Stonedead Festival

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🤘 Join the Stonedead Barmy Army! Stonedead Festival 2026 Is Calling for More Volunteers 🔥

There are festival-goers…

There are headbangers…

And then there are the absolute legends who help make the whole thing happen.

With just three weeks to go until the first volunteers arrive on-site to begin building Stonedead Festival 2026, organisers have issued a fresh rallying cry for rock and metal fans to join the famous Stonedead Barmy Army.

A number of volunteers have sadly had to step away due to personal circumstances, leaving some exciting opportunities for new recruits to become part of one of the UK’s friendliest independent festival teams.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes before the bands hit the stage and the first riffs echo across the field, this could be your chance to experience festival life from a completely different perspective.

🎪 More Than Just a Volunteer Role

Volunteering at Stonedead isn’t just about lending a hand.

It’s about becoming part of a close-knit community that works together to build something special.

Before thousands of rock fans descend on Newark for one unforgettable August Bank Holiday weekend, an army of dedicated volunteers is already hard at work helping transform an empty field into one of Britain’s favourite independent rock festivals.

Whether you’re helping with the site build, supporting festival operations or assisting attendees throughout the weekend, every volunteer becomes an essential part of the festival family.

Without them, festivals simply couldn’t happen.

🤘 Why Join the Barmy Army?

According to the organisers, volunteering offers far more than just a backstage look at festival life.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

✅ Learn valuable new skills

✅ Meet passionate rock and metal fans from across the UK

✅ Make lifelong friendships

✅ Experience the festival from a unique behind-the-scenes perspective

✅ Help create unforgettable memories for thousands of music lovers

✅ Be part of one of Britain’s most welcoming festival communities

For many volunteers, one year is never enough.

It’s not uncommon for people to join the Barmy Army once and keep coming back year after year, becoming a familiar face within the Stonedead family.

🎸 A Festival Built on Community

One of the reasons Stonedead has become such a beloved event on the UK rock calendar is its incredible sense of community.

From the organisers and volunteers to the bands and fans, everyone pulls together to create an atmosphere that’s welcoming, friendly and packed with rock ‘n’ roll spirit.

It’s a festival where strangers become mates, campsites become neighbourhoods, and memories last long after the final encore.

The volunteers are a huge part of that magic.

🔥 Is This Your Year?

If you’ve ever fancied seeing what life is like on the other side of the barrier, now could be the perfect time.

Whether you’re looking to gain experience, meet new people or simply give something back to the rock community, joining the Barmy Army could be one of the most rewarding festival experiences you’ll ever have.

The organisers are encouraging anyone interested to head over to the volunteer section of the Stonedead Festival website and complete the registration form before positions are filled.

🎤 The Riff Report’s Take

Independent festivals survive because of passionate people.

The volunteers are the ones directing traffic before the gates open, helping fans find their way, solving problems, keeping everything running smoothly and making sure everyone has the best weekend possible.

They’re often the first faces you see when you arrive and the last ones still smiling after the final band leaves the stage.

So if you’ve ever wanted to become part of something bigger than simply attending a festival, this is your chance.

Who knows? This year you could be helping build the stages, making new lifelong mates and creating memories that last forever.

See you in Newark, butt… whether you’re rocking a festival wristband or proudly wearing a Barmy Army lanyard! 🤘

🤘 Fancy Joining the Team?

Volunteer spaces are still available, but with the festival fast approaching, they won’t stay open forever.

Head to the Stonedead Festival volunteer page, complete the registration form and see if you’ve got what it takes to become part of the legendary Stonedead Barmy Army.

Good luck… and we’ll see you in the pit! 🔥

🤘🔥 Stonedead Festival 2026 Merch Has Landed — And It’s Absolute Wallet-Destroying Rock ’N’ Roll Glory! 🛒🎸

Right then, Stonedead faithful — hide the bank card, distract the other half and prepare to make some very irresponsible but completely justified festival purchases, because the official Stonedead Festival 2026 pre-order and collect merchandise range has arrived. 😈💳

And fair play, mun… they haven’t just dropped a couple of shirts and called it a day.

This is a full-blown rock wardrobe invasion featuring event T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, long sleeves, kids’ gear, patches, pint pots, magnets, programme bundles and — because every proper rock festival apparently needs one — a Stonedead teddy bear wearing its own tiny festival shirt.

That bear is more festival-ready than half the campsite before breakfast. 🧸🤘

🎸 One Day, One Stage, One Monster Merch Collection

Stonedead has built its reputation around a brilliantly simple formula:

One day. One stage. One monster rock show.

The official merchandise follows the same attitude — bold, loud and proudly dedicated to the festival’s community.

Whether you want something colourful for the arena, a black event shirt for everyday gig duty or a proper commemorative “I Was At” design, the 2026 collection has plenty to choose from.

A number of the designs are marked as pre-order only, so anyone hoping to secure a particular colour, size or style would be wise not to leave it until the last minute.

Festival merch tables can become more chaotic than the queue for the toilets after six pints, butt. 🍺😅

🌈 Colourful 2026 Event Shirts

The standard 2026 event artwork is available across a surprisingly colourful range, including:

  • Red
  • Blue
  • Pink
  • White
  • Black

The red, blue, pink and white event T-shirts and ladies’ V-neck shirts are priced at £25, with the colourful versions listed as pre-order only.

These feature the bold Stonedead festival artwork on the front, giving fans something a little different from the usual black-on-black rock uniform.

