Review: Stonedead Festival

Newark Showground (August 24^th, 2024)

Reviewer / Photographer: Dan Mann

I’m not much of a wordsmith, I could just say that the entire day was great, something that’s agreed by a significant number of people based on the rather significant fact that next year’s Stonedead is almost sold out already, in less than a week of sales, and with no band announcements! However, here’s what actually ‘went down’ last Saturday.

Travelling to the festival in the pouring rain, and with two police incidents affecting the traffic, one could of felt a tad down. But no, sod the weather, there were bands to watch / photograph, and chums to catch up with.

Kicking things off in said rain were The Hot One Two, a band who’ve already got a loyal following, one that continues to grow. Hardly a surprise as they constantly deliver the goods, thoroughly enjoying themselves on a large festival stage, complete with some pyro!

(click to enlarge photos)

Next up were Tailgunner, a band I’ve seen only once before at Call Of The Wild. Again a popular band by the looks of things. Personally I just see them as a throwback to the early 80’s heavy metal bands, with cliched shape throwing etc, but they’re good at what they do and went down well with the damp, but enthusiastic crowd.

 

I was looking forward to seeing the next band, The Bites, as I’d missed the opportunity earlier in the year. Bringing their flavour of Californian hard rock, they certainly made the sun shine finally, frontman Jordan Tyler resplendent in his stars and stripes shorts or possibly undercrackers. They were certainly tight enough! certainly an entertaining set and a band to keep an eye on.

Bonafide were next on stage, bringing their Scandi interpretation of that AC/DC sound. They’re a band who’ve been around for a while, something that certainly showed in their polished performance, delivering a thoroughly enjoyable setlist.

One of the much anticipated bands of the day by many people were Scandi rockers Eclipse. I’ve seen them quite a few times over the years, and their polished, although sadly shortish set, was very well received, the heavy rain shower during their set not ‘dampening’ the crowd’s spirits one little bit.

The Queen of metal, Doro was next. I’ve not seen her since Monster Of Rock Cruise 2018 and I was very much looking forward to seeing her again, I’ve been a Warlock fan since the debut album ‘Burning The Witches‘, the title track being in the set, which was mainly classic Warlock / Doro songs, with a couple of newer ones. Doro has lost none of her appeal, with a great band around her, a thoroughly enjoyable set.

Next up Ugly Kid Joe, who were not just for me, but for many others, the surprise band of the festival. I can’t say I’ve ever been a fan, only knowing two or three songs, but the crowd were totally won over as they gave us what was one of THE sets of the day. As myself and the rest of the togs were about to leave the pit after the standard three songs, frontman Whitfield Crane decided otherwise, inviting us all up to side of stage to continue photographing, an experience that just made their slot even more enjoyable. Superb!

KK’s Priest were another band the crowd were waiting for. Whilst they have many of the elements that should make me like them, I just cannot get on with Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens‘ vocals, far too shrill for my taste, which is a shame as they played a storming set, emptying the pyro chest as they went, complete with a digital backdrop displaying imagery to compliment the music. Another set that delighted the capacity crowd.

And so to this year’s headliners. I’ve been a Saxon fan for well over 30 years, but for various reasons I’ve not seen them since ’89, so I couldn’t wait for them to hit the stage. Frontman Biff Byford hasn’t suffered the vocal issues so many who started around the same NWOHM period, and has maintained a talented band line-up, with Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler on guitar duty alongside Doug Scarratt, and the awesome engine room of Nibbs Carter on bass and Nigel Glockler, who was hidden behind a huge drumkit. It was such a nostalgic trip down memory lane for me, singing along to songs I’ve played a thousand times! A truly fitting headliner, and one who more than delivered the goods!

Hats off once again to Chris, Neil, Louise and their army of hard working volunteers. Roll on 2025 and what will be undoubtably another stellar line-up!

©All photographs are copyright of Dan Mann – RPR Photography. They may not be altered or used without express permission.