Rockestra: the warm facts

Mikaela and Xirka Rock Band in flight

Let us start with a simple cold fact. Hitting almost 10,000, Rockestra 2011 attracted the largest concert audience this season, including those by foreign artists. It is true, the low ticket prices helped but on its own this does not explain the fantastic turnout.

The truth is that people of all ages and from all walks of life love Rockestra. May they continue to do so for as long as screaming rock guitar solos quicken heartbeats and make souls soar higher. Which is forever.

Now to the simple warm facts, or should I say hot ones. Conductor Sigmund Mifsud and his orchestra had the audience in the palm of their hand from the first number and they didn't let go till the encore, a rowdy, rip roaring version of 'Hey Jude'. Sigmund, yesterday you certainly got my vote.

The warmth backstage matched that of the audience. All the singers and musicians generously supported each other - killing the stomach butterflies in the few minutes before each number and greeting the sweating, smiling and relieved performer off the stage afterwards. Think of the petty and prickly bitchiness of the Eurovision green room. Rockestra backstage was the complete opposite.

On a personal note, it was great to have a tiny bit part in the proceedings, as part of Xirka Rock Band. Sharing a musical cocoon weaved by Wayne Camilleri's sweet and sweaty guitar passages, Peter Borg's delicate and intricate ones, Mark Attard's sensitive and impeccable keyboards, Chris 'Kick' Curmi's kick ass bass, Robert Spiteri's monster drum beats and Mikaela's soaring and powerful vocals, I was literally in heaven.

Incidentally, Robert and Mikaela are only 16 and 18 respectively. Rock's future in Malta is secure and so is Rockestra's. President George Abela and Sigmund Mifsud, I salute you.