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There's just over a month to go until the highlight of Medway's events calendar.
Rochester Castle will this year play host to one of the biggest line ups in the events glamorous history of more than a quarter of a century.
Previously welcoming the likes of Craig David, Status Quo and Blondie, this year Jess Glynne, Rudimental and Collabro are some of the acts set to take the stage over four nights in July.
Urban music supremos Rudimental will get the party started on Wednesday, July 10 with a DJ set.
The genre-defying supergroup and BRIT nominees – who have sold more than 20 million singles and two million albums – will be bringing their own unique sound with their Sound System set which features a DJ set with live brass and vocals.
Joining Rudimental on the opening night are two special guests; platinum-selling artist Example, and fellow BRIT nominee, Mahalia.
Example’s career spans over a decade with three top ten albums and 10 singles that have made the top ten, while Mahalia is one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming female artists.
On the second night of the concerts (Thursday, July 11) pop goddess Jess Glynne was due to perform a sold-out gig with special guest, Nina Nesbitt but has since cancelled citing medical advice.
Medway Council has said it is urgently seeking a replacement act and advised the box office will be in touch over the next few days with ticket holders wishing to come on another evening or wanting a full refund.
Then on Friday, July 12, the Soul Party concert will take over, with the audience getting to boogie the night away under the stars and sing along to their favourite floor-filling hits from the likes of Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Lionel Richie, to name just a few. The evening will be headlined by legend George McCrae, singer of the smash hit Rock Your Baby.
Joining him will be the disco group Odyssey and Heather Small, singer of the famous Proud track and former M People star.
The Castle Concerts conclude on Saturday, July 13 with the spectacular Proms finale, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra who will be performing a selection of James Bond movie themes along with classical hits such as Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem.
They will be joined by special guests Collabro – the world’s most successful musical theatre group and stars of Britain’s Got Talent – and soprano Laura Wright, one of the biggest selling classical artists this decade.
Local musicians, the Kent Rock Choir will also be performing and interval entertainment will be provided by NChant, the Senior Girls' Choir from The Rochester Grammar School.
On the final night (Saturday, July 13) The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will return to the intimate, unique setting of the picturesque castle gardens on Saturday, July 13.
The music will be accompanied by colourful dancing water fountains and a fantastic fireworks finale which is set to delight audiences.
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s head of Community Services, said: “This year’s Castle Concerts offers a fantastic line-up of top musical talent and we’re delighted acts of this calibre will be visiting Rochester in July.
"The concerts are one of the highlights of the summer in Medway and offer a truly unique live music experience – located within the picturesque walls of Rochester Castle, the events have an intimate atmosphere where everyone is able to get close to the stage with a great view. So, round up some friends and family members and enjoy an evening of live music under the stars.”
For more information, and to buy tickets, click here, call 01634 338338, visit the Brook or Central Theatres in Chatham or the Rochester Visitor Information Centre in the high street.
