The Firevolt Diaries – 2025
Well, they’ve pulled it off again! A bigger and better Firevolt was created. Stret and Bev had worked their magic to give the rock community another unforgettable four days of face melting rock that will live long in the memory. From the bands that played, to the volunteers and staff that helped make it happen, to the press, to the festival goers, and to the laughs and great moments we shared, it all contributed to an incredible weekend.
The huge team effort required to pull off such an event is astounding. Not only from our esteemed festival organisers, Stret and Bev (who work tirelessly all year round), but also from the many volunteers that have jumped on the Firevolt bandwagon over the past four years.
What can I say about the volunteers? They are simply beautiful human beings that keep Firevolt ticking along over the weekend, as well as helping with promotion in the weeks and months leading up to the opening night. When bands mention how nice and helpful these people are mid-set, it suggests something special. From the people on the gate directing people onto the site, to the people on the merch stand, to the team backstage looking after the bands, as well as the many other volunteers, on site engineers, security, bar staff, people looking after the cabin headquarters and general helpers, it all united to make Firevolt an ethereal experience that is more than just a festival.
For these people to give up their time for the belief in such a festival is incredible. It blows my mind how much goes into running an event like this. Every little detail is covered and prepared for and there are so many details to it that I can’t comprehend how Stret and Bev and the senior volunteers manage it since its inception.
But now that the dust has settled and the tumbleweed is blowing across a deserted Whitebottom Farm, that only weeks earlier housed a plethora of swashbuckling rockers for an epic hard-hitting weekend, I can reflect on Firevolt 2025… the fourth instalment in the ongoing series that’ll hopefully run longer than The Simpsons.
It seems like only six months ago since its inception which, laughably, some people thought was a hoax. Few believed a freshman festival could pull off a line-up that strong, but it did, it rocked, it was awesome - and it’s continuing to rock harder than ever as the story continues.
The Site
The site itself is situated on Whitebottom Farm within Etherow Country Park and you cannot discount the fact that the beginning of the country lane leading up to the main gate is a huge part of the experience. It’s such a tranquil short journey, especially when the sun is shining, which thankfully it did for the duration of the weekend. The single track runs by the River Etherow, which is surrounded by stunning woodland, with trees overhanging the sides of the lane. The end of the path opens up to a weir and public seating area, and at that point you know you’ve arrived.
I’ve written numerous things about the site from past Firevolt’s and from many years of reviewing Blackthorn Festival in the same location. There’s not much more to say other than it’s a stunning, picturesque nugget, giving the festival an amphitheatre feel set below wooded areas. It provides the most idyllic and perfect backdrop for festival life, something more than just a field.
There are shuttle buses to take campers and day trippers down the lane for those parking off site. Not only that, when you arrive at the main gate and are greeted by the lovely team of volunteers, golf buggies are available to take your gear to the desired camping spot. This is the same when people are leaving on the Monday. It’s all part of the service where staff go over and above to make the weekend as stress free as possible.
Site owner, Karl Hancock and his daughter, Laura Hancock, manage the bars, and their many years of experience ensures the smooth running of operations. Speaking of the bar, the site boasts the longest festival bar in Europe serving a variety of alcoholic beverages, including the Firevolt Lager at £5 a pint, which went down like water… not that I’d know.
What to Expect
The most notable change this year was the impressive new outdoor Bludsucker Stage that replaced the Big Top. Situated at the top of the original campervan field, the stage is a striking presence, providing the perfect visual aid to watch bands rock out. Spike from Quireboys insisted he wanted to play that stage next year it was that remarkable! Adding to the amphitheatre feel, the stage has a steep hill to one side, where many people sat and lay on the slopes and on the bales of hay at the top, soaking in the festival vibes. We are still awaiting an official naming of the hill after many suggestions were put forward over the weekend. I would like to draw attention to ‘Tit Hill’ put forward by our compere, Paul Cash, who fell up the hill whilst walking to the top and made a right tit of himself… which he also did onstage in front of hundreds of people (just getting my own back Cashy!).
The addition of a third stage added to the mix. The Grand Central Stage, was new this year and showcased some of the grassroots bands and artists in the region, offering Firevolters a chance to absorb newer music on offer over the weekend.
Billed as the pre-party, Thursday has historically been a warm-up night, but with more and more people arriving a day earlier, this is firmly becoming part of the actual festival. The camper van area looked full by dusk, which is of no surprise considering spaces sold out within minutes after 2024’s event. Many also take advantage of the Glamping options, also arriving early to fully immerse themselves in the long weekend experience.
