The biggest events in Medway’s music calendar kick-off tonight as legendary rockers Status Quo take over the Rochester Castle Concerts stage.

Eager fans have already started arriving at the Castle Gardens - hoping to bag themselves a spot near the front.

As the band did a sound check this afternoon, there were already around 150 people enjoying the sunshine while they waited for the gig to start.

One couple who had got there early were Pauline and Kevin Lake from Lordswood. They arrived just after 3.30pm and managed to get a place in front of the stage.

Pauline said: “It’s my husband’s birthday today so we decided to have a nice afternoon in Rochester.

"We are meeting some friends later and they can’t come until they finish work so we thought we’d get down here early, have something to eat and a few drinks and grab a good spot.”

The Castle Gardens will be full to capacity in a few hours - as the gig is completely sold out.

It follows another sell-out performance by the band in 2010 and is part of a worldwide summer tour.

Featuring founding members Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, the Quo are now celebrating more than 50 years in the music business. The show starts at 7.30pm.

Boy band The Wanted will follow tomorrow night. Nathan, Tom, Jay and Siva will storm the stage with their infectious tunes, including All Time Low and Glad You Came, plus tracks from their new album Third Strike.

Fans will be pleased to hear Nathan is back performing with the band after throat surgery earlier this year.

The singer underwent an operation to repair a haemorrhaging vocal cord in April but made his big return to the group at the Capital FM Summertime Ball in June.

Supporting the boys will be singer A*M*E who recently was at number one in the UK singles chart, featuring on the Duke Dumont song Need U (100%).

The Vamps, who have been supporting McFly on tour, YouTube sensations Only The Young and vocalist James Graham, who supported Steps last year, complete the line-up.

On Friday, it will be 80s night - featuring Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley, ABC and Go West.

As lead singer of Spandau Ballet, Hadley has sung countless hits including True, Gold and Through The Barricades.

ABC will be showcasing favourites such as Poison Arrow and All of My Heart, while Go West will get the crowds rocking to their hits including Call Me and We Close Our Eyes.

The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will once again finish the concerts series with a flag-waving flourish on Saturday, while on Sunday, the Castle Gardens will be handed over to the next generation of performers for Under Siege.

The free concert gives young people aged 11 to 19 the chance to play on the same full-sized stage, with professional equipment and the support of an experienced crew. Gates open at noon and the music starts at 1pm.

Tickets are still available for cost £35 for The Wanted and £30 for the Castle Proms, which cost £35 and £30. Call 01634 338338 or online at www.castleconcerts.co.uk

• For photos of all the gigs, see the Medway Messenger on Friday and Monday.