The Rock Ness Festival will return in 2008 with another fantastic bill. Since its inception in 2006, Rock Ness has swiftly become one of the most talked about festivals in the UK. A uniquely beautiful setting against the shores of the legendary Loch Ness, the event has grown in stature without losing its roots.
Beginning as a one day dance music event in 2006, the festival is now almost unique in the UK by giving dance music an equal billing with rock. The first festival featured two stages, and was headlined by Fatboy Slim – who will no doubt be astonished at the growth of the festival when he returns for the 2008 event.
Last year’s Rock Ness event went down in British festival lore as the first to incorporate the Clash Arena. Curated by the good people of Clash Magazine, the arena was designed to hold 10,000 but was left feeling distinctly crowded by an astonishing bill featuring rising star Mark Ronson, Soulwax Nite Versions and the first Scottish show in a decade by Daft Punk.
Nominated for the UK Festival Awards “UK Festival Moment Of The Year” award, the appearance by Daft Punk caused pandemonium across the site. The Gallic duo played a storming set, during which the capacity of the tent was surely exceeded several times over – due to unprecedented demand, one side of the arena was removed to allow the crowd waiting outside to catch a glimpse of Daft Punk’s lightshow. One of those rare “I was there” moments gifted to each festival generation, it was the perfect end to an enormously successful Rock Ness.
This year’s event promises even more mouth-watering musical madness. The Clash Arena returns , and with its winter hibernation over, the beast is ready to party! Headlining the Arena will be Dundee rock rascals The View, making their only Scottish festival appearance of the year – surely an unmissable event! Earlier in the day festival-goers will be treated to sets by Brazilian party-poppers C.S.S., whilst Simian Mobile Disco will be manning the decks. Its not just established acts that make their way to the Clash Arena though, as we stick our necks on the line and bring you the best in emerging talent. New rave stars-in-waiting Hadouken! will no doubt explode into a shower of glowsticks, and joining them will be a host of artists that will rock your weekend and re-arrange your ears.
Elsewhere in Rock Ness 2008, Fatboy Slim will headline a bill that also include dance legend Felix Da Housecat. Leading the guitar brigade are Razorlight and Editors – both playing their only Scottish festival date of the year. 2ManyDJs will host the newly expanded Radio Soulwax Arena, whilst Roisin Murphy will bring a touch of glamour to these rural surroundings.
As usual, the festival will feature a host of unique fringe events. The Go North Exposure Tent will feature the best in unsigned Scottish music, whilst the Bestival crew will host the miniature Nesstival event.
Aside from the stellar bill brought to you by the Clash Arena, the big talking point of Rock Ness 2008 is the triumphant return of Fatboy Slim. But as he cuts the sound on his final tune, leaving the crowd baying for more, he’ll look out on a vastly different event than the one he helped pioneer just two years ago.
