Camden Rocks Festival takes place this weekend on Saturday 4th June. If you haven’t already got your tickets, fear not, there is still time (just!). Tickets cost £35 which is well worth it for all the bands you will get to see in one day and the great atmosphere. It’s a festival like no other and is all about celebrating the artists, bands and music venues around Camden, the hub of the UK’s rock ‘n’ roll scene.
Getting there
We find the cheapest way to travel to London is by Megabus. This year it’s only cost us £12 each return from South West Wales to London compared to a couple of hundred on the train. This also means an overnight bus ride so instead of staying in a tent for our festival experience we’ll be sleeping on a bus! Once we get to Victoria Coach Station we will get the Tube to Camden. There are three tube stations on the Northern Line all within a mile of each other, these are Chalk Farm Underground, Camden Town Underground and Mornington Crescent Underground.
If you plan to get to Camden by train, bus, car or even Eurostar find out more here.
Wrist Band Exchange
On arrival in Camden head to The World’s End Pub ((174 Camden High St, Camden Town, London NW1 0NE)) to exchange your ticket for a wristband. You can exchange your ticket for a wristband or collect your pre-purchased ticket here between 10:00am – 10pm on the day of the festival.
Between 10am – 6pm, you will need to enter the wristband exchange through the entrance on GREENLAND ROAD (follow the crowd and you’ll be fine).
The World’s End Pub
Once you’ve picked up your tickets, enjoy a drink in the North London landmark, The World’s End. It’s the pub to go to when on your way out to a rock gig or before heading to The Underworld for a club night.
Breakfast
We went for breakfast in one of the local pubs (sadly I’ve forgotten the name!) but it was very good and I’ll recognise it when I see it! There are lots of food places to choose from along the venue route. Also look out for the “I scream van” near Dingwalls where you can get Kraken dark and delicious treats.
The Line Up
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| Before you get excited, this is a photo from last year- the Eureka Machines aren’t playing Camden 2016. |
The main reason we are all going to Camden Rocks festival is for the music and there’s another amazing day planned for 2016. There are over 200 bands and twenty venues all included with your ticket so make the most of your time there. Take a good at the final line up and decide which bands you really want to see then plan your day around that.
Highlights for me last year were the Eureka Machines, Love Zombies and Ginger Wildheart.
It’s great to see the artists and bands wandering around enjoying the other sets too.
This year I’m once again looking forward to seeing Ginger- he’s actually playing three sets across The Forge, Proud Camden and The Cuban.
I also can’t wait to see The Main Grains – I love their debut mini album, “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” but it will be my first time watching them play live. The Main Grains are made up of Danny McCormack (ex The Wildhearts, The Yo-Yo’s) ,guitarists Ben Marsden (ex- Modern day Dukes) and JJ Watt (ex – Spill 16 & Whiskey Haze) along with drummer Ginna Rhodes (ex – Psychobabylon & Phluid). They will be popular with fans of The Ramones, The Wildhearts, Phil Spector, Blondie and The Yo-Yo’s.
I’m also really excited about seeing lots of new up and coming bands as I always come away with a long list of new music I want to buy and new bands I want to follow- it’s so inspiring.
Kraken
Once again Kraken are back sponsoring Camden Rocks and the Kraken Hunter and Krakenettes will be giving out lots of free delicious Kraken Rum Samples- make the most of these!
The After Parties
Another decision to make it which after show are you going to? The choices are Proud Galleries – Aftershow, 11:30pm – 3am, featuring DJ sets from Drew McConnell of Babyshambles and Gem Precious, “rock and roll DJ’s in one of Camden’s most legendary venues” (it even has a hot tub) or Camden Rocks Club @ The Underworld – 11pm – 4am, featuring DJ set from Jon Mahon and special guest appearance from Killa Kela, Rock and Roll DJs, 11pm – 3am, “where the best rock DJ’s and cheap drinks offers provide a winning combination to see you through until 3am”.
Tickets for both after shows are £10 (subject to booking fee) are available here.
Where to Stay
There are still last minute rooms available from Laterooms from £50. Airbnb have rooms available from £30. Holiday Inn Camden Lock also has a small selection of rooms available from £200 (they also have a King Bed Penthouse Suite with a Balcony overlooking Camden Lock).
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I’m really looking forward to Camden Rocks Festival this year! Will you be there? What bands would you go and watch?
If you can’t make it keep up with the fun: on twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (evanscrittenmum).
