WinterStorm Bands Announcement

Independent Scottish rock festival reveals first tranche of bands.
WinterStorm has announced its Main Stage line up for November 2025 event.
WinterStorm – Scotland’s annual festival of Rock at the end of November – has revealed its mainstage line up for the
ninth version of the massively popular Classic Rock Festival held annually over three days in Troon on the west coast
of Scotland. The first announcement, with twenty more bands yet to be unveiled includes a raft of classic acts
including Ugly Kid Joe, British Lion, High Fade, legendary singer songwriter Russ Ballard and a host of other rock,
blues and metal bands from across the UK and beyond.
Festival organiser, Ian McCaig, of Plan B Events, explains,

“It doesn’t get any easier putting a line up together and in the current climate all festival
promoters are having to work harder than ever with increasing costs and reducing band
availability to put together an event that is both affordable and attractive. Once again, we
hope that rock music fans will be pleased with the curation of classic and new artistes and, as
we always try to do, be intrigued by some of the bands and genres announced. We’ve ticked
some boxes with returning and new acts and our theme of “The Spirit of ’80” will be
celebrated between now and November.”
So it may well be the same venue, it may be the same three days and two stages as last year but once again
WinterStorm have curated an event that celebrates a diverse definition of rock – everything from symphonic
European metal to UK blues rock, a touch of Americana, a dose of folk metal, a good chunk of Prog, some US hard
rock, some Punk, some Funk and an appropriate amount of AOR. And to mark the influence of 1980 on
WinterStorm’s creation and nine-year history, they’ll be celebrating “The Spirit of ‘80” with a string of rock and
NWOBHM artists.
The full day splits will be unveiled at the end of March with a four-band line up on the opening Thursday with full
days from midday opening on Friday and Saturday. The event organisers still have a major name to unveil later this
month (due to touring commitments the announcement has to be held back) but are delighted to list the first
eighteen acts on the Steve Strange Main Stage.
The First Eighteen Bands
The weekend will start again on the Thursday afternoon with doors opening late afternoon – the opening slot on the
Steve Strange Main Stage at WinterStorm has become a coveted spot for bands and while they are not revealing the
day split until the end of the month, they have confirmed that following on from Gin Annie in 2023 and The
Treatment in 2024, returning Welsh Rockers, Scarlet Rebels will continue the theme of blasting the roof off from the
start!
Flying in from The States and those that have seen them live will confirm that Ugly Kid Joe are guaranteed to get the
WinterStorm audience bouncing. The platinum selling Californian rockers may be best known for their singles such
as Everything About You or Cats in the Cradle but their strength is in their live performance!
The Spirit of ‘80” has always been around WinterStorm and it was the early teenage experiences of the organisers 45
years ago that sowed seeds that eventually grew into WinterStorm in 2016. The Ayr Pavilion and The Apollo on
Glasgow provided the introduction to, and the seduction by, live rock and metal music that WinterStorm has in some
ways tried to re-enact over the years. The festival has slowly ticked off many of the heroes of that era since its
beginnings and this year will tick another one of those “Spirit of ‘80” boxes when it welcomes Iron maiden founder
and legend Steve Harris back to Ayrshire and the Troon stage with his band British Lion. 1980 saw Maiden perform
with Praying Mantis in support at The Piv in Ayr and Harris’ British Lion will bring their straightforward rock n roll
approach to WinterStorm on the same day that perennial crowd favourites Praying Mantis will also return.
The Raven Age are hailed as one of the finest bands in modern British metal having performed over internationally
across 38 countries alongside the likes of Killswitch Engage, Volbeat, Shinedown, Alter Bridge and Iron Maiden who
they are touring with in 2025. Their sound is unashamedly influenced by Maiden and the melodic influences are
there. Kerrang put it thus, “What The Raven Age do is straight-up metal. No bells and whistles, no hard turning into
TikTok trends, but a collision of “trad metal… with modern metal nuance.”
Russ Ballard is known to everyone for both as guitarist with Argent and for his compositions such as “New York
Groove”, “Since You Been Gone”, “I Surrender” and “God Gave Rock and Roll to You” which became hits for other
Hello, Rainbow and Kiss during the 1970s and 1980s. He promises a set of sing along classics with his superb guitar
playing and stage craft.
In 2021, in between COVID lock downs, WinterStorm introduced US band Hardline to a mostly unsuspecting
audience. They melodic rockers stole the show. Johnny Gioeli and band raised the temperature that night with a full
on high tempo performance and stunning vocals, securing both a new fan base and a promised return to Troon’s
stage with their melodic, powerful hard US rock.
