Think you can follow in the footsteps of Fallen Mafia, Samarkind, Dead Man’s Whisky, These Wicked Rivers, Collateral, The Hot One Two, and King Kraken? 👀
Well, here’s your chance, butt — Stonedead Festival is back for 2026, and they’re looking for the next big name to ignite a SOLD OUT crowd of 5,000 rock fans! 🥁🎤⚡
This isn’t just another pub gig. This is your one-way ticket to main stage madness — with all the lights, pyro, and noise you can dream of.
🏆 What’s Up for Grabs?
🔥 £600 fee – because you’re worth more than beer tokens.
🔥 Full catering & hospitality – feed the beast, mun.
🔥 Full lights & PA – the proper arena experience.
🔥 Multicam video of your set – perfect for showing off to labels and fans.
🔥 Worldwide publicity – via social media, rock press, and radio. 🌍🎙️
You’re not just opening a stage — you’re making a statement.
Every band that’s won this before has levelled up massively after tearing that stage apart.
⚡ How to Apply
Got the riffs, the roar, and the rock ’n’ roll attitude? Then don’t sleep on this.
👉 Apply now at: www.stonedeadfestival.co.uk/poll
🕕 Applications close Sunday 12th October at 18:00 BST.
🎤 Why You Shouldn’t Miss This
Let’s be real — chances like this don’t come around often. You’ll be playing to a full field of metal maniacs, shoulder to shoulder with some of the UK’s finest. It’s the ultimate launchpad for rising bands, and the vibe? Electric. 🔥
Imagine hearing your name shouted by thousands as you step on that stage.
Imagine the wall of sound when your first riff hits.
Imagine the chaos when the pit opens up — and it’s all for you.
💀 Whether you’re a road-hardened rock veteran or a hungry newcomer ready to tear it up, this is your shot at glory.
So grab your guitars, tighten those snare heads, and get your application in.
Let’s find out who’s going to wake the dead at Stonedead 2026! 🤘
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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