New England Rock Fest

11/30/2025

So we recently caught a live show at what will be the new home for New England Rock Fest . We got to see this fantastic venue in action. Stage, Production, Lights and the wonderful staff. We couldn't be happier. We are currently trying to find the right weekend. So stay tune!!!

Oh and N.E.R.F is back to TWO days.

Thank You!!

11/06/2025

We know we have been low key since the last N.E.R.F . Our apologies. Soon after our last annual event, we got word that the theatre had been sold. Which was a shame, as we really felt we had found a great venue to continue on the tradition started in 2018. We decided to not continue with the new management and took the next year off.

With that said, we are happy to say that New England Rock Fest has found a new HOME. One we really think the longtime attendees are really going to love. We are not ready for the big unveil just yet. But we promise to deliver a fun filled TWO day event (yep, we are back to 2 days!)

As always, we do not try to compete or even attempt to outshine any of the other amazing events, shows and festivals out there. There are so many great events and organizationsall over. It makes us happy to just be a part of a genre and scene of so many passionate music lovers and aficionados out there . All keeping the music alive.

Doing New England Rock Fest puts a smile on our face and motivates us to see people come from all over to our lil hootenanny.

So next fall...look out! Because New England Rock Fest is going to plug in and crank it up. We cant wait to see a lot of our old friends.

So if you have a band you would like to see grace the stage at N.E.R.F Leave a comment/suggestion. Please be realistic though. We do have limitations! lol

One last thing, we plan on honoring some of our friends that use to attend New England Rock Fest every year. They sadly are no longer with us. But we are sure they are in spirit, and we plan on remembering them fondly come showtime

Don't forget to support LIVE music, bands, shows and festivals. Wherever they are and whoever puts them on. As you never know, that last show you attend could be the "last" show. So ENJOY and keep making those memories!

*note if you are a band. Inbox us. Please do not post your links in the comments section

05/14/2025

New England Rock Fest LOVE FireHouse, and we couldn't have been more happy to hear the news that they were releasing a brand new song. The song was dropped on Eddie Trunk's Sirius radio show , and it did not disappoint ! We are not going to waste your time telling you what to think or how it sounds. Just encourage you to go check it out and judge for yourselves ! This band has plenty left in the tank and they are keeping both the music and CJ's legacy alive and well.

To Bill Leverty, thanks for the shout out on the show. We appreciate it very much.

Click the below link and hear it for yourself.
https://mitchlafon.com/f/new-firehouse-song?fbclid=IwY2xjawKRvjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFvYkZ1MmgyT3o0R3lNTkhaAR50dDAw2rxxvGUcXlF5mpH9UpeVvAecDn0kH2-8bd-3Vng1cyJaFKmgZguArg_aem_tZTzlhyXM0Nqh6ZvGqShBA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

09/05/2024

Hello all !

About time we dropped an update. ENGLAND ROCK FEST is not going away, but we are taking 2024 off. We painstakingly stewed over this decision . However we decided for what we have planned for 2025, we needed this year to properly plan. There is no problems, no poor ticket sales, no drama or any other rumor mill story someone may wish to create beyond this post and the reason given.

As always, we like being our little niche/modest sized event. We would never even try to compete with so many of the great bigger festivals out there. But we are looking to expand slightly while staying in our corner. We are sorry if this news disappoints some of you, but we promise that the wait will be worth it for what we have planned as we are currently in talks with a new and bigger venue than last years. All we will say is, this will be the perfect one stop shop for people attending the show.

We will maintain our Fall schedule, as we have no desire to compete with any other summer events/festivals, and we encourage you to attend some of those amazing events. Lets try to enjoy as many bands, shows, festivals and events as possible as eventually we will come to have that one last show.

Remember when we were kids and we went out to play with our friends one last time, but didn't know it was the last time. Well lets start approaching our music events thinking the next one might be the last one, and savior every one

Thank you for attending our event and partying with us from 2018 to 2023. We WILL be back in 2025, we cant wait to see all of you again next fall

Thank You

05/19/2024

We could not be happier for Nate and FireHouse. CJ will certainly be missed, but it is a positive future for the music world. Knowing Bill, Michael, Allen and Nate will carry on, and keep CJ's legacy alive, by way of the incredible music the band and he created together. Reach for the Sky fellas, and go get'em!!!

BEST OF LUCK Nate, you got this!!!

Send a message to learn more

05/03/2024

Hey Folks!!

We are in planning mode! So we want to cut down on some of the last minute things we have had to deal with in the past. So if you are a journalist or photographer that would like to request a Pass to shoot or cover the event. (Which will be moved back to two days btw) Then please inbox us with a formal request. Even if you have shot with us before.

If you are a vendor, please reach out to us. The more the merrier!

Lastly if you are a band that would like to grace our stage, let's hear from you. No we are not opposed to cover/tribute bands. However, we will only except two , one for each day.

We have some big surprises for N.E.R.F that we promise you will not want to miss. As always, we appreciate the support of our modest little hootenanny.

All are welcome. Only rule is sing along and have fun

All Hobos, Space Aliens and Hooligans welcomed!

PS.....We are going to level this party up another notch (AGAIN!)
Thank You
New England Rock Fest

10/21/2023

SO!! The dust has settled and the last chord ringing out has faded into the rafters. Holidays are coming and life marches on. So our question to you is.......

WHO do you WANT to SEE at next years NEW New England Rock Fest. Let us know. PUPPET SHOW need not apply.

10/09/2023

A message from Janet Gardner/Justin James Page. The pleasure was all ours Janet. You, Justin and company were an absolute joy to have. Hope to do it again.

Thank You for the kind words.

GO BUY THEIR NEW ALBUM FOLKS!!! You wont be disappointed!

10/09/2023

Months of preparation, planning, scheduling and camp fire dousing . All leading to this past weekend. Where it was, hit the ground running from early morning til late night. ALL of it was worth it , with zero regrets. Cut the check, it's another New England Rock Fest in the books . Dare we say this was the most fun we have ever had since we started doing this in 2018.

First off, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Suzanne, Derek and their wonderful staff/team at the Wall Street Theater Wall Street Theater, for welcoming New England Rock Fest to their amazing venue. Your staff helped this event run smoothly. We hope to do it again next year.

A shout out to all the wonderful vendors that set up and slinged their goods to all the attendees. Thank you for being a part of our little circus.

All of the fantastic bands that performed. You all brought your "A" Game. To all the Kivel Records artists that flew the labels flag day of show. You all made me proud. Thank you for helping us celebrate 25 years of the label.

Lastly, thank you to all the guys in Firehouse - Band and crew. You guys, as always, are top shelf both on and off the stage. It is always a pleasure. The dinner was good too. (NO ONIONS)

One last thing. Thank YOU to everyone that comes out every year supporting our event. YOU are why we started this, and you are why we keep on doing this.

TANGO DOWN Mister Wonderful No Love Lost Wild America Spread Eagle FireHouse FireHouse Bill Leverty Bill Leverty Janet Gardner/Justin James Page Janet Gardner/Justin James Page Badboy Badboy Kivel Records Wall Street Theater

Much gratitude and appreciation ,
John Kivel
New England Rock Fest/Kivel Records
25 YEARS, STILL STANDING !

10/07/2023

Getting set up. Stop by! New England Rock Fest TODAY. At Wall Street Theater in Norwalk CT