To be completely honest, Firevolt wasn’t even on my radar until someone from the organising team reached out and asked if I’d be up for reviewing it. I confessed straight away — “Look, I’m not exactly your hardcore metal-head.” I’m a 70’s rock girl; give me Who, Hendrix and ZZ and I’m happy. I’d assumed this was heavy a thrash-metal affair but got it totally wrong. Either way, I welcomed the opportunity to dip my toe into something different and add a splash of variety to my portfolio. I was more than happy to throw myself into the chaos and see what all the noise was about.
Let’s start with the adventure — because calling it a “journey” would be like calling Everest a “nice walk.” A quest worthy of Tolkien if you like.
I typed “Firevolt Festival” into Google expecting a smooth ride. What I got was a magical mystery tour of Stockport’s finest fields, bridges and a random chap, mowing his lawn, detecting the “where the hell am I” expression on my face – I’m looking for Firevolt” I shouted. His advice was “just type in ‘Post Office’ to Google, you’ll find it”. I totally ignored this guys contribution.
First stop: the actual Whitebottom Farm, where a sign politely screamed, “This is NOT the festival entrance.” Cheers, Google. I then followed a series of increasingly cryptic road signs labelled “Festival Traffic,” which led me to a field where two ‘festival gatekeepers’ looked at me like I’d just asked to borrow their tractor.
After a suspicious grilling, and being told to ‘fill out’ a blank piece of paper with my car reg and phone number?? and display it in my window, I was being guided to a parking spot that felt like it was halfway to Wales, where he then casually dropped the bombshell “You need to get a shuttlebus now.” Started to feel like Steve Martin from Planes Trains and Automobiles at this point.
Eventually, I found the real entrance, greeted by two lovely ladies who confirmed, “Yeah, you’re not the only one who got lost, maybe we need to look at better signage for next year” Comforting. I smiled, nodded. And smiled again.
The masterminds behind this glorious rock ‘n’ roll circus are ‘Stret & Bev’. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting them but apparently, they have more passion than a double-necked guitar solo. In the past 4 years they have worked on stitching together an independent shindig that somehow manages to be both laid-back but loud enough to make the wildlife frown. There’s more. Take a breath. Maybe grab a pint.
Because this festival boasts a 100-foot bar!!! Yes, 100 feet. That’s not a typo — A liquid runway! It’s so long, you could do a pub crawl without leaving your spot. They serve everything from Lager, IPA, Cider, Guinness, and Iron Maiden’s own ‘Trooper’ ale, all starting at just £5 a pint. And if you fancy something stronger, there’s a full arsenal of spirits, including their very own rum — ‘Reggie the Westie’, named after their dog. Because nothing says “rock festival” like getting tipsy on a terrier.
Glamping and Gastronomy – For those who like their rock with a side of comfort, the glamping site offered hot showers and flushing loos. Fancy. Food was a mixed bag. The blue cheeseburger with filthy fries (translation: chips drowning in cheese) was a cholesterol-laced masterpiece. The pizza was oven-baked and delicious. The Thai stall was doing brisk business. Vegan and veggie options were available, but sweet treats? Not so much.
I found myself longing for my beloved Crumble Pots from Y Not Festival. I needed sugar. I needed comfort. I needed dessert. But alas, Firevolt was more “filthy fries” than “hot apple crumble with custard.”
I bumped into a friend — a seasoned rocker and fellow photographer — who gave me the lowdown on who to see. Firevolt caters to every flavour of rock imaginable: Classic, Heavy, Hard, Soft, Alternative, Pop and Prog. Whatever your flavour, they have it, with a side order of blues, metal and a sprinkle of punk. 27 bands over 3 days on two stages that don’t clash. Not having to sprint between stages like Bolt, is always a relief.
HIGHLIGHTS: Legends, Lunatics & Leather-clad Liverpudlians
THE QUIREBOYS – The kind of band that makes you want to wear leopard print, drink whiskey from a boot, and shout “ROCK AND ROLL!” at passing pigeons. Known for their 1989 hit “Hey You” (which reached No. 14 on the UK charts and No. 1 in the hearts of glam-rock fans everywhere), they hit the Firevolt stage like a glitter cannon fired from a Harley. Frontman Spike (Imagine Mick Jagger dressed like a glam-rock pirate) He flailed and wailed, and at points, he fought his own scarf-covered mic (made me laugh). The thing had a life of its own.
Bassist Mogg was pure joy to photograph, every note played came with a rock n roll pose. If rock ‘n’ roll had a cheeky uncle who wore leopard print, drank whiskey for breakfast, and still had better hair than you — it would be this guy.
Musically, they were tight, loud, and gloriously messy in all the right ways. If like me, you’ve never seen The Quireboys live and you like your rock with eyeliner and elbow grease, catch them on their November tour. Just don’t stand too close to the mic stand, though.
BLAZE BAYLEY– Wolfsbane vocalist, former Iron Maiden frontman (1994–1995), AND Metal Hall of Fame inductee, this sonic juggernaut that is Blaze Bayley conquered the stage gusto. Every song was delivered with the intensity of a man who’s been through the mill. His voice? A furnace. His energy? Nuclear. His facial expressions?
