PLANET ROCKSTOCK | LIVE REVIEW
Trecco Bay, Porthcawl, Fri 4-Sun 6 Dec
The dust has settled on what was an extremely successful and loud Planet Rockstock. Trecco Bay was a sea of black shirts, leather and Gibson guitars as Porthcawl hosted the weekend long Planet Rock Radio festival for the second successive year.
Opening the main stage in what was their first ‘official’ gig were newcomers Inglorious, headed by lead singer Nathan James. The band powered through an impressive set and got the growing crowd very much warmed up for the weekend’s proceedings. South African Dan Patlansky had some of the crowd perplexed early on, but soon won over the crowd with a mesmerising guitar and vocal performance in a set of experimental, slick and raw blues rock.
Sub-headliners The Dead Daisies set up next, for what was more than worthy of a headline performance. John Corabi (ex-Mötley Crüe), Richard Fortus (ex-Guns N’ Roses) and Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy) starred in a show that seemed to blow the roof off the stage. Planet Rockstock veterans FM bring Day one to a close – the only band to have played in every Rockstock festival, and they didn’t disappoint this year.
Day two culminated in a raucous night on the main stage. Rockers Heaven’s Basement brought along guest singer Danny Worsnop (We Are Harlot) in what was a sizzling set, while Joanne Shaw Taylor returned to Planet Rockstock to firmly cement herself as the First Lady Of Blues. Saturday headliners Rival Sons [pictured] returned to Wales after a triumphant show in Swansea a few months back. The Long Beach natives own the stage, and give a masterclass in LOUD rock’n’roll. How they create that sound is beyond me.
Opening day three, local Neath band Buffalo Summer made sure that anyone that was half asleep was well and truly awake. No strangers to Trecco Bay growing up, the band confessed that playing the resort was like playing their Disneyland. Down To The River and A Horse Called Freedom went down a storm.
London based Dirty Thrills are currently supporting Europe on tour, and jetted in especially from Barcelona to play their part in proceedings before setting off for Italy. A belting set from a well-polished bunch of guys. Last but one on the bill, Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho stakes a claim for showman of the weekend as he strutted his stuff in his trademark flashing light jacket. Highlight of the set saw Jericho lead the crowd in a rocking rendition of ABBA’s hit S.O.S.
Bringing the weekend to a close, Lowestoft’s own The Darkness rip through a back catalogue of singalong hits. But to top that, having Chris Jericho carry Justin Hawkins on his shoulders through the crowd playing a guitar solo was the icing on the cake. An absolutely surreal, probably once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Planet Rockstock knocked the socks off last year’s event, and can only go from strength to strength. A great set up at Trecco Bay: let’s hope that Planet Rock decide to make the resort its permanent home.
words OWEN SCOURFIELD photos NICK ELLIOTT