Loverocks Festival 2026 Day 1

June 26, 2026

St Leonards Farm, Ferndown, Dorset

Featuring: Tarraska, Screaming Eagles, Myke Gary/Kim Jennett Band + Blue Nation

Now in its ninth year, Loverocks Festival, held within the grounds of St Leonards Farm Camping and Caravan Site in Ferndown, Dorset, continues to prove that you don’t need a huge venue to stage a memorable rock festival. Looking back at the artists and bands that Jim Love and his dedicated team have brought to this modest campsite over the years is nothing short of remarkable.

Every June, a diverse selection of rock acts performs across three days in relaxed, comfortable surroundings. Two well-stocked bars, a variety of food stalls, proper shower facilities and brick-built flushing toilet blocks ensure that festival-goers are well looked after. More importantly, Loverocks has built a reputation as one of the friendliest festivals on the circuit. Many attendees return year after year, while new faces continue to discover this hidden gem through word of mouth.

Tarraska 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

This year, the Dorset weather could hardly have been better. With warm temperatures, a mixture of sunshine and cloud, and—perhaps most importantly—no rain forecast across the weekend, conditions were perfect for another memorable festival.

Proceedings got underway with local Bournemouth rockers Tarraska, a band I’ve seen many times before. Featuring Alan (drums), Ollins (bass), Ben (guitar) and Jack (guitar/vocals), they immediately set the benchmark high with an excellent opening set. Despite being first on the bill, their brand of melodic, dual-guitar rock attracted an impressive crowd. Tracks such as “Overdrive” and “Run For Your Life” showcased the band’s song writing and musicianship, while the earlier fan favourite “Prose” sparked the weekend’s first mass sing-along. Although one of their older songs, it sounds every bit as fresh today as when it was first released, culminating in a poignant ending that perfectly complements its emotional weight.

Next came the first of the Northern Irish contingent, a band following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen and previous Loverocks headliners The Answer. Frontman Chris Fry quickly whipped the crowd into a frenzy while the rest of the band delivered vintage, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll infused with a healthy dose of blues. Drawing influence from the likes of AC/DC and The Cult, the quartet produced an energetic performance packed with expressive riffs, infectious grooves and irresistible rhythms. Their enthusiasm for both their music and their audience was impossible to ignore. Songs including “Vampire”, “Thunder and Lightning”, and an excellent rendition of The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” ensured the afternoon continued on a high.

Myke Gray And Kim Jennett 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

These days, Myke Gray can often be found in the photographers’ pit at gigs and festivals, but before picking up the camera he enjoyed an illustrious career with bands including Skin, Jagged Edge and Red White & Blues. Tonight he returned to the stage alongside vocalist Kim Jennett and a hand-picked band featuring Colin Parkinson (Inglorious) on bass, Tony Lang (A’priori) on guitar and the experienced Neil Ogden behind the drum kit.

Fronted by Neil Murdoch (vocals/guitar), alongside Luke Weston (bass/vocals) and Nick Sharman (drums), the Birmingham trio perfectly captured the relaxed festival atmosphere. Neil’s easy-going personality and constant interaction with the audience made the performance feel intimate and personal. One particularly amusing moment came when he improvised an entire song about a fan named Colin—who, unfortunately, happened to be in the toilet at the time!

Blue Nation 1–2–3–4–5–6–7

Musically, Blue Nation draw inspiration from classic rock while crafting a sound that is unmistakably their own. “Once In My Life”, featuring autobiographical lyrics reflecting the band’s journey through the music industry, demonstrated both honesty and passion, while “Come Back Home” highlighted the chemistry the trio have developed through years of performing together.

As the sun slowly disappeared behind the St Leonards campsite, the opening day of Loverocks Festival came to a fitting conclusion. If Friday is anything to go by, the weekend promises plenty more outstanding music, friendship and unforgettable moments, with another eighteen bands still waiting in the wings.

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