As this was the final day, many could be forgiven for assuming the toilets would be like a bomb went off after three or four days of usage, but that wasn’t the case. It’s an important factor of festival life for many, including myself if I was camping. Whitebottom Farm boasts plenty of toilets in a separate block, with ample amounts of toilet rolls. They are always cleaned regularly, with bins emptied, and maintained to a good standard. As are the showers, which there are plenty of in one block, and they always have hot water available. This was the same at Blackthorn too, so it’s an important aspect for the site and festival owners. You hear horror stories of the state of the facilities at other festivals. You needn’t worry here.

With a strong coffee in tow, I trudged over to the Trooper Stage to watch the first band, The Golden Leaves. There was a story behind their appearance. Those that know Stret know he’s an avid Deep Purple fan, so much so that he travels around Europe on his own watching a series of dates. 2017 took him to Norway where he saw The Golden Leaves play. Not one for being shy he struck up a conversation with them afterwards and has befriended them ever since. This year he invited them over to play Firevolt if they could tie it in with a string of other gigs. They duly accepted and here they were, opening Sunday’s session. For a band very few people had heard of they didn’t half play with gusto and confidence, holding the substantially sized audience in the palm of their hand by the end of the half hour set by playing an array of imposing rock tracks. On this evidence I’m sure their star is only going to rise in this part of Europe. Being a huge fan of the show Vikings, I was particularly impressed when one of the band members held up his beverage and yelled ‘Skol!’ to a section of the crowd. Speaking of Vikings, I loved that some people walked around the festival grounds with their own Viking horns to drink their beer from. It made me jealous.

Modern metal Merseysiders, Ashen Reach were up next on The Big Top and brought an explosion of energy like something Oppenheimer had created, with a collection of meaty melodies and thunderous beats that sometimes aired on the side of symphonic metal. Songs are layered with a sense of oppression, backed by a notable high-pitched wailing vocal. The Firevolters were highly receptive for what was one of the most deafening bands heard all weekend. 

Atack, led by Keith Atack are up next. He is one of the most in-demand session and touring guitar players in the UK. This side project was a showcase in just how good he and his band actually are, proving why he’s so in-demand and has toured with several well-known acts over the years. With usual vocalist Lee Small unavailable, they drafted in fan favourite, Dan Byrne, who seamlessly slipped into the role to deliver an absolute corker of a set. The rest of the band were seasoned pros of the rock scene, and that experience was telling as band musicianship and chemistry was faultless, as they conveyed a barrage of rock ‘n’ roll jabs and uppercuts, attacking our ears and other senses.

Jack J Hutchinson was up next, and someone I’d not encountered before. Coming onstage looking the absolute part of a wild rock ‘n’ roll southern rebel with a beard, fedora, denim waistcoat, shades and ripped jeans, complete with a telecaster, he was the epitome of cool. Sometimes you can just look at someone and think, ‘He’s gonna be fuckin’ good!’ I wasn’t wrong. From the first strum, his brand of heavy and smoky blues rock was mesmerising. He endeared himself more to the crowd with a menacing cover of Fleetwood Mac’s, ‘Oh Well’. Flanked by Charlie Rachael Kay on bass, and Phil Wilson on drums, the trio were in perfect harmony to produce a set that was possibly my favourite of the whole festival, making me stomp and pucker my lips throughout the show.

One thing that has to be mentioned about Firevolt is Layla, who is Dave Cyderbaby’s granddaughter, and daughter of photographer, Carissa Ann. What an absolute star she was all weekend. With Carissa, Dave and Grandmother, Trudi always around the pit, I watched on as Layla absorbed the music. For a girl of six years old, I’ve never seen a kid to be so into rock ‘n’ roll before. Watching her sat in the pit, or on Dave’s shoulders rocking out with her fingers shaped as horns was heart-rendering. Sons of Liberty even noticed her and invited her onstage to jump around with the lead singer. She also got her denim jacket signed by all the bands that played. That’s some memory to cherish. You’re looking at the future of rock ‘n’ roll right here. But it wasn’t just Layla who was a kid who appreciated the music. At certain points there was another girl and two young lads who we invited to sit on the seats on the other side of the barrier in the pit. All of them sat side by side together during a few of the performances and they looked like a future band, perhaps the next Mamas and Papas with a hard rock twist. With this kind of influence from an early age, it’s hard to see them not being involved in music in some way, or at least go on to have amazing taste. It was fantastic and refreshing to see... who needs Peppa Pig and iPads when you’ve got Firevolt?

