Stone Free Festival has announced the first bands for its 2018 happening. Returning for a third year to the O2 arena in London, The Scorpions, Megadeth, Yes featuring ARW and Roger Hodgson head up the restored two day event, which takes place on 16th - 17th June 2018.
The announcement follows 2017's Stone Free Festival, a one day event which featured a headline set by former Deep Purple maestro Richie Blackmore And Rainbow, and 2016's inaugural two-day event, which saw sets by Alice Cooper, Marillion, Rick Wakeman and more.
Headlining the arena on the Saturday night in a UK live exclusive for 2018 are legendary German rockers Scorpions, who have not played in London since 2007. Joining them will be thrash titans Megadeth, led by Dave Mustaine, who will also be playing their only UK show of 2018 as part of Stone Free Festival.
Headlining the Sunday night will be prog-rock royalty Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman. This definitive Yes line up first reunited for a tour in 2016 to rave reviews and has since performed sold-out shows across North America, the UK and Europe, Japan and Israel. This will also be a UK live exclusive performance for 2018.
The fourth legend to join the bill is former Supertramp frontman Roger Hodgson, composer and singer of many of the band’s biggest hits including ‘Dreamer’, ‘It’s Raining Again’, ‘Breakfast In America’ and ‘The Logical Song’, among many others. Also playing on Sunday will be UK’s number one star of the blues rock world, Joanne Shaw Taylor who has released critically acclaimed albums and gained a global fan base.
These five artists are just the first names to be announced, with a whole host of further musical greats and upcoming artists to be revealed over the coming months.
As well as performances from world class bands, all of your favourite extras will be returning to Stone Free Festival including the Speak Easy Lounge, Vinyl Fair, multiple stages taking over The O2, a fabulous Saturday Night After Show Party and Rock Royalty VIP packages.
Also returning this year will be the acoustic beer garden, featuring performances from some of the best upcoming acoustic and rock talent in the country, all curated by Richer Unsigned.
Speak Easy Lounge
One of the must-visit destinations at Stone Free Festival is the Speak Easy Lounge with its comedians, literary brainiacs, maniacs and much more. It is guaranteed to make you shed tears of laughter with a whole host of acts to be announced.
Multiple Stages
As with previous years, Stone Free Festival will have multiple stages across the arena making it more than just a gig. Throughout the afternoon, Indigo at The O2 will feature a whole array of acts and the Big Entrance Stage will be there to welcome all Stone Free Festival goers with a bang as they arrive into the venue.
The Beer Garden
With no chance of rain stopping play, there will still be the chance to bask outside in London’s summer sun. Outside the entrance to The O2 will be The Beer Garden with street food stalls and a busking stage where anyone with a bit of talent can get up and play.
Vinyl Record Fair
Free to the general public, VIP Record Fairs will be returning to Stone Free for the weekend. VIP Record Fairs produce more Vinyl Record Fairs than any other company in the world and at the Stone Free Festival they will present specially selected vinyl dealers from around the UK. You can browse through and buy vinyl from Prog Rock, Punk Rock and Hard Rock to Glam Rock, Classic Rock and 60s rock!
Rock Royalty VIP Packages
ROCK ROYALTY PACKAGE
This upgrade includes:
• Access to the Rock Royalty VIP Lounge & Bar
• Premium arena ticket
• Priority access to official Stone Free events and stages
• Exclusive Stone Free VIP gift
• Access wristbands, VIP laminate & lanyard
• Access to the VIP Hospitality Lounge
Available to book as an individual day or full weekend package.
ROCK ROYALTY – GAUCHO DINNER
The package includes:
• Access to the Rock Royalty VIP Lounge & Bar
• Priority access to official Stone Free events and stages
• Premium arena ticket
• Exclusive Stone Free VIP gift
• Official Stone Free programme
• 3 Course, set menu Gaucho meal including welcome glass of Chandon, ½ bottle of wine per person and water for the table and 2 choices per course
• Access wristbands, VIP laminate & lanyard
• Access to the VIP Hospitality Lounge
You can see all details of VIP packages and find more information at the official Stone Free Festival website.
Weekend and day Tickets are on sale Friday 1st December at 10am available from:
AXS.COM / TICKETLINE.CO.UK / MYTICKET.CO.UK / SEETICKETS.COM
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