Review By Glen Parkes Images by Glen Parkes and Mick Sayce
The sun was unforgiving, the riffs even more so. With its third instalment roaring into life at the beautifully sprawling Mote Park, Maid of Stone 2025 proved that it’s not just a summer festival—it’s the celebration of rock in all its mad, melodic, and multi-faced glory.
All three days was a masterclass in diversity: southern grooves, hard blues, glam theatrics, soul-baring alt rock, and searing solos from legends. If you wanted safe, you came to the wrong park. If you wanted your senses fried and your soul stirred, this was exactly the place to be.
Southern Heat and Swagger: Parker Barrow
The moment Parker Barrow struck their first chord on the Main Stage, it was evident that Day One of Maid of Stone wasn’t about to ease in gently—it was going to explode from the start. Hailing from Tennessee, this fast-rising southern rock outfit brought a fierce combination of grit, soul, and swagger that lit the fuse for what would become a scorching day of music.
Frontwoman Megan Kane was a revelation. Her vocals were raw yet refined, powerful yet vulnerable—channeling the heart of Muscle Shoals with every note. Whether it was the sultry grit of “Desire” or the blues-soaked strut of “Count Your Dollars,” she held the crowd in the palm of her hand, commanding the stage with magnetic presence. Meanwhile, guitarist Dylan Turner laid down a storm of southern slide and blues licks that gave the songs their smouldering edge.
The chemistry between the two was palpable, and the entire band played with the hunger and conviction of a group destined for bigger stages. They didn’t just make their UK presence known—they left it branded into the ground. In a day packed with standout performances, Parker Barrow, along with Sari Schorr, were my personal artists of the day if not the weekend.
There was something truly electric about both sets: a mix of authenticity, emotional depth, and fiery talent that left a mark long after the final note faded. Of course, that’s just my take—but sometimes, a band walks onstage and you just know. Parker Barrow did that today.
Queens of the Frontline: Marisa & The Moths and Beth Blade
Back on the Main Stage, Marisa & The Moths delivered a powerful and emotionally-charged set that resonated deeply with the Maid of Stone crowd. Fronted by the captivating Marisa Rodriguez, the band wasted no time in commanding attention, drawing in a growing audience with a sound that blended heavy alt-rock textures with raw, unfiltered emotion. Rodriguez’s vocals were nothing short of stunning—soaring with defiant power on the anthemic “Slave” and dipping into haunting vulnerability on the beautifully melancholic “Wither Away.”
Her voice, rich with grit and sincerity, cut through the warm evening air like a bolt of lightning. Backed by a band as tight as they come, each track hit with the urgency of a storm just beginning to break. The rhythm section pulsed with precision, while layers of dynamic guitar added both weight and atmosphere to the set. It was clear that this wasn’t just a performance—it was a connection. The chemistry between the band and the crowd grew with each song, and by the end, the applause was deafening. Marisa & The Moths don’t just play alt-rock; they feel it—and at Maid of Stone, that emotional honesty struck all the right chords.
Meanwhile, Beth Blade & The Beautiful Disasters hit like a tidal wave of classic rock nostalgia mixed with modern edge. Beth, a siren with fire in her veins, belted out set highlights including “Tonight I’m With You” and “Give It All You’ve Got.” Earlier in the VIP area, she even delivered a stunning take on Kiss’s “I Still Love You”—a private moment that fans won’t soon forget.
Sari Schorr
Taking to the Inferno Stage with all the fire her name suggests, Sari Schorr delivered a standout performance that left an indelible mark on Day One. Though not yet a household name in the UK, the New York native quickly captivated the crowd with her dusky, soulful voice—equal parts Janis Joplin grit and blues-soaked elegance.
Backed by a tight, groove-driven band, Schorr’s set was a masterclass in modern blues, packed with raw emotion and commanding presence. She closed with a blistering cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” cementing her status as more than just a singer—Sari Schorr is a true force of nature, born for stages like these.
