Plumpton - The Forgotten Festival of Rock’s Golden Era
It may not carry the mythical glow of Woodstock or the Isle of Wight, but in 1969 and 1970 the quiet Sussex countryside briefly became the epicenter of Britain’s rock revolution. Plumpton Racecourse, just outside Lewes, hosted the 9th and 10th National Jazz, Blues & Pop Festivals—events whose lineups read like a roll call of rock legends in their formative years.
1969: Chaos, Heat, and The Who Before Woodstock
The festival had been running since 1961, created by Marquee Productions as the National Jazz Festival, but by the late ’60s jazz was giving way to the rising tide of rock.
In 1969, after plans to stage the event near Heathrow fell through, the whole show was hastily relocated to Plumpton.
Posters had to be redrawn, the stage was late in being set up, and opening night was plagued by power failures.
Soft Machine’s set was cut short, and Pink Floyd didn’t take the stage until the early hours of Saturday morning—by which point much of the audience was already asleep under the hot, airless skies.
But when the power held, the music was unforgettable.
Pink Floyd launched with “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” and closed with an extended “Interstellar Overdrive.” The Bonzo Dog Band brought Saturday afternoon absurdity, while festival regular Roy Harper offered his eccentric acoustic musings.
As the sun went down, the heavy hitters rolled in: King Crimson, Yes, Aynsley Dunbar, Chicken Shack, and the Groundhogs.
The Who capped the night with the same Tommy-driven set they would perform at Woodstock just a week later, but here it was more intimate, raw, and close to home.
Sunday turned more pastoral, with Magna Carta’s folk harmonies and Pentangle’s elegant fusion of jazz and folk.
Long John Baldry kept blues lovers happy, while the London cast of Hair—featuring Marsha Hunt and Paul Nicholas—lit up the evening.
Rock dominated again with Blodwyn Pig, Keef Hartley (who would also appear at Woodstock), and The Nice, who previewed their upcoming album with a twelve-minute reimagining of Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me.”
For £2.50, the entire weekend delivered performances that would soon become legendary.
The Who and Pink Floyd were each paid £600, while bands like Yes and King Crimson pocketed just £25.
Few knew then what those names would come to mean.
1970: Fire, Breakthroughs, and the Last Plumpton Hurrah
The following year’s festival would be the last at Plumpton—but what a farewell it was. By August 1970, Britain’s hard rock wave was cresting, and the line-up was a snapshot of the future.
Black Sabbath arrived just weeks before their single “Paranoid” cracked the charts, performing both that and “Iron Man” for an unsuspecting crowd. Wishbone Ash were preparing their debut album. Yes, now armed with Time and a Word, brought “I’ve Seen All Good People.”
And Deep Purple, fresh from releasing In Rock, not only played with thunderous power but also set their stage monitors on fire—literally—to mark their presence. Days later, “Black Night” would storm the singles charts.
The bill ran deep: Family, Juicy Lucy, East of Eden, Van Der Graaf Generator, Rory Gallagher’s Taste, and The Groundhogs all brought muscle and grit.
Cat Stevens, fresh into his new role as a soulful singer-songwriter, charmed with “Father and Son” and “Lady D’Arbanville.” Peter Green appeared too, weeks after his dramatic exit from Fleetwood Mac, still radiating the genius of his blues playing.
Black Sabbath
Savoy Brown
The Sunday lineup offered a sprinkling of the unexpected. From the U.S. came Turley Richards, a blind singer-songwriter best known for his Dylan covers, adding a rare international touch to what was otherwise a very British affair.
Meanwhile, bands like Magna Carta, the Strawbs, Caravan, and the Incredible String Band added folk textures to balance the volume.
Some fans saved themselves for the massive Isle of Wight Festival later that month, but for those who chose Sussex,
Plumpton delivered something more personal: the chance to see giants on the brink of greatness, up close and before history had fully claimed them.
Now, it's time for The Second Verse
Taking place over two days, open from 1200-2200 on both, Lined Up Promotions are aiming to create an event that evokes not only the spirit of both the previous festivals held at the racecourse, but also the spirit of the time; the emerging counter-culture that came to shape not only the music industry - but society itself.
Theatre-quality tribute performances celebrating Pink Floyd, The Who, Eric Clapton, Cream, and Fleetwood Mac, alongside additional acts that, while not present at the original era, capture the same spirit and artistry.
The lineup also features acclaimed contemporary rock and blues artists currently touring.
The lineup includes Who’s Next, Think Floyd, Dreams of Fleetwood Mac, Aynsley Lister, and The James Oliver Band (touring with the bassist from Ian Dury and the Blockheads).
The event will be enhanced by immersive theatrical performers in costume; a retro funfair; historically authentic décor; a classic car, scooter, and VW rallies; plus a vintage market and more.
Guests can enjoy local real ale and cider bars, as well as wine produced within the village. There will be a variety of food available, with period appropriate spaces to enjoy them in.
Conveniently located on a direct train line from London to Hastings, with easy local connections to Lewes and Brighton the Plumpton Revival is truly unlike any other event today.
Plumpton Revival - Because some legends deserve a second verse.
