An indie/punk festival hosted at a Butlins holiday resort during the first weekend of January presents a striking juxtaposition of environments that seemingly shouldn’t blend. However, it reflects the dedication of the Rockaway Beach organizers and the community that gathers in Bognor Regis every year, successfully creating an experience that is indeed quite remarkable. With Rockaway Beach marking their 10th anniversary in 2026, CLASH made a trip to the seaside for the festival’s opening event of the new year.
Every festival requires a unique selling point, and upon arriving at the Butlins resort in Bognor Regis on an unexpectedly bright winter day, it's clear that the location significantly contributes to Rockaway Beach's success. There's no need for tents; attendees can simply check into their hotel rooms or self-catering apartments and enjoy a plethora of on-site amenities, from dining options and pubs to arcade games, fairground rides, and a go-kart track. Additionally, the festival utilizes the specially designed indoor venues within Butlins' Skyline Pavilion, featuring both seating and standing areas at each stage. Exploring the site reveals an array of activities, transforming what initially appeared to be a perplexing host location into one that makes complete sense.
**Friday**
After settling into our accommodations and familiarizing ourselves with the layout, we head to the Centre Stage for our first act of the weekend—and indeed of 2026: Chicago's alt-rock duo, Prima Queen. They affectionately refer to the Butlins site as “Heaven on Earth,” seemingly unaware of another holiday park that shares the same tagline. This humorous moment leads into an impressive set filled with their gentle harmonies and abundant garage rock flair. Most tracks come from their 2025 debut album, *The Prize*, with the breakup anthem and tribute to the legendary Oscar-winning actress, ‘Meryl Streep,’ standing out. The duo expresses their excitement about "going down the waterslides tomorrow" before leaving the stage, having set the tone for our inaugural Rockaway Beach experience.
Next up are Scottish indie icons Idlewild, performing in Studio 36, the largest venue on-site. Despite releasing a self-titled album last year, the band opts for a setlist that spans their career and delights the crowd. This decision proves wise, as hits like ‘You Held The World In Your Arms,’ ‘Little Discourage,’ and ‘American English’ elicit enthusiastic applause and sing-alongs. Frontman Roddy Woomble largely allows the music to speak, even stepping aside during instrumental breaks to spotlight his bandmates. Their sound remains exceptional, culminating in an emphatic finish with ‘The Remote Part / Scottish Fiction,’ characterized by dramatic guitar riffs and impactful lyrics.
After a brief interlude, the headliners for Friday take the stage: punk duo SOFT PLAY. Although they arrive 15 minutes late, their choice of Vengaboys’ ‘We Like To Party (The Vengabus)’ as entrance music quickly regains the crowd's favor. “Who’s still going post-New Year’s, you animals?” shouts drummer/vocalist Isaac Holman at the outset, as they launch into songs like ‘Mirror Muscles,’ ‘Isaac Is Typing…,’ and ‘Bin Juice Disaster.’ Their set is predictably wild and chaotic, with both Isaac and guitarist Laurie Vincent leaping into the crowd at various points, prompting waves of crowd surfers and mosh pits. However, the momentum is briefly halted when ‘Sockets’ is stopped mid-song due to an apparent altercation in the front pit. “Security – make them go outside and cuddle!” Laurie exclaimed, humorously reminding everyone that they only fight "with love" at their shows. Normalcy resumes with a blistering performance of ‘Punk’s Dead,’ leading to a women-only circle pit for the brief, exhilarating song ‘Girl Fight.’ Following an emotional, stripped-back rendition of ‘Everything And Nothing,’ which Laurie dedicates to those "grieving or going through tough times," the duo concludes their lively set with fan-favorite ‘The Hunter,’ marking a memorable performance as Friday night’s headliner.
The festivities for Friday aren’t quite over as we head back to the Centre Stage to witness Manchester’s beloved rave-poet, Antony Szmierek. Appearing just before midnight, it’s delightful to see many in the crowd remaining to join him in celebration. “I feel like I need a red jacket up here!” he humorously declares, embracing his role as a Butlins entertainer. Following a warm reception for ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Fallacy,’ he charms the audience with a cover of New Order's ‘True Faith,’ hilariously tossing confetti from his pockets while shouting “STEPHEN MULHERN!” His infectious enthusiasm is evident as he forgets the lyrics to ‘Yoga Teacher’ and leaps into the crowd to dance during ‘Twist Forever.’
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An indie/punk festival hosted at a Butlins holiday resort on the first weekend of January—a striking juxtaposition of environments that seems unlikely to succeed.