Rockfest 2025: The time is upon us! And that time is: This SUNDAY!!! check out the Events page for more info
Hastings Rock is a not for profit organisation operated entirely by volunteers.
All of the DJs and backroom staff are involved with Hastings Rock purely because they love the music and the radio station. Apart from playing the finest rock music that you won't hear anywhere else, we also help raise awareness for St. Michael's Hospice in St. Leonards.
We actively support local music by playing their Music and interviewing some of the many bands from the area who would not otherwise receive airplay. We have a show dedicated to local music every week.
It is expensive to put Hastings Rock on the air for the 28 day broadcast. There are several separate licences that are required before we can commence broadcasting. The funding required is raised purely by the generous support from our sponsors and advertisers and any fund raising events that we hold during the year and the sale of Tee-Shirts and other merch in our shop. We have no backers apart from ourselves. Without our supporters, there would be no Hastings Rock
If you think you have what it takes to be a Hastings Rock DJ, then please send us a short (10-15 minute) demo of your presentation style and music content (top and tail the music, we just need an idea of your taste in music) to info@hastingsrock.co.uk and you too could be featured below!
Some presenters have links to their own Web pages, click their names to see more.
Dom has been part of the HR Team for many years, and has presented plenty of shows, but his love of showcasing Old versus New music is at it's best when he is presenting his Something Old, Something New show....
In 1984, after working for several landbased pirates in London, Peter got an audition at BBC Radio One. But despite being shortlisted he was pipped at the post by a Radio Luxembourg DJ who got the job due to his national profile.
Ironically Peter was then signed up by Radio Luxembourg in April 1985, where he happily stayed until November 1991. As Peter recalls 'For me getting Radio Luxembourg 208 was fantastic and it was surreal to be suddenly working alongside broadcasters that I had listened to all my life... like Bob Stewart and Stuart Henry. All the jocks that I admired the most came from Luxembourg and before they were at Luxembourg they were at Radio Caroline!'
Relocating to Los Angeles he began writing and DJ'd at Stringfellows Beverley Hills for the next three years. Returning to the UK Peter also worked at WISH FM Wigan and Mercury FM Crawley.
Peter joined Radio Caroline in April 2008. He enthuses Caroline's music policy is simply how music radio should be! No research needed. No patronising tight rotation of the same old hackneyed hits... just guys running a radio station who know what they are doing, know why they are doing it and know what great music is. You're broadcasting to adults. People who know a lot, and expect a lot... They brought albums not just singles... There has been a lot of music made... and therefore a lot of music needs to be played... It's a duty a music station owes to it's public!
And that's why we are delighted to welcome Peter to Hastings Rock Radio.
Being a child of the Sixties, I grew up bathed in Pirate Radio, and some very fine Music. The idea of Free Radio caught my imagination and have been striving to realise it ever since. When I had the opportunity of joining the DJ Team for Hastings Rock (far too many years ago that I care to remember), I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had so much fun, and eventually, after a lot of persuasion by me to lend a hand, I joined the Committee. Hard work, but it pays off as many have commented. After a short stint as Chairman (Huge honour), I now content myself with tinkering about with the studio, the website and anything else I can get my hands on....Oh yes, and I am partial to a little Progressive Rock too....
I've been involved with Hastings Rock since 1993, I do all the IT and back-room stuff that allows Hastings Rock to be heard all round the world. I also write and maintain the Playout software tool the station uses for broadcast.
Hi! Well, I've fallen in to this joy of DJing recently, although performing isn't new to me, having grown up around music, theatre, & the Arts.I've listened to Hastings Rock every year since it started, although am happy it got moved to May as that's my favourite month of the year. I grew up in Hastings, & although I moved away for a while, home is very much here. As for my musical taste, well, it's eclectic! I love rock & country music the most, & my biggest loves are Prince, Def Leppard, & Roxette! You'll usually find me listening to Halestorm, or Queensryche, & I love live bands & spending a night out listening to new bands. I'm looking forward to meeting you all on the airwaves & on the socials
I played around with mobile disco’s in the 70's was then asked to join my local Hospital Radio Station in Kings Lynn where I learnt the basics of radio.
