Over 40 bands and artists are taking part on two stages in this year’s edition of Rock the South.
For the first time, the festival, now in its fourth edition, has been extended to four days and this year includes a new area, The Silent Disco, dedicated to electro-swing, ghetto funk, alt-electro, indie, punk, dub and dubstep.
Two new bands will be making their debut during the event: Dull Eyed Lama, which saw their inception at last year’s festival and Crux, formed by members from Red Electrick, nosnow/noalps and former members of Bridget Bone, who are now experimenting with a more electronic sound.
The festival also sees the launch of London-based Maltese artist Berne’s debut EP.
Rock the South this year continues to build on its reputation for diversity. Four foreign artistes have been included in the line-up, with genres that range from hardcore metal to punk and rock.
Festaħwid, the punk festival that has been sorely missed in recent years, is back as part of Rock the South on Sunday
They are Temps Mort, from France, Zatopeks from the UK and Brozer from France. The Italian band Aim, which is fast becoming the festival’s resident foreign band, will be back with the launch of a new album, Finalmente a Casa.
Festaħwid, the punk festival that has been sorely missed in recent years, is back as part of Rock the South on Sunday.
The last day of the festival is, in fact, expected to deliver a more hardcore line-up for genre lovers, with most of Malta’s top punk names on the bill.
The festival also sees the return of Friday PM, a pioneer on the local alternative scene, which will be playing the first time in around a decade.The winners of the Battle of the North sessions that are taking place at Rookies, Buġibba, throughout February will perform on Sunday.
The programme is as follows:
• Thursday kicks off with a distinct indie feel, with Geddumu, Violent Violets, Cosmic Erotic, Jane Doe, Berne, Yews, Kriz Haze and The Busker;
• Friday includes Brodu, Sempliċiment tat-Triq, Mistura, Bass Culture, Three Stops to China, Fuzzhoneys, Juno and the Wolf and Dull Eyed Lama;
• Saturday’s line-up sees Crux, Aim, Cable 35, Areola Treat, Clandestines, Friday PM, For Strings Inn, Bark Bark Disco and Massacre House Party;
• The Sunday event includes Brozer, Zatopeks, BNI, Ras, Dripht, Temps Mort, Norm Rejection, Hex Omega, Krishna, Cushion and Xarulu.
The Silent Disco is being hosted by Hedon Crew, with DJs Chris Davis, Chris Radium, Gedz D, Clint (Dolls for Idols/Kntrl), Flien (PDM), I.You Earthrocker (bass Culture), Lauvemaax (FDM Crew), Geddumu, Brozer and Gorgobot.
Rock the South takes place between April 9 and 12 at Zion Reggae Bar, Marsascala.
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