MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL 2026 MAIDSTONE MOTE PARK FRIDAY 17TH JULY
It’s good to be back in Mote Park, and better still to see beautiful blue skies overhead. It’s Friday afternoon, and Maid of Stone Festival has returned for a fourth year. No longer just an aperitif for the main event, the Friday line-up now boasts eleven bands across two stages plus a couple of additional performances exclusively for VIP guests. The site looks a little different to previous years in terms of layout, but remains pleasingly compact, the Inferno (main) stage no more than a few minutes away from the Firestarter (a showcase for up and coming talent). There’s no clashes between the two, with performances set to alternate throughout the day, and consequently no excuse not to catch at least some of the lesser known acts.
Planet Rock DJ Paul Anthony has become something of a fixture at Maid of Stone, so there’s a pleasing familiarity in seeing him back on stage. His first introduction of the weekend is for young Australian Cassidy Paris, who has landed the opening slot on the main stage. Attracting attention in a very small red playsuit and matching devil horns, her music is catchy, melodic and easy to enjoy. ‘Wannabe’ is bouncy and fun, ‘Stronger’ an empowering anthem that Paris credits with changing her life. The influence of hair metal is evident, both in Paris’ own power ballad ‘Here I Am’ and a cover of Danger Danger’s ‘I Still Think About You’, the latter getting arms waving in the early part of the day. Joined on stage by Russ Grimmett of Fireheart for ‘Nothing Left to Lose’, the pair harmonise well and bring the set to a memorable close.
Over on the Firestarter stage, Bournemouth based foursome Regional One play moody, dark music that feels a little odd against a sunny backdrop. ‘Control’ cleverly combines sharp riffs with contrasting, jangling verses and ‘Sold!’ has something of Shinedown in the commanding vocal delivery. Hard to put any particular label on, the audience seem to enjoy what they’re doing, joining in with the “woahs” that give ‘Hide’ an unforgettable hook.
Canadian guitarist Anthony Gomes kicks things up a notch on the Inferno stage, heading up a power trio with a winning combination of charismatic stage presence and heavy blues riffs George Thorogood would be proud of. With his red leather trousers and white Flying V, Gomes makes quite the impression, proving himself an underrated guitar hero. Songs like ‘Painted Horse’ and ‘Fur Covered Handcuffs’ are so upfront and so immediate that it’s impossible not to get involved. A likeable raconteur who amuses with his self-deprecating humour (describing his band as the “ugliest in the charts”) and his appreciation for Tesco (something we have in England that he doesn’t have at home!), his between song banter is as fun and enjoyable as the music. Signing off with the words “peace, love and loud guitars”, it’s a philosophy we can all get behind.
DeVere are not a band who deal in subtlety. They’ve got a strong look and present themselves with an arrogance that has you believing they’re already stars. It takes a while for frontman Sam Cassidy’s mic to start working, but that doesn’t stop him going for it, and when the mic finally comes to life, his style is so intense that you worry he might pass out. I mean that as a compliment, because he certainly gives his all to the performance. Loud and uncompromising, DeVere have got the songs to back up the image, ‘Empire’ and ‘Like Lightning’ are as catchy as they are heavy. Once seen and never forgotten, you get the sense that DeVere will make a mark on any stage they grace.
It’s somewhat more mellow over on the VIP Acoustic Stage, where the ever popular Jack J Hutchinson is delivering some gentle takes on his tunes with bassist Greg Smith. The moving ‘I Will Follow You’ works particularly well in this format, and it’s interesting to hear ‘Call of the Wild’ cleverly reinvented. Hutchinson seems to be a man who can turn his hand to any occasion, and it’s no surprise that he’s attracted a decent crowd here.
The New Roses feel like the perfect festival band. Even if you’re not familiar with any of their songs, the likes of ‘Attracted to Danger’ and ‘The Usual Suspects’ are so easy to pick up that you’ll soon have the choruses sussed. Delivered with German precision, The New Roses are tight and professional without ever being boring. Frontman Timmy Rough has a fantastic voice, giving real authority to ‘Bring the Thunder’ and ‘Forever Never Comes’. A well placed cover of Neil Young’s ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ provides an opportunity for a good old singalong, but their set is joyful throughout.
