Previews & Features

Status Quo have rocked their way through four decades - and with the announcement of a gig at Thetford Forest next summer, they are showing no signs of putting down their guitars yet.

The rock icons - who have sold more than 118m records - are the first group to be revealed for the woodland summer line-up and will play on Saturday, 7 June, 2008.

The band are expected to still be promoting their latest album, released earlier this year, self-mockingly titled In Search Of The Fourth Chord.

The 6,000 tickets for the open-air show on the Norfolk-Suffolk border went on sale on 16 November, 2007.

Early announcement

Music fans have been making their way to gigs through the country's biggest lowland forest for around 10 years, but the Status Quo concert is the earliest announcement of a show that the organisers have made.

"It's down to a well-oiled machine," said Roger Woods, marketing and communication manager for the Forestry Commission in East Anglia. "The process starts from when the last concerts have finished."

Loyal fans

The rockers pulled in around 7,000 fans to their Holkham Hall concert in north Norfolk at the start of September.

Despite the fairly quick return visit, organisers feel the Thetford date will prove just as popular due to their vast fanbase.

"It's fantastic that we've got Status Quo," said Mr Woods. "Status Quo fans are die-hards and come from all four corners of the globe to see them."

The show is one of six dates at the High Lodge venue, with the acts to play on 5 and 6 June as well as 10 and 11 July to be named. Stunning classical singer Katherine Jenkins will be performing with the National Symphony Orchestra at the venue on Saturday, 12 July.

"We've got a great start with Status Quo and the other acts will be similar to what people have come to expect from us," said Mr Woods.

Tickets are £30 plus booking fee and available by calling 01842 814612 and online at www.forestry.gov.uk