Musos, what better way is there to kickstart the New Year than a trip to Rockaway Beach? An indoor Boutique Music Festival, featuring a sparkling core of iconic legends and a handpicked array of cutting-edge, emerging artists. It’s one of the best places to see your next favourite band before they hit the big time. The independent, intimate event is winter’s biggest alternative weekender. For their tenth anniversary they have announced the first wave acts, featuring 22 incredible artists, including all three headliners: electronic pioneers Leftfield, shoegaze legends RIDE and gospel space rockers Spiritualized, who performed at the very first festival in 2015 and return for this landmark birthday.
Rockaway founder Ian Crowther says, “We wanted to bring somebody back who played for us in the first year, as a way to celebrate ten years of the festival. Starting any new venture has its risks, and never is that truer than in the live music world. Plus then you throw in lockdown…. It’s been a very emotional ten years. Having somebody bookend that ten year rollercoaster felt like the right thing to do. Spiritualized have released two albums in that time, including the sublime ‘Everything Was Beautiful’ in 2022 and the timing felt perfect.”
For 2025 Rockaway Beach will be taking advantage of a new live space at the Butlin’s Bognor Regis site, called Studio 36. Headliners will appear in this new venue boasting a state of the art sound and visual experience for the Rockaway Beach audience of live music lovers. Despite this upgrade though, capacity of the festival will remain the same – at around an intimate 3,600 people in total. At time of this first announcement, 85% of all tickets / rooms have sold, following two previously sold out years.
The added visuals will emphasise artists like Saturday night headliners Leftfield. As Ian says, “With the positive changes we’re making to improve the festival’s experience, without increasing capacity, it made sense to have a band who would meet the occasion. Their performances are renowned for their intensity and precision, showcasing why they were so influential in shaping modern electronic music. It will undoubtedly be one of the most distinctive moments in Rockaway history.”
RIDE finalise the tryptic of headliners for 2025. Pioneers of the shoegaze genre, RIDE have consistently pushed the boundaries of alternative rock with their distinctive blend of reverb-drenched guitars and introspective lyrics. Their live shows are a testament to their enduring legacy and continued relevance in the music world. RIDE released their “triumphant” (Mojo) album ‘Interplay’ this March.
Also included in the first wave of acts are Arab Strap, Bodega, Georgia, Liz Lawrence, Pete Wylie and The Mighty Wah!, Sprints, as well as ARXX, Bloodworm, The Dirt, Ebbb, The Itch, The Jonny Halifax Invocation, Lime Garden, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Meryl Streek, Miki Berenyi Trio and THE NONE. BBC 6music DJ: Chris Hawkins will be back again spinning discs for the late night dancers and holding in depth conversations with the artists.
Outside of live music, Rockaway Beach prides itself on having a full programme across the weekend on various stages at Butlin’s, Bognor Regis. Once more there will be Q&As with artists, guest DJs, record signings, a record fair, late-night takeovers, silent discos, and pub quizzes, plus the various attractions of the Butlin’s site itself including a huge swimming complex, spa, bowling, arcade games, and restaurant dining all included in your weekend ticket alongside accommodation.
Founder and curator Ian Crowther spoke to GIITTV last year about their inspired line-up saying, “I think that diversity of music era, race and gender make Rockaway a really interesting place to be…Diversity makes society a better place to be, so Rockaway is just a little bit of society that I help to shape once a year.”
The festival will offer a fully curated programme of experiences and guests will have their pick of on-site accommodation options, from hotel rooms to chalets, all included, from just £90pp for three days live music and accommodation. All tickets are booked via Butlin’s and include three nights accommodation and access to Rockaway Beach available now at: www.rockawaybeach.co.uk.
