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Rochester Castle Gardens turned into Ibiza with performances from Rudimental, Example and Mahalia

Rochester Castle Gardens was transformed into a mini rave venue when Rudimental took to the stage.

The drum and bass band's energetic performance lit up the historic setting - forget Rochester, it was more like Ibiza.

Wednesday night saw the first of this year's Castle Concerts events.

Hundreds of people turned up to see Rudimental. Picture: Phil Lee
Hundreds of people turned up to see Rudimental. Picture: Phil Lee

First up was Mahalia, who opened the show with her soulful song-writing.

The young, rising star chatted away to crowds between her songs, and eased everyone in to a night of partying as they milled around the food and face painting stalls.

First act of the night was Mahalia.Picture: Phil Lee (13677507)
First act of the night was Mahalia.Picture: Phil Lee (13677507)

Next up Example's DJ hit the stage and played modern pop classic remixes.

By the time the man himself strolled on to the stage, fresh from performing at super club Amnesia in Ibiza, the crowds were ready for a boogie.

Example was the second act of the night.Picture: Phil Lee (13677741)
Example was the second act of the night.Picture: Phil Lee (13677741)

The rapper and producer from London was not overly impressed with the members of the audience who opted to sit on the provided seats.

However, he did appreciate the Street Kitchen stall and dedicated a rendition of his latest single All Night, which came out in January, to the food vendors.

Firm crowd favourites were his biggest hits Kickstart and Change The Way You Kissed Me.

Rudimental DJed their tracks and remixed pop classics. Picture: Phil Lee
Rudimental DJed their tracks and remixed pop classics. Picture: Phil Lee

Then it was time for Rudimental.

The two DJs leapt on stage, playing a medley of their greatest hits and bass-heavy remixes of pop songs.

They were joined by trumpeter Mark Crown and singers Morgan Connie Smith and Bridget Amofah.

Bridget Amofah sang with Rudimental. Picture: Phil Lee (13677290)
Bridget Amofah sang with Rudimental. Picture: Phil Lee (13677290)

Everyone bounced, had their hands in the air and belted out the lyrics to their favourite songs.

The group themselves had incredible stage presence, they leapt and jumped around the stage, hyping each other up and whipping the crowd into a dancing mob.

The crowds loved Rudimental's smash hit Feel The Love.

Wednesday saw the first night of the Castle Concerts in the grounds of Rochester Castle. Hundreds of people turned up to see the acts perform into the night.Picture: Phil Lee (13677489)
Wednesday saw the first night of the Castle Concerts in the grounds of Rochester Castle. Hundreds of people turned up to see the acts perform into the night.Picture: Phil Lee (13677489)

The DJs played a set of "non-stop bangers" according to the person standing next to me in the crowd.

Their performance closed with recent hit These Days, featuring Macklemore, Jess Glynne and Dan Caplen.

If you want to get involved with the party there are still tickets up for grabs.

Did you go to the Rudimental Concert? Spot yourself in our crowd pics!

If you want to buy a ticket you can online, from the Brook and Central Theatres in Chatham or the Visitor Information Centre, in Rochester.

However, from 11am on the day of the concert you will no longer be able to get tickets from those locations.

Instead fans can buy tickets from the Box Office, outside the castle ground from 2.30pm.

Trumpeter Mark Crown played with Rudimental. Picture: Phil Lee(13677888)
Trumpeter Mark Crown played with Rudimental. Picture: Phil Lee(13677888)

The Box Office will accept cash only.

  • To go to tonight's Craig David concert tickets will need to be purchased from the box office from 2.30pm.
  • If you want to buy tickets to Friday night's Soul Party click here.
  • To go to the Proms click here.

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