Rockness; A Monster Of A Festival

• 24th May 2009

Rockness: A Rock Necessity

12th, 13th, 14h June 2009: Inverness

To perpetrators of myth and legend, the monster of the Loch Ness will forever remain the elusive illusion that has haunted the waters of Inverness and the tales of folk lore for generations.

To appreciators of great music, make way for a monster of far greater proportions. As the Rockness festival prepares to take to the land of Inverness, the time has come to cast aside illusion and focus on an entirely different series of legends; ‘Basement Jaxx’ and ‘The Prodigy’ to name but two.

For the first time in the festival’s four year history, Scotland’s most exuberant festival is rocking the loch over three days, and the acts are of monstrous proportions. Originally the one day wonder work of Norman Cook, the last four years has seen Rockness grow in prestige and quality, and in what promises to be its biggest year yet, an eclectic line up guarantees to make the three days better than ever.

Saturday’s star David Guetta brings Ibiza to Inverness, whilst the ever popular Basement Jaxx headline the main stage for the evening. With highly anticipated sets to come from Annie Mac, Pete Tong, DJ Yoda and Crookers. The Clash arena’s Wonderland stage merely whets the appetite for Sunday’s sets from Indie legends Placebo, cult rock/electro piece Soulwax, Chase and Status and the ever legendary Pendulum.

Of course at any Festival, you need a band that is the epitome of fun and encapsulates the Festival spirit. No band does this better than Wayne Coyne's spirited Oaklahoma troupe; The Flaming Lips (who headline the mainstage on the Friday). Especially, if like me, your main disappointment of the year was that nobody had the consideration to sing Happy Birthday to you on your favourite day of it? Well, Wayne Coyne will more than likely continue the band's habit, of bringing some needed childish cheer to the festivities with their ever popular colourful rendition of this childhood (and adulthood if you are honest?) favourite. So, if your going? Don't forget the paper hats.

It is the mark of a truly great festival to boast such headliners; acts which will no doubt prove to be the summer highlight of the highlands. I hear you cry, what separates Rockness from other major festivals of such ilk? The answer is simple. Scotland’s greatest fusion of sound and scenery bring together music and landscape, culture and creativity and truly capture the spirit of the carnivalesque.

With acts defining genres as diverse as Bollywood and dance, indie and psychedelic confirmed, the festival celebrates not only the intricacies of musical taste, but celebrates the very nature of musical eclecticism.

All in all, Scotland’s finest backdrop looks set to host one of the most exciting events of the summer, making Rockness a definite rock necessity.