Rockore tickets on sale as organisers expect another sell-out

The much-anticipated festival will take to Lochore Meadows Country Park once again this year on Saturday, August 24, and with the last four events selling out in record time, locals are being encouraged to get their tickets now. 

Kevin Payne, of the Benarty Events Group (BEG) who organises Rockore, told the Times: "We have people that come from everywhere, we had Irish people, folk from Carlisle.

"One of our outlets had people come up from Carlisle to buy tickets. People are starting to take notice, even Skiddle, they have a league table and we’ve shot right up it. Our reviews are excellent too. 

"It’s put on for the locals but it's just the area we live in, they all seem to leave their tickets to the last minute.

"Last year we knew it was going to sell out early because the run-up to Christmas was way in front of anything we had sold before and this year is on par with it.  

"We just don't want the local people to miss out, but for the last two weeks, everybody is always looking for tickets."

The event is growing in popularity, with last year being their biggest yet. 

He continued: "It just seems to be getting more popular every year. Last year, Bob Geldof gave us a huge lift.

"I didn't think he would go down as well as he did but he seemed to have lifted the crowd and was totally in control of them all the time, he had them on a high all the time.  

"Now, we’re getting chart-hitting bands asking if they could play, we really struggled in the first few years to attract bands, but now they’re approaching us."

Bob Geldolf performing at last year's Rockore. (Image: David Wardle)

So far, the Benarty Events Group have confirmed Gary Digan, a Gerry Cinnamon tribute act; and  Instant Credit, comprising of Harry Gilfillan and Ann Hatch on vocals, Allan Petrie on bass and vocals, Kenny Petrie on lead guitar and vocals, Jeff Carstairs on keyboards and vocals, and Stuart Henderson on the drums. 

Kevin added: "Harry and Allan, formerly of Vice Versa, have played the local circuit for a few years and have helped various charities."

BEG have also confirmed Dirty Harry, a Blondie tribute act, and The Ultimate Rock Show for this year's show. 

While a headliner has yet to be announced, the group hope to make that announcement in the coming weeks. 

He said: "So far, we haven't got a headliner but we are working on it and hopefully in the next three or four weeks we’ll have an announcement on that.  

"We’ll hopefully be announcing, in the next few weeks, one of Scotland's most iconic bands ever.

"So get your tickets because we are in negotiations with headliners. If we get the band we’ve got targeted, then it will sell out again. "

Tickets are on sale for £30 and are available to purchase on Skiddle, or from one of three local outlets, Benarty Fruits, Benarty Community Shop and Brag Enterprises in Crosshill. It is important to note that payments in the three outlets are cash only. 

Kevin added: "We want it to be a music concert for everybody so that anybody, even with a low budget, can still come and enjoy themselves without having to pay over-the-top prices."