Stonedead Festival 2026

STONEDEAD FESTIVAL 2026

In the weeks build up to Stonedead 26, the festival organisers and volunteers preparing the event, had put up with plenty of rain. However on my arrival to the arena at 4:15pm on the Friday, it had held up well to the amount of rain that had fallen, with slight bogginess in the odd places. The sun was starting to surface in readiness of of Fridays warm up party.

Opening up the night was punk legends Anti Nowhere League. Personally I didn’t know how they would go down with the crowd. However many were singing along and there were several t shirts in the arena. ”So What” was the song that everyone knew, after it was covered by Metallica in the 90s.

Sleaze rockers, Kickin Valentina were on next, and had a great following, that were singing along to every word. A terrific sunset appeared over the showground during their set – something that hadn’t been seen in a week!

Kings of Thrash were the final band – featuring Dave Ellefson and Jeff Young – playing a nostalgic Megadeth set, and slipping in a cover of Iron Maidens – “Murders in the rue morgue”

The final hour of the night Planet Rock Radio played out plenty of crowd favorites for everyone to sing and dance along to. With the final song a tribute to the late Dolly Parton.

Saturday started with a glorious sunrise, with not a single cloud in the sky. The weather forecast was heavy rain for most of the day, but could clear up by mid afternoon. By 10am the clouds came in fast and the rain started.

Aethoria were first on stage, after earning their place as the opening act. The band make music to be played in arenas, blending the cinematic sweep of Evanescence with the huge hooks and muscle of Alterbridge to devastating effect, all topped off with the soaring vocals of Mecia–Jade Holden.

Asomvel were next up – known for their high fuelled hard rock n’ roll – getting the crowds vocals warmed up with their call and respond lyrics of “I was born to Rock N’ Roll”

Pennsylvanian rockers, Crobot – played a great set of their heavy stoner, funk groove, despite the heavy downpour causing technical issues – which included frying guitarist Chris Bishops pedalboard.

The Damn Truth from Canada captivated the audience with their 70s style clothing and sound, with frontwoman Lee-la Baums vocal power often compared to Janis Joplin.

Armoured Saint delivered a classic, high energy set with John Bush still producing his well known vocal range.

Battlebeast – New vocalist Marina La Torraca from Brazil had big footsteps to jump into, and produced the goods in her first show with the band, playing an impressive set.

Magnum – Bob Catley returns with a mainly new line up and a tribute to Tony Clarkin. Playing the career spanning classics such as “Days of no trust”, “Just like an arrow”, “On a storytellers night”, “Vigilante” and “Kingdom of madness” from their 50 years history.

Accept – playing songs from their 50 years span. Pyros, smoke machines and good old classic metal. Anthems such as “Restless and wild”, “Run if you can”, “Breaker” and “Fast as a shark”. They even has John Bush join them on stage for “Up to the limit”.  However during “Balls to the wall” – there was a power failure, but the crowd kept the song going with their participation until the power was restored.

Headliners – Europe played plenty of their classics from their career. “On broken wings”, “Rock the night”, “Carrie”, “ Open your heart” , “Superstitious”, “ Cherokee” and “The final countdown” whilst the rain seemed to get heavier and heavier!” This however didn’t dampen the spirit of the crowd who seemed to thouroughly enjoy yet another Stonedead Festival.