š¤ Introduction
Some festivals are about surviving muddy fields.
Others are about spending a long weekend surrounded by great music, great friends and an incredible community.
Planet Rock Presents Rockstock proudly belongs to the second category.
Since its launch in 2012, Rockstock has grown into one of Britainās favourite indoor rock festivals, bringing together legendary artists, rising stars and one of the friendliest communities anywhere in the UK rock scene.
Held at the Trecco Bay Holiday Park in South Wales, Rockstock combines world-class classic rock, blues rock, melodic rock and hard rock with the comfort of indoor venues, holiday accommodation and a relaxed seaside atmosphere.
With multiple stages, artist Q&A sessions, late-night entertainment and an unmistakable family feel, Rockstock has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands of Planet Rock listeners.
It isnāt just a festival.
Itās a yearly reunion of the Planet Rock family.
šø The Birth of Rockstock
Rockstock was created by Planet Rock, the UKās biggest classic rock radio station, to bring its listeners together for an unforgettable weekend of live music.
Rather than organising a traditional outdoor festival, Planet Rock wanted something different.
A weekend where fans could:
- šø Watch legendary rock bands
- š¤ Discover exciting new artists
- š¤ Meet musicians up close
- šŗ Enjoy great food and drink
- š Stay just moments from the seaside
- š§ Experience live radio broadcasts and Q&A sessions
- ā¤ļø Become part of a welcoming rock community
The result was Planet Rockstock.
From its very first edition, it felt like more than simply another music festival.
It felt like home.
š Why Trecco Bay?
Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Porthcawl, South Wales, proved to be the perfect location.
Unlike traditional camping festivals, visitors stay in holiday accommodation just a short walk from the arenas.
Everything is close together.
No tents.
No muddy fields.
No carrying camping gear across miles of farmland.
Fans can walk between accommodation, venues, restaurants, bars and entertainment in just a few minutes.
The nearby coastline also gives the festival a unique atmosphere rarely found elsewhere on the UK rock calendar.
šŖ The Rockstock Experience
Rockstock offers much more than simply watching bands.
Visitors enjoy:
- šø Multiple indoor stages
- š¤ Artist Q&A sessions
- āļø Meet-and-greet opportunities
- šŗ Bars throughout the venue
- š Restaurants and food outlets
- šļø Merchandise stalls
- š§ Late-night entertainment
- š VIP experiences
- š» Planet Rock presenters throughout the weekend
- āæ Excellent accessibility
The atmosphere is often described as one of the friendliest anywhere in British rock.
Returning visitors recognise familiar faces every year, creating a genuine sense of belonging.
š 2012 ā A New Tradition Begins
The inaugural Rockstock Festival immediately demonstrated there was a huge appetite for an indoor classic rock weekender.
Fans embraced the relaxed atmosphere, excellent facilities and carefully selected line-up.
The combination of holiday accommodation and world-class live music proved an instant success.
Visitors praised:
- Friendly atmosphere
- Great organisation
- Fantastic sound
- Comfortable accommodation
- Meeting artists
- Outstanding value for money
Rockstock had arrived.
š„ 2013ā2015 ā Building a Loyal Community
Over the following years, Rockstock steadily expanded.
Attendance increased.
The line-ups became even stronger.
Planet Rock listeners from across Britain travelled to South Wales to spend a weekend surrounded by like-minded music fans.
The festival quickly developed its own unique identity.
It wasnāt simply another event.
It became a family reunion.
ā” 2016ā2019 ā One of Britainās Favourite Indoor Festivals
By the late 2010s, Rockstock had become firmly established on the UKās festival calendar.
Legendary artists shared stages with exciting newcomers.
The organisers continued celebrating:
- Classic rock
- Hard rock
- Blues rock
- Melodic rock
- Southern rock
- AOR
- Emerging British talent
Every edition strengthened the festivalās reputation for quality and community.
š¦ 2020ā2021 ā The Pandemic Challenge
Like every live music festival, Rockstock faced unprecedented disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although fans had to wait longer than expected to return, the Planet Rock community remained incredibly loyal.
The excitement surrounding the festivalās eventual return demonstrated just how important Rockstock had become.
