Review by Glen Parkes
Sunday, May 25 – Mote Park, Maidstone
After two explosive days of tributes to the world’s most iconic rock, pop, and metal legends, Rock the Mote 2025 reached its grand finale on Sunday, May 25, and what a day it was. With the sun gracing the skies once more and spirits soaring from the minute gates opened, the final chapter of this three-day celebration delivered everything a festival-goer could want—sunshine, singalongs, spectacular impersonators, and a send-off worthy of the legends being honoured.
Spread across three buzzing stages—the Main Stage, Heavy Rock Stage, and Pop Stage—Rock the Mote once again brought a carefully curated lineup of tribute bands that blurred the lines between imitation and incarnation. Although we couldn’t catch every performer, the variety and energy across the park were palpable, and we made it our mission to soak up as much music and atmosphere as possible before the final notes rang out over Mote Park.
A Sunday Lineup Stacked with Talent and Surprises
The day started with an easy, laid-back energy as festival-goers returned to the park for their third round of entertainment. Sunday’s billing leaned into genre diversity, swinging between heavy rock, anthemic pop, and golden-era classics—something for everyone, and no chance of musical fatigue.
First to catch our attention was Stacey McCarthy performing as Becky Hill on the Pop Stage. With flawless vocals and high-energy beats, McCarthy delivered a club-style set that pulsed with summertime energy. “Heaven” and “Remember” turned the field into a dancefloor, and even those with sore feet from the previous nights were lured into swaying. Her performance was vibrant, youthful, and totally on brand—an ideal way to recharge the crowd and kick off the last day.
Moments later, over on the Heavy Rock Stage, things got significantly louder with Audiorage—a double-barrelled tribute to Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine. Let’s be clear: this was no warm-up act. From the moment they launched into “Cochise,” the ground trembled with groove-heavy riffs and politically charged fury. Their take on “Like a Stone” was pure electricity—vocally powerful, musically tight, and emotionally resonant. They closed with a furious “Killing in the Name,” which predictably ignited the biggest pit of the day so far. If you wanted raw passion, you found it here.
Not the Biff: A Storming Tribute to Biffy Clyro
One of the surprise highlights of the day came from Not the Biff, an impressively tight tribute to Biffy Clyro that took over the Main Stage in the early afternoon. Their set was pure dynamite from the opening chords of “Mountains” to the bittersweet finale of “Many of Horror.” With emotionally driven vocals and that signature Biffy blend of math-rock riffs and anthemic hooks, they captured the complexity and catharsis of the real band with style.
It wasn’t just a mimicry—they delivered the emotional substance too. “Biblical” and “Black Chandelier” had diehard fans belting the words back with closed eyes and clenched fists, and even casual listeners walked away impressed. By the end of their set, Not the Biff had made it abundantly clear that they were more than just a tribute—they were a celebration of everything that makes Biffy Clyro special.
A Midday Wave of Icons – From Taylor Swift to System of a Down
The beauty of Rock the Mote lies in its whiplash-worthy genre shifts—and nowhere was that more evident than bouncing between System of a Down and Taylor Swift in the space of twenty minutes.
On the Heavy Rock Stage, BYOB took to the stage for a riotous set of System of a Down classics. “Toxicity” shook the trees, “Aerials” hit with eerie resonance, and “Chop Suey!” triggered a mosh pit that proved this audience still had fuel in the tank. The band had nailed the chaotic energy and off-kilter rhythms of SOAD, and their frontman brought just enough theatrical madness to capture Serj Tankian’s unpredictable style.
Meanwhile, over on the Pop Stage, Kaylie Malone was casting a very different kind of spell with her Taylor Swift tribute. Strutting in sparkles and backed by a band that brought Taylor’s pop precision to life, Kaylie ran through “Shake It Off,” “Love Story,” “Cruel Summer,” and “You Belong With Me” like a true pop queen. Her vocals were spot-on, and her stage presence connected beautifully with younger fans and parents alike. Her rendition of “All Too Well” even drew a few emotional tears—proof that Swift’s songwriting translates universally when done with this much care.
The Mimic Street Preachers – A Tribute With Teeth
Later in the afternoon, the Mimic Street Preachers stormed the Main Stage, bringing a razor-sharp tribute to Manic Street Preachers that surprised even the most seasoned fans. Decked out in military jackets and armed with politically charged charisma, they powered through a set that included “Design for Life,” “Motorcycle Emptiness,” and the often-overlooked “Faster.” The guitars were aggressive, the vocals cutting, and the band’s chemistry matched the real deal almost too well.
