Where – Wanlockhead, Dumfries, Scotland
When – 27th – 29th June 25
Sunday 29th June Part Three
Photographs and Review by Linda McDermott
It’s the last day of the festival and the sun has decided to drop in and grace us with its presence. As I stroll past the campsite, there’s a proper morning buzz, with the smell of breakfast in the air, and campers sharing laughs and stories from the night before. The mood is light, the hangovers are fading, and there’s a real sense of anticipation on what the bands will bring today. By the time I reach the Inn, chatter is already in full swing about who’s on today’s must-see list, so I head to the tent for the first band of the day.
No Setting Sun, hailing from Derby, delivered a set full of variety and flair. Their sound has a slight feel of early Bowie, especially in the vocals. The slow burning song Confusion stood out with its strong melody and pulsing baseline, perfectly showcasing Michael’s voice. Their latest single Reach the End kept the mood mellow, again drawing on that Bowie-esque feel. Just as the crowd settled, they kicked into a heavier track, highlighting the band’s impressive range. They closed with a high-energy belter, definitely a band I’ll be keeping an eye on.
https://www.facebook.com/NoSettingSun
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Old Foes
Next on the bill were A New Nowhere, a five-piece from Newcastle who were new to me but made a strong first impression. They opened with a track full of grit and attitude, grabbing attention right from the off. Their second song, Wretched, had the crowd clapping along, clearly enjoying the beat. Later in the set came their latest release, a slow-burning power ballad packed with all the essentials: soaring guitar riffs, a cracking vocal delivery, and plenty of nodding from the crowd. A great confident performance that definitely put them on my radar.
https://www.facebook.com/anewnowhere
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Runaway
The Fever Kings, another Geordie band on the bill, are a four-piece melodic alt-rock outfit from Newcastle with a distinctive sound shaped by the likes of Biffy Clyro and Jimmy Eat World, influences that definitely shine through in their set. Rise and Fall, taken from their EP of the same name, was one of their standout songs, it started gently then the drums kicked in and the vocals soared for the chorus, a fantastic melodic number that hit just right. But it was their latest single Altercation that really caught my attention. Released just days before the festival, it’s a powerful track that perfectly captures the band’s sound, with Jack’s vocals front and centre and a solid blend of melody and edge. On the strength of that alone, they’re well worth keeping an eye on.
https://www.facebook.com/thefeverkings
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Nowhere to Hide
Making their Wildfire debut were Blue Nicotine, a rock band from Glasgow who brought plenty of energy and charm to the stage. With tracks from their debut album Into the Blue, their upbeat sound had the crowd quickly on side, with whoa’s echoing back at them and grins all round. Frontman Aidan won everyone over with a cheeky dedication to his parents “for creating him,” and the band looked genuinely thrilled to hear the crowd clapping and singing along. They ended on a high, with a full-throated chant of “Here we, here we, here we fucking go!” ringing out in the tent. A band to catch live, especially with their King Tut’s headline show coming up on 19th September.
https://www.facebook.com/bluenicotineband
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Alone Together
Cry for Mercy kept the energy rolling with a fantastic bluesy set from this well-established three-piece. With a few albums under their belt, they kicked things off with the foot-tapping Walking with the Enemy and carried on strong with tracks from their latest release This Machine, which was released in April. They also dipped into earlier material from their Time and Tide album, all of which went down a treat with the crowd. A standout moment came when the bass player leaned down mid-song to play directly to a young girl at the front wielding an inflatable guitar, a lovely, down-to-earth moment that summed up the spirit of the day.
https://www.facebook.com/cryformercyofficial
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Dry Bones
Molly Karloff returned with a refreshed line-up, featuring new bassist Tyler and a new drummer Jay, but despite the changes, they’ve lost none of the grit or energy that defines their sound. Founder member Simon is still at the helm, dishing out the kind of guitar riffs that make this band great. After a brief technical hiccup, quickly resolved, they launched into their set with four punchy tracks from the Supernaturalation EP, all packed with energy and attitude. Their music demands movement, whether it’s a nod, or a tap, resistance is futile. The set flew by in a flash, a sure sign of just how tight and engaging they are. I’m glad to say that this new line-up more than holds its own, keeping Molly Karloff alive and well.
