Review: Maid Of Stone Festival – Day 2

Mote Park, Maidstone (Saturday July 19^th, 2025)

Reviewer – Phil Honley

Photographers – Phil Honley & Dan Mann

And so we reach Day 2, are your feet sore yet? First up Jack J Hutchinson, a festival regular wherever you may be with, Glastonbury this year, perhaps Download next year. Joined by Greg Smith, Phil Wilson and the first time I have seen Ash Wilson play with Jack. Both Ash and his brother Phil will join Sari Schorr on Sunday.

Went down really well albeit first on, the graveyard shift, drew a really sizeable crowd, hangovers and all. ‘Always emotive but a fabulous ‘I Will Follow You‘.

A bit of a carfuffle in the photo pit as management in it’s wisdom had decided to allow only five photographers in the pit at a time for one song only. We togs, as you will appreciate, are very set in our ways and the prospect of having to settle for this for the duration would not help our mental wellbeing.

Big River had to withdraw from last year’s festival but they were promised a slot this year and they took full advantage. A great lunchtime set and Adam Barron‘s vocals filled the air, fabulous.

Fury, a great band and full of energy and charisma. The decision to bring in Nyah Ifill to join Julian Jenkins on vocals has paid dividends and the two vocal styles compliment themselves really well. They went for gold here with a really powerful set. Words can’t really express how good they are so you should just check them out yourselves….you will thank me.

Bobbie Dazzle is gaining  popularity as a glam rock/prog outfit formed by talented vocalist Siân Greenwayand securing some prime support slots, namely Alice Cooper and ELO at Hyde Park which unfortunately was cancelled due to Jeff Lynne’s poor health.

I remember reading an interview Siân gave once wherein she refreshingly told us “I’m here waving the glam rock flag for the future”…..so true, she is a real talent, Siân has a fantastic voice, writes all of the bands material and is a pretty damned good flautist to boot.

Rosalie Cunningham first performed on this very site nine years ago in 2016 at what was then Ramblin’ Man with Purson. Rosalie has prog running through her veins and David Woodcock (I believe) on Hammond Organ did create the best most wonderful deep sound which rumbled  the dampening ground. 

Kim Jennett is an extrovert and you can always hear her back stage giving her throat some exercise pre-gig. I did see her adorning a hat with the motif befitting to her ‘Cute But Psycho’.

She certainly knows how to make a stage entrance and such is her reputation she can always attract quality to form a band. Today she had on bass Mart Trail, who could miss him?, Laurie Buchanan on guitar and one of the best drummers in the business in, Paul White. Paul White put in a memorable shift with Jordon Red when they performed at the first Maid Of Stone Festival in 2023.

Florence Black, launch a headline tour in September and could well have been worthy of a headline slot here, perhaps something to look forward to. There are some fabulous bands performing at the festival but Florence Black is a band that is rather obsolete these days, they can write a song that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, ‘Warning Sign‘, ‘Bed Of Nails‘ and ‘Sun & Moon‘ to name three. Throw in the cracking cover from one of the bands national gods Budgie with ‘Breadfan‘ and I need say no more…..brilliant.

Flint Moore is a new name for me and so glad this festival introduced them to me. I immediately assumed he would be a country artist but no, the band was quite special and certainly increased their fan base.

We have all admired Sophie Lloyd and her bedroom guitar prowess haven’t we? Well I experienced her in a real live environment at The Underworld, Camden last year and was simply blown away. 

‘Imposter Syndrome‘ was the album of 2023 for me and she really pulled it off in getting some high profile guests contributing the vocals, three of whom joined her this afternoon in the sun……yep no more rain today. Nathan James, Chris Robertson and Marisa Rodriguez all included their vocals to ‘Do Or Die’, ‘Let It Hurt’ and ‘Won’t You Come’ respectively. We will be seeing Chris Robertson close out Saturday with Black Stone Cherry and Marisa and her Moths tomorrow.

I’ve followed Sam Lay for some time, loved Sugarman Sam And The Voodoo Men before Covid and especially liking his new band Revenant.

A very tall Robin Nutley on bass and Carl Donoghue on drums providing the solid rhythm with Matthew Hudson on keyboards compliment Sam on effortless guitar and vocals.

Look out for these guys as they are going places.

The Raven Age is another new band for me and I hope they hit the spot as I have taken a punt on seeing them when they go on a headline tour in November. The reason being they have Empyre supporting. A good move as they were very good.

Alternative rockers or funk-infused metal band hailing from North West London, In Search Of Sun are a lively lot. The message they put out on the socials prior to arriving was “One word for this coming weekend. CARNAGE. Be part of it.”….that pretty much puts it into words but in a funky way.

Ugly Kid Joe surprised me when they played the very last Ramblin’ Man as they really are a great band. Biggest hit ‘Cats In The Cradle‘, written by Harry Chaplin of course, will probably always get the credit for it and so be it, they put the icing on top.

Well Hung Heart introduced us to Greta Valenti with her partner Robin Davey (Ex Hoax), a band that is currently enjoying a hiatus allowing the pair to continue with their other musical project Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse. I understand Well Hung Heart is playing a one off come back gig in the UK soon but I am asuming Beaux Gris Gris will be their major focus in view of the rising success being achieved. A headline slot on the Firestarter Stage at this year’s festival speaks volumes.

Black Stone Cherry bring the second day to a close in style. These guys are always welcome in Mote Park and they are genuinly humbled every time they play here. 

A full set which kicks off with ‘Me And Mary Jane‘ and as always includes everything that we want to hear including ‘White Trash Millionaire‘, ‘Blame It On The Boom Boom‘ and ‘Cheaper To Drink Alone‘ which was particularly poignent as I stood there drinking my expensive pint.

And so with aching feet , after another day full of excellent entertainment, we prepare for the final day!

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