Rock the South Malta, the premier alternative music festival on the island, is gearing up for its 12th edition, taking place on the first weekend of May at the iconic Zion Bar in Marsascala. The festival promises an electrifying mix of the finest local and international alternative acts across multiple stages, with a powerhouse lineup that will get the crowd dancing all day long.

The festival has become a staple of Malta’s live music scene, bringing together diverse sounds, high-energy performances and a strong community of music lovers. Since its inception, Rock the South has been a celebration of the very best in Malta’s alternative scene, and this year is no different. The lineup features some of the most exciting and established acts, with a strong focus on local talent.

The festival will feature live band performances, silent disco sessions, DJ sets and a variety of entertainment spread across different areas of the venue. The lineup includes some of Malta’s most beloved bands, such as Brodu, Beangrowers, and The Violent Violets, as well as international acts like Bikini Beach from Germany and Colgate from Italy.

Nick Morales, the founder and organiser of Rock the South, says that this year is a celebration of the very best in the alternative scene. “Audiences can expect a solid mix of established acts and exciting new faces. We’re also thrilled to welcome two incredible international bands – Bikini Beach from Germany and Colgate from Italy plus Ara Lil Yoon who are based in Germany but have Maltese members.”

Morales went on to say that in the festival’s three days, audiences will be able to get a very good idea of the scene’s energy, diversity and raw talent. “If someone wants a real taste of what Malta’s alternative scene is all about, Rock the South is the place to be.”

Samwel Mallia, another fellow organiser and the man behind the design of this year’s event poster, echoes Morales’s sentiments about the festival’s stature in Malta’s alternative music scene. “I keep telling people it’s the most ‘Rock the South-iest’ Rock the South ever, as just as Nick said, it truly feels like the most comprehensive snapshot and celebration of all that this alternative festival and the alternative scene at large keeps building itself up to across twelve editions.”

The festival will feature mainstay names playing the festival for the first time such as Djun and Xtruppaw, with this being the latter’s second comeback gig ever. The Violent Violets are also performing in a live band setup once again and newer artists Motherknives, hot off their debut show a few months back, will also feature onstage.

This year also feels like yet another upgrade to how the dynamic space at Zion will be utilised, with plenty of flow between the two main stages and chill out/skate park area, not to mention the Silent Disco now also taking over the main stages after-hours as opposed to smaller tent areas from years past.

Rock the South has grown massively since that very first edition, and what started out as a simple gig I put together to host some Italian friends has now evolved into one of the longest-running and most beloved festivals on the island. Sometimes the best things happen almost by accident – and that’s how it feels with RTS. It was born out of pure passion for live music and a love for the local scene, and over time it found its place as a yearly tradition.