As I lie in a hostel bed in Stockholm, Sweden on the cusp of attending a major Rock Festival, I’m already looking ahead. Ahead approximately one month in the future to another festival. July 7-10, 2023 to be exact. The Time To Rock Festival will happen in Knislinge, Sweden. The four-day event boasts a roster that literally compelled me to attend! So many awesome bands here and absolutely one of the best lineups of the summer. I venture even to say, to my personal tastes, better than the event I’m attending this week!
Time To Rock features 45 bands over 4 days and three stages. Big, but not too big to lose that sort of family atmosphere. At least I’m hoping that’s the buzz of the event! Bands such as: Tygers Of Pan Tang, Diamond Head, Saxon, Masterplan, D-A-D, Hardline, Treat, Smoking Snakes, Cruel Intentions and so many more are all high on my list to see! And a sure highlight will be Canadian band Teaze in their first ever (if I’m not mistaken) European appearance!
The day splits are out and every day looks like a complete banger!
Friday is smaller Swedish bands, more of a warm-up type thing for the locals I guess. But I’ll be checking out every one as well since I love finding new bands! One of Friday’s names is Browsing Collection which I found some years ago through SRF‘s Nemis Stage. Looking forward to seeing them again too!
Friday Performers:
Browsing Collection
Mats Ronander Band
Gasbox
The Crypt
Slakken
Saturday features NWOBHM band who are working on a new album I’m told, Diamond Head. Also hot on my list is Gothenberg’s Smoking Snakes who had a great EP recently! The Answer who took a lengthy break but are back with a new album also take the stage on Friday. Tons of other great ones as well! I’m excited to photograph all these bands!
Saturday Performers:
MSG
Alestorm
Toy Dolls
Treat
Cruel Intentions
Strom
Diamond Head
Smoking Snakes
The Answer
Smash Into Pieces
Prins Svart
Teaze
Punk Rock Factory
Hellhammer by Tom Gabriel’s Warriors
On Sunday we have Tygers of Pan Tang and Saxon leading the charge for me! Absolutely love both of these NWOBHM bands! Tygers has a great new album just recently out, hoping to get it on vinyl at the fest! Saxon recently announced that guitarist Paul Quinn was stepping back from touring and Diamond Head‘s Brian Tatler will be with them tonight.
Sunday Performers:
Saxon
Tygers of Pan Tang
Uli Jon Roth
The Hooters
Blind Guardian
Triptykon
Hardline
Emotional Fire
Battering Ram
The Dahmers
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg
Knogjarn
And for the last day of the event, my top bands are Masterplan and D-A-D. Masterplan I saw once before years ago and loved it, so I’m excited for this. D-A-D I’ve seen a lot and quite recently as well but they are always such a fun show! And the rest of the day is no slouch either, take a look below.
Monday’s Performers:
Masterplan
D-A-D
K.K.’s Preist
Dream Evil
Molly Hatchet
Sham 69
Ross The Boss
Saffire
The Quill
Tungsten
Steve n’ Seagulls
Happy Hour
Back Street Crawler
Triptykon doing Celtic Frost
Looks like a fabulous weekend to me! Tickets are still available through the link below. Who’s in?
BUY: Tickets Here!
Time to Rock Festival – Band Competiton Winners
Time to Rock Festival – Anticipation #1
Cheers,
The Meister
Meister Music Live To Air Radio/Video Shows on Mixcloud / CGCM Podcast
Find more of my album reviews and blogs here: Meister Music
Meister on Facebook / Meister on Instagram / Meister on Twitter / Meister’s Email