Funk and Punk
Scotland’s own High Fade have come to prominence over the past year (and are a personal favourite of
WinterStorm’s own MC Tom Russell) and will mix it up bringing a really different Funk, Rock, 70’s, 80’s vibe to the
stage.
With High Fade, WinterStorm are continuing their trend of always pushing the envelope a bit when it comes to
mixing genres and throwing in left field acts (think Ayrshire Rock Choir, Chantel McGregor’s acoustic or Clann an
Drumma’s Celtic drums) but they’ve never taken the opportunity to include some Punk! It is St Andrews weekend so
combining this with a bit of iconic punk rock seemed like something worth doing and taking the stage on Friday will
be Scottish new wave icons the Skids! This set will be bouncing with the usual high energy of Richard Jobson going
through those multiple hits that ran in parallel with the 1980’s sound of metal and rock.
The Spirit of ‘80
As mentioned above, it’s great to welcome the legend Steve Harris to Troon but The Spirit of ‘80 theme (and indeed
the essence of the 1980 Reading Festival) will play a strong part of the Saturday proceedings (not only on the main
stage but on the soon to be announced Sessions stage too) with NWOBHM alumni DEMON joining Praying Mantis
on the main stage. The early sounds of Magnum will be kept alive by the superb Kingdom of Madness and in
between, the memories of the Irish metal, blues and rock influence of 1980 will be paid tribute to by the amazing
Pat McManus Band who will celebrate the sounds of Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Bernie Torme and perhaps even a
wee bit of Mama’s Boys – all of who performed at Reading 45 years ago!
And along with the memories and influences of 1980, WinterStorm’s international theme will continue with the
introduction of some progressive power metal from Italian band Vision Divine. English band Wytch Hazel complete
the rock metal section and they undoubtedly channel some of the spirit the organisers are talking about, and some,
as their own record company quote states, “The combination of the folk-rock eccentricity of Jethro Tull, the mystical
harmony of Wishbone Ash & Thin Lizzy, and the exuberance of prime NWOBHM, immersed in sacred medieval
influences.”
Exploring New Talent
Since WinterStorm has begun, it has always tried to showcase newer and less well known bands and artistes to the
fans on both the main and sessions stage as well as initiatives such as ‘StormBreakers. Every year the event uplifts
one of the previous year’s second stage performers onto the main stage and this year they have promoted
Scarborough’s This House We Built who’ll open the Friday. The Saturday will be kicked off by another band
promoted from the 2024 Sessions Stage with the welcome return of Scottish hard rocking’ band Victory or Die.
Joining these two (and Scarlet Rebels above) through the weekend will be returning act the popular Collateral – they
last played in 2021 – with their eclectic sound and powerful stage presence, they will be joined by Derbyshire band
These Wicked Rivers with their “blues-infused modern rock, and soulful-bordering-on-spiritual live performances
across the UK and beyond.”
The Encore
So once again WinterStorm brings bands together from the USA, Europe and all parts of the UK –Symphonic Metal.
Hard Rock. Melodic Rock. Funk. Punk. Folk Metal. Blues. AOR. Prog. NWOBHM.
And there’s plenty more to come including the Sessions Stage and a major band for the main stage.
Rock fans can explore each of the bands and updates on other announcement on the festival website, their
Facebook page or sign up for their newsletter.

• Event Updates | https://www.winterstorm.co.uk/event-updates
• Tickets and Accommodation | https://www.winterstorm.co.uk/tickets-and-packages-2025
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  Destination WinterStorm – Tickets, Accommodation and Travel
  The advance pre-sale for WinterStorm and its unique Line Up Guarantee refund resulted in a record breaking 425
  tickets being sold ahead on the band announcements. The guarantee means that any ticket holder not entirely
  enamoured with the above can get a refund in full with no questions asked.
  The remaining 200 three day tickets will be on sale from 10am on Sunday 9th of March with limited one and two day
  briefs in early April. Tickets can be purchased from the WinterStorm website at www.winterstorm.co.uk
  WinterStorm attracts more than 50% of its audience from outside of Scotland every year, so for any rock fans
  unfamiliar with the Ayrshire coastal location, travel to Scotland or other events and attractions they have create a
  new Destination WinterStorm section to the website that offers a full insight into the range of very affordable
  accommodation in the area along with links to train and air travel from across the UK and Europe.