Like a Shakespearean tragedy. Backing him were the Appleton brothers, who matched his energy beat for beat, like two caffeinated Viking gods with guitars. I didn’t know every song, but I didn’t need to — Blaze’s performance was mesmerising, I could’ve watched him sing the phone book and still thrown up the horns.
The LAZYS – Aussie Rock at Its Rowdiest A band of hard-hitting, mischievous Aussie rockers who are anything but lazy. Since 2007, they’ve been melting faces with their explosive sound, and at Firevolt, they arrived with one clear mission: ignite the crowd and set the stage ablaze. It was my first time seeing them live, and I’ve officially been bitten by the bug.
Their set was a full-throttle, high-octane blast of energy. From the first chord to the last roar, it was loud, raucous, and addictive. They tore into their new single Rattle Them Bones—a thunderous anthem celebrating the unstoppable nature of the human spirit and the thrill of embracing life’s adventures. If there’s one thing The Lazys embody, it’s that fearless, fun-loving spirit that overspills to their audience.
Offstage, their charm was just as infectious. While I queued at the merch stand, Leon Harrison strolled over like a rock ‘n’ roll Santa, fist-bumping kids and spreading good vibes. Meanwhile, Troy Smith spotted a nearby stall selling African drums and spontaneously launched into a percussion solo with vocals to match! It was surreal, wholesome, and somehow perfectly on-brand.
Their performance was a testament to their love of rock ‘n’ roll and sheer bloody-minded determination to deliver to their fans. They’re loud, wild, and weirdly cuddly. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do it. This band have the devil in them, and I love it. They have headline shows and festival dates lined up through August and September 2025 – get yourself a ticket to mischief.
“Power up the machine, it’s time to crank up the (Fire)volts”
DAN BYRNE – Whilst waiting at the 100ft bar, my concentration on who was next to be served was broken by possibly the best voice I’d heard over the 2 days. A gentleman by the name of Dan Byrne. As soon as I got home, I did my research on this golden-throated beauty.
Born and bred in Liverpool, a student of music and frontman of rock hopefuls, Revival Black, this chap quickly gained a reputation for setting a high bar at festivals, as he and his band entered the UK Rock chart at number 2. Shortly after that success, Dan made the bold move to go solo, stating: “I guess I have a voice. I thought I should be braver and use it and make it the centre point of what I do.” And let me tell you — he wasn’t wrong. His voice soars to dizzy heights and takes you with him.
This performance led me to checking out his debut EP, Beginnings and having “Death of Me” on repeat since leaving the festival. Named as ‘One to watch’ in Classic Rock Magazine, last year, I will definitely be watching! If Firevolt was a rock buffet, Dan was the surprise dessert that made you forget your diet and beg for seconds.
REEF – Saturday night belonged to Reef—the legendary Glasto rockers fronted by the jangly-legged Gary Stringer, alongside Amy Newton, Jack Bessant, and Luke Bullen. Taking the headline slot with grit and soul, the band delivered a powerhouse set that reminded everyone why they’ve remained a staple of British indie-rock.
From the moment Stringer’s signature roar cut through the night air, the crowd knew they were in for something special. What followed was a confident, high-energy performance that spanned the band’s entire discography. Tracks like Give Me Your Love, I Would Have Left You, Consideration, Right On, Best Of Me, and Naked (from their debut album Replenish) kept the crowd moving, while Don’t You Like Me When I’m High? added a cheeky twist to the set.
Of course, the eruption came with Place Your Hands—the anthem that had fans singing at full volume. Surprisingly, it wasn’t saved for the finale, prompting a few early exits, but the energy never dipped. Songs like Refugee and Come Back Brighter kept the euphoria alive, with stomping rhythms and infectious hooks that had the crowd bouncing to the beat.
While Stringer and Bessant continue to carry the torch from the original lineup, it was Amy Newton, North Devon’s guitar virtuoso, who stole the spotlight with her electrifying riffs and effortless stage presence. Her performance was nothing short of sublime. Reef proved they’ve still got it—and maybe never lost it. This career-spanning set was wall-to-wall bangers, delivered with passion and precision. And as the band left the stage, arms raised and smiles wide, it was clear: they’re not done yet.
THE VERDICT – Firevolt is a beautiful, chaotic, heartwarming mess — and I mean that in the best way. It’s got soul, it’s got riffs, and an abundance of beautiful people who will become your new best friends. Not forgetting THAT bar, that’s longer than most motorways.
My only gripe? The fire pits. For a festival called Firevolt, I expected blazing infernos, marshmallows, and maybe a pagan ritual or two. Instead, I got cold evenings and dead pits. Minor detail but come on — light the damn fires!
As I drove home, the post-festival blues hit. I may be a latecomer to this messy party, but would I do it again?
I will happily ‘Run to the Hills’ if Firevolt is on the other side.
WORDS AND 📸 CREDIT – SHAVORNE WILBRAHAM
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