https://www.facebook.com/MollyKarloff
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Breaking Out
There’s no messing with XIII Doors, the hard-hitting rock outfit from Ireland who stormed the tent with confidence and power. With their debut album Into the Unknown released earlier this year, they gave us the full experience, powering through all eight songs from it. Kicking off with Unleash the Beast, a thundering opener that lays the foundation for their sound, they didn’t let up for a moment. Influences from the likes of Alice in Chains and Alter Bridge are clear, adding depth and weight to their style. Musically and vocally, they were on fire, tight, polished, and relentless. If you haven’t downloaded the album yet, this performance definitely gave you every reason to.
https://www.facebook.com/XIIIDOORS
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Face the Truth
The amazing Marisa and the Moths took to the stage next, delivering a set that proved exactly why they’re making waves on the alt-rock scene. Despite a couple of early technical hiccups, the band kept the crowd entertained and in good spirits while things were sorted. Once up and running, they launched into Needy, a powerful opener that showcased Marisa’s stunning voice, starting soft and controlled before exploding into a chorus that hit hard.
Their lyrics don’t shy away from real-life struggles, covering everything from mental health to trauma, giving their music real weight and purpose. Tracks from their No.1 rock and metal chart album What Doesn’t Kill You filled the tent with emotion and intensity. Marisa’s vocals carried a haunting edge at times, adding even more depth to their sound. Safe to say, I’ve downloaded that album.
https://www.facebook.com/marisaandthemoths
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Devil
Beaux Gris Gris (pronounced bo gree gree, for those of us who struggle over the tricky ones) brought a fresh burst mix of bluesy rock, country, and soul to the tent that was nothing short of mesmerising. This is a band that has to be seen live to fully appreciate the energy that oozes from them. Fronted by the powerhouse duo of Greta and Robin, they absolutely smashed it.
Greta’s vocals were exceptional, holding the crowd spellbound, while Robin’s guitar riffs were nothing short of incredible, sharp, soulful, and full of fire. During ‘Satisfy Your Queen,’ you could feel the command she had over the crowd, I swear if Greta had told everyone to drop to their knees, they’d have done it without a second thought.
There was even a cleverly crafted song that makes you sing the bands name back to them repeatedly until it is embedded in your head. Ooh, la la ya Beaux Gris Gris. Get yourself some happy music and check out their albums, especially Hot Nostalgia Radio.
A band once seen, never forgotten. Fantastic.
https://www.facebook.com/beauxgrisgris
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I Told My Baby
Austin Gold, the final band of the weekend and the perfect way to close what has been an outstanding festival. With their pure rock and roll swagger, they brought a real sense of occasion to the tent. Frontman David shared a moment with the crowd, saying that festival organiser Dave Ritchie had came up to him and told him the band needed to play at his festival. How could they possibly say no to that? From the moment they kicked off, they delivered a masterclass in classic rock, with riffs bursting out on every song.
A mix of songs ensued, mainly from their Ain’t No Saint album. The music rang out loud and proud, full of passion, precision, and that unmistakable Austin Gold style. The guitar work was rich and relentless, the rhythm section tight and driving, in fact the band were firing on all cylinders. As the final notes rang out, and with the cheering loud, there was a real feeling that the festival had ended on exactly the right high.
https://www.facebook.com/AustinGoldBand
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The Wire Defines
The final party of the weekend, as if it were needed, took place in the bar, where a mix of musicians and festival goers gathered for one last singalong. It was a fitting end for those still craving one more blast of music, and I figured I’d earned myself a drink to toast what has been an unforgettable few days.
Wildfire Festival is a hidden gem, tucked away in the hills and brought to life by the vision of Dave Ritchie and his brilliant team.
From the welcoming crew and dog-friendly campsites to the great food, cold drinks, and laid-back atmosphere, even the ever-changing weather couldn’t dampen the spirits. It’s a place where families, friends, and fans come together, where bands give their all both on stage and off, and when you leave, you’re already planning your return. It’s festivals like this that prove rock music is alive and well, and in very good hands.
If you are looking for tickets for this festival for 2026, join the Wildfire Facebook page and keep an eye out for when they go on sale.
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