Nothing wrong with the black wardrobe, obviously. Half of us would look suspicious in daylight wearing anything else. But a bright red or blue Stonedead shirt could certainly make you easier to find when your mates disappear in search of chips. 🍟

🖤 Classic Black Event Merchandise

For those who firmly believe that rock clothing should be black enough to absorb nearby sunlight, the official black event range has you covered.

The black event T-shirt and ladies’ V-neck are priced at £25, featuring the festival artwork on the front and the 2026 line-up design on the reverse.

There is also a black event tank top priced at £25, perfect for anyone determined to show off the festival tattoos, questionable tan lines or arms built entirely through carrying crates across campsites. 💪🍺

🧥 Hoodies for the Great British Festival Weather

Ah yes, the festival hoodie — one of the most important pieces of survival equipment known to British rock fans.

You may arrive under blazing sunshine, but give it twenty minutes and you’ll be battling wind, drizzle and a weather forecast that appears to have been written by Black Sabbath.

The official black event hoodie is priced at £45 and includes sleeve detailing alongside the event artwork.

There is also an “I Was At” hoodie, priced at £45, featuring a smaller front design and the full commemorative event print across the back.

Both are ideal for festival evenings, chilly journeys home and casually reminding everyone in Greggs that you attended Stonedead 2026. 🥟🤘

🔥 Long Sleeves, Tanks and Repping Stonedead

The collection also includes a black event long-sleeve shirt priced at £30.

This one is listed as pre-order only and features additional sleeve branding, making it a tidy choice for fans who want something between a standard T-shirt and a full hoodie.

The Repping Stonedead range includes both a tank top and a T-shirt, each priced at £25.

These designs feature striking festival artwork on the front, with additional Stonedead branding across the back. They’re ideal for fans who want to represent the festival all year round — at gigs, in the pub, at work or while explaining to relatives why your entire wardrobe contains skulls and tour dates.

🤘 “I Was At Stonedead 2026” Range

There is something special about a proper commemorative festival shirt.

It isn’t just clothing — it’s proof.

Proof that you were there when the riffs landed, the crowd roared and everyone temporarily forgot the state of their knees.

The “I Was At” T-shirt is priced at £25, while the matching tank top is also £25.

There is also a ladies’ V-neck version priced at £25, giving fans several different options for wearing that 2026 attendance badge with pride.

Years from now, these will be the shirts dragged out of wardrobes while somebody says:

“I remember that day! I lost my voice, my sunglasses and possibly one of my mates.”

Classic festival behaviour. 😂🎸

💥 The Sold Out Design

One of the most eye-catching shirts in the collection celebrates the festival’s sold-out status.

Priced at £25, the design combines the official event artwork with a huge SOLD OUT statement on the back.

That one is more than a festival shirt — it’s a wearable victory lap.

Independent festivals surviving, thriving and selling out is always something worth shouting about, especially when they continue giving rock fans a proper day of live music without losing that close-knit community atmosphere.

👦 Young Rockers Get Their Own Shirt

The next generation of Stonedead fans hasn’t been forgotten either.

The official kids’ T-shirt is priced at £25 and features colourful cartoon-style artwork, with “I WANNA ROCK!” printed across the back.

Absolutely correct.

Teach them young, raise them loud and make sure they understand the sacred festival rules:

Respect the bands, respect the crowd and never stand directly behind somebody wearing a giant cowboy hat. 🤠

🧸 Yes, There’s a Stonedead Teddy Bear

Arguably the unexpected star of the entire collection is the official Stonedead teddy bear, complete with its own event T-shirt.

Priced at £25, this fluffy little rocker looks ready to spend the day watching Europe and Accept before demanding to be carried back to the car.

It’s ridiculous.

It’s adorable.

We absolutely understand why people will buy one. 🧸🔥

🧷 Patches for the Battle Jacket

No rock merch range is complete without something for the battle-jacket brigade.

The 2026 collection includes two patch options:

  • 2026 circular patch — £5
  • 2026 biker patch — £5

Perfect for denim jackets, bags, festival blankets or any item that needs an immediate injection of riff-based credibility.

The biker patch features the angular Stonedead 2026 branding, while the circular patch includes the main event artwork.

At £5 each, they’re among the easiest souvenirs to add to the festival haul without immediately triggering a concerned text from the bank. 😅

🍺 Official Stonedead Pint Pots

The official 2026 pint pots are priced at £2.50 each and feature several different designs from the merchandise collection.

These are exactly the sort of souvenir that ends up becoming a treasured part of the kitchen cupboard.

You’ll buy one for the festival.

Then another because you like the design.

Then another because someone has walked off with the first one.

By the end of the night, you’re carrying four cups and wondering whether any of them actually contain your drink. Standard. 🍺

📖 Programme Bundle

For the collectors, the official programme bundle is priced at £15 and includes:

  • Festival programme
  • Poster
  • Laminate
  • Sticker

This is a cracking little package for anyone who enjoys keeping physical memories from festivals.

Shirts eventually fade, hoodies get stolen by family members and pint pots mysteriously vanish, but a programme and laminate can sit proudly in the collection for years.

It’s also ideal for anyone who likes collecting line-up posters and looking back later at just how stacked a festival bill really was.

🧲 Stick It on the Fridge

The official Stonedead 2026 magnet is available for £3.

It features the main event artwork and is perfect for holding up important documents, takeaway menus or a handwritten reminder that says:

“Do not spend any more money on festival merch.”

