There are festival-goers…
There are headbangers…
And then there are the absolute legends who help make the whole thing happen.
With just three weeks to go until the first volunteers arrive on-site to begin building Stonedead Festival 2026, organisers have issued a fresh rallying cry for rock and metal fans to join the famous Stonedead Barmy Army.
A number of volunteers have sadly had to step away due to personal circumstances, leaving some exciting opportunities for new recruits to become part of one of the UK’s friendliest independent festival teams.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes before the bands hit the stage and the first riffs echo across the field, this could be your chance to experience festival life from a completely different perspective.
🎪 More Than Just a Volunteer Role
Volunteering at Stonedead isn’t just about lending a hand.
It’s about becoming part of a close-knit community that works together to build something special.
Before thousands of rock fans descend on Newark for one unforgettable August Bank Holiday weekend, an army of dedicated volunteers is already hard at work helping transform an empty field into one of Britain’s favourite independent rock festivals.
Whether you’re helping with the site build, supporting festival operations or assisting attendees throughout the weekend, every volunteer becomes an essential part of the festival family.
Without them, festivals simply couldn’t happen.
🤘 Why Join the Barmy Army?
According to the organisers, volunteering offers far more than just a backstage look at festival life.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
✅ Learn valuable new skills
✅ Meet passionate rock and metal fans from across the UK
✅ Make lifelong friendships
✅ Experience the festival from a unique behind-the-scenes perspective
✅ Help create unforgettable memories for thousands of music lovers
✅ Be part of one of Britain’s most welcoming festival communities
For many volunteers, one year is never enough.
It’s not uncommon for people to join the Barmy Army once and keep coming back year after year, becoming a familiar face within the Stonedead family.
🎸 A Festival Built on Community
One of the reasons Stonedead has become such a beloved event on the UK rock calendar is its incredible sense of community.
From the organisers and volunteers to the bands and fans, everyone pulls together to create an atmosphere that’s welcoming, friendly and packed with rock ‘n’ roll spirit.
It’s a festival where strangers become mates, campsites become neighbourhoods, and memories last long after the final encore.
The volunteers are a huge part of that magic.
🔥 Is This Your Year?
If you’ve ever fancied seeing what life is like on the other side of the barrier, now could be the perfect time.
Whether you’re looking to gain experience, meet new people or simply give something back to the rock community, joining the Barmy Army could be one of the most rewarding festival experiences you’ll ever have.
The organisers are encouraging anyone interested to head over to the volunteer section of the Stonedead Festival website and complete the registration form before positions are filled.
🎤 The Riff Report’s Take
Independent festivals survive because of passionate people.
The volunteers are the ones directing traffic before the gates open, helping fans find their way, solving problems, keeping everything running smoothly and making sure everyone has the best weekend possible.
They’re often the first faces you see when you arrive and the last ones still smiling after the final band leaves the stage.
So if you’ve ever wanted to become part of something bigger than simply attending a festival, this is your chance.
Who knows? This year you could be helping build the stages, making new lifelong mates and creating memories that last forever.
See you in Newark, butt… whether you’re rocking a festival wristband or proudly wearing a Barmy Army lanyard! 🤘
🤘 Fancy Joining the Team?
Volunteer spaces are still available, but with the festival fast approaching, they won’t stay open forever.
Head to the Stonedead Festival volunteer page, complete the registration form and see if you’ve got what it takes to become part of the legendary Stonedead Barmy Army.
Good luck… and we’ll see you in the pit! 🔥
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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