Uriah Heep - Maid of Stone Festival, Maidstone July 19th 2026

One of the true signs of a great band is versatility, and the ability to venture into different pastures. Uriah Heep exemplify that approach, moving from Prog leanings, to Psychedelic, to Metal. Along the way, having the talent to dip in and out of each along the way. It's one thing to do that, though it's another to do it so successfully and convincingly.  Heep are one of a relative handful to have pulled it off, and even more impressively, to have done it for so long. Starting at the very end of the 1960's, going into 1970, they've weathered every musical kaleidoscope of fortune, and come through bathed in glory.  This evening, they have the tough task of attempting to appraisee that long career into 90 minutes, and in a festival setting. 

Maid of Stone Festival is a refreshing experience, a far cry from the grinding nature of other events of this ilk, where we all walk off afterwards with our wallets emptied, and our teeth gnashing in displeasure.  It's a great setting for UH, and they hit us with two recent offerings, "Grazed By Heaven" (from "Living The Dream"), and "Save Me Tonight" (from "Chaos And Colour"). This year is the 40th Anniversary of the arrival of Bernie Shaw (Lead Vocals), and Phil Lanzon (Keyboards and Vocals). You'd have to go a long way to over-enthuse regarding the impact and importance of their arrivals into UH. Bernie has an exceptionally powerful and adaptable voice, and also has had to cover all eras of Heep. He's done so with a masterful ease. Phil, with his musical input and arranging skills too, is so important.  "Hurricane" also shows how Heep are moving onwards, having followed "Shadows Of Grief" and "Stealin'".   

Founder member Mick Box wields an acoustic guitar, so it's time for the classic "The Wizard", one of many songs that give you a massive taste of 1970's Heep. The harmonies, the heaviness, the diminuendos, all perfectly pieced together. That theme continues with "Sweet Lorraine" and "The Magician's Birthday". The first of those two with glorious psychedelic overtures, the latter with an almost classical-meets-prog approach in structure. The rhythm section of Russell Gilbrook and Davey Rimmer interlocks fluidly, yet with great impact. The pair were inspired choices. Different to their predecessors, though dovetailing within the sound tremendously. 

"Gypsy" jettisons us to the start of Heep's career, boasting one of the heaviest riffs from that era. This song segues into "July Morning", an edificial masterpiece of a song from 1971's "Look At Yourself".  It originally served as one of many showcases for the wonderful voice of David Byron, and is also one of a raft of shining lights from the songwriting pen of Ken Hensley (on this song, with David, too)  The main show wraps up with the singalongaheep of "Lady In Black", a whopping hit for them in Europe. 


The first encore is the emotive "Sunrise", going right into "Easy Livin'" to send us all packing on a definite high.  Let's tip our hats to Mick Box. Founder member, Lead Guitar, songwriter, vocals, and the man that's seen it all with Uriah Heep.  And to Heep themselves, as one of the founders of Heavy Rock. One of our own, still doing it, still producing preeminent new material, and scintillating live workouts. "Very 'Eavy...Very 'Umble...Very loved."

Phone photos by Matt Wisdom