The Mall Blackburn named as a headline sponsor of Rockfest 2023
The Mall Blackburn has been confirmed as one of the headline sponsors of Rockfest 2023, which promises to be an electrifying night of fantastic music to raise money for local community interest company Secret Santa.
Known previously as Spectacularfest, the event is now in its 5th year and will take place in the Windsor Suite, Blackburn’s King George’s Hall on Saturday 26th August.
Founded by Paul Voegt and his S5 Team of local volunteers, previous beneficiaries have included Lancashire Mind and CALM, with 100 percent of profits from the event being donated.
The Mall has given £1000 towards the cost of setting up Rockfest and other headline sponsors are The Rock Box, The Drummers Arms.
Six bands, Liberty Slaves, Assassin, Unknown Refuge, Redhead, Northern Alibi and Crooked Revival, will perform 45-minute sets featuring their own original songs and classic rock covers.
Secret Santa started delivering bags of gifts to children in Blackburn with Darwen who would otherwise not receive anything at Christmas in 2017 and has since grown into a group of dedicated volunteers that help people across the two boroughs throughout the year.
Easter Egg appeals and its annual Secret Sheik campaign, which supports Muslim families during Ramadan and Eid, have been just two of the other projects they have introduced in recent years.
Musician and founder of Rockfest, Paul Voegt, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Mall Blackburn as our latest headline sponsor.
“Since its inception, Rockfest, which was formerly known as Spectacularfest, has grown in popularity and we are thrilled to be welcoming six brilliant bands.
“We’re really passionate about helping local causes and have been following the valiant efforts of the Secret Santa team for a number of years.
“I know that the community will, as they always do, get behind us and enjoy a fantastic night in aid of a very worthy cause.”
Loraine Jones, General Manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “As a shopping centre in the very heart of the community we have always been huge supporters of Secret Santa.
“We think Phil, Karen and the team are wonderful, so when we found out that they were the beneficiary for this year’s Rockfest we were delighted.
“With the cost-of-living crisis having a significant impact on people across the borough it has never been more important to help those in need, so every penny counts.
Phil Boulding, who set up Secret Santa with his wife Karen, added: “Just when we think we can’t possibly get any more support from the people and businesses of Blackburn, someone else comes knocking at the door with an offer to help.
“We are truly humbled and grateful to Paul and everyone else involved in Rockfest as recent times have proven extremely difficult for lots of people.
“Karen and I will be rocking along to the bands on 26th August and hope as many people as possible will join us so we can continue in our mission to make sure that no one in our area goes without the essentials in life.”
Early bird tickets, which are £7 plus booking fee, are available until 30th April. Following that advance tickets will be £10 plus fee and door price on the evening will be £15 if available.
To book tickets and revue the bands please visit: www.s5.nos1.co.uk or to book direct visit: https://bwdvenues.com/whats-on/rockfest/
Help Rockfest win the TicketSource community event fund by clicking the S5 link above and voting for them. Your vote could be the one that helps them win. Voting closes 28th April 2023.
