Live Review and Photography by Paul McWilliams
There are festivals you attend, and then there are festivals that feel like you have somehow been invited into something much bigger than a weekend of live music. Firevolt Festival has always had that quality, and Saturday at Whitebottom Farm proved exactly why this independent rock gathering has built such a loyal following.
From the moment the gates opened, there was a real sense of anticipation in the air. Familiar faces greeted each other, new festivalgoers quickly found themselves absorbed into the Firevolt family, and the combination of good music, friendly chaos and an incredibly relaxed atmosphere created the perfect environment for a full day of rock ‘n’ roll.
The no-clash scheduling remains one of Firevolt’s biggest strengths. Rather than forcing fans to choose between acts, the festival allows everyone to experience the full musical journey. And what a journey Saturday delivered.
Crowley
Opening the day was always going to be a challenge, but Crowley attacked it head-on. There was no easing into Saturday for this band. Sharp guitar work, punchy modern rock and confident vocals immediately grabbed the attention of the early arrivals.
There was plenty of swagger here, particularly for a band taking on an opening slot, and Crowley looked completely at home on the Firevolt stage. They didn’t simply open the day — they announced it.
McHale’s Permanent Brew
From modern rock to something altogether more boisterous, McHale’s Permanent Brew brought a healthy dose of good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll fun.
This was a set built around big choruses, humour, attitude and the kind of crowd interaction that makes a festival feel like a party. There was plenty of banter from the stage, while the music had enough grit and energy to keep the field moving.
They were exactly the sort of band Firevolt does so well: entertaining, accessible and impossible not to enjoy.
Thieves of Liberty
Thieves of Liberty stepped things up with a performance that showed just how far they have come. Their melodic hard rock sounded huge, backed by tight musicianship and a vocal performance that demanded attention.
There was a real sense of confidence about the set. Nothing felt forced, and the band’s ability to combine melody with harder-edged rock gave them a sound that connected strongly with the Firevolt crowd.
This is a band with plenty of potential, and Saturday gave them another opportunity to show why they deserve to be watched closely.
LN
LN provided one of the day’s more atmospheric moments.
Their darker, moodier approach offered a welcome contrast to the more straightforward rock and roll earlier in the day. There was an emotional weight to the performance, with layers of sound and a brooding intensity that drew the audience in.
Rather than simply playing to the crowd, LN created an atmosphere around it. It was a beautifully executed set and one that demonstrated the depth of Saturday’s lineup.
Muddi Brooke
Then came Muddi Brooke — and what a performance.
From the moment they hit the stage, the energy levels went through the roof. The combination of gritty vocals, alternative-rock attitude and raw stage energy made them one of the genuine discoveries of the day.
There was something wonderfully dangerous about the performance. It was polished enough to demonstrate serious musical ability, but still possessed that raw edge that makes a live band exciting.
Muddi Brooke were absolutely one to watch.
In fact, if Saturday introduced Firevolt newcomers to this band for the first time, there is a very good chance they left with a new favourite.
These Wicked Rivers
By now, the Firevolt faithful were fully warmed up, and the arrival of These Wicked Rivers felt like a homecoming.
This is a band that has become closely associated with the Firevolt experience, and their return was greeted accordingly. Blues-soaked riffs, swaggering rock ‘n’ roll and heartfelt storytelling combined to produce one of the day’s most feel-good performances.
The fans clearly knew every word. Flags appeared across the crowd, voices rose from the field and suddenly Whitebottom Farm felt less like a festival site and more like one enormous group of friends enjoying a band they love.
These Wicked Rivers understand exactly what Firevolt is about — and it showed.
Dare
As the afternoon moved towards evening, Dare brought a touch of classic rock sophistication to proceedings.
Darren Wharton remains an exceptional vocalist, and his voice gave the set a sense of timelessness. The band’s melodic approach, soaring vocals and carefully crafted arrangements offered a reminder that great rock music doesn’t always need to be aggressive to make an impact.
There was elegance here, but also plenty of emotion. Long-time Dare fans were clearly delighted, while newer members of the Firevolt crowd were given the opportunity to experience a band whose place in British rock history is already firmly established.
Wednesday 13
Then the atmosphere changed.
Wednesday 13 arrived and proceeded to drag Firevolt into a wonderfully dark world of horror, punk and theatrical rock.
Snarling vocals, gothic imagery and a stage presence that could only belong to Wednesday 13 transformed the festival field. Suddenly, the friendly afternoon atmosphere had acquired a sinister edge — and the crowd absolutely loved it.
There is something gloriously theatrical about a Wednesday 13 performance. It isn’t simply a collection of songs; it is a show, and Saturday’s audience received the full experience.
Visually and musically, this was one of the most memorable sets of the day.
Massive Wagons
And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Massive Wagons took to the stage as Saturday’s headliners and wasted absolutely no time in proving why they were the perfect choice to close the day.
Baz Mills is a force of nature. From the moment he appeared, he was bouncing, running, shouting and working every inch of the stage. Trying to stand still while watching Massive Wagons must be almost impossible.
The band tore through a set packed with fan favourites, huge riffs and anthemic moments, and the crowd responded in kind.
This wasn’t a polite festival audience watching from a distance. They were singing, shouting, dancing and throwing themselves completely into the performance.
The atmosphere became something else entirely.
Massive Wagons didn’t simply headline Firevolt — they embodied it.
There was a sense that the band and audience were celebrating together, rather than one performing for the other. Every chorus seemed louder, every riff hit harder and every moment felt like another reason to be standing in that field on a Saturday night.
It was a headline performance worthy of the occasion and a fitting finale to one of Firevolt’s strongest days.
More Than Just Music
What makes Firevolt special isn’t simply the quality of the bands.
It is the people.
Throughout Saturday, musicians could be seen mingling with fans, organisers were part of the atmosphere rather than hidden away from it, and the crowd itself represented everything from families experiencing their first festival to hardened rock fans who have been following the scene for decades.
There was no sense of pretension.
The layout of the festival encourages people to wander, talk, discover new bands and simply enjoy being there. That creates a community atmosphere that larger commercial festivals often struggle to replicate.
Firevolt feels like a reunion, even when you are meeting people for the first time.
Final Verdict
Saturday at Firevolt Festival 2026 was a triumph.
From Crowley’s energetic opening salvo through the humour of McHale’s Permanent Brew, the rising confidence of Thieves of Liberty, LN’s atmospheric performance, Muddi Brooke’s raw brilliance and the feel-good rock of These Wicked Rivers, the day continually delivered.
Dare brought classic rock class, Wednesday 13 brought theatrical mayhem, and Massive Wagons brought the house down.
But perhaps the biggest success of all was the atmosphere.
Firevolt has managed to create something that feels increasingly rare — a festival where the music is hugely important, but where community matters just as much.
Saturday wasn’t simply a collection of great performances.
It was a day of discovery, friendship, noise, laughter and rock ‘n’ roll.
And as the final notes of Massive Wagons disappeared into the night sky above Whitebottom Farm, there could be little doubt that Firevolt had once again delivered exactly what its audience came for.
Firevolt Festival 2026 — Saturday: loud, welcoming, wonderfully chaotic and very, very good.
Reviewer & Photographer: Paul McWilliams
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