Chester Rocks feels more like a large outdoor Jessie J gig than a festival

Chester Rocks 2013

Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th June 2013
Chester Racecourse, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2LY, England MAP
£55 for both days, £32 per day

Daily capacity: 10,000

With the sun out shining I couldn't think of many better places to be than in on the racecourse in the picturesque walled city of Chester, I had come to check out Chester Rocks, with my 7 year old son in tow.

We entered the site for a look around, with a huge out door main stage on one end of the racecourse in field, and the opposite end filled with funfair rides, plenty of entertainment was on supply for all ages. Priced at £32 for a day ticket, not bad value either with 'The Voice' judge and team leader Jessie J headlining the event, with a supporting cast of Lawson, Amelia Lily of X Factor fame, Charlie Brown and a local unsigned band Scarlett's Roses.

First to take the stage at 5.30pm were Scarlett's Roses. The London 4 piece brought a pop/ska sound to Chester Rocks with a calypso feel, with a female vocalist and a rapper leading the band. They were very catchy and got the crowd moving, always a nice start to the day seeing a new band that make you smile.

Next to take to the stage was Charlie Brown, another Londoner, queue mega screams from the considerable female contingency in the crowd. With only 30 minutes to fill, his set was gone in a flash, and not the most memorable either.

After a 20 minute change around Amelia Lily entered the arena, fresh from a flight back from the Ukraine. She was the shot in the arm Chester Rocks needed, with her up tempo material, and endless enthusiasm working the stage, she really had the crowd perked up. Ending with her smash debut single, 'You Bring Me Joy', she had the entire crowd up on their feet singing along.

Lawson followed where miss Lily had left, we heard the set from the food and drinks paddock a mere stones throw away from the stage, with great facilities on site, including many permanent toilet blocks, and used to catering for the masses this is the perfect site for the event, we had some food and drinks, but with all the artists bar the headliner having roughly 30 minute sets, it was easy to miss an act.

This left just Jessie J to perform, with over an hour scheduled, I wondered how she was going to fill the time, but credit where it is due, she really brought the house down. Walking out to a huge rendition of 'Price Tag', with her live band pulling out all the stops. Jessie really seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere, and ploughed through her back catalogue of hits pleasing all in the crowd. She took the time to interact with the crowd and single out and sing a personalized 'Happy Birthday' to a very happy fan. With a cover a of Chaka Kahn 'Ain't Nobody' thrown in the mixer, Jessie flexed her vocal power and continued to impress. She was clearly taken aback by the love being shown, and it was very clear this was her crowd, making it feel more like a large outdoor Jessie J gig than a festival. With a slick set production and great stage presence, she finished off the show with a huge rendition of 'Domino', and it was clear Chester Rocks booking policy was spot on, picking her to headline.

Looking back I think it lacked the strength in depth of last year, but again was a hugely successful day! With great staff on hand all throughout the beautiful venue to help in any way, with the only negative this year being they now had a dreaded 'Golden Circle' in place leaving lots of kids heart broken that they couldn't get closer to their heroine.

All in all though a very good value ticket.

review by: Jamie Licence