Next up, Bev Braisdell, this is your moment! It was the worst kept secret of the weekend who Bev was looking forward to seeing the most. She had pestered Stret for weeks prior to Firevolt to make sure Gin Annie were locked in. With a slot booked for mid-afternoon, it was time for Bev to have her moment and take to the stage to introduce the band. She asked me to film it, which you’ll have to ask permission to see because what the crowd didn’t witness from my vantage point was Bev’s funky dance after she exited the stage in her excitement. Taking up a spot by the barrier at the front after the introduction, she was the typical obsessed fan as Gin Annie demonstrated why they were her favourites. Their electrifying blend of classic and hard rock was drenched with a swashbuckling attitude, befitting of the notorious venues of the Los Angeles scene.

Black Spiders were a band many touted as being ones to watch. Displaying awesome, anthemic power you could see why a sizeable crowd packed at the front of the Big Top. They’re a good old-fashioned, balls out, rock ‘n’ roll band made up of several guitarists who all rock out with their cocks out to create an animated and frenetic sequence of adrenaline fused riffs and beats. Collateral, fronted by Angelo Tristan are another groove-thick band that have distinct nods to eighties-inspired stadium rock. Another highly compelling set with melting guitar work that captured the very essence of rock ‘n’ roll kept the Firevolt train rolling into the final two bands.

Dare finished off the Big Top, and they were quite the capture for Firevolt. A band that has been around since the late eighties, they are arguably underrated, and have slipped under the radar given the success of acts with a similar sound. That’s not to say they don’t have a fanbase that worships them. Several hundred came down to see their set, and some of the original fan base regressed back to teenagers with the way they spoke of their excitement and love for the Oldham based rockers. I’m looking at you Lee Saunders 😉. You could see why they captured the hearts of many, with an innovative style and blending of classic and heavy metal rock. The band were formed by former Thin Lizzy keyboard player turned vocalist, Darren Wharton. His vocals have lost none of its style as they remain just as ethereal and appealing. His stage presence was also tremendous, displaying great swagger and showmanship, playing up to the crowd’s adulations. I’d not heard a lot about Dare beforehand, but they’re a band I’ll be seeking out once I’m home.

So, it was a bittersweet moment as the final band took to the Trooper Stage to bring Firevolt 2023 to a close, and what a way to do so with the monstrous sounds of The Kris Barras Band. I saw them play many years ago at Blackthorn where they had a mid-afternoon slot nestled between many indie rock bands that weren’t quite as heavy. He was fantastic that day, but he was perhaps playing to the wrong crowd. No such worry this time around as the Trooper Stage packed itself out. Armed with an arsenal of dark and heavy rip-roaring anthems, the band brought the house down. Barras emulated what seemed to be popular amongst closing acts on the Trooper Stage, by coming offstage to enter and engage with the crowd. The highlight of this was the collective blasting out of lyrics to fan favourite, ‘My Parade’. The audience passionately sang along to one key line that Barras encouraged: ‘This is My Parade, don’t give a fuck what people say!’ which resembled something like a protest chant to society’s rules. 

That was the closing and rather fitting song to bring an end to an incredible festival. The lyrics that had just been chanted about fifty times over etched themselves into my mind. This has been Firevolt’s parade, and given the scepticism around its existence last year, it doesn’t give a fuck what people say!

Stret and Bev were invited on at the end, greeted to rapturous applause. They’d pulled it off again. Who said lightning couldn’t strike twice? They shared their thanks to everyone involved and their love for the Firevolters who had attended, with a parting shot they’ll see us in 2024. 

It had been a monumental weekend that will live long in the memory. The bands that played, the people we shared the experience with, and the laughs we had all contributed to a few days of musical brilliance. I’ve said the same in previous reviews, but this is one of the friendliest and safest festivals you’ll ever encounter. I love the people that come here. Firevolters are a loyal, gregarious bunch. And it’s these types of people that keep bands going. They don’t just invest in the music and the gigs, but they invest in the merch too. It wasn’t just the t-shirts of the well-known bands you saw all weekend, but you saw a t-shirt of practically every band that played the festival, showing the importance of merch to keep a band going financially, and to help promote them.

