NEWS: Steve Earle, Halestorm, Blackberry Smoke and Sons of Apollo first announced Ramblin Man Fair acts

Following on from the critically acclaimed and commercially successful third year in 2017, Ramblin’ Man Fair returns in 2018.

This year the festival will move from its traditional end of July slot to the 30th June and 1st July 2018

Ramblin’ Man Fair is pleased to announce the first bands confirmed for the event in 2018.

These include Steve Earle & The Dukes – Playing a UK Exclusive set ‘Copperhead Road plus Hits!’ (Outlaw Country Stage, Headliner), Halestorm (Main Stage, Special Guests), Blackberry Smoke (Main Stage) and Sons Of Apollo (Main Stage).

The festival takes place in the beautiful Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent. The park is one of the largest in South East England with more than 450 acres of mature parkland and a 30-acre lake.

Ramblin’ Man Fair is on Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2018.
Announced acts to date are:
Main Stage
Halestorm (Special Guest)
Blackberry Smoke
Sons Of Apollo

Country Stage
Steve Earle & The Dukes (Headliner)
(UK Exclusive Set ‘Copperhead Road plus Hits!’)

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES (Outlaw Country Stage, Headline / UK Exclusive) – With a career spanning over 40 years, Steve Earle is revered as a consummate songwriter and performer, in addition to film and TV actor, author, poet and playwright.

He has also established himself as one of the most prolific songwriters of his lifetime, his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Emmylou Harris. Since 1974 Steve Earle has released 16 studio albums. In 2018 he will be playing a UK Exclusive set of his iconic album ‘Copperhead Road plus Hits’ at Ramblin’ Man Fair.

HALESTORM (Main Stage, Special Guest / UK Festival Exclusive) – One of the most exciting rock bands of recent years, fronted by the indomitable Lzzy Hale. The band have released a series of critically and commercially acclaimed albums and singles, including the Grammy winning single “Love Bites (So Do I)” in 2013. The band are also renowned for their consummate live shows. Halestorm are a worthwhile special guest for Ramblin’ Man Fair 2018. “Marking the precise point on the Venn diagram where fierce ambition and ability collide, Halestorm are heading in one direction, and that's up” – Classic Rock Magazine.

“We are so excited to be performing at the Ramblin Man Fair for the first time! We love playing for our fans in the UK and look forward to making some new friends too. We are ready to melt faces!!" – Lzzy Hale, Halestorm

BLACKBERRY SMOKE (Main Stage / UK Festival Exclusive) – One of the most loved new rock acts. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia the bands southern country rock sound has seen them win a legion of fans worldwide. The band’s fifth studio album, “Like An Arrow”, released in 2016 went to No1 in the UK Rock and Independent Charts, as well as the Billboard Country Chart in the USA. The band are renowned for their live shows and have toured with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top.

“We can’t wait to bring some Southern music to the Ramblin Man Fair......it’s refreshing to play festivals with such diverse lineups.” – Charlie Starr, Blackberry Smoke

SONS OF APOLLO (Main Stage / UK Festival Exclusive) – Sons of Apollo is the American progressive metal supergroup formed in 2017 and composed of legends Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Derek Sherinian, Jeff Scott Soto and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. The band’s debut album, “Psychotic Symphony”, was produced by Portnoy and Sherinian (as "The Del Fuvio Brothers") and was released on the 20th October 2017 through InsideOut Music. Ramblin’ Man Fair is delighted to welcome these legends to the mainstage in what is sure to be one of the weekends highlights.

Tickets are available now priced: VIP Admission Saturday & Sunday - £256 plus booking fee
General Admission Saturday & Sunday - £156 plus booking fee
Camping Starts at £49

Tickets available from http://ramblinmanfair18.eventbrite.co.uk

To keep up to date with all Ramblin’ Man Fair announcements follow:

www.ramblinmanfair.com  
www.twitter.com/RamblinManFair
www.facebook.com/ramblinmanfair

Why wear 'coloured' jeans and why oddness in metal and rock is cool...

WARNING - RANT AHEAD: And Devin Townsend & Steve Earle...

THERE is an alarming trend amongst male folk in Northern Ireland - that is wearing coloured jeans and chinos...

We're sorry - that's just wrong! You know the type of trouser we're talking about, that awful orange jean, or green tinged chino, often accompanied by some 'stylish' sweater. If you find yourself tempted to buy, or worse still wear such items be prepared to hand in your memberhip card for the male gender.

No, we're not being discriminatory, we couldn't care less if you are black, white, gay, straight, bi-sexual, or any orientation or cultural background; if you come with the male 'equipment' downstairs and wear these abominations you are more interested in fashion than any male should be...

Let us be clear the only colours acceptable in jeans are blue denim or black; the only colour chinos should have are that proper chino colour: better still have a few extra pockets around the thighs in the off-chance you'll be mistaken for a roadie. Combat trousers of any colour are also acceptable.

When you slough off the suit of subjucation or peel off the work clothes you now know that 'coloured' jeans are verbotten if you are a member of the male species. We can, however, suggest a recovery programme of selected CDs, gigs like Devin Townsend, Lordi, Saxon, Black Sabbath and even one Mr Steve Earle...group counselling is also available on request.

As to the ladies - you are all beautiful and can wear whatever you want at gigs...

But why rant about the absurdity of followers of 'fashion' - also known as lining the pockets of the corporate bitches of the high street?

Well we are acutely aware that being a little bit odd, or off-the-wall is a good thing in metal and rock - even in country rock. When Devin Towsend plays the Stiff Kitten this coming Sunday you will see an example of an extreme guitar widdler, with a vision that at times is as much about being bonkers as being a genius, a line he treads closely, just on the side of genius.

As to Lordi on Saturday...no more needs to be said, but we know when they shrug off the stage costumes they pull on a pair of jeans.

But let us also look at the case of Steve Earle, whose Copperhead Road album still stands the test of time as a country/southern rock classic. When Mr Earle takes to the stage at the Limelight on June 2nd you know he won't be wearing coloured jeans.

And, most of all when Saxon come on stage at the Mandella Hall this coming Friday not one of the gig goers will not know the words to their classic fan tribute - Denim and Leather...

We know that most metal and rock performers, and a fair amount of the fans are odd to say the least,  but odd is much cooler than following the fashionistas any day of the year!