The food vendors and bar open from 5pm. The smell of the food from the various stalls consumed the festival village next to the Trooper Stage. Every diet is catered for: chicken, burgers, Yorkshire Pudding wraps, curry, halloumi, Thai, Rock n Roll Toasties, tacos, pizzas, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free – there’s something for everyone.
After everyone greets each other and gets reacquainted (most will have seen each other two weeks earlier at Steelhouse), the evening kicks off with the Rock Quiz. People are encouraged to band together with others they don’t know to start a bond and set the tone for the weekend. It gives a chance for many solo festival goers to meet people, following an actual meet and greet for them beforehand with similar unaccompanied travellers. But at Firevolt, it isn’t a difficult thing to make friends throughout the weekend anyway.
Thursday continued with a Q&A with We Three Kings after they played a short set. Later on, tribute band Screaming Conrods played, followed by a DJ set from Radio Wigwam to keep the party flowing late into the evening. There was even a brief cameo guest appearance from Kira Mac to play a couple of new numbers.
Despite its laidback tag and acting as a pre-cursor to the festival, Thursdays can set the tone and be quite a lively affair as the anticipation for the weekend’s event begins to unfold much earlier than planned.
Friday is when the music officially starts, and the festival properly gets going. I’m not going to review any of the bands. Our many reviewers focus on the music as they are better qualified than me to scribe about them, having more of an affinity to the type of music offered over the weekend.
People begin to filter into the festival village, lurid shirts abound as many have chosen to participate in ‘Shit Shirt Friday’, a tradition that happens at many rock festivals.
If you fancy a momento of the weekend, there are many crafts and goods on offer: jewellery, pictures, vinyl, band merch, hats, to name but a few.
For those with a more refined palate, this year saw the addition of a Wine Bar and wine tasting sessions, adding a little more sophistication to this high-octane rock festival. Not only that, but sound baths, morning Pilates, massages and other therapeutic treatments were provided by the onsite holistic team, adding a relaxed feel to the usually hedonistic life of a festival. If you’re glamping, Firevolt provides a pamper tent where you can use your hairdryer and hair straighteners etc - a game changer! This must be one of the only festivals to have proper toilets and showers which are constantly cleaned. Another huge plus point for Firevolt!
It has to be noted for those concerned about missing bands or having to walk far between stages, that Firevolt is a compact festival, where you’re never more than a few minutes’ walk away from everything you need. The two main stages are only seconds apart, with the Grand Central Stage tucked away at the back. No bands on the Bludsucker or Trooper stages crossover, and there is usually a fifteen or twenty-minute breather between each act, providing an opportunity to grab a drink or something to eat. Long queues at the bars are a rarity, and they offer a variety of beer choices as well as wine and spirits, all at a very reasonable price. There was a craft ale bar and the Trooper Bar, serving Trooper beer, being one of the sponsors of Firevolt. Of course, there was a tea and coffee van for those not ready to start boozing as early as most. The double decker rock bus near the Trooper Stage also provides people the option to view the festival from the top deck and take in the stunning panoramic views of the site whilst chilling with a beer listening to great music.
The weather was glorious, enabling people to sit on the ground or on chairs they’d brought with them to the stages, or the bales of hay scattered around. They sat in clusters… some with friends they’d arrived with, others sat with people they’d just met. It just added to the friendly and safe vibe that could be felt all weekend. Music really brings people together.
When the final act finishes each day there’s always an after party at the barn with a covers band and DJ sets, where rockers can relax a bit more from the pulsating live music with new and existing friends.
The People
The passionate rock fans in attendance are a close-knit community of hardcore gig goers who see each other regularly, at hard rock gigs or festivals of the same ilk. They travel the country to these events. I am not part of that world, and despite me knowing about it since the first Firevolt, I don’t think I ever quite understood it or saw how deep it ran until this year. The more people I meet at Firevolt, the more it astounds me how many people they know who I’ve met in completely different circumstances. Whilst talking with one of the press, they estimated they recognised about 300 faces at Firevolt, which highlights just how extensive and tight-knit the community is.
They all look after each other in any way they can. If anyone needs anything, someone is on hand to help, evidenced in many ways in the run up to the festival and at the festival itself. It’s almost a lost art in many respects. I don’t think any other genre of music has this level of passion and camaraderie, and it’s refreshing to see and observe over the weekend – just another thing that makes Firevolt and the whole rock scene so unique and special.
When I first came to Firevolt back in 2022, I think I knew about ten people max. But over the years I have met so many more, a lot I now consider friends. From the moment I get on site I can walk around and see familiar faces. We make a fuss to say hello to each other and it’s so endearing. Throughout the year my Facebook Friend Suggestion list is consumed with people connected to Firevolt and I always see these people walking about over the weekend – we’re always just a moment away from becoming festival friends.
