Hard Rock Hell XVIII – From gothic grooves to disco-fuelled madness – HRH fires on all cylinders

Where – Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth

When – Nov/8th Nov 2025

Day One: Thursday, 6th November

Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott

After kicking off the weekend with HRH’s Awards Night on Wednesday (see separate review), I’m still at Vauxhall Holiday Park for the first official full day of Hard Rock Hell. The festival is in full swing, and I’m here to catch as much live music as possible, reconnect with familiar faces, and soak up that unmistakable HRH atmosphere that makes this weekend such a highlight on the rock calendar.

Those who partied hard last night are taking the morning to recover, though a few “living dead” are already making their way towards the main hall and the bar, priorities firmly in order. The first band of the day has the unenviable job of blowing away the cobwebs and waking everyone up, and what a job they do.

To Nowhere

To Nowhere have the task of opening the day’s music, and if you needed a band to bring you back to life after a heavy night, these are the ones for the job. With their cracking set, they tore through songs from their EP and a few singles, giving everyone a solid taste of what they’re about. Their mix of grunge and alt-rock energy hit perfectly, and despite having three new members still finding their feet, you’d never have known. Tight, confident, and full of energy, they looked right at home on stage and had the crowd nodding and cheering along in no time. They’ve got something special going on, and I thoroughly recommend catching them live if you get the chance; they’re well worth it.

After that lively start, there’s a short break for the HRH quiz, a moment for those who haven’t completely pickled their brain cells to give them a light workout before the music kicks back in. Then it’s time to head to the main stage for the next round of bands.

Video

Persona https://youtu.be/as17jhV6stE?si=JqGDIOG_mEJWJPG1

Dhampyres

After their impressive performance opening the Awards Party last night, Tewkesbury’s Dhampyres have the honour of opening today’s main stage proceedings. With their gothic style and dramatic presence, they immediately set a tone that draws people in. The crowd is buzzing, and the hall’s filling fast, which says a lot about how well their dark, melodic sound connects. “Shadow Walker” stands out as a personal highlight, with its ominous atmosphere and melodic chorus blending perfectly with the irresistible beat. The singer’s tone has real character, the guitar work cuts through beautifully, and the whole set has a sense of theatre that

keeps everyone hooked. I’d happily catch these again at a headline gig; they’ve got depth, personality, and a great sound.

The Dirty Denims

Next up, The Dirty Denims hit the stage and immediately crank the energy up another notch. With their bouncy, good-time rock ’n’ roll, they have that pure feel-good factor written all over them. The stage becomes their playground as they tear through their set with non-stop energy, getting the crowd moving right along with them.

Their sound is high-octane, catchy, and bursting with fun, led by a vocalist whose powerful roar fills the hall. “Roll the Dice” could easily be straight out of the AC/DC playbook; in fact, if AC/DC had a wild offspring, it would sound a lot like The Dirty Denims and their female lead singer. They’re a band made for festivals like this, all heart, all energy, and impossible not to love.

Video

We Won’t Stop https://youtu.be/FSuZy8Tgmw8?si=JMk5pLx_bmUc4HXy

Grand Slam

Grand Slam takes things in a slightly different direction, bringing a more melodic, classic rock edge that keeps the variety flowing nicely. Fresh from working on their third album, they return to HRH sounding polished and confident. Their set is full of heavy, melodic tracks that connect instantly with the ever-growing crowd.

There’s a sense of heritage running through their music; Thin Lizzy’s influence is clear and proudly worn. When they launch into “Whisky in the Jar”, the reaction is electric, with the entire hall singing every word right back at them. It’s a brilliant moment that captures everything Hard Rock Hell is about, with a crowd united by timeless rock songs, belted out with passion.

Black Eyed Sons

The onslaught of music is relentless, and next up are Black Eyed Sons, another band who had impressed at the Awards Night and clearly came to keep that momentum rolling. They take to the stage with an easy confidence and a swagger that makes their set look effortless.

Their sound is a smooth blend of rock, country, and punky flair, with plenty of catchy hooks and an infectious rhythm running throughout. “This Is How We Roll” gets its live debut and instantly clicks with the audience, while their new single “Autumn Rain” shows their softer side with a strong, up-tempo ballad that goes down a treat.

A surprise highlight comes when Alan Clayton from The Dirty Strangers joins them on stage; the crowd loves it, and it’s one of those classic HRH moments you don’t forget. With a December tour on the way, they’re clearly gearing up for things, and after this set, I’d say tickets would make a cracking early Christmas present. They wrap things up perfectly with “Rock and Roll Queen”, rounding off a set full of charm, great songs, and genuine stage chemistry.

Video

Dig Me Out Of This Hole https://youtu.be/YhyLpG-k3A4?si=ZZerDrjweqfR7Lpi

Electric Six

Then comes Electric Six, a band most people know for a couple of huge hits from back in the day – so I was curious to see what else they’d bring to the table. They stride on stage a man down and jokingly rename themselves Electric Five for the night, immediately winning everyone over with their dry humour and self-awareness. Their funky, disco-rock groove gets the alcohol-fuelled crowd moving in all directions, with exaggerated dance moves and huge smiles all around.

When they launch into “Gay Bar”, chaos erupts in the best possible way, the hall becomes one big singalong, and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the fun of it all. They dedicate “Night Vision” to themselves and their longevity, which, given their list of albums, is fair enough! Later, that unmistakable riff signals “Danger! High Voltage”, sending the energy soaring once again before they close the set with the brilliant “Dance Commander”. It’s a wild, tongue-in-cheek, thoroughly entertaining performance from a band who know exactly how to work a festival crowd.

Video

Gay Bar https://youtu.be/IslF_EyhMzg?si=0a7mBu1UJ7cbfpUL

Steelheart

Closing out the night are Steelheart, bringing the day to a powerful and fitting finish. With songs drawn from their back catalogue, they deliver a set packed with classic rock anthems and soaring power ballads that show off just how strong their musicianship still is. The vocals are huge, the guitars sing, and the rhythm section keeps everything locked tight. Their cover of The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” gets a great reaction, while fan favourite “We All Die Young” hits with all the emotional punch you’d hope for. It is clear they’ve got plenty of long-time fans in the audience, and the atmosphere is brilliant, the perfect ending to a full day of quality live music.

After the main stage wrapped up, the night was far from over as The Poole Vigilantes took charge of the afterparty and kept the celebrations going. Hailing from Scotland, this brilliant rock band knows exactly how to keep a crowd on its feet. With their punchy riffs, infectious choruses, and lively stage presence, they made sure no one even thought about heading back to their chalets early. A proper party band with bags of talent and attitude and the perfect way to round off a cracking first day.

And that wraps up Day One of Hard Rock Hell. With such a range of bands across both stages, from rising new acts to seasoned favourites, there’s been something for every kind of rock fan. The energy has been high, the crowds lively, and the spirit of the festival very much alive. Between discovering new bands worth following and reliving the glory of familiar names, it’s been a day packed with highlights.