Countdown to Rox as the bands tune up

The latest music and arts festival is set to take place along the seafront on August 2 and 3.

A change with tradition will see the annual celebration of creativity being staged in front of the Royal Norfolk Hotel.

The main stage will be on the hotel's front lawn. The second stage and a series of workshops and stalls will be on the Rock Gardens skatepark on the opposite side of Aldwick Road, which will be closed for the weekend.

Among the performers looking forward to the occasion are the five members of Hymaglobin.

The 15 to 17-year-olds '“ Tom Davies (lead guitar), Adam Silvester (drums), James Thorne (bass), James Isbister (rhythm guitar) and Patrick Wheatley (guitar and singer) '“ come from the Bognor Regis and Worthing areas.

The Coldplay and Radiohead- influenced musicians made their Rox debut last year.

Adam said: "It was one of the best gigs we have done so far.

"It was very nerve-wracking but thoroughly enjoyable at the same time, knowing that people were there to watch us."

Another local band in this year's line-up will be the Bognor Regis Big Band. Just as important at the performers on the stage will be those who contribute behind the scenes. Nick Shopland, the owner of NJS scaffolding, has donated the framework for the Rox stages for the past three years.

"It's a very good event. It brings young people into the arts and gives them the opportunity to perform in front of a large crowd," he stated.

Butlins will also be backing Rox with a range of street entertainers and workshops to add to the crowd's enjoyment.

Rox joint founder Steve Goodheart said: "We will have a large variety of musicians for Rox this year. It's important to keep moving Rox forward, especially coming to a new location like the hotel.

"Hopefully, this is going to be a site we can use again. Using the Rock Gardens and closing the road will create an area in which people can feel comfortable.

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