Sam Morrow satisfies any yearnings for Southern rock with his authentic Texas drawl and songs from latest album ‘Southern Boogie’. An unlikely cover of Pink Floyd’s ‘Have a Cigar’ brings his performance to a close, but it works surprisingly well. And it’s always welcome to hear something familiar amid all the new music on display.
Few bands are as reliably brilliant or as shamefully overlooked as FM. In Steve Overland, the group have a wonderful, soulful singer who deserves to be recognised as one of the AOR greats. His voice is as good as it has ever been, and from ‘Digging Up the Dirt’ via ‘That Girl’ and ‘Synchronised’, FM are just perfection. The harmonies that dominate ‘Black Water’ are something to behold, but it’s keyboard heavy anthems ‘I Belong to the Night’ and ‘Bad Luck’ that get everyone singing along. As the band give their thanks, the sound of “we want more!” rings out across the park, a real compliment for one of the only ‘classic’ bands on the bill.
It’s rare to stumble upon a band who genuinely seem to be doing something different, but Morganway certainly have a unique approach. The stage looks very busy with a keyboard player and violinist in addition to the usual guitarists, and sounds at times akin to a rock and roll hoedown. Fronted by hollering front-woman SJ Mortimer, they mash up genres whilst making it look very natural. Latest single ‘Machine’ takes aim at Spotify but sounds oddly chirpy for a song that is inherently angry! A band you suspect could appeal to many different audiences, they do a great job of winning over a rock crowd.
Perhaps an unlikely choice for the acoustic stage, Juliet’s Not Dead sound fantastic as I wander past, perfect harmonies and engaging songs entertaining those who have paid for the ‘posh’ seats. There’s some debate about whether the VIP tickets are really worth it this year, given that the acoustic stage can be seen quite easily from the other side of the white picket fence! But given the nicer toilets, shorter queues for the bar, a goody bag and access to some really tasty toasties, I still feel reasonably satisfied! (On that note, do check out RNR Toasties if you get the opportunity - the Meatallica is absolutely delicious and packed with fillings!)
Southern by their very nature, A Thousand Horses successfully break away from tradition with a Nashville sound uniquely their own. Much of that is thanks to Michael Hobby’s voice, which has an unusual rasp not usually associated with Southern rock. Cuts from latest album ‘White Flag Down’ provide much of the set and sound even better than their studio counterparts. ‘Dead Man Walking’ is a great opener, hard rocking and lively, ‘Part Of My Story’ somehow both sad and optimistic. I’m not much of an Oasis fan, but ‘Champagne Supernova’ is so familiar that even I’m singing along to a cover that suits the band surprisingly well. Admittedly, I prefer their own ‘Highway Sound’ which goes full country rock with the addition of harmonica and some lovely twin guitar interludes.
Hailing from the “Deep South of Ireland”, Crow Black Chicken prove to be one of the biggest surprises of the weekend. A fascinating power trio, Christy O’Hanlon’s deep, resonant voice is as powerful as Stephen McGrath’s thunderous bass rumble that vibrates right through your chest. Perhaps a strange choice of headliner for the Firestarter stage (there’s not likely to be any songs that you know), they win the audience over quickly with their unique groovy blues. I hear many referencing the band as one of their favourites of the day, a true accolade given how strong both stages have been.
It’s so good to have The Temperance Movement back, and better to discover that they sound just as brilliant as I remember. Worthy headliners who know how to please a crowd, Phil Campbell is as reliably spring-footed as ever, moving around the stage in his own inimitable way. Just as Jagger has his moves, so Campbell has his own, and it makes him a fascinating presence on stage. Drawing from their three studio albums, with a few new songs thrown in, the band give us enough familiar favourites (‘Ain’t No Telling’, ‘Caught in the Middle’, ‘Take It Back’ etc) that we’re more than happy to indulge ‘Always Been Love’ and ‘Silverlight Blues’, enjoyable tasters of the new album set for release later this year. Campbell thanks us for our patience with the new songs and seems genuinely thrilled to receive such a warm reception. He remarks upon the intimate show the band played in Deal last night, but decides “this is a bit better!” Gentle ballads ‘Smouldering’ and ‘Pride’ are nestled in amongst the Face- style joy of ‘Be Lucky’ and raucous ‘Get Yourself Free’, ensuring that the momentum doesn’t slip. Campbell says “we love you”, and it's clear we love the Temperance Movement right back.