A reminder that will clearly be ignored the moment another shirt appears. 😈

💷 Stonedead Festival 2026 Merch Prices

Here’s the main price breakdown:

MerchandisePrice
Event T-shirts and ladies’ V-necks£25
Black event T-shirt and ladies’ V-neck£25
Event tank tops£25
Black event hoodie£45
Black event long-sleeve shirt£30
Kids’ T-shirt£25
“I Was At” hoodie£45
Repping tank top£25
Repping T-shirt£25
“I Was At” T-shirt£25
“I Was At” tank top£25
“I Was At” ladies’ V-neck£25
Sold Out T-shirt£25
Teddy bear with event T-shirt£25
Circular patch£5
Biker patch£5
Programme bundle£15
Pint pot£2.50
Magnet£3

🛒 Pre-Order, Collect and Avoid the Scramble

The pre-order and collect system is a proper sensible move.

Festival merchandise can disappear quickly, especially popular shirt sizes, colourful designs and exclusive items. Pre-ordering gives fans a better chance of securing exactly what they want before travelling to the event.

It also means less time staring helplessly at the merchandise board while somebody behind you tries to decide between six different shirts.

Get it ordered, collect it at the festival and get back to the important business of watching monster riffs flatten Newark Showground. 🤘

🖤 More Than Just Festival Clothing

Official merchandise plays a massive role in supporting independent festivals.

Buying a shirt, hoodie, programme or patch isn’t only about taking home a souvenir. It helps support the people working behind the scenes to build the stages, organise the event and keep the whole rock ’n’ roll machine moving.

It also keeps the festival visible long after the final band leaves the stage.

Every time somebody wears a Stonedead shirt to another gig, pub or festival, they’re spreading the word and helping grow that community.

That’s the beautiful thing about rock merch — it becomes a conversation starter, a memory trigger and occasionally something clean enough to wear when every other shirt is still covered in festival dust.

🎸 The Riff Report Verdict

The Stonedead Festival 2026 merchandise collection is a monster range worthy of the event itself.

There are classic black designs, colourful pre-order exclusives, commemorative “I Was At” items, practical hoodies, battle-jacket patches and plenty of affordable souvenirs.

And yes, there is a teddy bear.

The teddy bear may now be in charge. 🧸👑

With several products available through pre-order only, fans hoping to secure their favourite designs should probably move quickly rather than relying on luck at the festival.

So, what’s making it into your Stonedead haul?

The event hoodie? The Sold Out shirt? A biker patch for the battle jacket? Or are you walking away with a teddy bear under one arm and six pint pots under the other?

Whatever you choose, one thing is certain:

Stonedead 2026 is going to be proudly loud, gloriously heavy and dressed to impress. 🔥🤘

Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Zero Apologies.

🤘 Stonedead & Steelhouse: A Friendship Built on Riffs, Mountains and the Best Fans in Rock ❤️🏔️

There are plenty of festivals across the UK, each with its own identity, atmosphere and loyal following. But every now and then you witness something that reminds you what the rock and metal community is really about.

Walking around Steelhouse Festival 2026, one thing became crystal clear – the Stonedead family had arrived in force once again.

Everywhere you looked there were familiar Stonedead t-shirts, battle jackets covered in patches, smiling faces catching up with old friends and fans proudly making the journey from one fantastic festival to another. It wasn’t about choosing sides. It wasn’t about which festival is “better”. It was about supporting live music and celebrating the incredible community we’ve all built together.

🤘 One Community, Two Amazing Festivals

Steelhouse Festival, perched high on the stunning Welsh mountain, has always had a unique atmosphere. The views are breathtaking, the music is loud and the fans are among the friendliest you’ll ever meet.

Stonedead Festival brings exactly the same sense of belonging.

The crossover between both festivals has become something really special. Many fans refuse to miss either event, travelling hundreds of miles each summer just to spend another weekend surrounded by great music and even better people.

It’s become a tradition.

❤️ More Than Just Festivals

Looking at the crowd gathered together, you don’t just see festival-goers.

You see friendships that have been built over years.

You see people who only meet a handful of times every summer but pick up exactly where they left off.

You see strangers becoming lifelong mates over a shared love of rock ‘n’ roll.

That’s something incredibly special.

In a world where so much feels divided, the UK rock scene continues to prove that music brings people together like nothing else.

🏔️ Up the Mountain We Go

Making the journey up the mountain to Steelhouse isn’t always the easiest trip.

There are winding roads, steep climbs, plenty of camping gear to haul and usually at least one Welsh weather forecast trying to keep everyone guessing.

Yet year after year, thousands of fans make that pilgrimage because they know what’s waiting at the top.

Great bands.

Great beer.

Great laughs.

And one of the friendliest festival crowds you’ll find anywhere.

🎸 Thank You from The Riff Report

As we wandered around Steelhouse, it was genuinely brilliant to see so many familiar Stonedead faces enjoying everything the weekend had to offer.

That kind of support means everything.

Supporting multiple festivals keeps our scene healthy, helps promoters continue booking incredible bands and ensures independent festivals can thrive for years to come.

So, from everyone here at The Riff Report, thank you.

Thank you for travelling.

Thank you for supporting live music.

Thank you for proving once again that rock fans are the best fans in the world.

Whether your festival wristband says Steelhouse, Stonedead, Download, Bloodstock, Firevolt, or any other rock gathering, you’re all part of one huge family.

Long may it continue.

