This was my first year that I could not attend the full weekend at the magnificent Firevolt Festival. I was gutted, but an event clash meant it was impossible to do both. Therefore my good buddy and brilliant photographer, Stephen Wood covered Fri & Sat, and I could attend the Sunday.
In it’s 5th year, this festival is going from strength to strength and pulls in the numbers every year! Organisers Bev & Stret always hand pick a scorching hot line-up, and this year was yet another cracking set of bands. You will find the festival in the beautiful countryside just outside Stockport, just through Etherow Country Park. It is a perfect setting, very laid back, apart from if you are at one of the stages where you get your face melted !
Here you will find our photo gallery from the festival, I have ordered it by day with some general festival ones at the end. Unfortunately we didn’t have a reviewer to cover it this year but we have included a few words on the bands.
Friday
Friday saw a fantastic line up for the first full day. Opening the main Bludsucker stage were the awesome mesmerising electronic art rock band from Manchester – Shape of Water, followed by Blues-rock group from Sheffield – Doomsday Outlaw. For the criminally insane, there to showcase their brilliant immersive theatrical show – Ward XVI. Storming the stage next were German hard rock band – The New Roses. Headlining the Friday night was Glaswegian rock band Mason Hill who are back in the game with new front man Tom Ward. They put on an epic performance.
Over on the Trooper Stage opening up were old school rock band – Takeaway Thieves who brought plenty of glam swagger! Fireheart next up who showed the crowd they won’t be beaten and are fired up by their passion of raw powerful rock music. This guy is busy this weekend as the first of his bands – Darren Wharton’s Renegade took the roof off the Trooper stage. The memory of legendary Thin Lizzy lives on with this awesome set of bangers. Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts Solo Artist and frontman of Black Star Riders, The Almighty and Thin Lizzy, Ricky, along with his backing band delivered an excellent collection of songs which had the crowd singing along and cheering. We were unable to stay for the final band which were Hellbent Forever a Judas Priest cover band, I heard they were fantastic!
Friday Slideshow
Saturday
Opening the Bludsucker stage were Crowley followed by Thieves of Liberty who hit the stage with their heavy blues-rock set and made sure the Firevolters were awake properly! Alt-rock trio Muddibrooke brought the noise with their no nonsense vibe and fantastic stage prescence. The 2nd performance of the weekend for Darren Wharton as he headed up Dare They got the crowd going with their set packed full of back catalogue bangers. The headline spot belonged to Massive Wagons who always bring their explosive set, and this was no different. Pyro packed, Baz jumping, crowd bouncing. A huge crowd pleaser.
Gracing the Trooper Stage first on Saturday to wake up the neighbours were Mchale’s Permanent Brew who delivered a fab set full of 60s & 70s inspired blues rock. This accomplished 5-piece are storming the UK blues/rock scene along with our Woody as their photographer! These Wicked Rivers filled the stage with their funky ornaments, lampshades and rugs. The fans were out in force to take in the Derby based rockers’ set full of old, and some new tracks thrown in. Firevolt always has a good mixed bag of bands over the weekend, and this next one proves this. Wednesday 13 are a horror-punk heavy metal band who put on an visually impressive show as well as being musically credible. Donned the Duke of Spook, Wednesday 13 was presented with a birthday cake on stage for his upcoming 50th birthday, nice touch by Bev & Stret! Unfortunately we could not stay to see Thunder Hammer
Cobspix Photography 