🎸 FRIDAY – OPENING THE GATES OF RIFF HEAVEN

The sun dipped, the flames rose, and the weekend kicked off with a bang louder than a cannonball at a Sabaton gig. Friday at Maid of Stone wasn’t just the warm-up — it was a full-blown, pint-sloshing, pit-stomping declaration of war on silence.

💥 HEADLINER: SKINDRED

Genre: Ragga Metal / Nu-Metal / Welsh FirestormWhen Benji Webbe hits the stage, you know carnage is incoming. Skindred whipped the crowd into a frenzy with their trademark mash-up of reggae beats, crunchy riffs, and mosh-worthy madness. “Nobody” had the entire field bouncing like it was Carnival in the pits.🎤 Highlight: The Newport Helicopter made its return — shirts off, spin ‘em high, you know the drill.🏴 "C'MON BUTT!" echoed across the field. Tidy scenes.

⚡ MAIN SUPPORT: THE KRIS BARRAS BAND

Genre: Bluesy Hard RockA slick, no-nonsense performance packed with solos that made you pull that “guitar face” involuntarily. Kris Barras continues to prove why he's one of the best guitar-slingers in the UK.🔥 Standout track: “My Parade” – pure singalong glory with riff-heavy stomp.

🔥 WARM-UP RIFF RUMBLE:

🎶 BLACK SPIDERS

Genre: Sleazy Rock 'n’ RollStraight-up dirty riffs and stage swagger. “Kiss Tried to Kill Me” had the front rows losing their minds.🕶️ Energy level: Lemmy-on-espresso.

🎶 THE HOT DAMN!

Genre: Glam Punk Pop RockFluorescent outfits, high-octane hooks, and a stage presence bigger than the flames behind them.💄 Rock meets riot in the best possible way.

🎶 RAVENFACE

Genre: Metalcore / Groove MetalOne for the pit lovers – chugging breakdowns, snarling vocals, and plenty of low-end rumble to get the dirt flying.

🛠️ NEW BLOOD STAGE – FRESH MEAT, HEAVY RIFFS

Don’t sleep on the up-and-comers! Friday’s side stage was absolutely cooking with new talent:

- NATIVE SONS – American anthemic rock with a touch of classic '80s polish.

- MATT MITCHELL & THE COLDHEARTS – Lush vocals, big choruses, and riffs that belong in a stadium.

These bands didn’t just open the gates — they kicked ‘em off the hinges.

🍺 FRIDAY VIBES SUMMARY:

- Pints necked: Far too many Hawkstones.

- T-shirts lost to the pit: At least 63.

- Voices gone: 100% by 9pm.

- Soundcheck decibels: Could be heard in France.

- Security staff: Heroes in high-vis.

🎤 FRIDAY’S VERDICT?

Friday at Maid of Stone wasn't easing in — it was diving headfirst into a burning wall of sound. Skindred delivered the chaos, the undercard delivered the muscle, and the fans brought the thunder. This was no support act of a day — it was headline-worthy carnage in its own right.

Stay tuned for Saturday’s line-up — and let us know below:Who blew your mind on Friday? Who melted your face? And who did you lose in the pit?! 🔥🎸🥴

#MaidOfStoneFriday #RiffReportLive #NewportHelicopter #BlisteringBeginnings #FestivalFirestarter https://theriffreport.co.uk/10/07/2025/%f0%9f%94%a5-maid-of-stone-festival-friday-line-up-%f0%9f%94%a5/