🎸 FRIDAY – OPENING THE GATES OF RIFF HEAVEN
The sun dipped, the flames rose, and the weekend kicked off with a bang louder than a cannonball at a Sabaton gig. Friday at Maid of Stone wasn’t just the warm-up — it was a full-blown, pint-sloshing, pit-stomping declaration of war on silence.
💥 HEADLINER: SKINDRED
Genre: Ragga Metal / Nu-Metal / Welsh Firestorm
When Benji Webbe hits the stage, you know carnage is incoming. Skindred whipped the crowd into a frenzy with their trademark mash-up of reggae beats, crunchy riffs, and mosh-worthy madness. “Nobody” had the entire field bouncing like it was Carnival in the pits.
🎤 Highlight: The Newport Helicopter made its return — shirts off, spin ‘em high, you know the drill.
🏴 “C’MON BUTT!” echoed across the field. Tidy scenes.
⚡ MAIN SUPPORT: THE KRIS BARRAS BAND
Genre: Bluesy Hard Rock
A slick, no-nonsense performance packed with solos that made you pull that “guitar face” involuntarily. Kris Barras continues to prove why he’s one of the best guitar-slingers in the UK.
🔥 Standout track: “My Parade” – pure singalong glory with riff-heavy stomp.
🔥 WARM-UP RIFF RUMBLE:
🎶 BLACK SPIDERS
Genre: Sleazy Rock ‘n’ Roll
Straight-up dirty riffs and stage swagger. “Kiss Tried to Kill Me” had the front rows losing their minds.
🕶️ Energy level: Lemmy-on-espresso.
🎶 THE HOT DAMN!
Genre: Glam Punk Pop Rock
Fluorescent outfits, high-octane hooks, and a stage presence bigger than the flames behind them.
💄 Rock meets riot in the best possible way.
🎶 RAVENFACE
Genre: Metalcore / Groove Metal
One for the pit lovers – chugging breakdowns, snarling vocals, and plenty of low-end rumble to get the dirt flying.
🛠️ NEW BLOOD STAGE – FRESH MEAT, HEAVY RIFFS
Don’t sleep on the up-and-comers! Friday’s side stage was absolutely cooking with new talent:
- NATIVE SONS – American anthemic rock with a touch of classic ’80s polish.
- MATT MITCHELL & THE COLDHEARTS – Lush vocals, big choruses, and riffs that belong in a stadium.
These bands didn’t just open the gates — they kicked ‘em off the hinges.
🍺 FRIDAY VIBES SUMMARY:
- Pints necked: Far too many Hawkstones.
- T-shirts lost to the pit: At least 63.
- Voices gone: 100% by 9pm.
- Soundcheck decibels: Could be heard in France.
- Security staff: Heroes in high-vis.
🎤 FRIDAY’S VERDICT?
Friday at Maid of Stone wasn’t easing in — it was diving headfirst into a burning wall of sound. Skindred delivered the chaos, the undercard delivered the muscle, and the fans brought the thunder. This was no support act of a day — it was headline-worthy carnage in its own right.
Stay tuned for Saturday’s line-up — and let us know below:
Who blew your mind on Friday? Who melted your face? And who did you lose in the pit?! 🔥🎸🥴
#MaidOfStoneFriday #RiffReportLive #NewportHelicopter #BlisteringBeginnings #FestivalFirestarter
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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