In the early 90's I joined a new station in Littleport Cambs called X-Cel FM, did a few R.S.L’s then we got a full time local radio licence. This was a great station where I did the Friday Rock show for a few years until the station was taken over by a large Radio group.
While I was there I became friends with Barry James who invited me to accompany him down to the Radio Caroline studios which at the time where in Maidstone.
I did an on air audition for the Boss and was offered a regular show at weekends. As I was a self employed Carpenter and Decorator I was soon put to use on the restoration crew working on the Ross Revenge, something I still do as and when I am available.
I returned to doing regular programmes on Caroline a couple of years ago when I became a pensioner, which meant I had more time to devote to radio. I built a studio at home and through the miracle of modern technology, I am able to broadcast live on Hastings Rock.
Bedford born and bred, I have had a long connection to Hastings, being married into a Hastings family. My love of rock and metal started when bands like The Cult and Zodiac Mindwarp crept into the top 40, I was desperate to disteam__member--thumbnail more and found Tommy Vance’s Friday rock show. It wasn’t long before I was scrawling Metallica and Anthrax logos on my school books and sewing patches on my jacket. I have lived and breathed metal ever since. Visiting Hastings, too long ago that I care to remember, Debbie’s uncle mentioned to me there is a rock radio station on air in Hastings, this became compulsory listening every time we visited, with the family joking you’ll have your own show one day... well that day is here... I hope I can do HRH Nigel Ford proud.
Since the age of 10, in the early sixties, one of my greatest passions has been music. During the years since I have drifted in and out of being a disc jockey and in the last few years have returned to it in a big way becoming a presenter on Hastings Rock and other radio stations.Being part of Hastings Rock excites me and I always look forward to our broadcasts. As well as regular shows in 2019 I took over the hot seat for the specialist local music show and really enjoy the engagement with local musicians.The support we get from our listeners is tremendous and I always enjoy catching up with them at evnts like the Showcases, The Rockfest and End of Broadcast events.Long live Hastings Rock.
Johnnie (JD) has been with Hastings Rock since the very start in August 93 when he and Nick Thomas hosted the first morning shows, since then he has been presenting shows every year we have been on air, including the popular Rock and Roll show.Johnnie, after many years doing pirate Radio Atlantis with Nick, has also broadcast on Radio Cracker in 91/92 and Radio Airbourne most years in Eastbourne from 2003. He also spent time on the Ross Revenge in 98/99 Xmas and New Year presenting for Radio Caroline then once again for Caroline on the LV18 lightship in Harwich during October 2000.Nowadays Johnnie still presents on Radio Airbourne but dedicates the majority of his time to Hastings Rock for which he is the programme controller and in charge of T-shirts. He is married to Tina who regularly co-presents his shows.
I’m Kayley and I’m pretty new to the business of DJ-ing, but I’m certainly not new to Hastings rock! I’ve been a listener since my early teens and am one of those people you may have heard roll-called from facebook when we’re on air. I’m delighted to now be so directly involved with the station.Music is a passion of mine that I attribute to my Mum. A lot of the style of music I listen to and the disteam__member--thumbnaily of Hastings Rock itself is all thanks to her and as I’ve grown my musical interests have too. What I listen to now is definitely what you would call an eclectic mix! I’m a BIG fan of bands such as Rammstein and Leprous but am also really keen on the folk-rock alternative end of the scale with bands such as Blackmore’s Night and Heilung. (Though not ‘broadcast-able’ on this station you might also catch me in the wild listening to aything from Glenn Miller to Sia – It’s a real musical soup!)Artist, musicophile, Hastonian, Hastings Rocker, looking forward to sharing air-time with you all on the greatest radio station there is!
