Nene Valley Rock Festival confirms line-up for its Grimsthorpe Castle debut in September

The line-up for a four-day music festival, set in the grounds of a stately home, has been confirmed.

The Nene Valley Rock Festival takes places at Grimsthorpe Castle, near Bourne, from Thursday to Sunday, September 5 to 8, having launched last year at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough.

It features established and up-and-coming acts playing classic rock, prog rock and blues, with headliners confirmed as Hand of Dimes, Darren Wharton’s Renegade, Nektar and Caravan.

The line-up was completed by Friday evening headliners Nektar, a prog rock band formed in the late 1960s who haven’t played in the UK for 10 years, and will perform their final UK and European show at Grimsthorpe.

“Our aim has always been to support both established bands that these days find it progressively harder to find someone prepared to put them on, as well as newer bands that as yet haven't 'made it' and don't bring in profit for the promoter,” said event director Tony Castle.

“As we don't pay ourselves a penny and operate genuinely 'not-for-profit' we're able to aim simply to offer the best we can.”

As well as the venue, changes this year include free parking, more food traders and a glamping package.

Organisers hopes to be able to confirm the festival’s return for 2025 depending on ticket sales.

Earlybird tickets are available at £149 up to Monday, April 15 before the price of advance four-day tickets rises to £169. Day tickets and camping have been held at the same price.

Ticket capacity has been set at 1,000 and can be booked at https://www.nvrf.rocks/book-tickets

“We’ve booked much of the infrastructure, but that costs some money now,” said Tony.

“We are sure you’ll have seen many venues, bands and festivals talking about the need for people to commit.

“It’s tough for permanent venues to put on original live music, so please support them, but imagine that times a hundred and you’ll get an idea of what a festival is up against.”