4-day music festival to rock Nene Park in Peterborough

​A group of experienced festival organisers are behind Nene Valley Rock Festival, which is set to take place from August 31 to September 3, subject to contracts/licences, etc.

Tickets will be limited to around 1,000 per day and a Crowdfunder tickets sale is to be launched next week to get it off the ground.

A spokesman for the organisers, a group of music lovers involved in the successful Cambridge Rock Festival and others – said: “This is a new festival for lovers of classic rock, blues and progressive music. It is not a metal-fest.

"It is planned for the four days of August 31st-September 3rd, 2023, at an exciting new site within Nene Park. It is planned for the Crowdfunder ticket sale will launch on January 30th.

“Financially, the aim is just to make it pay for itself. None of us will be taking any wages or salary; that's absolutely not why we're doing it. We cannot afford it to lose money but if we can make a small profit then next year will be easier.”

The line-up is still being finalised, although 64 acts and bands have confirmed so far, including Corky Laing’s Mountain , Space Elevator , Arthur Brown (Crazy world of..) , K.P.s Groundhogs and Peterborough’s own Austin Gold.

All the stages and their audience will be fully covered within marquees, though festivalgoers will be welcome to sit outside in the sunshine too, with one side open weather permitting.

“We are limiting the total number of four-day tickets to 1,000 and sizing everything accordingly,” added the spokesman. “Once they are sold, that's it - so don't wait too long! It won't be Download or Glastonbury size - you'll actually be able to see and hear the bands (without getting soaked). Some have called our approach ‘boutique’."

Putting on a four-day festival, giving bands a chance that otherwise might not get one, costs a huge amount of money and is a big risk.

"There are loads of people saying they want events like this, but many gigs are getting cancelled because people aren't buying tickets early enough. Our intention, initially, is to run a Crowdfunder campaign through February for you to pledge your support and we'll sell more tickets later through our website.

“We'll offer tickets and other things. Rather than buy a ticket immediately and then worry that the festival may not happen, you pledge to buy. Ticket money will only leave your account if we reach the target we set - this won't be the total cost of the festival.

“If we don't get enough commitment, no money is taken from you and no money comes to us, and the festival simply won't happen. So please, if this is the sort of event you want, tell everyone you can think of to support it!”

For full up to date information on tickets, acts added to the bill, etc, go the festival Facebook page where you can sign up to get access to all the latest information – www.facebook.com/groups/867162134628889

News of Nene Valley Rock Festival comes just a week after it was announced that after nine years away The Willow Festival would return to The Embankment in Peterborough from July 21 to 23 with seven stages and 170 bands.