See you down the front… or halfway up a Welsh mountain with a pint in hand! 🍻🤘

Have you made the trip from Stonedead to Steelhouse this year? We’d love to hear your favourite memories from both festivals. Drop us a comment and keep supporting independent rock festivals wherever your next adventure takes you! 🤘🔥

🍺 STONEDEAD FESTIVAL ISSUES IMPORTANT DRINKS RULES – HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN BRING INTO THE SHOWGROUND! 🤘🔥

Festival season is officially in full swing, the tents are being unpacked, the battle jackets are being dusted off, and thousands of rock fans are preparing to descend on Stonedead Festival for another weekend of riffs, beers and absolute chaos. 🎸🍻

But before you start loading the car with enough alcohol to sink a pirate ship, the Stonedead team have released some important guidance about exactly what festival-goers can bring into the showground.

And trust us, you’ll want to know this before you arrive at the gates, butt!

🍺 What Alcohol Can You Bring Into Stonedead?

Good news for thirsty rock fans – Stonedead continues to allow attendees to bring a limited amount of their own drinks into the arena.

Each person is allowed to bring ONE of the following per day:

Option 1

🍺 Four cans of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits

  • Maximum 500ml per can

Option 2

🥤 Four cans or plastic bottles of soft drinks

  • Maximum 500ml each

Option 3

🍷 One bottle of wine or pre-mixed spirits

  • Maximum 750ml

Not bad at all compared to some festivals where security look at a can of lager like you’ve just tried to smuggle a nuclear weapon through the gates.

💧 Water Is Also Allowed

In addition to the drinks allowance above, every festival-goer may bring:

✅ 1.5 litres of water in a sealed bottle

With temperatures often soaring during festival season, staying hydrated is every bit as important as deciding which band you’re going to lose your voice singing along to later that night.

The festival has also confirmed that drinking water will be available throughout both the campsite and the arena.

🚫 NO GLASS. NONE. ZERO. NADA.

Let’s make this crystal clear.

ABSOLUTELY NO GLASS IS PERMITTED

That means:

❌ Glass beer bottles

❌ Glass wine bottles

❌ Glass spirit bottles

❌ Anything made of glass

If it shatters when dropped, leave it at home.

Nobody wants to spend a weekend dodging broken glass while trying to get to the front barrier for their favourite band.

🎟️ The Drinks Voucher System Explained

Here’s the part that some people might miss.

When you arrive at either the Camping Office or Day Ticket Office, you’ll receive a voucher along with your wristband.

If you’re bringing alcoholic drinks into the showground, you’ll need to hand over that voucher when entering the gates.

Once the voucher has been used, that’s your allowance accounted for.

Important:

If you leave the arena and later return with another stash of drinks, you won’t be able to bring them in.

The voucher system is designed to ensure everybody sticks to the daily limits.

Festival organisers have confirmed that vouchers will be issued for both Friday evening and Saturday entries.

🤝 Why These Rules Matter

One thing that makes Stonedead stand out from many larger festivals is the fact that they still allow fans to bring their own alcohol into the showground.

That’s becoming increasingly rare in the festival world.

The organisers have explained that this arrangement helps maintain a positive relationship with the venue while keeping costs as low as possible for attendees.

In short:

🍺 Fans save money

🎸 The festival stays affordable

🤘 Everyone wins

It’s a proper rock ‘n’ roll compromise.

🍻 The Riff Report Verdict

Fair play to the Stonedead team.

Allowing fans to bring a sensible amount of their own drinks into the arena is something many festivals abandoned years ago, so it’s refreshing to see a festival still looking after its community.

The rules are straightforward.

Bring your allocated drinks.

Use your voucher.

Leave the glass at home.

Don’t try turning up with enough cider to supply the whole campsite.

Simple.

Now all that’s left to worry about is deciding which bands you’re seeing, where you’re grabbing your first pint, and whether your mates have remembered to bring the tent poles this year.

Because let’s be honest…

Every festival has at least one person who forgets them. 😆🏕️

See you at the bar, Stonedeaders! 🍻🤘🔥

What are you bringing as your festival drink of choice this year? Let us know on The Riff Report socials!

🔥 STONEDEAD FESTIVAL 2026 – SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT JUST DROPPED! 🔥

By The Riff Report 🤘

Well butt, Stonedead Festival has only just packed away the amps from 2025 and already the 2026 edition is shaping up to be a MONSTER. With the festival already sold out (yep, gone quicker than a pint on a hot day in Newark 🍺), the crew have unleashed their second wave of band announcements — and tidy one it is too!

⚡ ACCEPT – VERY SPECIAL GUESTS

That’s right — German metal icons Accept are joining the 2026 Stonedead lineup as Very Special Guests! 🤘🇩🇪

Formed way back in 1976 in Solingen, West Germany, these titans of Teutonic metal are celebrating their 50th anniversary in style. With 17 studio albums, 5 live records, and more metal anthems than you can shake a Flying V at, they’re gearing up for a career-spanning set that’ll melt faces as the sun dips over Newark Showground.

Expect a thunderous trip through classics like Balls to the Wall, Fast as a Shark, and Restless and Wild — alongside newer bangers that prove Accept are still firing harder than ever. This isn’t just nostalgia, mun — this is a full-blown heavy metal celebration five decades in the making. 🎉

🦁 BATTLE BEAST – FINNISH POWER METAL FURY

Next up, prepare your necks for some serious headbanging — because Battle Beast are coming to unleash chaos in the early evening slot! 🇫🇮⚔️

Formed in 2008 in Helsinki, this powerhouse sextet has been conquering Europe one riff at a time. Their debut Steel (2011) broke into the Finnish Top 10 and kicked off a hot streak of six charting albums, every single one landing in Finland’s Top 10 — proper job, that.