These Wicked Rivers Win the Day
As These Wicked Rivers strode onto the stage, a hush swept across the crowd — not from uncertainty, but anticipation. Dressed like rock ‘n’ roll outlaws plucked from another era, their look instantly turned heads, but it was their sound that truly captured hearts. A blend of southern-fried blues, classic 70s rock swagger, and gritty soul, their music resonated with authenticity and power.
From the first chord, it was clear this band doesn’t just perform—they embody every note they play. Guitarist Arran Day delivered a masterclass in dynamics, knowing exactly when to hold back and when to let his fretwork explode. On the standout track “Shine On,” he built a delicate tension with each note, only to release it in a sweeping, euphoric chorus that had the crowd singing along in seconds.
Frontman John Hartwell, with his deep, gravel-edged voice, added raw emotion to every lyric, bringing depth and conviction to songs that felt like anthems written just for this moment. The band’s chemistry was tight and instinctive—every riff, every beat, every glance between members oozed confidence and camaraderie.
But beyond the music, it was their charisma and genuine gratitude that won over even the uninitiated. As they wrapped up their set to roaring applause, it was clear These Wicked Rivers had not only met expectations—they’d smashed right through them. In a day packed with standout performances, theirs was a defining moment; a rare blend of style, substance, and soul that will linger long after the final note.
Stone Broken’s Emotional Set
Taking to the stage with purpose and palpable emotion, Stone Broken delivered one of the most heartfelt and powerful sets of the day—possibly marking the end of a chapter for the Midlands-based rockers. With the announcement of an upcoming hiatus looming large, this performance wasn’t just another gig; it was a full-circle moment for both the band and their loyal fanbase.
fronting the group with his signature blend of grit and sincerity, wore every emotion on his sleeve. From the opening chords of “Heartbeat Away,” it was clear this wasn’t going to be a routine run-through—the vocals cut deeper, the band played harder, and the crowd sang louder. The atmosphere was charged with appreciation and a tinge of sadness, but also celebration.
Tracks like “Remedy” brought out the band’s melodic strength, while “Not Your Enemy” served as a cathartic, almost defiant release—one last rallying cry before they take their step back. Moss’s words between songs were minimal but meaningful, his voice cracking slightly as he said, “Don’t worry about me—I’m just savouring the moment.” It was a statement that captured the essence of the entire set: reflective, powerful, and grateful. The band—tight as ever, dressed in black, with a unity forged through years on the road—played like a group who knew exactly what their music means to people. If this truly is a pause, and not a farewell, then Stone Broken left everything they had on that stage, and gave their fans a moment to remember forever.
Glam and Grit: Sweet
Only at a festival like Maid of Stone can you be hurled from introspective alt-rock into full-blown glam rock madness in the space of one set change—and Sweet embraced that chaos with rhinestone-studded gusto. Bursting onto the stage in their signature flamboyant style, the 70s legends unleashed a barrage of glitter, sequins, and pure joy. From the first stomp of “Teenage Rampage,” it was obvious we were in for something spectacularly nostalgic.
This wasn’t just a performance—it was a full-blown time warp, catapulting the crowd back to the golden age of platform boots, eyeliner, and feel-good rebellion. “Fox on the Run” shimmered with timeless swagger, its iconic riff still as infectious as ever, while “The Ballroom Blitz” turned the field into a sea of bouncing, arm-waving fans—many of whom probably grew up on these anthems. But this wasn’t a band resting on former glories. Sweet delivered every note with fresh energy and visible joy, proving that age hasn’t dimmed their sparkle one bit.
The crowd, spanning multiple generations, screamed back every lyric, many with glitter on their cheeks and wide smiles that matched the music’s carefree charm. As light glinted off mirrored jackets and feathered hats, you couldn’t help but feel caught in something delightfully surreal. For one glitter-soaked hour, the rules of time, genre, and taste didn’t matter. It was all about the thrill, the fun, and the celebration of rock’s wildest, most unapologetically extravagant era—and Sweet owned every second of it.
