Hella Rock Festival | HMV Empire, Coventry

With the news that Standon Calling and another eight UK festivals have either cancelled their 2024 shows or finished for good, the news that Hella Rock Festival will launch this year is music to MetalTalk’s ears. Eight bands for £20, this is a grassroots phoenix rising from the flames.

Gorilla Riot, The Soul Revival, Tattoo Molly, King Kraken, Bang Bang Firecracker, New Generation Superstars, Luna Kiss and The Black Shucks complete the lineup, which will be held at HMV Empire in Coventry on 31 August 2024.

Blackstar Amplification are on board, as are other sponsors. The tickets are on sale from today, but at £20, this is not a money-making exercise. “I’m not in this to gain anything myself,” organiser James Pilling says. “I’m in a band, so I get to play to a decent crowd and with some fantastic bands. That’s the only thing I’m gaining from this whole weekend. It was important for me to know what it’s like to be in a band and play festivals.”

The Grill Shack will be there to provide food on-site at a reasonable price. They will also cater for the bands. The whole organisation around this event is aimed at value for money for the crowd and the experience for the bands.

MetalTalk will take a team to Coventry this year, and we will be featuring all the bands on the run-up to the festival. £20, eight bands and one day. This just might be the best ways to throw your support behind grassroots music this year.

Tickets are available from here.