What elevated the performance wasn’t just the music—it was the attitude. The band delivered commentary between tracks with a knowing nod to the Manics’ often-academic, defiant nature, and they played with the conviction of a group that believes in the songs they’re covering. It wasn’t just nostalgic—it was relevant.
Evening Heats Up – Volbeat, Alter Bridge, and Led Zeppelin Ignite Mote Park
As the evening set in and the last golden light hit Mote Park, Volbeaten, a tribute to Volbeat, took over the Heavy Rock Stage and absolutely tore the roof off (if there had been one). Mixing Elvis swagger, metal riffs, and anthemic choruses, they delivered “Still Counting,” “Lola Montez,” and “Seal the Deal” with crisp vocals and thundering rhythm. Their sound was massive, and the crowd soaked it in. Even fans unfamiliar with Volbeat’s catalogue found themselves hooked by the infectious melodies and sheer stage charisma.
Right after that, the Heavy Rock Stage gave way to Altered Bridge, the Alter Bridge tribute, who followed with a thunderous performance of their own. “Metalingus” and “Isolation” got fists pumping and voices raised, and the guitar work was particularly outstanding—clean, emotive, and drenched in tone. The vocals soared, especially on “Blackbird,” a song that demands both control and soul, and Altered Bridge delivered both in spades.
And just when we thought we’d hit the limit, Led Zeppelin took over the Main Stage—and it was spiritual. From the mystical vibes of “Kashmir” to the legendary stomp of “Whole Lotta Love,” this tribute band captured the magic and mystery of Zeppelin with near-religious reverence. The crowd sang every word of “Stairway to Heaven” like it was a hymn, and when “Immigrant Song” hit, it felt like a battle cry echoing across the entire park. It was a timeless, transcendent performance that brought the whole festival together in pure, shared musical joy.
Band of the Day: Let There B/DC – A Festival-Stealing Performance
Every festival has that one performance that leaves your jaw on the floor—and on Sunday, that crown went to Let There B/DC, the ACDC tribute who brought thunder and fire to the Heavy Rock Stage in a way few could follow. From the moment the first notes of “Back in Black” screamed out over the speakers, the crowd was theirs.
Dressed in full Angus regalia and duck-walking across the stage with guitar in hand, the lead guitarist was a force of nature. The singer’s rasp was pure Bon Scott meets Brian Johnson, and their chemistry as a band was magnetic. “Thunderstruck,” “Highway to Hell,” “Dirty Deeds”—every song was a knockout. But it wasn’t just the music—it was the experience. The interaction with the crowd was next level, with band members jumping off stage, rallying chants, and firing up the audience like seasoned arena veterans.
If there had been a roof on Mote Park, Let There B/DC would have ripped it clean off. It was high voltage rock ‘n’ roll, and without doubt, the set of the day.
Closing Time – Dean Edwards as Phil Collins and Wrong Jovi Bring It Home
How do you top that? You don’t—not exactly. But you can shift gears and close on a high with heart, soul, and stadium-sized singalongs. That’s exactly what happened when Dean Edwards stepped out as Phil Collins and melted the audience with a smooth, emotional, and utterly captivating set.
From the haunting drums of “In the Air Tonight” to the uplifting pop groove of “Easy Lover,” Edwards hit every note and nuance. It was the kind of set that made you smile and sway, a moment of reflection after a weekend of wildness.
Then came the final act of Rock the Mote 2025: Wrong Jovi—a tribute to Bon Jovi so convincing, it could’ve closed Glastonbury. They brought the big guns: “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “It’s My Life,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and of course, a festival-ending “Livin’ on a Prayer” that had the entire park belting out the chorus with arms raised to the stars. It was joy. It was unity. It was the perfect end.
Final Thoughts – A Tribute Festival with Heart, Soul, and Serious Firepower
Three days. Dozens of acts. Thousands of voices singing along. Rock the Mote 2025 delivered a weekend of shared memory, celebration, and sheer musical bliss. From start to finish, every stage offered top-tier talent that went beyond imitation—they brought passion, energy, and genuine love for the artists they paid homage to.
Whether you came for pop, rock, or something heavier, this festival offered more than enough to keep you singing, dancing, and shouting for more. And now, the countdown begins all over again.
Rock the Mote, you’ve raised the bar once again. Get your tickets for 2026 while you still can—because if next year is anything like this one, it’s going to be legendary.
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