IF you’re looking for a ticket for the Chesil Rocks festival, you’ve got your work cut out as they’re harder to find than a Scotsman at the World Cup.

But there are still a few around for this family-friendly festival which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, June 23, at Higher Farmhouse at Langton Herring on the coast road west of Weymouth.

Mind you, it’s no wonder the tickets have gone so well, when you look at the line-up, featuring many of the popular bands of who played before at this delightful event which raises money for The Samaritans.

Over the past six years, Chesil Rocks has raised an amazing sum of more than £48,000 for this fabulous and worthwhile charity’s Dorset branch.

On the outdoors stage, you’ve got folkie-punksters The Leylines, singer-songwriter Dean Dyson, Bob Dylan’s stalkers of choice The Million Dollar Bash, plus classy rockers Slipstream.

Indoors, there’s Weymouth’s reggae/ska maestros The Mad Hatters, a rare gig from the shy and retiring Leggomen, and the London Gay Men’s Chorus.

There’s also a shedload of children’s entertainers and magicians to keep everyone entertained.

Tickets are £17.50 for adults and £8.50 for children aged from 11-16. Under 10s are free.

For the latest info on availability, check chesilrocks.com or the Chesil Rocks Facebook page.

Moving on, and anyone who has experienced the unbridled joy and multiple ear-gasm that is my radio show on Air FM 107.2 over the past five years will know I’ve been Keeping the Faith as a Northern Soul fan.

So I’m getting out by baggie strides, adidas vest top and talcum powder and working on my arthritic backdrops for the visit of The Edwin Starr Band to The Exchange at Sturminster Newton next Saturday, June 30.

Sadly, Edwin won’t be with them of course, having gone to the great gig in sky back in 2003, but it’s his younger brother Angelo who will be fronting up the crack outfit.

He’ll be reviving his big brother’s huge catalogue of Northern Soul floorshakers, heartbreakers and earthquakers, including 25 miles, SOS (Stop Her on Sight), Eye to Eye Contact, H.A.P.P.Y. Radio and, of course… WAR! (URGGGH, good God) What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!! Yay, say it again y’all…

(Sorry, got a bit carried away there. Someone get matron? And a bucket.)

Anyway, Angelo will be joined by Lorraine Silver who is somewhat of a Northern Soul icon since releasing her first record (at the age of just 13) Lost Summer Love back in 1965. She’ll also no doubt be performing her latest single Standing at the Intersection, which is produced by the legendary Ian Levine.

Tickets are £20 from the box office on 01258 475137.

Till next time…

NICK HORTON

FRI JUNE 22

The Producers (Corn Exchange, Dorchester)

Nick Heyward (Exchange, Sturminster Newton)

Mad Hatters (Finns, Weymouth)

JK Duo (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth)

Zoe Schwarz and Blue Commotion (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Steve Whale (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Compass (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Replay (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Cherry Pickers (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Skimmity Hitchers (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Paul Gibson (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Rob Davis (Royal Oak, Weymouth)

The House Band (Cider Shed, Long Bredy farm, nr Burton Bradstock)

DnD (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Danny Adams (Brewhouse, Dorchester)

SAT 23

Leylines, Million Dollar Bash, Mad Hatters,Leggomen, Slipstream and many more ( Chesil Rocks, Higher Farmshouse, Langton Herring)

Jolly Boys Outing (Finns, Weymouth)

Vinyl Monkeys (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

All Funked Up (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Recks (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Mama Feelgood (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

The Persuaders (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Matt Black (Park, Weymouth)

Rolling Tone (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Matt Wallis (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Bad Intention (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Hamish Jeffcott (Royal Oak, Weymouth)

Hot Bacon (Market House, Weymouth)

The Remedy (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Paul Gibson (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Crystal Ship Relaunched, Alexis as Diana Ross (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Two Man Ting (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Pam Johns (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Justin Daish (Wyke Regis Social Club, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (Royal Oak, Drimpton)

SUN JUNE 24

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth) 4pm.

Phil Denton (Weymouth Working Mens Club) 2-5pm.

Replay (Red Lion, Hope Sq, Weymouth) 2pm.

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm, followed by

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 8.30pm.

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Leanne Jackson (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Jamie Pinnow, Alexis (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth) From 3pm.

James Hollingsworth (Ropemakers, Bridport) 4pm.

Scots Dan’s Open Mic (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

MON 25

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth) 4-6pm.

TUES JUNE 26

The ELO Experience(Weymouth Pavilion)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WED 27

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

Open Mic Night (Rock, Weymouth)

THURSDAY

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm.

FRI 29

The Meat Loaf Show (Weymouth Pavilion)

Fluke (Finns, Weymouth)

Danny Adams (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Maiden the Park, Ironed Maiden (Park, Weymouth)

Martin Johnson Band (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Brian Harris (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Tripod (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Finnian (Royal Oak, Weymouth)

Mojo (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Hustle (Spice Ship, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Monkey Jump (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)