Rock the Lough – a live music festival in aid of charity – is returning to Enniskillen early next year to kick off 2023 in style.

After a hiatus, the event will once again take place at The Crowes’ Nest, this time swapping its usual end-of-summer slot for New Year’s Day, January 1, 2023.

Starting at 3pm on the day, Rock the Lough will feature two stages – acoustic and electric – with a wide range of musicians already signed up to perform, with all proceeds from the event to be donated to Action Mental Health and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Taking on the organisation of the return of Rock the Lough is Jack Bogue, who has performed at the festival previously.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Jack said that he “can’t wait to bring it back”.

“I think it’s badly needed and missed,” he said, going on to explain why he has chosen New Year’s Day for the date of the event.

“I think it’s a good chance to get people out and it’s a day that people wouldn’t expect [for such an event]. We’ll see how it turns out, but we are expecting a good crowd.”

Although the full line-up for each stage is still in the works, Jack highlighted some of the acts that have already committed to perform.

“I’ve got the two headline acts sorted, I’m just waiting for confirmation for the rest of them.

“Upstairs, on the electric stage, headlining will be The Rubber Plants.

“Acoustic stage will be The Sentrals,” said Jack, going on to note other confirmed acts that will play on the day.

“[Also on the acoustic stage there will be] Krum, Sean McBride, Tommy Owens, Conor Phillips, Sean Swift and Aaron Wilson.

“The Hand me Downs, The Davy K Project ... There’s an AC/DC tribute band called Bad Boy Boogie, and an Iron Maiden tribute band that haven’t got a name will play on the electric stage,” he added.

Talking about the organisation of the event, Jack explained that he is being mainly assisted by his dad, Niall Bogue, along with support from The Crowes’ Nest Manager Fergal Shannon.

“I like The Crowes’ Nest as a venue; the staff are helpful and they’re always good to us. Having it in Crowes is great, and it’s sticking with the Cassidy [Hospitality Group], because it was in The Bush bar [now The Firehouse] for years, obviously,” Jack told this newspaper.

Proceeds

With proceeds going towards two charities, the Alzheimer’s Society and Action Mental Health, Jack explained why they were chosen.

He said: “Action Mental Health, because it’s quite a dear charity to me. [Poor mental health] is still a big thing, so just trying to get rid of that stigma around it [is important].

“Then the Alzheimer’s Society also,” Jack added, noting that he believes that it is a charity that could do with more support and awareness.

With the date now set and a number of great acts already lined up, with many more to be announced, the return of Rock the Lough will surely beat the post-Christmas blues.