šø 2022ā2025 ā Bigger and Better Than Ever
Following its return, Rockstock continued growing.
Line-ups became increasingly ambitious.
Returning favourites appeared alongside exciting new discoveries.
Artist interviews, Q&A sessions and fan interaction remained central to the weekend.
The relaxed holiday park setting continued making Rockstock one of the easiest festivals to enjoy.
š¤ 2026 ā Another Outstanding Weekend
The 2026 edition once again showcased why Rockstock remains one of Britainās favourite indoor festivals.
Artists included:
- Geoff Tate
- Magnum
- Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts
- Blaze Bayley
- King King
- Girlschool
- John Corabi & Friends
- Alcatrazz
- Raven
- The Fell
- Parker Barrow
- Blue Nation
- HƤxan
- Cassidy Paris
- Seven Sisters
- The Dead Collective
The weekend perfectly reflected the Rockstock philosophy.
Rock legends.
Modern favourites.
Tomorrowās stars.
One incredible community.
š¤ Multiple Stages ā Music All Weekend
Rockstockās multiple stages ensure there is always something happening.
Main Stage
Home to the festivalās biggest headline performances.
Second Stage
Dedicated to exciting rising artists and unforgettable discoveries.
Late-Night Entertainment
Keeping the party going long after the final encore.
The compact venue means fans rarely miss a moment.
š Supporting New Music
Although legendary artists headline the festival, Rockstock has always remained committed to introducing audiences to exciting new bands.
Many visitors discover their favourite new act before the weekend is over.
Supporting new talent isnāt simply encouraged.
Itās part of Planet Rockās identity.
šŗ Food, Drink and Entertainment
Away from the stages, visitors enjoy:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Coffee shops
- Merchandise stalls
- Artist signings
- Q&A sessions
- Planet Rock presenters
- Late-night entertainment
- Holiday park facilities
Everything contributes to a relaxed and enjoyable festival atmosphere.
āæ Accessibility
Accessibility has remained a major strength.
Features include:
- Accessible viewing areas
- Accessible accommodation
- Step-free access
- Carer ticket options
- Helpful event staff
- Easy navigation around the venue
The indoor holiday park environment makes Rockstock particularly welcoming for many visitors.
ā¤ļø Why Fans Love Rockstock
Visitors regularly praise:
- Friendly atmosphere
- Comfortable accommodation
- Incredible line-ups
- Meeting artists
- Excellent organisation
- Fantastic sound
- No camping stress
- Great community spirit
- Feeling like part of the Planet Rock family
Many visitors return every single year.
š Greatest Rockstock Moments
Highlights include:
- Launching one of Britainās favourite indoor rock festivals
- Building the Planet Rock family community
- Welcoming legendary artists from around the world
- Supporting emerging British rock bands
- Becoming one of the UKās most respected indoor music weekends
Every edition has created unforgettable memories for thousands of fans.
š® The Future of Rockstock
The future looks brighter than ever.
With loyal audiences, increasingly ambitious line-ups and the continued support of Planet Rock, Rockstock remains perfectly placed to continue growing while preserving the welcoming atmosphere that makes it so special.
As long as classic rock continues bringing people together, Rockstock will remain one of Britainās defining indoor festival experiences.
ā The Riff Report Verdict
Rockstock isnāt about surviving the weekend.
Itās about enjoying every single minute of it.
It combines legendary live music with comfortable accommodation, fantastic organisation and one of the friendliest communities in British rock.
The bands are approachable.
The venues are intimate.
The atmosphere is unforgettable.
And every November, Trecco Bay becomes the home of the Planet Rock family.
Whether youāre singing along with rock legends, discovering an incredible new band, chatting with artists during a Q&A or sharing a pint with fellow fans, Rockstock captures everything thatās great about the UK rock scene.
Great music.
Great people.
Great memories.
Warm enough to leave the tent at home.
Loud enough to satisfy every rocker.
Thatās Planet Rock Presents Rockstock. šøš
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene specialāfrom legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether heās battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, heās always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When heās not writing or interviewing artists, youāll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than musicātheyāre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatās exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. š¤