With their seventh album “Steelbound” about to drop, Battle Beast are storming into Stonedead ready to slay. Expect arena-sized choruses, face-melting solos, and frontwoman Noora Louhimo commanding the stage like a Viking queen. This is power metal turned up to eleven. 💥

⚔️ ARMORED SAINT – CLASSIC HEAVY METAL HEROES

And for that prime mid-afternoon slot — a real treat for the old-school heads! Armored Saint are rolling in from Los Angeles to bring some proper heavy metal history to the fields of Newark. 🇺🇸🔥

Since bursting out of the LA scene in the early ‘80s, these lads have been grinding away with the spirit of the saints — dropping their debut March of the Saint in 1984 and gaining MTV airtime faster than you could say “spandex and solos.”

Though tragedy and line-up changes hit hard, John Bush and Joey Vera resurrected the band in 1999, and they’ve since released six more albums, most recently in 2020. Expect pure, pounding metal and a masterclass from a band who’ve shared stages with Saxon, Alice Cooper, and Whitesnake — a line-up so classic it practically smells of leather jackets and Marshall stacks. 🎸

💀 TICKETS & WAITING LIST INFO

Here’s the catch — 2026 sold out in just 34 hours. Yep. Thirty. Four. Hours. 😱

But don’t panic, mun — if you missed out, there’s still hope!

👉 Join the official waiting list now:

Waiting List

And circle this in your diary with a big bloody red pen:

📅 Ticket re-sell page goes live Saturday 25th October at 18:00

This is the only official way to snag a ticket — so get in there faster than a metalhead to the front barrier when the gates open.

🤘 THE BOTTOM LINE

With Accept, Battle Beast, and Armored Saint added to the bill, Stonedead 2026 is already shaping up to be a meltdown of metal proportions. The organisers promised “something for everyone” — and they’re delivering like a flaming riff to the face. 🔥

See you in Newark, butties — we’ll be the ones screaming “METAAAAAAL!” with a pint in one hand and devil horns in the other. 🏴🤘

#StonedeadFestival #Accept #BattleBeast #ArmoredSaint #TheRiffReport #MetalCommunity #UKFestivals #HeavyMetalForever

🎸 Do YOU Have What It Takes to Open Stonedead Festival 2026? 🤘🔥

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! 🤘

🎸 STONEDEAD FESTIVAL 2026: FIRST FIVE BANDS – THE FULL RIFF REPORT DEEP DIVE 🤘🔥

Every year, Stonedead Festival proves you don’t need 100 bands, a 5-day mud bath, or six stages fighting for attention to create an unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll riot. One day, one stage, one killer line-up — that’s the Stonedead way. And for 2026, they’ve already fired their opening salvo, dropping the first five names set to tear up Newark Showground.

We’ve got arena rock royalty, melodic storytellers, Canadian soul, groove-fuelled chaos, and a Yorkshire metal juggernaut. Let’s get stuck into each band with a proper deep dive, setlist predictions, and fan-culture banter.

🥇 EUROPE – THE FINAL COUNTDOWN TO NEWARK

📜 Band History

Formed in 1979 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, Europe started as a scrappy hard rock outfit. By 1986, they had the world in their hands with The Final Countdown. That title track’s keyboard riff is one of the most recognisable sounds in rock — love it or groan at it, you know it. The band sold millions, toured arenas, and became MTV darlings.

But unlike some of their 80s peers, Europe didn’t fade into hair-spray nostalgia. After splitting in the early ‘90s, they reunited in 2003 and have been steadily releasing actually good albums. Start from the Dark (2004), Last Look at Eden (2009), and War of Kings (2015) showed Joey Tempest and co. weren’t just living off the past — they still had riffs, melodies, and an edge.

💿 Best Albums & Songs

  • The Final Countdown (1986) — arena rock perfection.
  • Out of This World (1988) — polished, melodic glory.
  • War of Kings (2015) — mature, heavy, underrated.

Songs fans demand:

  • “The Final Countdown” (duh).
  • “Rock the Night.”
  • “Carrie.”
  • “Superstitious.”
  • Plus one or two newer cuts like “Walk the Earth.”

🎤 Setlist Predictions

  1. Rock the Night
  2. Scream of Anger
  3. Carrie
  4. Superstitious
  5. Cherokee
  6. Walk the Earth
  7. The Final Countdown

🤘 Fan-Culture Banter

Every festival has that moment when thousands of sweaty rockers chant along to “It’s the final countdoooooown!” at the top of their lungs. At Newark in 2026, that’ll be goosebumps central. Expect memes, air-keyboard solos, and at least three dads telling their kids, “This was my first single, mun.”

🎩 MAGNUM – MELODIC ROCK STORYTELLERS

📜 Band History

Hailing from Birmingham, Magnum have been crafting epic, melodic rock since 1972. Led by singer Bob Catley and guitarist Tony Clarkin, they’ve built a career on soaring choruses, layered arrangements, and a commitment to their unique sound. While never as commercially massive as Europe, Magnum are beloved cult heroes — especially in the UK.

Their breakthrough came with On a Storyteller’s Night (1985), followed by Vigilante (1986) and Wings of Heaven (1988). They flirted with the charts, headlined sizeable venues, and cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase. Even in the 2000s and 2010s, they kept producing quality albums, proving consistency is their secret weapon.

💿 Best Albums & Songs

  • On a Storyteller’s Night (1985) — their masterpiece.
  • Wings of Heaven (1988) — chart breakthrough.
  • Lost on the Road to Eternity (2018) — modern gem.

Songs fans demand:

  • “Just Like an Arrow.”
  • “Sacred Hour.”
  • “On a Storyteller’s Night.”
  • “When the World Comes Down.”

