We travelled up from Aberdeen on the Friday morning; our sat nav took us across country through some of the most stunning scenery right down to the banks of Lock Ness.  It has to be one of the best back drops for a festival anywhere, with the festival based in a natural bowl with three stages

Rockness is now in its 7th year and is goes from strength to strength this years event with headliners Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5 and Biffy Clyro.  

Friday night kicked off with great sets from both the Mystery Jets and The Drums on the main stage. It was then over to the Golden Voice arena for Wretch 32, the tent was two thirds full of expectant teenagers as he walked on stage the tent erupted as he performed tracks from his Black & White album with the crowd happily singing along, during ‘Hush Little Baby’ Ed Sheeran appeared on stage and we got a taste of what was about to follow!

By the time Ed Sheeran appeared to perform his own set the tent was full to the rafters, with many more shut outside, and throughout the set he had the crowd in the palm of his hand never more so than when he went into his massive hit DRUNK.   

Mumford & Sons were a risky headliner for Rockness which has a history for being more dance orientated than folk. They opened their set with tracks from thier popular “Sigh No More” album , which got the crowd in full swing. However, when performing tracks from their forthcoming material it went a little bit flat. But everyone was bouncing by the the finale of  ‘Sigh No More’and  ‘The Cave’.  Once again Mumford & Sons who proved what a excellent festival band they are sending the crowd back to their tents singing and dancing all the way.

We woke up Saturday to drizzle (it appeared it had been raining hard throughout the night). But after a hot shower at Posh wash and some breakfast it was back for more great music & comedy. The festival has a comedy tent each day, headlined this year by Tim Minchin, followed by local bands for those who want to find an area just to sit and relax and have a drink.

One of the highlights of the day was the Olympic torch making a appearance on the main stage, which shows that slowly but surely we are getting into the Olympic spirit.

Musically Saturday was dominated by DJ’s and dance music. But in the Clash arena we had packed houses for sets from Sound of Gun’s & The Pigeon Detectives. This was followed by Scottish Festival favourites The View, the tent was packed and overflowing and by the time they were into their 4th song the arena had to be closed due to health and safety. After some rushed discussions back stage it was announced that The View would perform the following day much to the crowd’s great disappointment.

Back down in the Goldenvoice arena, there was the heavy thump of the bass from the DJ’s, we enjoyed the set from Justice a French duo who played once again to a packed arena. While over on the main stage earlier in the day Beardyman  brought his own unique beat box style to a large crowd, followed by DJ Fresh and Annie Mac who built the crowd up for headline act Deadmau5 who played a near two hour set.  The main stage was bouncing throughout the Deadmau5 set and enjoying the great light show. 

Sunday Morning followed a similar routine to Saturday shower and breakfast. It seemed everybody was suffering from a massive hangover from partying well into he early hours. In the main arena signs showed that The View had been moved to the larger Goldenvoice venue for their set. It was another excellent line up across all stages with a packed Clash tent for sets from Gun who delivered a great set of classic rock.  All The Young nailed their musical colours to the mast by stating that there were some real bands on today including The Rifles and Ash and Biffy

Over in the Goldenvoice arena a large crowd gathered for Jakwod, but this was soon surpassed when The View took to stage once again. It was a packed tent with many more shut outside, these guys know how to party kicking off with “same jeans” followed by hit after hit and finished off with the biggest sing along of the weekend with a version of Oasis’s “Don’t Look Back in Anger”.

Over on the main stage it was party party party all afternoon and night with The Cuban Brothers bringing their own unique brand of comedy, music and dance. There was also a great set from those disco kings Chic ft. Nile Rodgers who kept the fans dancing all through the afternoon. We then started to Rock it up with Friendly Fires and a set from Zane Lowe who brought the crowd up to a frenzy ready for the main highlight of the weekend.

Biffy Clyro took to the stage and rocked the whole crowd with hit after hit, in fact I am sure that I even saw Nessie pop her head up to find out what all the fuss was about. These guys certainly did not let the crowd down and provided a fantastic close to what had been a great festival.

How do you sum up Rockness is one sentence. Stunning scenery, moody mountains, great music and 1000’s of Scots party goers giving it LALDY. Roll on Rockness 2013. 

Review Keith Barron