Brit Rock heroes The Almighty, super group The Dead Daisies, and Danes D.A.D. were among the names who made a big noise as Stonedead 2025 got underway. Taking place on 23rd August at the showgrounds in Newark-Upon-Trent, the sold out event proved a huge hit, as usual, with its dedicated fanbase.
Photo; Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media.
For its sixth outing, organisers pulled out all the stops to insure that Stonedead lived up to its stellar legacy which has in the past seen Saxon rock the monster festival (2024), Blue Öyster Cult storm it (2023), and Michael Schenker thrill (2022).
Kicking off with a pre-party on Friday night (22nd August), an almost capacity crowd were treated to sets by hopefuls Jayler, shining stars Sweet Electric, and masters of melody Tyketto. Compared by Planet Rock DJ Paul Anthony, the warm up was the perfect appetiser for what was to come; great music, good times, a friendly atmosphere, and one hell of a party.
Since its inception as Stonedeaf in 2018, the ethos of Stonedead has always been that it's a festival by the fans, for the fans There's no corporate entity overseeing every detail; it's all run by a team of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly through the year to make it the best that it can possibly be. It's a testament to their hard work then, that every year has been a complete sell-out, with 2025 no exception.
Kicking off the main day [Saturday 23rd August) with Welsh rabble-rousers King Kracken, an un-billed Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne tribute featuring members of - among others- Florence Black, and former Skin man turned photographer Myke Gray, was a surprise addition to the bill, and a real treat for the earliest arrivers.
The first of a brace of Danish bands on the bill. Black Oak County followed, with their contemporary southern rock sounds proving a big hit, while power metallers Enforcer stormed the festival with their searing guitars and melodic vocals.
Kicking off with a pre-party on Friday night (22nd August), an almost capacity crowd were treated to sets by hopefuls Jayler, shining stars Sweet Electric, and masters of melody Tyketto. Compared by Planet Rock DJ Paul Anthony, the warm up was the perfect appetiser for what was to come; great music, good times, a friendly atmosphere, and one hell of a party.
Since its inception as Stonedeaf in 2018, the ethos of Stonedead has always been that it's a festival by the fans, for the fans There's no corporate entity overseeing every detail; it's all run by a team of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly through the year to make it the best that it can possibly be. It's a testament to their hard work then, that every year has been a complete sell-out, with 2025 no exception.
Kicking off the main day [Saturday 23rd August) with Welsh rabble-rousers King Kracken, an un-billed Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne tribute featuring members of - among others- Florence Black, and former Skin man turned photographer Myke Gray, was a surprise addition to the bill, and a real treat for the earliest arrivers.
The first of a brace of Danish bands on the bill. Black Oak County followed, with their contemporary southern rock sounds proving a big hit, while power metallers Enforcer stormed the festival with their searing guitars and melodic vocals.
Photo; Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media.
Revivalists The New Roses then proved a real Stonedead favourite, with front man Timmy Rough going walkabout to join the crowd up close, while Primal Fear brought their Euro metal vibes for their first UK show in almost a decade, with front man Ralf Scheepers admitting; "it's so great to be here with you after all these years. It's been too long, I know."
The second Danish act on a day with a real international flavour, D.A.D. may be more used to headlining arenas in their home country where they enjoy huge mainstream success, but here, they have to fight in the trenches, as frontman Jesper Bizner later admits to us. It's a challenge they relished however, and coming right out of the gates with 'Jihad', they wasted no time in winning over those unfamiliar with their sound. Saving their best known songs until last, in a killer pairing of 'Bad Craziness' and' 'Sleeping My Day Away', the four-piece more than made their mark.
The second Danish act on a day with a real international flavour, D.A.D. may be more used to headlining arenas in their home country where they enjoy huge mainstream success, but here, they have to fight in the trenches, as frontman Jesper Bizner later admits to us. It's a challenge they relished however, and coming right out of the gates with 'Jihad', they wasted no time in winning over those unfamiliar with their sound. Saving their best known songs until last, in a killer pairing of 'Bad Craziness' and' 'Sleeping My Day Away', the four-piece more than made their mark.
Photo; Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media.
Following - by all reports - a simply storming set by seventies' sensations The Sweet - while eonmusic was engaged in interviews backstage - The Dead Daisies were an inspired choice as penultimate act. Reinvigorated and back as a five-piece following a number of years slimmed down to four, with the reinstatement of John Corabi as frontman they're a real powerhouse. At the end of a week long run, and clearly relishing the reception they were receiving, the singer was moved to declare; "we could not have done better than ending out UK tour with all you crazy f**ckers!" Hammering home their classic rock credentials, their own tracks - that included the excellent 'Lookin For Trouble' - were bolsters by on point covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Fortunate Son', and The Beatles' 'Helter Skelter'.
Photo; Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media.
And so it fell to The Almighty to close out what had been another top-tier event. "Is everybody doing alright? Well that's good, because you voted for these songs!", announced Ricky Warwick as the Scots took to the stage. With a set chosen - as the man said - by the public, it was a night crammed with nothing but classics. Kicking off with the debut album pairing of 'Power' and 'Destroyed' - from the classic 'Blood, Fire, and Love' unbelievably now thirty-six years old - it's clear that tonight was going to be a special occasion.
With storming renditions of 'Wrench', 'Addiction' and 'Over the Edge', the heavy hitters kept coming, however it was a stunning take on 1991 ballad 'Little Lost Sometimes' that really raised the roof. Featuring a real guitar hero moment from Andy 'Tantrum' McCafferty, it was a standout moment.
If only it could have all gone so smoothly, and debuting their recent cover of Metallica's 'The Four Horsemen', the foursome struggled to keep the song going. Coming together in the end, Warwick joked; "It's the first time we've ever played that one. Can you tell?".
Taking their bows following a celebratory 'Wind and Wonderful', Stonedead 2025 ended on yet another high.
Maintaining an intimate feel, with the atmosphere of an in-the-know exclusive fan club, Stonedead remains the UK's most fun one-day rock event.
The festival returns to Newark-On-Trent on 29th August 2026. For updates, visit the official site.
With thanks to Adrian Hextall of MindHex Media for all photos.
With storming renditions of 'Wrench', 'Addiction' and 'Over the Edge', the heavy hitters kept coming, however it was a stunning take on 1991 ballad 'Little Lost Sometimes' that really raised the roof. Featuring a real guitar hero moment from Andy 'Tantrum' McCafferty, it was a standout moment.
If only it could have all gone so smoothly, and debuting their recent cover of Metallica's 'The Four Horsemen', the foursome struggled to keep the song going. Coming together in the end, Warwick joked; "It's the first time we've ever played that one. Can you tell?".
Taking their bows following a celebratory 'Wind and Wonderful', Stonedead 2025 ended on yet another high.
Maintaining an intimate feel, with the atmosphere of an in-the-know exclusive fan club, Stonedead remains the UK's most fun one-day rock event.
The festival returns to Newark-On-Trent on 29th August 2026. For updates, visit the official site.
With thanks to Adrian Hextall of MindHex Media for all photos.