Good Vibes Rollercoaster Are Bringing Feel-Good Rock ‘n’ Roll Back to the South West
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
In a world that often feels chaotic and permanently online, Good Vibes Rollercoaster are doing something refreshingly simple: bringing people together through feel-good rock ‘n’ roll.
Built around positivity, community and huge singalong energy, the South West collective are quickly becoming one of the region’s most exciting new music projects. And despite only launching earlier this year, they’re already building serious momentum online.
Written and produced by New Forest-based Matt Walton, Good Vibes Rollercoaster blends nostalgic rock influences with uplifting themes focused on joy, connection and making the most out of everyday life.
The Rise of Good Vibes Rollercoaster
Since launching in March 2026, the project has generated almost 500,000 YouTube views, 20,000+ subscribers and more than 1.5 million cross-platform views in just 9 weeks — impressive numbers for a completely independent project still in its early stages.
But behind the statistics is a project built on genuine musicianship and community spirit.
Recorded between EchoTown Studios in Dorchester and Are Friends Electric Studios in Devon, the collective features an impressive lineup of musicians including Darrin Mooney of Primal Scream and Gary Moore fame, Jonathan Noyce from Jethro Tull and a host of South West creatives helping shape the project’s vibrant sound.
Engineered by Gareth Matthews and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, the music channels everything from Woodstock-era rock and glam rock swagger to Britpop and classic festival nostalgia.
Think The Who meets T. Rex with a dose of South Coast sunshine.
Festival Anthems Built Around Positivity
Their debut single, We Stand Together, immediately connected with audiences thanks to its uplifting message of unity and collective joy. Filmed at The Highweek Inn in Newton Abbot, the music video featured locals from surrounding Devon communities and perfectly captured the project’s people-first spirit.
That momentum has continued with follow-up releases Uplifted and The Good Life. These songs celebrate life’s simple pleasures like friends, family dancing and laughter.
Next comes All Aboard on June 29, another huge festival-ready anthem encouraging listeners to embrace life, even when things get difficult.
While much of modern music can feel overproduced and trend-focused, Good Vibes Rollercoaster thrives in authenticity. These are songs built for festival fields, pub gardens and late-night singalongs rather than algorithms.
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Comeback Story Decades in the Making
Behind the project also lies a fascinating comeback story.
Before Good Vibes Rollercoaster, Matt Walton and guitarist Paul Downs were members of Devon glam metal band Madhatter, performing at legendary venues including the Marquee Club and Rock City during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Now, decades later and in their 50s, the pair have reunited with a completely new perspective.
In the years between, Walton built a successful career in global technology leadership with companies including Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Vodafone. He’s now applying those same strategic skills to building Good Vibes Rollercoaster South West Rock and Roll into something far bigger than a traditional band project.
Built in the South West, Growing Worldwide
With 18 tracks already recorded, another 10 demos in development and plans for a 2027 festival tour, the project’s momentum is only growing.
Rehearsals are currently underway at EchoTown Studios in Dorchester as the collective continues building an international audience spanning the UK, Argentina, Japan, Indonesia and the United States.
For Dorset music fans, there’s something exciting about seeing a globally growing music project being built right here in the South West.
Good Vibes Rollercoaster may be rooted in nostalgia, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about what they’re creating.
This is modern independent music powered by positivity, community and the reminder that sometimes a great song and a good laugh can still bring people together.
