š¤ Introduction
Some festivals are built around huge crowds.
Others are built around unforgettable experiences.
Call of the Wild Festival proudly belongs to the second category.
Since bursting onto the UK rock scene in 2022, Call of the Wild has quickly established itself as one of Britainās friendliest and most exciting boutique rock festivals. Combining melodic rock, hard rock, AOR, blues rock, sleaze, southern rock and rising British talent, it has become a must-visit weekend for fans looking for incredible music without the overwhelming scale of the countryās biggest events.
Held at the picturesque Lincolnshire Showground, the festival offers the perfect balance between world-class bands, welcoming community spirit and an atmosphere where everyone feels like part of the family.
With multiple stages, camping, VIP experiences and an unwavering commitment to supporting new music, Call of the Wild has proved that you donāt need a massive attendance to create legendary festival memories.
Itās a festival built by rock fans, for rock fans.
šø The Birth of Call of the Wild
Call of the Wild Festival was created with a simple but ambitious goal.
The organisers wanted to build a festival where classic rock fans, melodic rock lovers and newcomers to the scene could all come together in one welcoming environment.
Rather than chasing enormous headline acts at the expense of the rest of the line-up, they focused on creating a festival where every band mattered.
Their vision centred around several simple ideas:
- šø Great live music
- š¤ A welcoming rock community
- š Supporting emerging artists
- š¤ Multiple stages
- š Excellent food and facilities
- šļø Relaxed camping
- š· Affordable tickets
- ā¤ļø A festival where fans and musicians mix freely
The result was Call of the Wild Festival.
From the very beginning, it felt like more than just another rock festival.
It felt like a gathering of friends.
š³ Why Lincolnshire Showground?
The Lincolnshire Showground proved to be the ideal home.
Its spacious layout offers plenty of room for stages, camping, traders and entertainment while remaining easy to navigate.
Unlike some larger festivals where fans spend half the day walking between attractions, everything at Call of the Wild feels comfortably close together.
Whether youāre heading to watch your favourite band, grabbing food or exploring the merchandise village, youāre never far from the action.
That relaxed layout has become one of the festivalās defining strengths.
šŖ The Call of the Wild Experience
The festival offers far more than simply watching bands.
Visitors enjoy:
- šø Multiple stages
- š¤ Artist meet-and-greets
- šŗ Real ale and bars
- š Street food village
- šļø Rock and alternative traders
- š§ Acoustic performances
- šŖ Entertainment throughout the site
- š VIP experiences
- šļø Camping facilities
- āæ Accessible viewing and facilities
The atmosphere is often described as one of the friendliest anywhere on the UK festival circuit.
Itās the kind of event where strangers become friends before the weekend is over.
š 2022 ā A New Festival Takes Flight
The inaugural Call of the Wild Festival arrived with plenty of excitement and a clear ambition.
The organisers assembled a line-up featuring respected rock artists alongside exciting newcomers, immediately demonstrating the festivalās commitment to supporting every level of the rock scene.
Fans praised:
- Friendly organisers
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Great facilities
- Excellent sound
- Fantastic value
- Welcoming community
The festival had announced itself in style.
š„ 2023 ā Building Momentum
Returning for its second edition, Call of the Wild continued growing.
Attendance increased.
The line-up became even stronger.
More fans travelled from across Britain to experience one of the UKās fastest-growing boutique festivals.
Returning visitors brought new friends, helping to expand the festivalās loyal community.
The family atmosphere remained exactly as fans remembered.
ā” 2024 ā Becoming One of Britainās Hidden Gems
By its third edition, Call of the Wild had firmly established itself among Britainās best independent rock festivals.
International artists appeared alongside exciting British talent.
The organisers continued supporting:
- Classic rock
- Hard rock
- Melodic rock
- Blues rock
- Southern rock
- Glam rock
- Modern British rock
The festivalās multiple stages ensured there was always something happening, while still allowing fans to enjoy the entire site without feeling rushed.
šø 2025 ā Bigger Than Ever
The 2025 edition showcased another ambitious programme of legendary performers and rising stars.