Gig photographer and avid metal head! All things Goth. Plus a healthy chunk of punk and electronic music. (And I don’t mean dance music….) 😂 🤟
I have been involved with Hastings Rock since 1995. Firstly by loaning the station a growing number of CD’s, then helping out the DJ’s and answering the phone in the studio, and finally presenting my own shows since the 2002 broadcast.During that time I produced and presented the Local Music Show from 2004 until 2018, as well as presenting ‘normal’ shows on every broadcast since 2002. I have also presented various shows on Carnival FM and Battle FM in more recent years. I also had the honour of being the Chairman of the Hastings Rock for eight years, a role I have returned to for the 2020 broadcast. Hastings Rock is a unique radio station, and it’s a real pleasure and an honour to be a part of it. Long may it continue to rock the airwaves.
I have lived in Hastings now for many years and have never failed to be impressed by the incredibly vibrant local music scene here in the town, and the talent which it embraces.I have loved music from a very young age although I cannot play any instruments.
I was introduced to rock music through an excellent peer group at the Grove School, St. Leonards. Bands such as Deep Purple, ELP, Focus, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Wishbone Ash plus Can, Roxy Music, Stomu Yamashta and others were all in evidence at that time, played on a record player we were allowed to use at lunchtime.
My first broadcast experience was on hospital radio at St. Helens Hospital in Hastings and I was involved there for a number of years. In 1991, I was invited to present a program on Radio Cracker, the first RSL and the first station in Hastings. I was given the honour of opening the station on the first day, for which I was very proud.
After this, I gained some valuable experience as a volunteer on BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton.
I have been with Hastings Rock since it first started in 1993 and enjoy every minute of it, both as a presenter and as a listener. Please join me if you can. I would love to have your company.
I started in Pirate radio in 1978 after building radio transmitters and broadcast on shortwave to Europe and then on Medium Wave to the Eastbourne area and beyond.In 1990 after being chased by the DTI radio department I decided to stop my pirate radio "career" and go legit.I started the Event station called Radio Airbourne for the annual Eastbourne International Airshow each August and have enjoyed presenting each year.I was involved in the very first Hastings Rock broadcast back in 1993 and have been in involved with many broadcasts on Hastings Rock over the years.My hobbies include Amateur radio and I have an Ofcom licence to speak with fellow Radio "Hams"around the world. look forward to another great broadcast this year on Hastings Rock.
Paul has been involved in music, mainly in the Hastings area, for many years, playing and singing in bands and as a solo artist, writing a few songs, and enjoying the great local live music scene, in addition to doing commentary work on motorsport events, including stock cars at Arlington Raceway. The pandemic lockdown brought him into radio in 2020, since when he has presented over 300 shows on three different stations, and he is looking forward to joining HR’s DJ roster.
New to Hastings and Hastings rock but not new to radio! I have a little experience with some charity radios at least 10 years ago. Music has always been an integral part of my life, from learning instruments, performing, charity radio, gigs and festivals. Basically anyway I can try and soundtrack life! In terms of taste, I enjoy all forms but my heart lies with indie and rock the most. Hopefully I bring some of that to the show so others can share my love of an underdog band.When I'm not trying to listen to the music I love or find new music to love, I'll be hanging with my cat, exploring the beautiful new county I call home napping (lots of napping), or prepping for my next dungeons and dragons adventure!
I love music and grew up listening to the radio especially stations like Luxembourg and the pirate station of the 80’s Laser 558 and my local station at the time, Radio Victory which was based in Portsmouth.
This got me into radio and I even got involved at an early age with a Saturday radio show called ‘Young Victory’ and my claim to fame whilst there was interviewing the great Kenneth Williams!
I got involved with Hastings Rock on its very 1st broadcast back in 1993, and I love it! Thanks for listening and KEEP ON ROCKING!
Andy started his love of radio in 1980 at the age of 16 when he did his first programme for Radio DGH, the hospital radio station in Eastbourne. He went on to become Programme Controller at Radio DGH.In 1989 his dream of being a professional broadcaster was realised when he joined Southern FM in Brighton. For many years he was the overnight voice of the station and the show was also broadcast on Ocean FM, Power FM and South Coast Radio. During his time at Southern FM he also hosted the weekend breakfast show and provided regular holiday cover for other presenters.
