Here's your chance to Rock Around the Bay

A new live music event in Torquay is set to shine a light on the Bay’s rich rock history - told by the man who helped create it.

On Thursday 9 April 2026, Lionel Digby will present Rock Around the Bay at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, combining live blues music with first-hand stories from the golden era of touring rock bands.

Lionel was there at the heart of it all. During the 1950s, 60s and 70s, he played a key role in organising and promoting live performances across Torbay, bringing some of the biggest names in music to local stages. 

From early rock ’n’ roll pioneers to chart-topping British acts, he helped turn venues like the Torquay Town Hall, Princess Theatre, Festival Theatre and Pavilion Theatre into must-play stops on the touring circuit.

Now, he’s bringing those memories back to life.

The evening will feature live music from the Bad Knees Blues Band, performing a soundtrack inspired by artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Gene Vincent and Adam Faith.

But it’s Digby’s personal recollections that set the event apart. Audiences can expect behind-the-scenes stories of the artists he booked, the challenges of staging live shows in earlier decades, and the excitement of a time when rock music was still new and electrifying.

Rock Around the Bay is as much a history lesson as it is a concert, offering a rare, first-hand account of how Torbay became a vibrant hub for live music.

Tickets are £6 in advance, with doors opening at 7pm for a 7:30pm start. A special foyer exhibition of 50s, 60s and 70s rock and roll memorabilia will also be on display.

All proceeds from the event will go to Children’s Hospice South West.