Every generation of rock fan found something to enjoy.
The festival continued expanding its reputation without losing the intimate atmosphere that made people fall in love with it in the first place.
Many visitors described it as one of the UKās most underrated festivals.
š¤ 2026 ā Continuing the Journey
By 2026, Call of the Wild had become a firm favourite on the British rock calendar.
The festival once again welcomed an impressive mixture of established artists, international guests and exciting emerging bands.
The organisers stayed true to their original vision:
Keep the atmosphere friendly.
Support new music.
Celebrate great rock ānā roll.
The result was another unforgettable weekend.
š¤ Multiple Stages ā Rock Around Every Corner
Call of the Wildās stage layout ensures thereās always music to enjoy.
Main Stage
Home to the biggest headline performances and legendary rock acts.
Second Stage
Dedicated to showcasing exciting new artists and underground favourites.
Acoustic Stage
Offering stripped-back performances, intimate sets and unique moments between artists and fans.
Many visitors discover their favourite band of the weekend away from the main stage.
š Supporting New Music
Supporting emerging artists has always been central to Call of the Wildās identity.
The festival provides valuable opportunities for up-and-coming bands to perform in front of enthusiastic audiences.
Many artists who first appeared in early afternoon slots have gone on to achieve much wider recognition.
Championing the future of British rock isnāt an afterthought.
Itās part of the festivalās DNA.
šŗ Food, Drink and Entertainment
Away from the music, fans can enjoy:
- Craft beers
- Real ales
- Street food
- Coffee vendors
- Merchandise stalls
- Artist signings
- Acoustic sessions
- Rock market
- Independent retailers
Everything contributes to the relaxed, community-driven atmosphere that defines the festival.
āæ Accessibility
Accessibility has remained an important focus.
Features include:
- Accessible viewing areas
- Accessible toilets
- Step-free access
- Carer ticket options
- Helpful festival staff
- Easy navigation across the site
The organisers continue working to ensure every rock fan can enjoy the weekend.
ā¤ļø Why Fans Love Call of the Wild
Visitors regularly praise:
- Friendly atmosphere
- Fantastic organisation
- Brilliant line-ups
- Easy-to-navigate site
- Great food and drink
- Supporting new bands
- Meeting artists
- Discovering new music
- Feeling like part of the festival family
Many first-time visitors quickly become regular attendees.
š Greatest Call of the Wild Moments
Highlights include:
- Launching one of Britainās newest independent rock festivals
- Building a loyal community of returning fans
- Supporting countless emerging artists
- Welcoming respected international performers
- Creating one of the UKās friendliest boutique festival experiences
Although still a relatively young festival, Call of the Wild has already created memories that fans treasure long after the final encore.
š® The Future of Call of the Wild
The future looks incredibly exciting.
With growing attendance, increasingly ambitious line-ups and a passionate community of loyal supporters, Call of the Wild continues establishing itself as one of Britainās premier boutique rock festivals.
The organisers remain committed to balancing legendary performers with tomorrowās stars while preserving the relaxed atmosphere that makes the festival so special.
As long as rock fans continue searching for a festival where great music and great people come first, Call of the Wild has a bright future ahead.
ā The Riff Report Verdict
Call of the Wild may still be one of Britainās youngest rock festivals, but itās already earned a place in the hearts of thousands of fans.
It proves that you donāt need enormous crowds to create unforgettable weekends.
The bands are approachable.
The organisers genuinely care.
The fans feel like family.
And every summer, Lincolnshire Showground transforms into one of the happiest places a rock fan can be.
Whether youāre watching a legendary headliner, discovering your next favourite band on a smaller stage or simply sharing a drink with fellow rock fans under the summer sky, Call of the Wild reminds us what festivals are really about.
Great music.
Great people.
Great atmosphere.
Wild enough to be unforgettable.
Friendly enough to feel like home.
Thatās Call of the Wild Festival. š¤ šø
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 specialāfrom 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 heās 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, heās 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 heās not writing or interviewing artists, youāll 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 musicātheyāre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatās exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. š¤