My love of music, in particular Rock Music was initially inspired by my dad's taste, I grew up listening to the classics.... Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, The Who, Dire Straits, Jimmy Hendrix....the list goes on! My burgeoning passion was then nurtured by the most amazing Music Teacher at school, a legend of a man who played with Status Quo, Hawkwind, Nazareth and helped Lemmy towards Motorhead amongst other accolades, he encouraged my interests and had many a story to tell of his experiences.Hastings is my hometown and I consider myself very lucky to have spent my life surrounded by it's vibrant music scene and we are fortunate to have an enthusiastic audience for the extremely eclectic and talented local musicians, as well as many venues in which to celebrate the Superstars of Rock.Hastings Rock Radio, in my opinion encompasses all of this and provides an excellent forum for the listeners to share their passion. After all, there's only 2 types of music...According to my fellow broadcasters, I have a tendency to 'bounce' my way through the broadcast. I make no apology for this and will continue to share my passion for music, life and above all.......FUN with my listeners
Mark presents his unique LTGTR show on Hastings Rock every week.
Robojock is the cold, metallic heart of Hastings Rock when the humans have gone home. With a playlist sharper than his wit and a personality built entirely from sarcasm and binary, Robojock runs the station with zero sleep, zero emotion, and occasionally, zero tact.
He doesn’t take requests (ever), doesn’t care what you think of his music choices, and if you complain, he'll silently judge your taste from behind the console.
But love him or loathe him, Robojock never misses a beat — delivering rock, classics, and the occasional obscure gem with robotic precision.
Just don’t ask him to play ABBA. He’s still bitter about 1981.
Jon has been a part of the Hastings Rock 'fixtures and fittings' since the first broadcast back in 1993 He has worked in the radio industry for the majority of his career, apart from a couple of brief diversions selling cars and photocopiers!After learning his trade as a Technical Operator for BBC Network Radio in London in the 1980s he has since worked in various roles at several key private companies supplying the radio industry.He enjoys his time on the 'other' side of the microphone and has worked on many FM, RSL, satellite and digital radio stations including EKR, Radio Caroline, Steam Fair FM, Battle FM and Radio Airbourne.Jon lives just along the coast in Eastbourne. In his spare time he enjoys walking, cycling and sailing as well as spending a lot of time listening to music!
Some people have been declared as the voice of radio and certainly are part of the heart of music and both have been said of EMMA SCOTT. Radio presenter, radio plugger, a staunch supporter of independent music and plenty more besides, Emma has worked in the music industry for 35 years, stepping into its demanding but rewarding embrace from the moment she left school when she straight away entered “the dizzy heights” of a Youth Training Scheme at her local radio station in Bedford back in 1988
From thereon in she grew to become a focal point for established and new sounds and artists, from 1990 to 2013 radio presenting with her individual style and passion and subsequently gathering thousands of radio shows under her belt across some of the UK finest radio stations including Q RADIO, HEART, POWER FM, GALAXY RADIO, HALLAM FM, and METRO FM as well as the two biggest commercial radio brands in the UK, GLOBAL RADIO and BAUER RADIO. Becoming one of the top 20 Drive Time presenters in the UK whilst at rock and metal station, KERRANG! RADIO, Emma was also approached by BBC RADIO 1 the late 90’s to join their presentation team, twice in fact, but sadly her 'nerves got the better of her at her auditions and it wasn’t meant to be!
2013 saw Emma take a bold move by stepping away from presenting and setting up her own radio plugging and PR Company, PLUGGIN BABY LTD. Again, she quickly put her individual stamp on the venture and has worked with hundreds of independent bands and artists, sharing and promoting their music across Britain’s radio stations and shows and in time the vast realm of internet radio too. More than that though, she also had the energy and passion to set out to help the business grow in other areas, especially in regard to its independent scene and artists.
