MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL 2026 MAIDSTONE MOTE PARK SATURDAY 18TH JULY

Maybe I’m just getting old, but it always feels a bit difficult to get going on the second day of a festival. You’ve been on your feet more than usual, you’ve had a late night and everything starts a bit earlier on Saturday. Whatever it is, I definitely need a bit of a kick. Thank goodness then, for Welsh trio Häxan, who provide the ultimate wake-up call. They’ve played here before, back when Maid of Stone was new, so it’s heartening to see these hard rocking ladies making the leap to the main stage. Whether it’s the heavy riffing of ‘Skeletons’ or the distinctive sound of Harriet Wadeson’s Rickenbacker, at times I feel like I’m listening to a female Motörhead (though Sam Bolderson’s vocals are significantly more melodic!). Joking that they’re “not really a daytime band” and struggling to navigate the no swearing restriction, they’re a lot of fun, and certainly not the only ones who end up “head-banging before noon on a Saturday!”. A thundering ‘Burn Alive’ brings the set to a thrilling close.

Over on the Firestarter, it’s Untamed Silence who gets proceedings underway with a warm and enthusiastic performance indicative of a band who seem genuinely delighted by the opportunity. Bringing in elements of symphonic metal, ‘Nowhere’ combines Debbie Wade’s theatrical vocals with some brutal riffs. Though perhaps not one of the most memorable sets of the day, it’s perfectly enjoyable, ‘Long Time Dead’ rumbling along nicely with some heavy guitar crunch. 

Back on the Inferno stage, Xander and the Peace Pirates set the day up right for anyone arriving a little late to the party. Getting the obvious out the way: singer and guitarist, Keith Xander was born without a picking hand. He clearly did not get the memo that said he couldn’t play guitar. So, he cracked on holding a pick in a prosthetic hand. Of course, there is the initial ‘wow’ when see Keith at first. It does not take long, however, before that first ‘wow’ evolves into a new and improved ‘wow’ as the quality of Keith’s playing becomes clear. The band only had a short set, but their bluesy, rock style got the crowd swaying in the early afternoon sunshine. This was a band made up of very competent musicians, including a bass man who, for me, was the groove master of the day. Hailing from Liverpool, and not the Deep South of America, as their look might have you believe, there is a good chance they will be in a venue near you. If you get a chance to see them, go. You will not be disappointed. 

Youthful and lively, Kit Trigg are a trio well suited to a sunny day. Their music is bright and optimistic, delivered with plenty of bounce and energy. Their set is a shot of adrenaline that lifts the spirits, frontman Kit mixing things up with his unique vocal delivery that occasionally wanders into rap territory, as on ‘Snake in the Grass’, which also throws in some sweet harmonies. It’s possibly an acquired taste, but seems to be going down well, much of that probably thanks to the irrepressible joy that these lads radiate. 

Given the number of ladies making their mark on the stage today, it feels appropriate to see Girlschool on the bill. True pioneers, Girlschool were playing heavy metal at a time when it was particularly difficult for women to make an impact in the genre, and they’re still going strong. The ever present Kim McAuliffe is wonderfully no-nonsense, much like the music the band play. From 80s classics like ‘Demolition Boys’ and ‘Nothing to Lose’, up to the fairly recent ‘It Is What It Is’, very little has changed; fast-paced, noisy and snarling with attitude, it’s easy to see why Lemmy was a fan. I’m initially a bit confused to see a man behind the drums, but it transpires that Denise Dufort’s feeling rough and had to stay home. It’s a shame, but doesn’t detract from a set that’s heavy on nostalgia and heavier on riffs. ‘Race With The Devil’, ‘Bomber’ and ‘Emergency’ ensure the set hits a home run at the end, leaving us all wanting more. 

Sadly I only catch a very short burst of Rattlesnakes set (I’ve probably been buying more food from the Texas Smoker!), but what I hear sounds fantastic, heavy metal brought bang up to date with a belting vocalist in Rowena Neale. I hope to catch the band properly another time.

Given Motörhead t-shirts seem to be the uniform of choice today, its no surprise that one of the biggest crowds of the day is forming for Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons. It’s an important occasion for the lads, marking their first show since their dad’s untimely passing. It must be tough for them, and the show starts with a tribute, a recording of Phil’s guitar work and his voice introducing ‘Heroes’. It’s this uncharacteristically mellow song that begins the set. Any sense of grief is soon pushed away in favour of celebration as the band pick up the pace and the energy with a raucous ‘We’re the Bastards’. Fury main man Julian Jenkins does a great job on vocals, but a very poor job at keeping his swearing under control! That said, it wouldn’t be a Bastards show without us being encouraged to raise our middle finger and shout “f*** you Tyla Campbell!” Keeping the spirit of their dad, and Motörhead alive, it’s always going to be welcome to hear bangers like ‘Going to Brazil’, ‘Rock Out’ and of course, ‘Ace of Spades’ working their magic on a festival crowd. The lads thank everyone for sending love and support at a time that has been incredibly difficult for them, and acknowledge that their dad taught them to play rock and roll - good job Phil. 

