-tapping in no time while the orchestra-sized, thirteen member Do It Again Dan recreates the authentic sound of Steely Dan’s progressive West Coast rock.
The variety of music on offer at Malvern Rocks reflects the immense talent both locally and from further afield, as well as the diverse tastes of the Malvern Rocks audience. With over 110 solo artists, duos, trios, full bands, and even a couple of mega bands playing across thirteen stages by the time The Gruffs sing their final encore at the Morgan on Sunday night, there’s truly something for everyone at this free festival!
So, make time to bathe in the vast ocean of musical talent on offer at Malvern Rocks.
And remember, every single Malvern Rocks gig is FREE to enter. The festival relies partly on merchandise sales to keep the music playing. This includes T-shirts, badges, and wristbands. The organisers encourage audience members to consider purchasing some merchandise to help support the performers and crew.
Full details of performers and venues can be found in the festival programme which is available at all participating venues or online at the Malvern Rocks website, linked below.
Malvern is really worth a visit this weekend. Come for the water. Come for the hills. Stay for the music
Image Credit: Dave Grubb
