Where – Whitebottom Farm, Etherow Country Park Compstall, Stockport
When 7th – 10th August 2025
Day One – Friday 8th August 25
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
After a great VIP night it’s now day one of the main event at Firevolt festival. With the place wakening up slow but sure, it’s a bit of breakfast to line the stomach, then off on the epic five-minute stroll into the hub of the festival.
This year brings a fresh set up, gone is the big top tent, replaced by a large stage that opens the space up nicely, giving everything a more relaxed feel with a one-minute wander between the Trooper Stage and the new Bludsucker Stage. The event also sees a new venture into a smaller stage showcasing a few bands and adding an extra layer to the music on offer.
As more folk arrive for the first band, the place starts to hum with that lovely festival buzz when people spot familiar faces, swapping hugs, and pretending they haven’t been checking the weather forecast every hour for the last week. Luckily the forecast is for bright sunshine over the whole weekend, which leaves everyone relieved and only how too hot it is to talk about. We do love our weather chats in the UK!
There are ten bands playing between the two main stages today, with something for everyone. Whether this is your first time at the festival, or you’ve been coming every year, there are always surprises in the line-up to entice you to listen to bands you may never have heard before.
Bands
Rare Breed
Sonic Whip
SKAM
Fury
Roadwolf
Tigers of Pan Tang
Graham Olivers Army
Girlschool
South of Salem
White Tyger
First up were Rare Breed, fresh from their Battle of the Bands victory and ready to make that opener’s slot count. Their bluesy rock swagger was the perfect way to ease everyone into the day, with just enough bite to get heads nodding and feet moving. For a relatively new band, their sound was impressively tight, each song was sung with real purpose. We were treated to Pieces and English Rose (now downloaded), both pulsing with that infectious, foot-tapping groove that was made for sunshine, cold drinks, and a crowd in the mood for fun.
https://www.facebook.com/RareBreedBandUK
Pieces
A wee wander over to the Trooper Stage landed me in front of Dutch three-piece band Sonic Whip, and I had no idea what was coming. That’s just how I like it. From the very first note, they hit like a shot of espresso, bouncing around the stage with enough energy to light the place up.
I didn’t know where to look, one minute they were grinning at the crowd, the next they were posing as they tore into riffs that hit hard. Every song packed a punch, and you could see the crowd warming to them from the start. By the time they ripped through their back catalogue and threw in a blistering cover of AC/DC’s Let There Be Rock, they weren’t just a pleasant surprise, they were one of those ‘where have you been’ festival finds.
https://www.facebook.com/SonicWhip
SKAM never fail to deliver, and this set was no exception. The Leicester three-piece came out swinging, hitting hard with their brand of no-nonsense rock. With over a decade under their belts, they’ve honed their craft to the point where they make it look effortless. Filling the Bludsucker Stage is no easy feat, but they owned every inch of it, feeding off the energy of a loyal fan base who were out in force this weekend. Looking into the crowd, it was all singing and cheering as SKAM powered through a set packed with choice cuts from their releases. With several albums to draw from, they had more than enough firepower to keep everyone happy, and they knew exactly how to use it.
The day has got off to a flying start, with bands bringing the kind of engaging energy that pulls you in and keeps you hooked. This is exactly what a festival should be about, great music, great performances, and a crowd ready to make the most of every moment.
https://www.facebook.com/SKAM.UK
With no let up in the entertainment it’s back to the Trooper Stage for some heavy metal. Fury are always a treat to see at a festival, with an aura that radiates pure energy the moment they start to play, they never disappoint a crowd.There have been a couple of line-up changes since I last saw them, (not sure if these are permanent or not) but the music is still delivered with the same punch and drive as before, pulling the crowd in and getting them moving to the beat. The vocals from Julian and Nyah are, as always, outstanding and delivered with full force, cutting through with power and precision. Their songs are the kind that fans at the front belt out word for word, grinning as they do it. I love seeing people lost in the music of their favourite bands.
https://www.facebook.com/furyofficial
Video
Don’t Lie To Me
Heading over to the Bludsucker Stage, Roadwolf immediately made their mark with a set full of swagger and attitude. The Austrian four-piece blended chunky riffs with great vocals, keeping everyone on their toes as the songs twisted and turned. There were moments that made you nod along, moments that made you grin, and moments that made you want to grab the nearest air guitar. With a set drawn from across their releases, Roadwolf proved themselves as a band that’s just as much fun to watch as they are to listen to.
https://www.facebook.com/roadwolfmusic
Tyger of Pan Tang stormed the stage after an intro of Muds Tiger Feet, which made me grin as I fought the urge to join in with a dodgy dance, trust me, no one needed to see that! Even seeing them for the first time, I was tapping along to the music before I knew it.
Their upbeat, infectious tunes had the crowd buzzing, many clearly in party mode and soaking up every riff. Years on the road haven’t dulled the bands love for performing; every note and gesture showed they’re in it for the fun and the fans. By the time they finished, I was fully on board, hooked and smiling along with everyone else.
https://www.facebook.com/tygersofpantangofficial
Video
Edge Of The World
Graham Oliver’s Army took to the Bludsucker Stage with a crowd clearly having the best day at the festival. Graham himself is a naturally funny man, full of stories and quips that had everyone smiling and laughing along. Combine that with their tight, feel-good music, and the vibe was utterly contagious, uplifting and relaxed in equal measure. The tunes flowed effortlessly, keeping Saxon and heavy metal fans in the crowd grinning from start to finish, and adding another layer to the festival’s infectious atmosphere.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php
Next up was Girlschool, one of the bands I absolutely couldn’t miss. Fifty years in the music industry with more songs you know than you realise. By the time they hit the stage, the crowd had swelled, everyone eager to soak up their set, and it was brilliant to see them greeted with such excitement.
They tore through their songs with ease, songs such as C’mon Let’s Go, Hit and Run, and Please Don’t Touch, each one a celebration, while slipping in their new track It Is What It Is with ease. It was a full-on masterclass of classic rock, fun, and pure festival joy that had everyone singing along. If you get the chance to see Girlschool, grab it with both hands, you’ll have a brilliant night.
https://www.facebook.com/GirlschoolOfficial
Video
It Is What It Is
South of Salem have played the festival three times, steadily working their way up the bill, and this year they claimed the first headline slot on the new Bludsucker Stage. From the moment they hit the stage, with a sea of their T-shirts filling the crowd, it was clear this set was going to be something special. Fireworks and flames kicked off a seventy-five-minute blast of anthems from The Sinner Takes It All and Death of the Party, each song met with roaring voices and hands in the air.
We were also treated to Fallout, a brilliant new track that earned massive cheers. I found myself singing along with everyone else, even though I was earning a few sideways glances for my questionable vocals!
Throughout it all, the band’s gratitude shone through, Joey’s playful shout-out “thank you, from our little gothy black hearts” reminded everyone that South of Salem truly value each and every fan who’s been along for the ride.
By the time they finished, the crowd was buzzing, having given their all to every song. South of Salem delivered a thrilling end to a set packed with energy, passion, and a connection that left everyone feeling part of something special
https://www.facebook.com/southofsalemband
Video
Jet Black Eyes
South of Salem saw the end to a great day for some as they headed back to their tents and campervans. But the festival day was far from over for the hardcore partiers. The Trooper Stage played host to one last burst of energy at the after-party, and White Tyger were on hand to deliver it. Their covers set was pure party fuel, rock hit after rock hit, each one an anthem that had the crowd singing and cheering along.
https://m.facebook.com/whitetygerrock
Video
Almost Home
Finally, it was time for me to call it a night on what has been an amazing day at Firevolt Festival.
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