  WinterStorm sits less than 90 minutes from Edinburgh Airport with its inbound flights from across Europe on low
  costs carriers making the event a perfect pre-Christmas short break or longer winter stay in Scotland, explore more
  fully at Destination WinterStorm| Travel and More | https://www.winterstorm.co.uk/destination-winterstorm/
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  About WinterStorm | Editors Notes
  Updated February 2025
  WinterStorm in 500 characters
  WinterStorm is an annual rock music festival held in Troon, Scotland, on the last weekend of November. It features a
  mix of established and up-and-coming rock bands from around the world, playing across two stages in the Troon
  Concert Hall, a venue located in this traditional seaside town. The festival has a reputation for its friendly
  atmosphere and attracts rock fans from all over the UK and beyond.
  WinterStorm in 750 words
  WinterStorm was born in Troon Scotland in 2016 and since then it has continued to prosper through some highly
  challenging times, with the event selling more than 3000 tickets over the four days of the event.
  It continues to punch above its weight in terms of bands and artistes attracted and there is no doubt that this is
  down to the unique atmosphere that the venue and its audience creates.
  WinterStorm is fully committed to offering the best experience an old school concert hall venue can provide with
  local suppliers providing the services and communities engaged at every level. Quality bar and catering operations
  offering Scottish produce and real ales are matched by the amazing work of the volunteer service provided by the
  legion of ‘StormTroopers.
  WinterStorm has grown with a commitment to looking after the “talent”; bands and musicians make WinterStorm,
  and the organisers take immense pride with the feedback from artists, with bands ALWAYS more than impressed
  with the sound provided and the levels of service given. They are looked after as guests. WinterStorm’s reputation
  has grown through the word of mouth of bands and management and this support has undoubtedly helped the
  organisers to attract others to the stage year on year.
  The event provides a truly unique atmosphere in the compact 850 capacity main stage area and when fans and
  bands alike compare it favourably to the sound and atmosphere of the old Glasgow Apollo, those organising don’t
  take the compliment lightly. It is however exactly what they set out to achieve.
  It truly is a unique atmosphere and when fans and bands alike compare it favourably to the sound and atmosphere
  of the old Glasgow Apollo, we don’t take the compliment lightly but it is what we set out to achieve.
  WinterStorm alumni now include so many of our heroes and bands, old and new – Michael Schenker Group, Skid
  Row, Dead Daisies, Magnum, Focus, GUN, FM, Last in Line, The Quireboys, Wayward Sons, Tyketto, – Heavy
  Metal and old school bands such as Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head, Praying Mantis, Vardis, Quartz, Girlschool,
  OD Saxon, Geordie and Rock Goddess and individual heroes such as Bernie Marsden, Uli Jon Roth, Graham
  Bonnett, Geoff Tate, Martin Barre, Pete Way, Ricky Warwick, Neil Murray, Blaze Bayley and Paul Di’anno, Pat
  McManus, Cherie Currie and Marco Mendoza
  European talent has played its part too; H.E.A.T, The New Roses, Eclipse, Crazy Lixx amongst a catalogue of others;
  2024 diversified its geographical spread yet further with The Damn Truth from Canada, Von Hertzen Brothers from
  Finland, Electric Gypsy from Brazil, SEVI from Bulgaria and Girish and The Chronicles from India.
  Add in the new generation bands such as Those Damn Crows, Stone Broken, Massive Wagons, Florence Black,
  Tailgunner and a whole load more of bands embraced enthusiastically by the WinterStorm fan base.
  And of course, WinterStorm is proudly Scottish. So, it’s no surprise to discover that they have featured the occasional
  pipe band, Celtic tribal bands and the obligatory Lone Piper to close each event out!
  Eight years and more than 300 bands later, WinterStorm HAS no doubt punched above its weight and they’ve only
  been able to do this through fans, bands and artistes supporting the ethos of WinterStorm and its team.
  The 2025 event will again take place over the last weekend in November, with three days of the Rock Weekender
  and the now standard After the ‘Storm Sunday with separate headline event and acoustic stage. It will also be
  topped and tailed with two additional concerts, on the Wednesday before and the Sunday after, aimed at the local
  market extending the impact on Ayrshire to five days.
  Most else will remain the same in Troon Concert Hall with the usual eclectic mix of NWOBHM, Blues, Prog, AOR and
  maybe a bit of hair metal again! As well as booking 2025, WinterStorm are looking ahead and are fully committed to
  taking the event forward towards its tenth anniversary in 2026 over the weekend of Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th
  November 2026
  Why not join them on the journey?
  Overview Ends
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