Ramsgate Rock Festival 2026 Saturday 24th October

Now in its third year, Margate Rock Festival has taken a short trip along the coast to the neighbouring town of Ramsgate. It’s a temporary excursion, with proceedings set to return to Margate in 2027 - a bit of a shame given that the newly refurbished Granville Theatre is arguably a superior venue to Dreamland. Yes, the food offering still needs work; you’re alright if you fancy a hot dog but pretty scuppered if you want anything else! There is the option to head out to a local restaurant, but given Storm Boelo is doing its thing outside, I’d rather not. On the plus side, the venue is warmer than last year, there’s some seating at the back if you need to rest your legs, and if that’s taken, the floor is carpeted so there’s nothing stopping you perching down there for a bit. There’s no issue getting to the barrier if you like to see the bands up close, but the view of the stage is decent from wherever you stand thanks to the sloping floor.

It falls to Gianni Scalera and the Jury to get the early punters going, and these lads aren’t messing about. A power trio from Kent, they’ve been excited for this opportunity and it shows, giving their all to a performance that packs some serious wallop. Centred around heavy riffs and Scalera’s gruff voice, songs like ‘Pleasure’ and ‘The Price You Pay’ are catchy enough to endear an unfamiliar festival crowd but raucous enough to get heads banging. Scalera successfully initiates some audience participation, getting us to shout along to ‘Loose Lips Sink Ships’, a mark of the warm reception he receives. It’s unusual for a bassist to steal the show, but Liam Ponder does his best, combining thundering grooves and dynamic stage presence. 

I’m not sure why Flamebearer’s Andy Valiant even bothered putting a shirt on, given the speed with which it’s dispensed! Gyrating like he’s been plugged into the mains, eyeballing the audience and barking angry vocals with intensity, he’s utterly compelling to watch. The band’s sound is an unusual mix of Sabbath aping riffs, punk rock fury and heavy metal thunder. ‘Black Tower’ initially sounds like ‘Electric Funeral’ before veering off into more frantic, fast-paced territory with a shouty chorus that is all attitude. Whatever you think, it’s impossible to look away, and the image of Valiant draped in his pink feather boa is likely to remain with me for some time!

Most of us aren’t familiar with Bildtstar, which is understandable given this is the band’s first UK show. But the Netherlands 5-piece make quite an impact with an exuberant performance that is as bouncy as it is brilliant; a masterclass of rock star posturing and low-slung guitar cool. Frontman Simon Wiegersma has a powerful, melodic voice that feels equally at home on the hard rocking ‘Black Widowmaker’ and soaring ballad ‘Au Revoir’. Throwing in a flawless cover of Deep Purple’s ‘Burn’ is a clever move, showcasing some enviable guitar mastery and securing these lads as a favourite for many. 

There’s a bit of a buzz around Kim Jennett, and with good reason. She has earned her reputation as a powerhouse, and barely pauses for breath from the moment she hits the stage; all the more impressive as she switches from clean vocals to raging screams and almost rapped interludes spat with attitude. ‘Dead to Me’ and ‘Bloody Killing Floor’ boast explosive choruses, whilst Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ is transformed into something more abrasive than the original. Having endured a run of bad luck, Jennett jokes that perhaps “everything is a bit f*****”, but I’d suggest things should be looking up after a performance that I hear many mention as a highlight. 

London’s Elephant Tree possibly suffer a little in Jennett’s wake, their slow, doom-laden riffs hitting the spot for me put potentially too dour for those who seem to have disappeared to the bar. It’s a shame, because the likes of ‘Sails’ and ‘Aphotic Blues’ have a haunted, unsettling quality, not dissimilar to Alice in Chains with their distinctive, dual vocal approach. Their songs are lengthy and absorbing, not especially suited to a festival crowd who want to party, but as worthy as anything else on the bill today. 

Atomic Rooster feel a bit of a square peg on a line-up that is otherwise pretty modern, but I’m all for it. It’s great to see a classic band still doing their thing, and as an unashamed prog fan, I’m delighted to see a keyboard centre stage. A quirky group, both in image and sound, they refuse to be confined to nostalgia, throwing in a few from 2025 album ‘Circle the Sun’ including the brilliant ‘Fly or Die’ and surprisingly catchy ‘Rebel Devil’. The combination of extended musical interludes and Steven Bolton and Adrian Gautrey’s shared vocals lend a distinctive style that is undoubtedly an acquired taste, but it works for me. 

Dan Byrne seems particularly keen that you remember his name, mentioning it many times sure his short but significant set. I don’t think he needs to worry too much, as the warmth from the crowd suggests everyone here already loves him and have probably contributed to the millions of streams he’s had for single ‘She’s the Devil’. A likeable Scouser whose gentle speaking voice is utterly at odds with what erupts from him when he sings, the power he brings to ‘Saviour’ and ‘Animals’ is quite spectacular to witness. His final UK date of the year, Byrne’s gratitude is evident and his success well-deserved. His music feels made for bigger venues; infectious, radio-friendly rock that translates so well at events like this. 

It feels right that Florence Black have taken the top spot this year, having been plagued by sound issues when they appeared at the debut edition of Margate Rock Festival. This year, the Welsh trio sound absolutely thunderous from the outset, like they have a point to prove, and they do so with some aplomb. ‘Bed of Nails’ is devastatingly heavy, the distillation of all that makes Florence Black great; a snarling riff paired with a melodic chorus and some angry growls. ‘The Pouring Rain’ brings some diversity, an atmospheric almost-ballad nestled amongst the kind of hard rockers that feel like they’re squaring up for a fight. Budgie classic ‘Breadfan’ has been absorbed by Florence Black so convincingly that there are probably some who don’t even realise it’s a cover, a mark of just how strong the band’s own material is. Somebody better check the roof at the Granville, because I’m pretty sure it’s not just the storm that was threatening to blow it off on Saturday night.