🎤 Setlist Predictions

  1. Just Like an Arrow
  2. Wild Swan
  3. How Far Jerusalem
  4. Vigilante
  5. Sacred Hour
  6. On a Storyteller’s Night

🤘 Fan-Culture Banter

Magnum fans are loyal — we’re talking “T-shirt older than your first car” loyal. Their presence at Stonedead adds class and nostalgia, but also those big, emotional singalongs. Expect misty eyes in the crowd when “Sacred Hour” rings out at sunset. Tidy.

🌌 THE DAMN TRUTH – CANADIAN SOUL ‘N’ ROLL

📜 Band History

Formed in Montreal in 2011, The Damn Truth are the new blood injecting soulful passion into modern rock. Fronted by powerhouse Lee-la Baum, they mix psychedelic vibes, bluesy riffs, and anthemic choruses. They’ve toured relentlessly, winning over crowds from Europe to the US with high-energy, heartfelt performances.

Their breakthrough came with Now or Nowhere (2021), produced by Bob Rock (yes, the same Bob Rock who helmed Metallica’s Black Album). That record gave them international attention and showed they’re more than capable of carrying rock into the future.

💿 Best Albums & Songs

  • Dear in the Headlights (2012).
  • Devilish Folk (2016).
  • Now or Nowhere (2021).

Songs fans demand:

  • “This Is Who We Are Now.”
  • “Tomorrow.”
  • “White Lies.”
  • “Look Innocent.”

🎤 Setlist Predictions

  1. This Is Who We Are Now
  2. White Lies
  3. Full On You
  4. Tomorrow
  5. Look Innocent

🤘 Fan-Culture Banter

The Damn Truth are perfect for a festival like Stonedead. They’ll pull in younger fans, surprise old-schoolers with their soul and groove, and probably gain hundreds of new converts by the end of their set. Plus, Lee-la Baum’s vocals will have jaws on the floor — lush.

🐊 CROBOT – GROOVE ROCK PARTY ANIMALS

📜 Band History

Straight outta Pennsylvania, Crobot formed in 2011 and quickly built a rep as one of the grooviest hard rock acts on the planet. Their sound is a mix of funk, stoner rock, and old-school swagger — think Wolfmother colliding with Clutch in a sweaty dive bar.

They’ve toured relentlessly across the US and Europe, and their live shows are pure mayhem. Brandon Yeagley’s stage presence (and handlebar moustache) alone are worth the ticket.

💿 Best Albums & Songs

  • Something Supernatural (2014) — breakout album.
  • Welcome to Fat City (2016).
  • Motherbrain (2019).

Songs fans demand:

  • “Legend of the Spaceborne Killer.”
  • “Keep Me Down.”
  • “Low Life.”
  • “Nowhere to Hide.”

🎤 Setlist Predictions

  1. Legend of the Spaceborne Killer
  2. Nowhere to Hide
  3. Keep Me Down
  4. Low Life
  5. Mountain

🤘 Fan-Culture Banter

Crobot are the ultimate “festival fun” band. You can’t not move to those riffs. Expect pits that turn into funky dance-offs, moustache envy, and at least one inflatable alien being crowd-surfed. They’re the wild card that will turn Newark into a sweaty, grinning party.

⚡ ASOMVEL – YORKSHIRE’S HEAVY METAL JUGGERNAUT

📜 Band History

Formed in 1993 in York, Asomvel are the purest heavy metal grit you’ll find. Inspired by Motörhead, they’ve always kept things loud, dirty, and unpretentious. Tragedy struck in 2010 when frontman Jay-Jay Winter was killed in a car crash, but the band powered on, with his nephew Ralph taking over vocals and bass.

They’ve since released Knuckle Duster (2013) and World Shaker (2019), earning respect in the underground metal scene. They’re relentless, raw, and absolutely perfect for Stonedead’s no-nonsense vibe.

💿 Best Albums & Songs

  • Knuckle Duster (2013).
  • World Shaker (2019).

Songs fans demand:

  • “World Shaker.”
  • “Cash Whore.”
  • “True Believer.”
  • “Knuckle Duster.”

🎤 Setlist Predictions

  1. World Shaker
  2. True Believer
  3. Cash Whore
  4. Waster
  5. Knuckle Duster

🤘 Fan-Culture Banter

If you like your metal raw and beer-soaked, Asomvel will be your new favourite band. They’re the type to flatten a pub on Friday night, then headline the car park the next morning. Expect leather, denim, and pits that smell suspiciously of Strongbow.

🏕️ WHY THIS LINE-UP SLAPS

Stonedead’s magic lies in its simplicity: one day, one stage, one chance to see a stacked line-up without clashes. This first announcement nails the balance:

  • Europe – arena rock legends for the big singalongs.
  • Magnum – melodic masters with emotional punch.
  • The Damn Truth – modern soul and fire.
  • Crobot – groove party chaos.
  • Asomvel – gritty underground steel.

It’s a cocktail of nostalgia, discovery, and pure fun. And we’re only at the first wave, mun.

🎤 FINAL RIFF

Stonedead 2026 is already shaping up to be lush. Europe will have Newark counting down like it’s 1986 all over again, Magnum will prove class never fades, The Damn Truth will win new hearts, Crobot will turn the showground into a funky pit, and Asomvel will keep it raw.

One day, one stage, five bands (so far), and a field full of rockers ready to party. That’s the Stonedead promise — and 2026 looks like another proper job.

See you down the front, pint in hand. 🤘🔥

🪦 STONEDEAD FESTIVAL 2025 – THE RIFF REPORT MEGA REVIEW 🪦

One Day. One Stage. One Epic Party.

