If Friday proved that Maid of Stone Festival had firmly established itself as one of Britain’s finest independent rock festivals, then Saturday confirmed exactly why thousands continue to make the pilgrimage to Mote Park every July. Under blazing blue skies and temperatures that tested even the most hardened rock fans, the second day of the festival delivered an unforgettable celebration of classic rock, blues, metal and hard rock, all wrapped up in the warm, welcoming atmosphere that has become Maid of Stone’s trademark.
From the moment the gates opened, there was an unmistakable buzz around the site. Despite the intense summer heat, spirits were high, with fans arriving early to soak up every minute of what promised to be another outstanding day. Credit has to go to festival organiser Chris Wright and his dedicated team, who once again demonstrated why Maid of Stone has become one of the best-run festivals in the UK. Water points were busy but well managed, staff remained cheerful throughout the day, queues moved quickly, and everything flowed smoothly despite the soaring temperatures.
One of Maid of Stone’s greatest strengths continues to be its two-stage format. With no clashes between performances, fans never have to choose between favourite bands, allowing everyone to experience every act across both stages. It’s a simple idea, but one that makes an enormous difference to the overall festival experience and remains one of the reasons why so many people return year after year.
The Firestarter Stage once again showcased some of the finest emerging talent around. Kit Trigg with his confidence and enthusiasm, immediately getting the early crowd involved. Their energetic performance proved the perfect way to ease everyone into another packed day of music, setting a high standard from the outset.
Rattlesnakes performance full of swagger and powerful riffs, demonstrating exactly why they’re rapidly building a reputation on the UK rock circuit. Their blend of melody and muscle resonated brilliantly with the crowd, who responded with plenty of applause despite the relentless sunshine beating down across Mote Park.
Battle Born on Firestarter Stage in style. Their soaring choruses, polished musicianship and arena-sized sound had fans singing along throughout the set, with many predicting even bigger things to come for the band. They left the stage having won plenty of new admirers and perfectly illustrated the quality running throughout the festival bill.
The Virginmarys finshed the night off on the firestarter stage brought another welcome injection of energy to the Firestarter Stage. Always an exciting live proposition, the trio delivered a hard-hitting set packed with attitude and passion. Their raw intensity cut through the afternoon heat and reminded everyone why they’ve remained one of Britain’s most consistently impressive live bands.
Over on the Main Stage, the music was every bit as impressive.
Häxan continued their rise with a performance packed full of confidence, crunching riffs and infectious hooks. The Welsh trio have grown immensely over recent years, and their commanding stage presence ensured they made the most of every minute in front of another healthy crowd.
Xander and the Peace Pirates continued the day’s impressive standard with a polished, soulful performance that showcased outstanding musicianship and songwriting. Their blues-infused rock offered a welcome change of pace while never losing the momentum that had built throughout the afternoon.
There was then a genuine sense of history as legendary pioneers Girlschool took to the stage. Decades into an incredible career, they continue to perform with remarkable energy and enthusiasm. Their timeless songs still pack a punch, and it was wonderful to see fans of every generation showing their appreciation for one of British rock’s true trailblazers.
Just four months after the heartbreaking loss of their father, legendary Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell, Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons delivered one of the most emotional and inspiring performances of the entire Maid of Stone Festival. Rather than allowing grief to define the occasion, Todd, Tyla and Dane Campbell stepped onto the stage determined to celebrate the legacy their dad left behind, playing with the same passion, power and no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll spirit that Phil embodied throughout his career.
Every song carried extra meaning, with the crowd fully aware they were witnessing a family honouring one of heavy rock’s true icons. The band’s chemistry was outstanding, the riffs thundered through Mote Park, and the audience responded with warmth, respect and huge appreciation from the opening note to the final encore. It wasn’t simply another festival performance—it was a moving tribute to a father, a mentor and a legend whose influence could still be felt in every chord. In one of the standout moments of the weekend, Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons proved that while Phil may no longer be with us, his spirit, his music and his unmistakable rock ‘n’ roll legacy continue to burn brightly through the next generation
Canadian powerhouse Danko Jones was, as expected, an absolute whirlwind. Bursting onto the stage with endless charisma, huge riffs and infectious humour, he had the audience in the palm of his hand from the very first song. His interaction with the crowd was superb, and the response he received proved just how popular he remains with UK audiences.
Then came the performance that, for me, defined Saturday.
I’d never had the opportunity to see DORO perform live before, and after finally witnessing her command a stage, it’s easy to understand why she remains one of heavy metal’s most respected and beloved figures. From the moment she walked on stage, she completely owned Mote Park. Every song was delivered with passion, power and genuine love for the audience standing before her.
DORO didn’t simply perform—she created an event. Her unmistakable voice sounded magnificent, her band were exceptional, and together they brought a huge European festival atmosphere to Maidstone. Massive guitar riffs, soaring vocals and an endless stream of fist-pumping anthems transformed the Main Stage into a sea of raised horns and smiling faces.
It wasn’t just the music that made her set so memorable; it was her connection with the audience. She radiated warmth, gratitude and excitement throughout, making everyone feel like part of something special. Without question, DORO was my highlight of the entire day and delivered one of the standout performances of the whole festival.
As daylight slowly began to fade, anticipation reached fever pitch for Saturday’s headliners, Saxon.
What can be said about Saxon that hasn’t already been written? More than four decades into their legendary career, they continue to prove exactly why they remain one of the biggest and most respected names in British heavy metal.
From the opening notes, Saxon were simply sensational. Biff Byford’s unmistakable vocals remain incredibly strong, while the band sounded as tight and powerful as ever. Every classic anthem was greeted with deafening cheers as thousands sang every word back at the stage. The energy never dipped, the musicianship was flawless, and the production added another level of spectacle to an already outstanding performance.
They didn’t just headline the festival—they owned it. Song after song reminded everyone why Saxon continue to inspire generations of rock fans, bringing Saturday night to an unforgettable close in spectacular fashion.
Away from the stages, what perhaps stood out most was the atmosphere throughout Mote Park. Families, lifelong rock fans, younger festival-goers and first-time visitors all mixed together with smiles on their faces. There was no trouble, no negativity—just thousands of people united by a shared love of live music. That welcoming, friendly environment has become one of Maid of Stone’s defining characteristics and is something many larger festivals could learn from.
As another scorching summer day came to an end, there was a real sense that everyone had experienced something special. Superb organisation, incredible performances, fantastic facilities and an unbeatable community spirit combined to produce another unforgettable chapter in Maid of Stone’s remarkable story.
Saturday wasn’t just another day of great music—it was everything a rock festival should be.
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