Click here for a video from 2007

Marquee Allstars at Rock at the Castle 2007

Rock at the Castle – 2005 – 2009

I organise all the music, press, programme, technical operations and stage management for this annual one-day charity rock festival alongside Hertford Town Council. From a few hundred people when I helped to instigate the event in 2005, the audience has grown to 7000 people this summer (2009).

On the main stage we have 10 – 12 bands of all styles from reggae and rap to punk, funk and metal and in between acts the INSOMNIA MUSIC LIVE stage presents acoustic acts. All this for a suggested donation of just £2!

Check out this year’s press release and line-up!

KEV ROCKS THE CASTLE FOR MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE

ROCK AT THE CASTLE

Noon till 8pm at Hertford Castle. Sunday 2nd August 09

As instigator of the now sadly defunct Hertford Marquee, Music Director of Hertford Music Festival, Strum City and Westmill Farm Festival, Kev ‘Hertford’s Mr Music’ Saunders is promoting one event or another all year round… But this year’s ROCK AT THE CASTLE is particularly close to his heart because Susanne Mead and Hertford Town Council have kindly agreed to give the proceeds this year to the MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION; a charity dedicated to helping people suffering from the incurable – and particularly cruel – disease that killed his father Ken Saunders a few years ago.

‘To be honest it’s great to feel I’m involved in doing something worthwhile in my dad’s memory – and I’m hoping we can attract a record crowd and an unprecedented charity collection in his honour and for the benefit of everyone facing what my dad went through. The MNDA’s work is vital but because the disease affects relatively few people – about one in a hundred thousand, I believe – most of us are unaware what it does to people. Trust me, it’s not nice,’ says Kev.

‘That said, there’s nothing depressing about the day we’ve got in store for you. Between me, Susanne Mead, Insomnia Music and main stage sponsors Graphic Nature studios, we’ve lined up more than twenty terrific acts ranging from acoustic stuff to hard rock, ska, hip hop, reggae and a couple of covers bands thrown in to pump up the party atmosphere! I reckon it’s going to be the best Rock at the Castle ever.

As always, MC Jim Distortion and yours truly will have radio mics in hands and we intend to do a Bob Geldof and keep shouting out to remind everyone to put hands in pockets and money in buckets. We’ll also be collecting donations for the bands, all of whom are giving their time and talent for free – and while we’d love you to give till it hurts, I can promise everyone a rocking day out for all the family that’s the best value entertainment you’ll get anywhere!’

As has become almost traditional, Kev will be closing the day with a show by THE HERTFORD ALLSTARS – an ever-changing crew comprising some of the area’s hottest (and coolest) musicians, including all of CRIMZEN and some of Kev’s Clash tribute band, THE TRASH, playing a rabble-rousing set of rock covers. In past years, Kev’s shared lead vocal with Jim Distortion but this year Jim’s putting all his considerable vocal talents into his show with his new Dirt Rock band DISTORTED BREED, so Kev’s the front man this time round.