MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL FRIDAY 18TH JULY 2025 MAIDSTONE - MOTE PARK

It falls to Hillbilly Vegas to get the party started, and they do so admirably with their self-proclaimed “Hillbilly rock and roll from Oklahoma”. Bearing all the hallmarks of the best Southern rock, from lovely harmonies and catchy choruses to a little tinkling of the ivories, they are the perfect soundtrack to a summer day. Frontman Steve Harris (not to be confused with a certain well-known bassist) is warm and engaging, taking time to talk to the crowd and assuring that although it’s early, the band “don’t mind going first”. With songs like ‘High Time for a Good Time’ and latest single ‘Feels Good’, the band maintain the illusion that writing uplifting crowd pleasers must be very easy.  

Opening the Firestarter stage, Leadfeather are a proper old-school rock band, perhaps best described as a modern day Zeppelin. A four-piece fronted by tambourine shaking, open-shirted singer Apostolos with his incredibly powerful wail, they make quite the impression. The funky ‘Shoot for the Stars’ struts with an assured confidence, Simon Hurts’ riff driving itself straight into your brain, whilst ‘Roll the Dice’ makes a case for one of the strongest rock songs of the year, going all Whitesnake “oh baby” in the latter half. Definitely a band on the rise. 

I think some of us have solved the mystery of the secret set (the clues were an anagram!) but it’s still exciting to witness Kris Barras’ Hollow Souls make their live debut. Entering the stage like a champion, arms aloft, Barras has made a real impact on this scene and it’s interesting to see him positioned here as guitar hero rather than frontman. Though he steps up to the mic for ‘Bad Things’ and ‘Shotgun’, it’s Phoebe Jane who spends much of the time centre stage, showing off her powerful voice on the impossibly catchy ‘Borderline’ and a cover of Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’. As a band still in the fledging stage, it’s a privilege to catch them at the start; a tantalising glimpse of the potential still to be unleashed.  

Now recognised as a formidable photographer, there are some of us who are possibly too young (or ill-educated!) to know that Myke Gray was an equally formidable guitarist first. Returning to the stage after a couple of years away, the broad smile on his face says it all, the incredible solos he delivers suggesting that the guitar remains his calling. Assembling a band specifically for this event must have been a challenge, but there’s little evidence of that given the polished nature of the performance. Skin classics like ‘House of Love’ and ‘Raised on Radio’ are greeted with delight, and sung to perfection by Henry Gottelier (better known as frontman of the Karma Effect). 

With the inimitable Spike rightfully at the helm, the Quireboys play rock and roll as nature intended; raucous, rowdy and just a little rough around the edges. Spike’s charisma is arguably as important as his distinctive rasp of a voice, and there’s a lovely sense of camaraderie amongst the band which now includes Thunder’s Luke Morley on guitar and reinstated bassist Nigel Mogg. Dedicated to late guitarist Guy Bailey, ‘King of New York’ is the only sombre moment in a set that favours rollicking anthems from ‘Sweet Mary Ann’ to ‘There She Goes Again’. Of course, ‘7 O’ Clock’ brings proceedings to a close, truly signalling that it’s “time for a party”, even if we are maybe an hour or so early! 

Over on the Firestarter stage, Tom Killner and his band impress with their laid-back, Southern vibes. The countrified ‘Home’ and gently lilting ‘Ride With Me’ showcase the lovely harmonies and exquisite musicianship that make Killner’s music so easy on the ears. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to catch the entire set, but having seen the band fairly recently, can confirm that they are well worth your attention. 

In terms of commanding an audience, Sweden’s H.E.A.T seem to have it licked. Unapologetically cheesy in the best possible way, their debt to the 80s is great, but I mean that as a positive. ‘Disaster’ sounds absolutely enormous, as does everything that follows, the irresistibly huge chorus of ‘Back to the Rhythm’ surely the envy of many bands who would kill for one song this memorable. Kenny Leckremo’s voice is reminiscent of Europe’s Joey Tempest, albeit with more oomph, and stalking the stage draped in a Union Jack, he is very much a presence. Am I a little distracted because Spike is in the signing tent? Perhaps I am. But only a fool could miss H.E.A.T’s dominance of the stage and their wonderful presentation that sees keyboards given equal prominence with the drums, both elevated at the back of the stage. Throwing in a bit of ‘War Pigs’ is a clever move, appealing to the Sabbath fever that still seems to have the nation in its grip (well… those with any taste, at least!). 

Sharing the billing of co-headliner with Dirty Honey, it’s Joanne Shaw Taylor who takes to the stage first. She’s an interesting choice, perhaps lacking the big, well-known songs of some of the acts who have preceded her. That said, she brings a level of class with her sophisticated blues that’s difficult to resist. A likeable lady who jokes about her “dulcet West Country accent”, she is a talented guitarist blessed with an unusual voice that aches with soul. Up-tempo numbers like ‘Dyin’ to Know’ are interspersed with ballads like ‘I’ve Been Loving You Too Long’ and it’s pleasing to witness something a little different and perhaps, a little more elegant than we would usually expect from Maid of Stone. 

Headlining the Firestarter stage, Manchester’s Gorilla Riot seem capable of winning over any audience with their dirty rock and roll. The likes of ‘Molotov Sister’ and ‘Bad Son’ are elevated by two female backing singers who bring a contrasting softness to Arjun Bhishma’s deep, throaty vocal. There’s a pleasing grit to their sound that has clearly won them admirers in the scene; Bad Touch’s Stevie Westwood and former Collateral guitarist Todd Winger both get shout outs as they watch from the crowd, testament to the solid songs and irresistible swagger that will continue to push the band forward. 

Bringing day one to a conclusion, Californians Dirty Honey show why they are being tipped as the next big thing. Bucking the trend of unassuming bassist, Justin Smolian is surprisingly animated, getting the audience clapping and largely dominating the sound with his heavy bass wallop. If you were to picture a classic rock frontman, you’d probably conjure up someone resembling Marc LaBelle, with his shades, hat and studded jacket. His voice is possibly an acquired taste, a little shrill in a way that never hurt Geddy Lee or Robert Plant, sharply cutting through the big riffing of ‘California Dreamin’ and ‘Dirty Mind’. ‘Don’t Put Out the Fire’ really grooves and precedes an extended guitar solo from John Notto. They might not be doing anything particularly new, but they are doing it particularly well.

It might only be Friday, but Maid of Stone has served up one of the strongest days I can remember. More of the same tomorrow please!