The volunteers and staff at Firevolt are top rank, and this extends to the sound and lighting engineers who worked tirelessly for days on end. The approach to go above and beyond the call of duty is phenomenal. There’s too many to mention by name but you know who you are. Some are complete bonkers aswell . I’m sure many of you saw the four Teletubbies parading around for a short while. Named and shamed, Lee, Karin, Mandy & Skye. Hilarious! 

It has been noted that the bands commented on how well they were looked after, and the five-star hospitality given to each one. That goes a long way in my book, showing that we collectively created something special. You only have to read the Firevolt Community Page to see what those in attendance thought. Outpourings of positivity inundate the chats. There’s something building here with Firevolt. There’s a family coming together.

Speaking to Stret and Bev beforehand, I asked them what their expectations and aims were before the festival began: 

‘Building a festival site once a year and one week in advance of those arriving is always challenging. This year even more so with the changeable weather we had switching from heatwave to downpour to dangerously high winds. We forged on with only one thought in mind.... deliver a weekend of face melting rock for our beloved rock community. Only those that attended can judge if we achieved our goal. We are you and you are us.’ 

Speaking from my own experience and judging from the feedback I’ve seen and heard, I think they more than achieved their goal. 

Now that the event had finished, I quickly asked them what their thoughts were now it was over: 

‘It felt like lots of our friends had come to spend the weekend with us listening to awesome bands. There was so much love, kind words of support and encouragement and lots of hugs from the Firevolters. It was humbling and quite surreal!’ 

I couldn’t agree with that sentiment more. I have to thank them both for allowing us to be part of Firevolt. It really is a great experience. Extended thanks to the Hancock’s too for running the bars (important, but I ain’t going near a bar for a while) and site. 

I’d like to thank all the press that I worked with. It was an honour seeing you at work. Having seen all of your photos post festival, you are one talented set of individuals that capture Firevolt’s spirit. If you want to check out the photos or reviews, or some of the interviews conducted in the press areas via the radio stations, a list is at the bottom. 

Anyway, that’s me done. I’m off to listen to something a little more soothing after having my ears blasted and my face melted for four days solid. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the Firevolt Diaries as much as I have enjoyed writing them. I wanted to do something a little different from the norm and provide a deeper insight that went beyond the stage. Who knows, maybe I’ll do it again next year.

If you have enjoyed reading them, then check out my novels 😉, ‘Lost in Manchester, Found in Vegas’ and the sequel, ‘Lost in Manchester, Tourin’ America’. These are the amazon links but signed versions direct from me are available here. Sorry… shameless plug! The trilogy is being worked on and may include a Firevolt twist.

Stret and Bev summed up Firevolt perfectly, but to surmise my own final thoughts on the Firevolt weekend… I may not be rock ‘n’ roll, but boy do I have rock ‘n’ roll moments, and this was another one of them!

All band photos and above heart photo were taken by Richard McCann from Labrat Photography.

All crowd shots and Teletubbies photo taken by Ange Cobham from Cobspix Photography.

All photos of Stret and Bev taken by Nicky Barker Photography

Photo of Layla taken by Carissa Ann with permission given.

Please ask permission before use of any photos.

www.firevoltfestival.co.uk 

Firevolt Press List inc Photographers, Reviewers, videographers and Radio Hosts

Paul Cash – Pure Rock Fury

Gavin Burton - Dtuned on Total Rock

Dave Cyderbaby/Carissa Ann Cyderbaby - Rock Radio UK

Nicky Barker - Firevolt Photographer

Cherie Beaty - Firevolt Videographer

Richard McCann – Labrat Photography

Ange Cobham – Cobspix Photography/ Rock Zone UK

Paul White – Art of Noise

Dan Mann – Rockposer Dot Com

Linda McDermott – Jace Media

Dal Hatton – Mojo Stone

Phil Goddard – We Shoot Music

Nick Ashton – Stoakes Media

Rob Wilkins – Devilgate Music

Dave Bonny – Metal Talk

Ant Firmin – Planet Mosh

Angela Meech/Mark Dean – Anti-Hero Magazine

Andy Shaw/Julie Lister – Dark Wings Media

Andy Nathan – Get Ready To Rock

Phil Elsey – Voodoo Radio