There is a Firevolt Community Group on Facebook which fires on all cylinders. Regular posts keep the people engaged throughout the year, sharing the gigs they’ve attended wearing Firevolt t-shirts and much more. This is a group you need to join to gain a true perspective of the general feeling around the festival and the people involved. It’ll tell you all you need to know, and the fact it’s growing is testament to how amazing Firevolt is.
I love the people that come here. I love the whole vibe and the feeling it gives me being on site. 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, you saw a t-shirt for practically every band that played the festival, underlining the importance of merch to keep a band going financially, as well as helping to promote them.
It feels only right to get a few people’s perspectives of their experiences, and could maybe voice it better than I can due to them being more embedded in the scene. Below is what they’ve said. These are people I didn’t know until three years ago, and some I only met for the first time this year. Just shows how quickly relationships can develop at this festival. First of all, my arch nemesis at Firevolt, Paul Cash, who loves to take the piss out of me all weekend from the stage. All I can say is that he’s lucky I don’t have a mic to roast him back.
Paul Cash: What’s not to love about Firevolt? For me it’s a year-round job of recording the different Radio Ads, bringing special Firevolt features to Pure Rock Fury from that year’s line up, along with constant Firevolt plugging. When I finally get to stand on that stage and look out at all the Firevolt Family (and a shit bouncer/best- selling author - tick as appropriate) it brings the biggest smile to my face and it’s a smile that not even Reefs speakers can wipe away!! Look into my eyes, not around the eyes, right into my eyes, no one saw anyone stumble… 123 and you’re back in the room!! Can’t wait for Firevolt’s 5th anniversary!
Aidan Jones: I went to the first one (well, Firestorm!) not knowing anyone and left with loads of new friends. Was made to feel so welcome by festival organisers Bev & Stret, site owner Karl, compere Cashy and all the people I met - and those new friends I meet each year! It really is the friendliest festival I’ve been to and in the most beautiful of settings. Can’t wait for the fifth anniversary!!!
Mark Robinson: Well for starters my post on FB proved popular with 127 likes …What I enjoy most about Firevolt is actually not the bands… it’s the people... everyone is friendly… everyone remembers you from last year and we all get along… security…site staff…caterers and the couple that run the coffee truck and of course Bev and Stret. I love Firevolt xxx
From a personal standpoint after 45 years of going to gigs (ACDC aged 11 my first!!) I can honestly say that Firevolt is a one off where the atmosphere and welcome is unique… we all make friends and always come back!!!!!
Every year without fail Firevolt delivers a lineup that reinstates your faith in a band you already like... makes you appreciate the bands you didn’t think you would like and always unearths a few gems that you had not heard of and become fans of …. Firevolt we salute you!
Gypsy SJ: Firevolt 2025 was a festival unlike any other — a beautiful blend of music, community, and creativity, all set against a truly picturesque backdrop. Arriving on site felt like stepping into a colourful, free-spirited commune: bell tents dotted across the field, water flowing gently through the grounds, and a relaxed atmosphere that immediately set the tone. One of Firevolt’s biggest strengths is its accessibility and layout. With just two main stages, placed close enough together, it’s easy to move between them without missing out. That convenience allows festival goers to enjoy the full spectrum of performances without the usual stress of navigating sprawling fields. Food stalls aren’t just functional — they’re part of the experience, offering incredible dishes that bring people together. Honestly, the food deserves its own spotlight; it was that good - my favourite being the Thai stall. What truly sets Firevolt apart, though, are the unique and quirky touches scattered across the site. There’s a bar inside a double-decker red bus, a wine bar hidden away in what feels like a secret hobbit hole, and the second Trooper Stage tucked inside a rustic barn, complete with hay bales to lounge on while soaking up the music. With a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, the festival feels dynamic, cozy, and charming. Firevolt 2025 delivered not just as a music festival, but as a holistic experience — offering massages and therapy sessions. Picturesque, accessible, and brimming with character, it’s a festival that leaves you already planning your return before the weekend is even over.
Celina Waters: I've been going to Bloodstock for about 7 or 8yrs and decided to give Firevolt a try. I’m glad I did. They supported my friends and from the moment we got there, taking us to the gate by minibus then took us to our camping pitch by golf cart, checking up on us throughout the weekend. Staff are amazing. A well-run festival and I made lots of new friends. I thoroughly enjoyed the festival and all the volunteers were happy to help and do a fantastic job. I'll definitely be back.