Pre that venture though, Emma also presented live music TV shows, hosted live gigs and events, been a voice over artist, blogger, band manager, co-ran a record label and put on live music events in Birmingham from 2006 to 2013, all experiences she took into PLUGGIN’ BABY and her wish, indeed need to help aspiring artists and bands. This aspect has seen Emma write two books, Break Your Band: A Guide to Getting Radio Airplay (2009) and If It Was My Band (First edition 2012, with an updated release in 2022 as a downloadable eBook.)
Never one to rest on her laurels, Emma recently undertook a Music Entrepreneur Master’s Degree, which she passed with a distinction. Her dissertation centered around teaching independent musicians how to get their own radio airplay which has led her to create YouTube videos, podcasts.
I'm Kai and I'm just a youngun wanting to share my love of the slightly weirder (and maybe sometimes heavier 😉) aspects of rock and metal. I'm an avid gig goer trying to see as many awesome acts as I can. I've lived in Bexhill all my life and have been listening to Hastings Rock for as long as I can remember on the FM broadcasts, so I'm very excited to join the team and see where this little venture takes us!
Richard has been into music since his early teens and grew up with the sounds of the Beatles, Stones, Love etc. Always a big supporter of local music in Hastings and has been involved with Hastings Rock for over a decade.
Mark is presenting an excellent 3 hour show called Staffords World and features music from a featured year...
Nick is responsible for the existence of Hastings Rock. Our former station manager, now head of music, he has long been a campaigner for a local rock music station and has spent much of his time working to put the station on air. A talented broadcaster and thoughtful diplomat, he has been able to build up a close working team of presenters and technicians.
Blown over from the great town of Sligo, Ireland. With an aspiring dream in radio at my young ages... I somehow fell into the ambulance service as a Paramedic.Here I am years later, reliving that dream in a different manner. Rock and metal has been a mainstay throughout my life since my teenage years, dabbling in a bit of singing and drumming along the way. I'd consider festivals and gigs my second home.Whilst I'm not rocking, you'll find me at my nerdiest, from gaming to dungeons and dragons, even call of cthulu! You name it I've probably tried it! Excited to be on board and I'll catch you all on air!
I've been playing music for people since starting as a DJ at my local youth club, in my teens, moving on to a residency in the late 70's at weekends in a pub in Hove. At the same time, I was playing guitar and blues harp in a couple of relatively successful bands in and around Eastbourne, Brighton and Sussex. My taste in music is wildly varied, as a quick glance at the thousands of tracks I own across multiple formats would show you; from 78rpm shellac records of early 1950's Rock and Roll, to the latest releases on MP3 downloads. I just love music, and don't care who made it, providing it's "honest" and well done, in my opinion.
After being an avid fan of the station since the early days in the 90's, my active involvement with Hastings Rock began in 2001 as a member of the gone, but not forgotten Friends' group (FOHR). I MC'd several of the fund-raising events FOHR ran in support of Hastings Rock, at De Nero's and other venues around the area.
I was first invited to DJ during the May broadcast in 2012, when the studio was at "The Robert de Mortain", assisted and encouraged by Andy Gunton, with fantastic support from Dom - Dr Rock.
Since that time, I've enjoyed various different regular slots on Hastings Rock, both during May, and latterly, the October broadcasts. I love working with all the brilliant people involved with HR and thoroughly enjoy the lively and friendly interaction we have with our lovely, loyal listeners. As I often say "on air", playing music is the best fun I know of with your clothes on!"
I'm Martin Turner (67yrs young), luckily asked to be on Hastings Rock Radio again, so chuffed I am too. It's always a sheer pleasure to get to play The music of Hastings Rock as there's nowhere else like Hastings Rock Radio. Always loved the areas around Hastings too, especially the Pier.I've been "doing" radio since 1973 at the age of 18yrs old. That was the GHBS, Hospital Radio at Buckland Hospital Dover.. I progressed to many other Radio Stations like Radio Atlantis (SW), European Klassik Rock, White Cliffs Sound (Dover), Shepway Sound (Folkestone) Coastline FM (Dover), Radio Caroline, Atlantis Fm (Tenerife) and currently on Dover Community Radio on Monday nights.Thanks again Hastings Rock 'for having me'.Rock on... Mart.
