To all our Hoodstock, and now Pigstock, friends.
WELCOME!
You guys are one of the main reasons we do this. So we’d like to share everything with you.
And that means we want to share news, views, nonsense and gossip about how it’s all going with the preparations.
So welcome to the first PIGSTOCK 2026 Newsletter.
Remember when people fought over liking Blur or Oasis? Remember when you could tell what sort of person someone was by the fags they smoked? Remember when something really funny happened and you couldn’t immediately film it on your phone?
That’s right! Nor do we! But we DO know that’s it’s 30 years since the point in the 1990s when most of you monkeys took your GCSEs. And we’ve decided to celebrate that.
The big news is WE HAVE A DATE! August 1st 2026 will be your chance to time travel. Relive your daft. Drink bad concoctions. Dance to music you’d forgotten you liked.
We’re going to noise up the iconic Pig in Paradise, where many of us spent ill-advised time, an unseemly amount of money (that we nicked from our parents), and some genuinely formative years of our youth.
When I was first in that hallowed venue, I paid £1.76 for a pint of Tennants Extra. And although this summer you will invariably pay A LOT MORE THAN THAT for a pint, it’s worth it for the nostalgia.
On 1st AUG, we will have LIVE BANDS - a 90s DISCO - a brilliant KARAOKE and enough bar treats to kill a live Tapir! And this time you CAN remember it later, as there will be a PHOTO BOOTH giving out tokens of regret for you to keep!
And where would this crowd be without the death-defying Adrian Andrews on the decks? No-one is quite sure, but he will be spinning all manner of discs in his inimitable manner.
Those of you who lived through these bizarre years with us will recognise everyone on stage, and we apologise for that. However, please bring your friends and family, who will not know the personalities, but will grow to love them in the same way you have valiantly tried to over the last three decades.
THE AMAZING SUZIE!
Perhaps the best way to start is to hear from our Chief Executive, Suzie Butler, without whom literally none of this would be possible. She masterminded the first two festivals and now she has found time to orchestrate yet another one.
Over to Suzie. Here she is failing to give me a prostate examination.
“Pigstock actually started with a few drinks in the pub back in January (of course!). No big agenda, just a chance to see old mates, play some awesome music and have a good time,” she says.
“It also happens to be 30 years since we finished our GCSEs, which made a 90s theme feel like an easy win. So, Pigstock was born.
We’ve deliberately kept this one less of a big organised event and more of a “come along and hang out” kind of thing, with some amazing live music at the centre. After looking at a few places, The Pig in Hastings, with its iconic 90s vibe, felt like the perfect fit. As always, we’re keeping the event private during the day so it stays family-friendly and fun for everyone.
Since then, it’s been the usual mix behind the scenes – music coming together, a new website thanks to the extraordinary Rory Dale, and all the planning, logistics and costings that make it actually happen. The kids have also started band rehearsals, which has been brilliant, and they’re really excited to have the chance to play a proper gig.”
Here’s a shot of a couple of members of the much-awaited Digital Deckhands supergroup which, I’m impressed to say, will feature mediaeval monarch William “Rufus” the Second. Despite his untimely death in the New Forest in 1100, Rufus has promised he will be onstage on time in 2026.
“Whilst we’re still working through a few final logistics, we’re now properly up and running with all the main plans in place. Which means I can finally start thinking about the fun stuff… 90s décor and, of course, what I’m going to sing on karaoke!”
Thank you Suzie.
The jury is out on which song she will elect to sing. But I suspect she can be persuaded.
Throw your suggestions into the Facebook group if you want to influence the choice.
PEBSHAM PEOPLE
We asked Sussex reprobate and bacon murderer Dave Tongue (AKA Dave To The Grind; Honk Bonkford; Lord Melody and Dirk Benson) to tell us about his collection of studio greats that are set to grace the PIGSTOCK stage. Unfortunately, he replied.
“From all the four corners of the universe; namely East Grinstead, Upper Pebsham, New Jersey and Middle Upper Pebsham, we are proud to Introduce The Dave Tongue Five,”
said Dave, from an undisclosed location (we suspect it might be LOWER Pebsham).
A ‘Fupagroup’ that has been waiting to form since around 1996 and, despite protestations from audiences and band members alike, will finally be brought to you in all their glory on August 1st at Pigstock! The band is now well underway with remembering how to play their respective instruments and arguing about which songs not to play,”
Dave elucidated.
Dave continues -
“The undertaking is no small one with rehearsals taking place across at least two continents through the power of technology. However, with Greg Mulhern, Craig Constable, Dave Tongue, Rory Dale and a treasure-trove of banging, monster 90s tunes, we cannot wait to accompany your dancing shoes in a few months' time!”
We will all be sure to “keep ‘em peeled” for this group’s performance.
It’s almost time to leave you, but let’s not forget the band that will thrill you simply by still being alive!
That’s right.
Mitch’s Bitches are BACK.
And this time they’re older than ever.
Playing songs from your schooldays in the hope that you’ll wear the uniform, the boys are, quite literally, back in town. But don’t worry, they’re not here for long so you won’t have to see them the next day. We all remember what THAT looked like.
Okay, gang. You know what’s happening, and now you know what you need to do.
Tickets are an insane £5 until May 4th, when they rise to a much more reasonable £10. Kids go free when we decide to let them go. And please wear 90s attire. We almost certainly will, whatever that actually is.
So, if you’d like to be in the Hastings area around 2pm on the 1st of August 2026, perhaps you’d like to “Keep ‘em Peeled” for a tremendous reunion festival.
We hope to see everyone again very soon.
Thanks for keeping the faith. We won’t let you down.
Lots of love from the PIGSTOCK crue. xxxx