There are festivals that sprawl like a Tolkien map – endless treks, clashes that break your heart, and prices that make your wallet weep. And then there’s Stonedead Festival, the one-day, one-stage monster that proves sometimes less is so much more. No clashes. No trudging through five fields to catch half a set. Just riff after riff, pint after pint, and a crowd of denim-and-leather warriors who know exactly why they’re here.

2025’s edition? Absolute carnage in the best way. From young guns proving their worth to veterans reminding us why they’re legends, it was eight hours of concentrated rock ‘n’ roll. Let’s dive in, band by band, pint by pint. 🍺

🎸 THE BANDS – FROM FIRST RIFF TO LAST ENCORE

Tailgunner – The Air Raid Sirens of Steel

Stonedead likes to open with a bang, and holy hell, Tailgunner delivered it. Imagine Iron Maiden if they’d mainlined five Red Bulls and decided to write songs faster than a runaway train. Their galloping basslines and twin-guitar harmonies instantly woke the field.

Frontman Craig Cairns worked the stage like a seasoned pro, fist in the air, hair flying, and a voice that could slice through the Newark sky. “Revolution Scream” hit like an atomic bomb, and by the end of their 30 minutes, Tailgunner had a new army of fans shouting their name.

Crowd verdict: Best opener since Toby Jepson’s pants split in 2022. Horns up all round. 🤘

The Hot Damn! – Glitter-Bomb Rock ‘n’ Roll

If Tailgunner were the steel fist, The Hot Damn! were the neon glitter explosion that followed. Bright clothes, big smiles, and pure sass, they strutted out like they’d been sent to cheer up the entire Midlands.

Their infectious riffs and cheeky attitude had people dancing before lunch, and their mashup cover medley (Bon Jovi meets Joan Jett meets Spice Girls – yes, really) turned the field into a disco of denim.

Moment of madness: A group of old bikers at the back broke into the Macarena. Stone. Dead. Serious. 😂

Kira Mac – Blues With Bite

There’s a saying in Wales: “That voice could stop traffic on the Heads of the Valleys road.” And Kira Mac? She’s got thatvoice. Gravelly, soulful, and absolutely thunderous. Her set cut deep, blues-rock fused with proper hard rock edge.

Songs like Dead Man Walking rolled through the field like whiskey-soaked thunder, and the solos? Pure filth in the best way. By the end, people who’d never heard her were Googling her tour dates on the spot.

Verdict: Lush. Just lush. 🏴

Mason Hill – Caledonian Firepower

The Scots have been threatening to take over the UK modern rock scene for a while, and at Stonedead, Mason Hill proved why. Anthemic choruses, slick riffs, and Scott Taylor’s vocals soaring like he’d swallowed a megaphone.

Tracks like Where I Belong and DNA hit huge, the kind of songs built for arenas. Their between-song banter was pure Glasgow charm too. “We brought the weather with us,” they joked – cue the clouds rolling in.

Crowd vibe: Rain jackets on, fists still up. Proper job.

Kris Barras Band – Guitar Hero Unleashed

Barras has been levelling up year after year, and 2025 was the year he came for blood. His set was heavier than some expected – less pub-blues, more stadium-rock. Solos screamed, riffs chugged, and Kris himself prowled the stage like a man who knows he belongs here.

Dead Horses had the whole field roaring along, while his guitar solo showcase was one of those “shut up and watch” moments that left jaws on the floor.

Highlight: A kid on shoulders, air-guitaring with a stick of chips like it was a Stratocaster. 👏

Tyketto – Melodic Rock Heaven

Time travel isn’t real, but Tyketto’s set came close. Straight out of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s, their melodic rock anthems felt timeless. Danny Vaughn’s vocals? Still silk wrapped around steel. The man has not lost a note.

When Forever Young rang out, it was like every single person in the field turned into a karaoke choir. Proper goosebumps.

Special shout: The couple slow-dancing near the sound desk. Rock ‘n’ roll isn’t just about riffs – it’s about memories.

Skid Row – Snakebite Chaos

The headliners rolled in with all the swagger of a band that’s been there, done that, and still has the scars to prove it. New singer or not, Skid Row came out swinging.

Slave to the Grind set the tone – heavy, filthy, and fast. 18 and Life had the entire field belting it out, and when they hit Youth Gone Wild, Stonedead erupted into one giant gang chorus. Mosh pits, crowd surfers, pints in the air – it was carnage in the best way.

Crowd verdict: Headliners that proved Stonedead books bands who still mean business.

🍔 FOOD & DRINK – WHAT YOUR WALLET SUFFERED

Festivals are notorious wallet-traps, but compared to Download or Glasto, Stonedead is practically charity. Here’s what punters coughed up:

  • Pints (lager, cider): £6.50–£7.50
  • Craft cans: £7–£8
  • Soft drinks/water: £2.50–£3
  • Coffee/tea: £3–£3.50
  • Burgers/Hot dogs: £8–£10
  • Loaded fries (cheese/bacon/jalapeños): £7–£9
  • Pizza slices: £6–£7
  • Vegan curry or wraps: £8–£9
  • Breakfast baps (for the campers): £5–£6

Festival Feast Damage (burger + fries + pint): About £20.
Compare that to £30+ at other fests, and you’re laughing. 😅

Best bite: Loaded fries drowned in jalapeños and molten cheese.
Best drink: A cold local pale ale that hit like holy water in the afternoon sun.

