Annual nostalgia festival Let's Rock Exeter will see hundreds of people head to Powderham Castle this weekend to enjoy a fun-packed day of retro music. Headlining the event on Saturday, June 29, is former UB40 singer Ali Campbell with other acts on the bill including Jason Donovan and The Boomtown Rats.
The music kicks off at noon and finishes at 10.30pm, with the crowd expected to turn out in a wild array of fancy dress costumes as usual. The event will also feature the very first Let’s Rock DJ Battles. In Exeter, it will see 1980s DJ Pat Sharp battling it out with Andy Crane, best known for presenting Children's BBC between 1987 and 1990 and for his current work as a presenter on the Greatest Hits Radio network.
Tickets are still available for the one-day festival, but they won't be available at the gate on the day so need to be booked in advance. Here's all you need to know about the big day:
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The line-up
Former UB40's Ali Campbell
Now part of a 10-piece touring band, Ali will add tracks from 2022 album Unprecedented to a formidable live set that contains material spanning over four decades. Expect favourites such as Red Red Wine and some older tracks that have been reintroduced.
The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats are an Irish new wave band originally formed in Dublin in 1975. Between 1977 and 1985, they had a series of Ihits including Like Clockwork, Rat Trap, I Don't Like Mondays and Banana Republic. The band broke up in 1986, but reformed in 2013, and Bob Geldof remains as the lead singer.
Sister Sledge
Over the years, Sister Sledge has amassed a string of gold and platinum records, accumulating total sales of over 15,000,000 worldwide. They have earned over 100 awards and commendations, garnering Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best R&B Duo or group, along the way.
Jason Donovan
Former Neighbours heartthrob Jason Donavon's debut album Ten Good Reasons was the biggest-selling album of 1989 with sales of 1.5 million including the duet Especially For You with Kylie Minogue and Too Many Broken Hearts which contributed in the impressive world sales of 13 million albums and 4UK No. 1s.
From the Jam
From the Jam were formed in 2006 when Russell Hastings and Rick Buckler (ex-The Jam drummer), who were touring as The Gift, joined forces with Bruce Foxton (ex-The Jam bassist and songwriter), to form From The Jam. Russell Hastings has been the only frontman to work with both Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton since Paul Weller
DJ Battle
Two titans of the turntables go head to head on the Let's Rock stage! Pat Sharp vs Andy Crane but who will win?
EXTC
Kim Appleby
The Real Thing
Altered Images
Sonia
Times
The gates open at 11am. The festival starts at midday and finishes at 10.30pm. The running order of acts will be available on the day and not in advance.
Re-entry to the festival is not permitted.
Shuttle bus
Outbound to the event:
Buses run every 15 minutes from 0.930 until 12.15
Buses run every 30 mins from 1230 until the last bus at 13.30
Returning from the event:
Buses run every 30 minutes from 18.00 until 20.30
Buses run at frequent intervals from 20.45 until the last bus departing at 23.30
Parking
Standard Parking:
There is a large, free car park on site. It is located in a nearby grass field. Please be aware that the terrain is naturally uneven. Cars must not be left overnight.
Blue Badge Parking:
There is a free car park on site for blue badge holders which is a short walk into the event site. Although every effort is made to ensure that the terrain is clear and smooth, this is a natural surface and some users may struggle to navigate the terrain.
Please bring your blue badge to display to access this area.
Camping Parking:
There is a designated free car park on site for campers. It is located in a nearby grass field which is a short walk into the camping area with your belongings. Please be aware that the terrain is naturally uneven.
Cars can be left overnight while camping and should depart the site at 11am on Sunday, June 30, when the event closes down.
Food and drink
You can bring your own picnic into the main arena but there is also a wide variety of catering on offer including a large BBQ, Indian, Mexican and Chinese. Alcohol is not allowed to be brought in to or out of the arena.
A range of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be on sale. The main drinks bar will be card only. The other independent vendors on site (food, ice cream etc) take a mix of cash and cards.
You are allowed to bring soft drinks/water with you (of not more than 500ml per bottle), as long as these are unopened/ sealed when you arrive. Anything considered open will be confiscated on the gate. Camel packs (or similar) are not permitted.
There will be free water points inside the arena to refill any empty water bottle throughout the day. You can bring your own tables and chairs into the main arena but security may ask you to move them to the perimeter of the arena if they are causing any obstruction.
Chairs and picnic tables are not allowed in the area between the sound desk and the front of the stage.
Tickets
Tickets will not be available on the gate. To book, please click here.
Camping
Camping is sold out for the event.
