📍 Mote Park, Maidstone
📅 Sunday, 20 July 2025
⏰ Gates Open: 11:00
🕙 Curfew: 22:00
🌦 Forecast: 60% sunshine, 40% tears of joy (and maybe a cheeky drizzle)
You’ve braved the queues, dodged the wasps near the beer tent, and possibly lost one welly to the mud. But here we are: Sunday, the closing chapter of a mega weekend. And trust us – Maid of Stone isn’t going quietly. It’s going out with a flaming, riff-drenched bang 🤯🔥
🔥 INFERNO STAGE – MAINSTAGE SUNDAY SMASHERS
The last big singalong, the last sunset moment, the final circle pit to rip your legs off. Sunday’s Inferno line-up is a perfect blend of soul, shred, and everything in between.
🎤 Full Inferno Sunday Set Times:
⏰ 11:30 – L.A. Edwards
Easy-going, West Coast Americana to gently slap you awake after Saturday’s chaos. Think Tom Petty vibes with enough groove to get your festival boots moving.
⏰ 12:10 – Absolva
If Maiden, Saxon and a flaming amp had a baby – you’d get Absolva. Traditional British heavy metal done loud, proud, and blistering.
⏰ 12:40 – Queen Horizon
Soaring vocals, modern riffage, and hooks big enough to catch a whale. A future main stage staple.
⏰ 13:20 – Parker Barrow
A Southern rock freight train of harmonies, twang, and soul. One of the best new live bands on the circuit – proper lush!
⏰ 14:00 – The Heat Inc.
Post-punk fury meets classic rock swagger. An afternoon set that’ll have your hips shaking and your pint spilling.
⏰ TBA – Michael Schenker Group (Headliner)
Legend alert! Expect face-melting solos, UFO-era classics, and a masterclass in why the Flying V is the most dangerous weapon in rock. Schenker is closing Maid of Stone 2025 with a wall of sound. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
⚡ FIRESTARTER STAGE – THE HIDDEN GEMS & MOSH MAGIC
The Sunday Firestarter set times haven’t been fully released yet, but here’s what we do know:
🎸 It’ll run alongside Inferno until early evening
🎸 Acts include some of the UK’s finest unsigned & underground talent
🎸 Expect everything from blues rock to modern metal, maybe even a few wild cards
Just follow the sound of feedback and the smell of hotdogs – you’ll find it 🤘
🧘 VIP & ACOUSTIC ZONE – YOUR FINAL CHILL SESSION
If you’re lucky enough to have VIP access (or just managed to sneak in with a high-vis and confidence), Sunday offers one last chance to catch:
🎶 Beth Blade & The Beautiful Disasters – acoustic set
🎶 South of Salem – unplugged mayhem
🎶 Surprise guest appearances – often unannounced, always awesome
Pull up a hay bale, grab a cocktail, and vibe like the rock royalty you are.
📝 THE RIFF REPORT’S SUNDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE
✅ Bring snacks early – the best grub sells out fast
✅ Don’t skip the early bands – this is discovery day, and future headliners are warming up
✅ Hydrate – water, cider, or both (just don’t mix them in the same cup, ya maniac)
✅ Check the merch tent – last chance to grab something to make your Monday coworkers jealous
✅ Take photos – but not too many. Soak it in with your eyeballs, not your screen.
🛻 GETTING OUT ALIVE – TRAVEL REMINDERS
🚂 Train: Maidstone East is your best friend – but expect queues after the final act
🚘 Car: Don’t be that guy revving your Fiesta in a field for an hour. Leave with time and a good playlist
🚌 Shuttles: Run until late – but book in advance or risk the “walk of doom”
🎉 THE LAST MOSH – WHY SUNDAY IS ACTUALLY THE BEST DAY
Look, Friday was great. Saturday was chaos. But Sunday is the soul of the festival.
It’s when the crowd bonds for one last big push. It’s when your voice is half gone, your knees are bruised, and you’re still belting out lyrics like your life depends on it. It’s when Schenker lifts that V into the sky and we all collectively lose our damn minds.
It’s the final riff. The closing shout. The one last muddy beer-soaked anthem before real life comes knocking.
🖤 FINAL WORD FROM THE RIFF REPORT
Maid of Stone Festival 2025 has been louder than thunder, tastier than a 2AM cheesy chips, and sweeter than your first band tee. Sunday is the cherry on top of this riff-soaked sundae.
So scream loud, mosh harder, and leave it all in the pit.
See you down the front, butt – and don’t forget to tag us @theriffreportuk 🤘