I’ve heard a lot of chatter about LN, so it’s only right that I go and have a look. Dressed like Vikings with painted faces, the band affectionately refer to their fans as ‘peasants’ and put on quite a show, LN Hirst brandishing a head on a stick (he’s called Donny!) as she stalks the stage. With a fascinating voice capable of elegance, and also angry, terrifying growls, she is utterly compelling. ‘Draugr’ is heavy and unsettling, the refrain of “he’s coming for you” giving the song a haunted quality. I hear many referencing LN as their band of the day, discussing Hirst’s ability to whip up the crowd. Not bad for a band that most of us probably didn’t know anything about this morning. 

Danko Jones proves to be something of a divisive choice, his quirky humour amusing some and causing others to proclaim that he should change the D in his name to a W! Say what you like, the Canadian seems to have mastered the knack of penning a catchy tune. Cleverly combining punk energy with hard rocking riffs and choruses designed to implant themselves firmly in your brain, songs like ‘Good Time’ and ‘First Date’ are relentless blasts of attitude. Jones is an intense presence, partly thanks to his face which always looks a little bit angry, but also because he attacks every song like he really means it. Bassist John Calabrese and drummer Rich Knox are very much locked in, and this feels like a tight unit. 

I had no idea what to expect as I waited near the front for Battle Born to take the stage. I turned around and saw that several thousand people either did know what was about to happen or were just as curious as me. Then the backing track came on, four guys in tight jeans, long hair and Flying V guitars sprinted onto the stage, they were then joined by a singer with loads of hair, a bandana and dark glasses that resembled re-entry shields from the Starship Enterprise. There was almost nothing of his face visible to the crowd. We had travelled back in time to the 1980s… and it was brilliant. This was a non-stop show of great energy and good fun. The crowd loved it and it was clear the band did too. It’s always great to see bands take their chance on a stage that, in all honesty, is positioned in front of what is probably the biggest crowd they have played to. Battle Born lapped it up and absolutely delivered. Like every other member of the audience I was smiling, and I have certainly added them to my ‘next time’ list. 

Introduced by Paul Anthony as “the original and only metal Queen”, I’m ashamed to admit I don’t know much about Doro Pesch. She looks fantastic in her leather and chains, and boasts an infectious enthusiasm that makes her very popular with the crowd. In fact, I’ve seldom seen someone work an audience so successfully. Backed by her dynamic band, ‘Raise Your Fist in the Air’ and ‘Warriors of the Sea’ go down a treat. Rowdy singalongs of ‘All We Are’ and Priest’s ‘Breaking the Law’ are something to behold, the the shouts of “Doro, Doro, Doro” as her set concludes suggesting that many would be happy for her to keep going. 

Virginmarys were last up on the Firestarter stage on Saturday, and I am an unapologetic fan. Originally a three piece, the now duo of Ally Dickaty on guitar and vocals and Danny Dolan on drums have been ploughing their own furrow for the last 10 years. Theirs is a sound that is full of hard hitting rock passion with a wee touch of emo on the side. Ally rips through the tunes wringing both bass grooves and no-nonsense melody from his guitar. Danny, well, he is a man who leaves nothing in the tank, there is no doubt he’ll have gone home knackered after knocking lumps out his kit, driving the beat like a boss. They kick off with ‘You’re a Killer’ before bouncing into my personal favourite, ‘Just Ride’. ‘Trippin’ New York City’ and ‘White Knuckle Riding’ keep everyone on their toes during a really powerful and unremitting set. The Virginmarys are right and they take their sizeable crowd with them throughout an on-form performance. This is a great band to watch and listen to - treat yourself. 

It’s not the first time Saxon have headlined a festival in Maidstone, having gone down a storm at Ramblin’ Man Fair back in 2017. A band who are always a dependable and popular choice, I suspect they’re the reason the park feels a little busier than it did yesterday. It’s fantastic to see Biff Byford looking fit and healthy following, in his words, “a rough couple of years health wise”. And better still to discover that he’s still got it, his voice sounding particularly good as the band tear through ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’ and ‘Madame Guillotine’. Of course, it’s the classics that we really want to hear, and we get plenty of those; Much as it’s fantastic to discover new bands, there’s few things as joyful as singing along to old favourites at a festival. Saxon have quite a few, and from ‘Motorcycle Man’ onwards, it’s a true heavy metal party. Deciding to scrap encores and just keep playing, it’s lovely to see Byford interact with the crowd, donning an audience member’s jacket before a triumphant ‘Denim and Leather’. ‘Wheels of Steel’, ‘Never Surrender’ and ‘Princess of the Night’ are all present and correct, cornerstones of the genre that have never lost their power. 

It's been another fantastic day in Mote Park - the sun's been shining, the bands have been rocking, the Texas Smoker's been smoking and I’m ready to do it all again tomorrow!