STONEDEAD FESTIVAL 2025, THE BEST UK ROCK FESTIVAL?

Stonedead Festival 2025

Stonedead Festival is a one-day, one-stage UK rock festival held annually at Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire. The 2025 edition, on 23rd August, was a complete sell-out, headlined by The Almighty and boasting a stacked lineup of rock ’n’ roll heavyweights including The Dead Daisies, The Sweet, Primal Fear, Enforcer, King Kraken, and more.

This year, we were fortunate enough to be approved for press accreditation – something we honestly didn’t expect – which gave us the chance to fully immerse ourselves in the festival while capturing the atmosphere through the lens of our photographer, Mason D Jones, as we prepare for our own event later this year.

First Impressions

From the very start, Stonedead impressed. Check-in was seamless, access to the arena was quick and easy, and the whole festival had an incredibly friendly vibe – smiling faces everywhere you turned. The organisation was flawless, creating a relaxed but professional atmosphere that let the music take centre stage.

I’ll admit – old-school rock ’n’ roll isn’t usually my go-to. I lean more toward Nu-Metal and Metalcore, though I was familiar with The Sweet from Wayne’s World and we’ve previously covered The New Roses. But every single band on that stage delivered. Whether it was classic anthems or high-energy modern cuts, the performances were spectacular. By the end of the night, I was completely blown away – it was one of those festival experiences that sticks with you long after the lights go down.

Standout Performances

Whilst every band gave it their all, a few really stood out.

King Kraken, tasked with kicking off the day, were an immediate highlight. Their sound had strong shades of Clutch, which is high praise in itself, and they absolutely delivered. The crowd interaction was on point, the energy relentless, and when paired with bursts of pyro, it felt like my face was being melted clean off – in the best possible way.

Enforcer were another standout. It wasn’t so much their sound that grabbed me, but their sheer stage presence. Their guitarist is absolutely wild – not in a chaotic way, but with a kind of controlled madness that’s impossible to look away from. Everything they played was technically complex, yet they made it seem effortless, as if it was second nature.

And then there was The Sweet – and oh my god, were they sweet! I first came across them years ago via Ballroom Blitz in Wayne’s World, and honestly I’d forgotten about them until listening to the Stonedead playlist on the way there – my hype shot through the roof.

Their set was pure perfection. Tight sound, electric stage presence, and infectious energy that had the entire crowd up and dancing. When Ballroom Blitz finally dropped, the arena exploded – absolute chaos in the best way possible.

The most impressive part? This is a band dating back to 1968, still igniting stages with more fire than many of today’s biggest acts. Yes, Andy Scott is the only surviving member of the original lineup, but his guitar work and vocals were sharp, passionate, and utterly on point.

Overall, when it comes to the music, Stonedead nailed it. Every act stormed the stage with total authority, and the production levels – from sound to visuals – were off the charts.

Food & Drink

No outdoor festival is complete without food and drink, and Stonedead had a solid mix to keep everyone fuelled between sets. The offerings weren’t unusual – the typical festival staples – but the vendors chosen this year absolutely smashed it for quality.

We have a tradition of testing out burgers at festivals, and these did not disappoint: crispy bacon, perfectly cooked patties (neither burnt nor raw), and chips that were spot on. Later in the day I went for Mac & Cheese – not usually my thing, but the smell convinced me. They’d run out of meat options (a sign of their popularity), but even plain it was delicious. Mason opted for a Chicken Gyro, and his verdict was glowing: fresh salad, well-cooked chicken (Download Festival, Cough), and bursting with flavour.

Other options included vegan/vegetarian stalls, Sunday Roasts, Hog Roasts, Fish & Chips, Mexican Burgers, Jacket Spuds, Full Breakfasts and more. Prices were higher than your local takeaway, of course, but nothing unreasonable for a festival.

On the drinks front, we mostly stuck to the guest area bar, which meant shorter queues, but credit where it’s due: even in the main arena the staff were upbeat, efficient, and kept queues moving fast. They even took the time to chat while pouring, which gave things a personal touch.

I tried the Stonedead Beer – surprisingly good, even for a Hobgoblin loyalist like myself – and also gave Motörhead’s Road Crew Beer a go, which wasn’t quite my taste but still drinkable. Mason, meanwhile, discovered the Diplomático Reserva rum from Venezuela – and let’s just say the number of return visits he made speaks volumes!

Stalls & Extras

Beyond food and drink, Stonedead had plenty of stalls to explore – from clothing and accessories to band merch, vinyls/CDs, and even an art gallery tent. Prices were mostly reasonable, and we couldn’t resist picking up a couple of pins (including one of Brook from One Piece).

The Gallery Tent was especially impressive, showcasing some incredible artwork. Admittedly the prices were a little out of our budget, but the quality was undeniable. One striking portrait of Keith Flint in particular was a proper showstopper.

Naturally, we also picked up some official Stonedead merch – a t-shirt and a cup – as a way to show our support and remember the event.

Final Thoughts

In all honesty, Stonedead Festival is one we’d wholeheartedly recommend if you’re into bands like Saxon, The Almighty, The Sweet, The Dead Daisies, Skid Row, and more. Would we call it the best UK rock festival? Yes – actually, we would.

We had a far better time here than at Download Festival, if we’re honest. Stonedead may be smaller and run with just one stage, but that’s part of its magic. The atmosphere is unbeatable, the attention to detail obvious, and the passion of the organisers shines through in everything. This isn’t a commercial machine – it’s a festival run on pure love for live music.

And as we prepare to launch our own festival later this year, Stonedead has given us plenty to think about. From organisation to layout and overall atmosphere, we learned so much simply by being part of it – and if we can capture even a fraction of the passion that Stonedead radiates, we’ll consider it a success.

We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to the Stonedead Festival team for not only allowing us to attend and experience the event, but also for giving us the opportunity to advertise Novacaine Festival 2025. It truly was a privilege.

Check out these stunning pictures taken by Mason D Jones Photography: