Ramblers Rock Up For The Darkness At 2019 Ramblin’ Man Fair

Ramblin’ Man Fair, held tucked under the North Downs in picturesque Mote Park, Maidstone, is now in its fifth year and after a rocky (no pun intended) start (original owners of the RMF brand, Team Rock went bust in 2016), the festival has gone from strength to strength.

The Darkness perform at Ramblin Man Fair - Friday 19 July 2019 (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

The Darkness Headline Day One at Ramblin Man Fair (Simon Reed)

The festival has a prominent demographic (rock fans who could bring the kids, but could also leave them at home) and it caters to the faithful very well. Previous headliners have included ZZ Top, Greg Allman and the Scorpions and this year, The Darkness, Black Stone Cherry and Foreigner take top spots on the premier Planet Rock stage.

The Darkness (Simon Reed)

For 2019, the Friday afternoon lineup was greatly expanded with The Lazys, Chris Barrass Band, FM and The Wildhearts forming the undercard before The Darkness came out. I would have liked to see all five but alas paying the mortgage meant that as well as several thousand cars on the M25 travelling at single digit speeds, the first four bands were in the rear-view mirror by the time I eventually arrived on site. In fact, I got there just as Ginger Wildheart crashed out his final power chord. My review of The Wildhearts based on what I saw: everyone loved them!

Fans Watch The Spots & The Darkness perform at Ramblin Man Fair Day (Simon Reed)

The Darkness receive some heat from people who take their music too seriously (and that includes a small but vocal contingent in the RMF fanbase), which is a shame because being a bit po-faced about them means missing out on a very entertaining night out. Justin Hawkins never gives less than 100% and is one of the most naturally gifted all round frontmen I’ve ever seen.

Justin Hawkins (Simon Reed)

He can sing, he can play and he is a consummate raconteur. There was a great moment tonight when he took a swig from a bottle of water and then proceeded to do a mock ‘infomercial’ based on the experience: “Strathmore Water, still or sparkling, always refreshing. Drink it from the bottle or from a glass”. He finished the bottle and tossed it off the stage. “Don’t litter, especially you young ones. This will be your planet soon”.

The Darkness… Holy Mackerel (Simon Reed)

The supporting cast (guitarist and Justin’s brother Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain and drummer Rufus ‘Tiger’ (and son of Roger) Taylor) are far more than just a backing group. This is a band that can really play and through the joking, the back-kicking guitar picks into the crowd and the inevitable exposure of the word ‘Lowestoft’ tattooed across Justin’s midriff, they knock out some serious hard rocking music. They play Gibson Les Paul’s, they stand in front of Marshall 4×12’s. They’re a proper rock band!

The Darkness (Simon Reed)

As one might expect, they close with the song that everyone knows: I Believe In A Thing Called Love and fireworks crackle overhead. Based on the very warm reception the band received, it’s safe to say that the Friday night ramblers do too.

Ramblers 2019 (Simon Reed)

Live Review & Photography by Simon Reed who has the following website www.musicalpictures.co.uk

A Beautiful Saturday At Ramblin Man Fair 2019

Fiddlehead Return With Powerful New EP ‘Baby I’ll Change, And Reveal Emotionally Charged Title Track

Boston post-hardcore favourites Fiddlehead have announced their return with a brand-new EP, Baby I’ll Change, arriving on 26th June. The three-track release marks the band’s first new material since 2023’s acclaimed Death Is Nothing To Us and finds the group entering a fresh creative chapter forged through grief, friendship and renewed purpose.

The XCERTS Share Hopeful New Single ‘bury you’, Announce UK In-Stores And Twin Atlantic Support Tour

Scottish alternative rock favourites The XCERTS have unveiled their latest single, bury you, the newest track to be taken from their forthcoming sixth studio album i think i want to go home now., due for release on 10th July.

Snow Patrol @ Eden Sessions (Adam Smith)

Snow Patrol Complete The Hat-Trick At Eden Sessions In An Evening Of Heart, Humour And Hits

There are few concert settings in Britain as naturally dramatic as the Eden Sessions. Nestled within a former clay pit and framed by the iconic biomes of the Eden Project, the venue possesses a unique sense of occasion before a note is even played. On this June evening, the Cornish weather appears determined to play its part too. Persistent rain hangs over the site for much of the day, only to disappear almost on cue as Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid walk on stage. It feels as though somebody has edited the weather into the evening’s script.

4 Non Blondes @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (Kalpesh Patel)

4 Non Blondes Return On Their Own Terms At O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

More than three decades after their breakthrough, 4 Non Blondes arrive at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire not to relive the past, but to redefine themselves in the present. Supported by the excellent Lucia & The Best Boys, the reunited San Francisco outfit make it abundantly clear that this tour is not a nostalgia exercise. Instead, it is a bold statement of who they are now — and whether the audience is willing to come with them.

Man/Woman/Chainsaw Unleash New Single ‘Get Up And Dance’ Ahead Of Debut Album ‘Cannonball’

One of the UK’s most exciting emerging bands, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, continue their rapid ascent with the release of new single Get Up And Dance, the latest preview of their highly anticipated debut album Cannonball, arriving on 7th August via Fiction Records.

System Of A Down Announce Exclusive Fan Stores Across Europe And UK Ahead Of Sold-Out Stadium Tour

As anticipation reaches fever pitch for System Of A Down’s long-awaited return to European and UK stages, the iconic metal outfit have announced a series of exclusive fan stores set to open across five major cities this summer.

BODEGA Announce New Album All Inside Aquarium And Share Ambitious Title Track

New York City’s ever-evolving art-rock provocateurs BODEGA have announced details of their fourth studio album, All Inside Aquarium, due for release on 9th October via Chrysalis Records. Alongside the announcement, the band have unveiled the album’s expansive title track, offering the first full glimpse into what promises to be their most adventurous and musically expansive record to date.

Everyone Says Hi @ O2 Academy Brixton (Kalpesh Patel)

Everyone Says Hi Announce Sophomore Album ‘Funny Cos It’s True’ And Share Uplifting New Single ‘Don’t Underestimate Yourself’

Everyone Says Hi have unveiled details of their second album, Funny Cos It’s True, set for release on 25th September 2026, alongside the arrival of the heartfelt new single Don’t Underestimate Yourself.