Alison Dixon: I have to say Firevolt makes an otherwise shy, quiet couple come out of their shell to sing and dance for 4 days in the safety of the Firevolt family. The organisation is fabulous and everyone is amazingly friendly. Where else can you be wine tasting with complete strangers while sat on a double decker bus listening to live rock music? It was absolutely fantastic.
Louise Henderson: This year was my fourth year attending Firevolt and the first year I decided to stay over glamping. This is the perfect festival in my opinion, “small but perfectly formed”. Set in the beautiful Etherow Country Park complete with a waterfall, stunning views and walks and a huge lily pond. The site is quirky with a converted cow barn and double decker bus, bunting, giant daisies, a wooden lodge that would not be out of place in a fairy tale and a new addition this year, a wine cellar! It feels more like you are on a country retreat than at a festival ground.
The facilities offered, especially if staying the weekend, are second to none with “real” toilets (no portaloos for us Firevolters!), showers and even a pamper tent complete with hollywood mirrors, hair straighteners and hair dryers, an absolute game changer. The festival offers a variety of food vendors which I found reasonably priced and much better quality than other festivals I’ve attended. Plus several well stocked, well-staffed bars offering lots of variety, including a Firevolt beer.
Bev and Stret and their volunteers are just amazing, so happy, friendly, helpful and joyful, nothing is too much trouble, even the bands have commented on this on stage. From a shuttle bus and van to bring you to the festival site from the offsite car park, to little trucks meeting you at the festival entrance to take you and your luggage right to your glamping tent door – fantastic. A real Firevolt family.
This year, an additional stage, 3 stages, nonstop rock, no over lapping, no need to miss a thing!
On my last night I sat wrapped in my ACDC blanket on the bus decking absolutely shattered after one of my favourite weekends of the year. I felt the love, thinking how lucky I was to be there. Needless to say my ticket and glamping tent are booked for 2026.
Firevolt is fast becoming one of the must-go-to festivals in the rock scene. Its reputation is growing, and some people chose this festival over another one that goes on over the same weekend. The quotes above are just a snippet of the outpouring of adulation I’ve seen on social media.
Reflection
Due to my work commitments over the weekend, I’m always on the move between stages and rarely get a chance to relax for more than fifteen minutes until the final band finishes. But I’d love to experience this festival as a regular customer - which will never happen. I may have to branch out and attend one of the other festivals with the same like-minded people over the summer.
I’ve loved my role this year, where I was tasked with handling all things press related. It’s been an honour to serve Stret and Bev in that regard and help them out. I’ve also somehow become the raffle guy too! I’d like to thank them for the faith they’ve shown in me. I’d also like to give a shout out to all the press that I worked with. As always it was a pleasure seeing you at work and helping you out the best I could. Having seen all of your photos and reviews post festival, you are one talented set of individuals that truly capture Firevolt’s spirit.
One thing to note from the press was the sad loss of photographer Dal Hatton, from Mojo Stone, last year. He was always a lot of fun at Firevolt and I enjoyed speaking to him many times. His presence was missed. RIP Dal.
My own final thoughts on the weekend cannot be changed from last year’s quote as the same applies again… “Over the years strange faces become familiar, you then exchange pleasantries with those familiar faces, new friends are made, existing friendships become solidified! It’s the Firevolt way… it’s a family thing… a unique and unbreakable bond!”
We are bound by the music, sharing a deep connection for the rock ‘n’ roll way of life, but for me, it’s the people that make it, whether that’s the volunteers or the festival goers. It makes Firevolt what it is. I even managed to bring a couple of my own friends this year after years of harping on about this extraordinary weekend. They, like me, aren’t avid gig goers in the rock scene, but despite looking a little like fish out of water, they absolutely loved the day they spent there, so much so that a full weekend of Glamping with a few others may be on the cards next year. This festival converts people – it has with me.
I have still only half recovered mentally, physically and emotionally. This year, more than most, Firevolt broke me, a clear sign of an incredible memory invoking weekend. Never has the notion of work hard, play harder been more apparent, and despite how post-festival blues gripped me afterwards, I cannot wait to do it all again for what will be the milestone fifth year. What do Stret and Bev have planned up their sleeve for us. 5 5 5 5!
Don’t forget, the Firevolt Christmas Party is on the 22nd November at Bread Shed, Manchester featuring music from Scarlet Rebels, The Karma Effect, and Thieves of Liberty. Tickets are now available here https://www.gigantic.com/firevolt-xmas-party-2025-tickets/manchester-the-bread-shed/2025-11-22-19-00
Thanks to all who contributed to the above review.
All photos taken by Richard McCann from Labrat Photography. Please ask permission before use.