Firestarter Stage
One of the most pleasant surprises of Day One at Maid of Stone was the sheer quality of acts gracing the Firestarter Stage—a lineup packed with lesser-known names who delivered performances far beyond expectations. These were bands I’d never seen live before, and in some cases, hadn’t even heard of, but by the end of the day, they’d carved themselves a firm place on my radar.
This House We Built, for example, brought a polished yet heartfelt blend of modern rock and classic influences, delivering hook-laden songs with tight musicianship and a passion that was impossible to ignore. Their set had a sense of purpose and maturity, showcasing not only great songwriting but also the kind of live chemistry that turns casual listeners into loyal fans.
Then came The Heat Inc., who flipped the vibe completely—drenched in energy and a sense of danger, they delivered a sound that was as raw as it was captivating. Imagine The Doors thrown into a back-alley fight with The Stooges and you’re getting close. Their frontman prowled the stage with intensity, and the band’s ability to create both tension and release within their songs made their set one of the most memorable of the day.
Across the board, the Firestarter Stage was a hub of discovery, with each act offering something distinct, compelling, and refreshingly unfiltered. I may have come to this festival for the bigger names on the main stage, but I walked away with a list of new favourites thanks to the Firestarter’s lineup. Rest assured, when This House We Built, The Heat Inc., and the other rising talents from that stage roll through my local venues, I’ll be there—front and centre, ready to see what else they’ve got to offer.
Then came Empyre—self-declared miserabilists who brought us straight back down to earth with a moody, melodic wall of sound. Frontman Henrik Steenholdt wrapped his introspective lyrics around soaring guitars and slow-burning intensity. It was a bold contrast—and it worked. Proof that rock’s many faces all have something vital to say.
Master of Metal: Michael Schenker
As the sun dipped low over Mote Park, bringing Day Three of Maid of Stone to a close, the stage lights flared for one final act—Michael Schenker, a man whose guitar playing has helped shape the very bedrock of hard rock and heavy metal. Flanked by a towering wall of Marshall stacks and armed with his signature Flying V, Schenker stepped into the spotlight and delivered an unforgettable masterclass in guitar wizardry. At 70 years old, there was not a hint of slowing down.
His fingers danced effortlessly across the fretboard, each note dripping with the finesse and flair that have defined his decades-long career with UFO, MSG, and Scorpions. The opening chords of “Doctor Doctor” sent a surge of excitement through the crowd, with fists raised high and voices echoing the chorus. “Lights Out” followed in thunderous fashion, proving just how relevant and commanding his classics remain. But it wasn’t just about volume—Schenker’s instrumental moments were jaw-dropping in their precision and soul.
His playing had both speed and sensitivity, showcasing a man still deeply in love with the craft. There was no arrogance, no theatrics—just pure, honest musicianship. His presence was calm, even humble, but every note carried the weight of a legacy. As he wrapped up the set to a roar of applause, the atmosphere was one of awe and gratitude. In an age of flash and spectacle, Michael Schenker reminded us that sometimes, all you need is a guitar and the truth.
Final Thoughts: A Festival That Dares to Mix It All
That’s a wrap on an unforgettable weekend at Maid of Stone Festival, where rain or shine, the spirit of rock never wavered. Across three days, bands poured their hearts into every set, whether under the blazing sun or through sudden downpours, and the crowd matched their energy with unrelenting passion. From blistering riffs to soulful vocals, the music carried through the changing weather, uniting everyone in a shared celebration of great tunes and good times.
The festival wasn’t just about the performances—it was about the collective experience of coming together, dancing, singing, and soaking up every moment despite whatever the skies threw their way. Whether drenched or basking in sunshine, fans and artists alike created a weekend full of memories, laughter, and rock ‘n’ roll magic. Maid of Stone once again proved why it’s a standout event, delivering a spectacular mix of talent, atmosphere, and pure, unfiltered joy.
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