🛍️ MERCH, VIBES & RANDOM CHAOS

  • Merch prices:
    • Band tees: £25–£30
    • Hoodies: £50
    • Festival shirt: £25
  • Best seller: Skid Row shirts vanished faster than cider in a heatwave.
  • Random chaos: A group of Vikings (well, blokes in Viking hats) jousted with inflatable guitars by the burger van. Security watched, shrugged, and joined in.
  • Toilets: Surprisingly clean. Someone even said, “cleanest loos since Steelhouse.” That’s high praise, mun. 🚽

🏴 FINAL VERDICT – THE BEAUTY OF STONEDEAD

Stonedead 2025 once again proved why it’s one of the UK’s finest rock gatherings. No clashes, no rip-offs, no faff. Just music, mates, and memories.

🎶 Band of the Day: Skid Row – wild, nostalgic, filthy.
🔥 Breakout Star: Kira Mac – voice of the weekend.
🍔 Best Food: Loaded fries with cheese & jalapeños.
🍺 Best Pint: Local pale ale tent.

The Riff Report seal of approval:
👉 If you love riffs without the rip-off, Stonedead is THE place. Proper job.

🖤🤘 A MASSIVE THANK YOU FROM THE RIFF REPORT 🤘🖤

WOW. Just… WOW. Another Stonedead Festival is done and dusted, and we’re still buzzing louder than a Marshall stack on 11. ⚡🎸

But before we crawl back to reality (and possibly Greggs), we need to say this:

👉 THANK YOU to every single one of you absolute legends who turned up, rocked out, sang your lungs out, and left the site looking tidy as a freshly polished Les Paul. 🎤✨

Year after year, Stonedead proves it’s not just about the riffs, the pits, or the beer (though let’s be honest, they help 🍺😅). It’s about the community. You came, you partied, and when the amps cooled down, you respected the site and left it spotless. No fields of abandoned tents, no mountains of cans, just love, loyalty, and a proper job done. 🏕️🖤

That’s what makes Stonedead special. Not just the bands on stage – but the people in the crowd. The headbangers, the air-guitar heroes, the mosh pit champions, and the quiet legends who picked up rubbish that wasn’t even theirs. You’re the reason this festival feels like family every single year. 🥹🔥

From everyone at The Riff Report Blog – DIOLCH MUN! 🏴
We raise a pint to you, the fans who make Stonedead more than just a festival. It’s a home. A tribe. A tradition. And we can’t wait to do it all again next year.

Until then – keep it loud, keep it proud, and keep it clean. 🤘⚡

See you down the front in 2026.

🎸 The Unofficial Stonedead Festival 2025 Survival Guide

(Because it’s only one day… but it’ll feel like a week)

🚗 The Journey – Pilgrimage to the Sacred Ground

  • You’ll know you’re close when you see black t-shirts, denim cuts, and more long hair than a 70s shampoo advert.
  • Arrive early unless you enjoy the experience of trying to park between a campervan covered in Saxon stickers and a bloke frying bacon on a camping stove.
  • Tip: If you don’t have GPS, just follow the faint sound of Motorhead.

☀️ Daytime Dangers – Sunburn & Beer Brain

  • It’s the end of summer, so expect either blazing sun or biblical rain. Sometimes both in 20 minutes.
  • Wear sunscreen — metalheads may be immortal, but sunstroke will still floor you faster than a Slayer pit.
  • Pace your pints. Stonedead might be one day, but you still don’t want to miss the headliner because you fell asleep against a burger van.

🎶 Band Etiquette – Mosh with Manners

  • Remember: Stonedead prides itself on old-school rock vibes. This means more fist-pumping, less TikTok-ing.
  • Do NOT yell Free Bird. Just… don’t.
  • If someone drops a pint in the pit, a collective moment of silence is expected.

🍔 Fuel for the Furnace

  • Festival food is a battlefield: burgers, chips, and pies vs. your stomach’s endurance.
  • That curry stall smells amazing now, but think hard about how it’ll feel during the encore.
  • Bonus move: stash snacks in your backpack. Future You will thank Past You when you find a sausage roll at 10pm.

🎸 The Stonedead Crowd – Know Your Tribes

  • The Lifers: Been here since year one, probably know the setlist before the bands do.
  • The Young Blood: Here to “check out classic rock” but secretly hope someone plays Metallica.
  • The Merch Hunter: Will spend £200 before midday and still moan about t-shirt prices.
  • The Chair Army: Plants themselves dead centre with a camping chair and WILL defend their territory.

🏴 Field Warfare – Survival in the Arena

  • Chairs are welcome… but so is common sense. Don’t plant it three feet from the stage and expect not to get knocked over when the pit opens.
  • Sunglasses aren’t just for the sun — they’re for hiding the moment you cry during that one ballad.
  • Keep an eye on your pint. The wasps here are faster than a double kick drum.

🎤 The Final Push – Headliner Glory

  • By the time the main act hits the stage, you’ll either be:
    • Sweaty but euphoric
    • Slightly tipsy and living your best life
    • Clutching a hot dog like it’s a life raft
  • Scream, sing, and throw the horns — because Stonedead only happens once a year, and you can sleep tomorrow.

🛻 The Great Escape – Getting Home Alive

  • Leave with enough time to beat the traffic — unless you like sitting in a queue watching a guy in corpse paint eat crisps in the car next to you.
  • Remember where you parked. There’s always one poor soul wandering at 1am muttering, “I swear it was near that tree…”

Final thought: Stonedead is a one-day blitz of riffs, beer, and big singalongs — survive it and you’ll have bragging rights until next year. And maybe… just maybe… a slightly hoarse voice for the next week. Proper job! 🏴🤘