Review: Rockin the Bowl – Destination FORGE, September 6th 2025

Review: Rockin the Bowl – Destination FORGE

Destination Forge Sheffield (September 6^th 2025)

Reviewer / Photographer – Paul Saripo

Heading back into Sheffield city for the all day festival held for the first time at the Forge Warehouse was quite straight forward. Easy parking was at Nunnery Square Park & Ride very close to the venue.

The Rockin the Bowl staff had sign posted the quick walk to the venue and even had helpful staff along the route both before and after the festival closed to help, assist and reassure the safe route across the road and under the bridge.

The venue has a mixture of a cobbled private courtyard, out buildings and a large warehouse at the riverside kitted out for live performance.

The two bars had helpful staff, free iced water on a self service basis and ear plugs in case any one had forgotten to bring some.

Everything from floor to ceiling was clean and well maintained and the acoustics were good too.

The festival had the first band on stage at 12:30, the awesome Ransom who delivered an energetic set of awesomeness that raised the bar for all to follow.

Ablaze venturing over from Australia took to the stage after a quick change over. Quite superb and definitely worth seeing again.

Ace Of Kings hailing from Scunthorpe followed with another impressive performance.

Next, one of my favourite live bands This House We Built, nothing but good vibes throughout the warehouse.

Next was In Search Of The Sun who drove up from the far end of the M1 (London) my first time photographing these guys, really good solid performance.

Following on was a band hailing from Eastbourne, Amongst Liars who gave a stand out performance.

Next up was Doomsday Outlaw, followed by Hollowstar who both gave a standout performance before The Karma Effect and finally Kris Barras Band.

Kris shared his birthday party and broke his no birthday song rule. Later in the set the riffs became bluesy and very engaging. Finally Kris had the crowd open a path in the centre for him to walk into a parade sing off.