The idea for Rock n Ribs was hatched in Starbucks Yeovil in early 2019. Literally, we just thought it would be cool if more UK events resembled the laid-back cookouts you find in the USA with music, incredible smoked BBQ, tailgating, beers and bourbon. That was the foundation, and then it got increasingly silly from there.
The first Rock n Ribs was at Henstridge Airfield in August 2019. We sold 1500 tickets in advance for the one day show and remember the rain pouring down as the big rigs started to arrive the evening before. This and the fact we had zero cash left to our names made us start to question ourselves. However, the next day the weather was glorious and we sold almost the same number of tickets on the gate. The bar was smashed all day long and we could barely keep up. Rock n Ribs was born!
We were keen to apply the many lessons learned at the first instalment the following year but someone ate a bat and the 2020 show went down the swanny. We don’t need to say much more about that but it nearly cost us the event and our company.
In 2021 we emerged from hibernation to find a giant warehouse being built on our camping field which forced us to change the site layout drastically. The show was a full weekend and it was really touching seeing people out having a great time after the previous 18 months. When Stiff Bizkit opened their set with ‘Hot Dog’ we thought we may have a civil disturbance on our hands and decided a change of venue was necessary.
In 2022 we debuted at Wincanton Racecourse and haven’t looked back since. Sure, we had a red weather warning for heat that weekend (and another warning for wind and rain in 2023) but who doesn’t like a challenge? As they say, nothing worth having comes easy, pardners!
We couldn’t be prouder of the festival Rock n Ribs is becoming. Yes, this is somewhat down to the creativity and hard work of our awesome crew but without our passionate tribe of like-minded pardners getting in a field to have a brilliant time it would be nothing. We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received since 2019 and can’t describe how cool it is to see Rock n Ribs merch being warn when we’re out and about. To all supporters – a heartfelt thank you!
Rock n Ribs is about sharing good times with friends and family and representing the best sounds, sights, smells, tastes and entertainment of the USA that Brits love. All delivered with the hedonistic, flamboyant yet warm-hearted swagger of a Texan cowboy.
Tim and Tom
Festival Directors
Bearfoot Productions
Rock n Ribs is organised and promoted by Bearfoot Productions, a small and independent event company also launched in 2019 and based in Dorset. Bearfoot Productions currently promotes three festivals and is heavily involved in a fourth – Teddy Rocks Festival which has raised nearly three quarters of a million for children’s cancer charities. The role Teddy Rocks has played in the recruitment, development and skill of our crew since 2011 cannot be overstated and we will always be grateful.