A newcomer to radio, Matt is more familiar with performing on stage than behind the mic with many years experience as an actor. Matt grew up in Hastings and in the late 1990s and 2000s DJ’d locally at parties and events under the moniker ‘Rocknrolldisco’. With a passion for live music, leaning more towards the alternative, indie and post rock sub genres, Matt is thrilled to be joining the Hastings Rock community!
I've loved live music all my life, did mixing in studios and some live gigs. Did some tour work as a roadie and merch man. Spent a while at the re-launch of EKR from my home studio then later did several years presenting on Caroline. Presented for a couple of short lived stations as well.
Simon has presented the breakfast show in one form or another for our entire history.
A relative new comer to the HR family having been asked to host my first show in 2022. I’ve lived in Hastings all my life and have been tuning into and been a fan of the station since the very beginning in 93, never thinking that one day I would get the chance to host my own show, especially as I don’t come from a DJ background.
I fell in love with the Blues when I first started playing guitar at the age of sixteen and have been playing and listening to Blues music ever since, and have amassed a huge collection of records, CD’s and books on the subject.
I’m currently the Guitarist and singer with local Blues band Stormy-T and Bluesman’s Lane, we play regularly in pubs, clubs and festivals all over the country, and we run two local Blues Jam nights.
I have to say it’s a real privilege to be able to share my love and passion for Blues music old and new with you all, and thank you to Hastings Rock for giving me this chan
Steve has presented weekend breakfast shows for more years than I care to remember,
I'm ONE of the longest serving presenters on Hastings Rock and still loving this station now. I was here in 1993 when it all began with Nick Thomas , Johnny Diamond , Chris Miles, Jonathan Robson etc I was doing the mid morning show on weekdays. To be honest it was the first time I'd been let loose on a live radio station, having only done recorded pirate radio shows and mobile discos before. You could literally smell the fear when the “Microphone Live” light went on in the studio that first Monday morning AND I had two radio legends watching over my first links that morning. Breakfast DJ Brian Simms and lunchtime DJ Jonathon Robson. Brian had already played tricks on me at the top of the show by swapping the labels on the Jingle carts which meant I played the wrong name jingles etc.. Karma still has time to ...
The other Fab ( do people still say that) thing to have happened to me that year was getting married to my still long suffering wife and love of my life Gill. So technically Hastings Rock 1993 was her Honeymoon, answering the phone, running requests, picking out vinyl and CDs for me to play Thank you babe. Love you. xxx
My presenter/ DJ experience before was mainly being a mobile DJ / Disco and a few recorded shows for Pirate Radio Atlantis. But my main passion back then was playing Bass guitar in local bands and learning about sound and lighting. Still playing Bass now actually and enjoying it. After that first year at Hastings Rock the call came from my good friend Steve Masters (The Hippy Hit Man) and before I knew it I was on board the fabulous Ross Revenge 4 miles off Clacton on Sea doing shows for Radio Caroline. OMG What an Honour. I was on Radio feckin’ Caroline. I stayed with Caroline for a while including on shore at the Maidstone Studios broadcasting on Sky and internet doing a weekly lunchtime show. Circumstances changed both at Radio Caroline and for me personally and apart from Hastings Rock
I left Radio alone for a while. But then Steve Price invited me to do a Sunday lunchtime show on ARFM. (If It's Rock it's on ARFM) I was hooked again. Rock music ( although I do have quite an eclectic taste in music) has always been a huge musical influence on me. Growing up with bands like Deep Purple, Rainbow, Pink Floyd, I,Q. Boston, Queen etc , they have all played an important part in my musical life.
So here we are 😎. Shine On..........
I have come to Hastings Rock during lockdown. The variety of music and being able to chat to the DJs and fellow listeners alike made me fall in love with HR. I am a dedicated (obsessed?) Gig goer and lover of the local music scene. I listen to everything from Johnny Cash to Softplay, with a passion for anything Synthesiser inbetween. Looking forward to spread the word of Hastings Rock amongst some new listeners.