๐ธ FRIDAY โ 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 wasnโt just the warm-up โ it was a full-blown, pint-sloshing, pit-stomping declaration of war on silence.
๐ฅ 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. โNobodyโ had the entire field bouncing like it was Carnival in the pits.
๐ค Highlight: The Newport Helicopter made its return โ shirts off, spin โem high, you know the drill.
๐ด “C’MON BUTT!” echoed across the field. Tidy scenes.
โก MAIN SUPPORT: THE KRIS BARRAS BAND
Genre: Bluesy Hard Rock
A slick, no-nonsense performance packed with solos that made you pull that โguitar faceโ involuntarily. Kris Barras continues to prove why he’s one of the best guitar-slingers in the UK.
๐ฅ Standout track: โMy Paradeโ โ pure singalong glory with riff-heavy stomp.
๐ฅ WARM-UP RIFF RUMBLE:
๐ถ BLACK SPIDERS
Genre: Sleazy Rock ‘nโ Roll
Straight-up dirty riffs and stage swagger. โKiss Tried to Kill Meโ had the front rows losing their minds.
๐ถ๏ธ Energy level: Lemmy-on-espresso.
๐ถ THE HOT DAMN!
Genre: Glam Punk Pop Rock
Fluorescent outfits, high-octane hooks, and a stage presence bigger than the flames behind them.
๐ Rock meets riot in the best possible way.
๐ถ RAVENFACE
Genre: Metalcore / Groove Metal
One for the pit lovers โ chugging breakdowns, snarling vocals, and plenty of low-end rumble to get the dirt flying.
๐ ๏ธ NEW BLOOD STAGE โ FRESH MEAT, HEAVY RIFFS
Donโt sleep on the up-and-comers! Fridayโs side stage was absolutely cooking with new talent:
- NATIVE SONS โ American anthemic rock with a touch of classic ’80s polish.
- MATT MITCHELL & THE COLDHEARTS โ Lush vocals, big choruses, and riffs that belong in a stadium.
These bands didnโt just open the gates โ they kicked โem off the hinges.
๐บ 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.
๐ค FRIDAYโS VERDICT?
Friday at Maid of Stone wasn’t easing in โ 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 โ it was headline-worthy carnage in its own right.
Stay tuned for Saturdayโs line-up โ and let us know below:
Who blew your mind on Friday? Who melted your face? And who did you lose in the pit?! ๐ฅ๐ธ๐ฅด
#MaidOfStoneFriday #RiffReportLive #NewportHelicopter #BlisteringBeginnings #FestivalFirestarter
