MORE than 1,500 people headed to Penrhyn Quarry to join The Alarm's Mike and Jules for a mini music festival.

Saturday, June 15 saw the rock power couple pair the ZipRoc music festival at near Bethesda with their 13th annual Snowdonia Rocks hike, which is expected to raise more than £25,000 in support of their cancer support charity the Love Hope Strength Foundation.

North Wales Chronicle:

Mike Peters of the Alarm performing with samba-reggae group Batala Bangor

As well as a packed line up of bands the audience witnessed Ysbyty Gwynedd consultant haematologist Dr Sally Evans shave her head for cancer services in north Wales and an impassioned speech from Mike Jules' guest of honour Pete McCreave - a Cheshire based former Ironman competitor who is now seeking a life-saving blood stem cell donor having been diagnosed with myeloma.

Mike Peters said: “Snowdonia Rocks and ZipRoc 2019 was incredibly memorable for lots of reasons. Some incredibly brave people took to the stage to share their stories, the music offering throughout the day was top class, and the sun came out so we could enjoy the scenery of Snowdonia in all its glory.

The day began at 8am with music from the Violets Leap, followed by The North West Wales Tenovus Choir then performing alongside Mike, members of Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen’s choir and the Ghost Buskers community band.

More than 400 walkers joined then joined Mike, Dr Evans and Mr McCreave for a 20km walk from Penrhyn Quarry.

North Wales Chronicle:

Chris Summerill and Mike Peters singing at a rest stop along the 20km Snowdonia Rocks Hike

Back at the festival, celebrated artists from across Wales played throughout the afternoon. The line up included The Atoms, Tin Goose, the North Wales NHS Rock Choir, CorLas, and NHS Band the Betsi Blues Band, Cor Y Penrhyn, Alffa, Celt, Maffia Mr Huws, Bryn Fon and Elin Fflur.

Mike then played a set which featured the samba-reggae group, Batala Bangor, before Britpop favourite Mile Hunt and headliners Cast took to the stage.

North Wales Chronicle:

An atmospheric set from headliners Cast at Penrhyn Quarry

125 people including local NHS staff and John Power, the lead singer of Cast, also took part in a big charity Zip Line Challenge, while the event registered 101 festival goers to the blood stem cell donor registry. .

Jules said: “This is the 13th year we’ve organised Snowdonia Rocks. The purpose of the day has always been to raise people’s spirits as much as raise money, and I think the event achieved that again this year. It was a lot of fun.”