Maid Of Stone Festival – Saturday, Part Two. There’s nothing quite like a bit of melodic rock heaven in the afternoon, and this was certainly provided by Tyketto. You can read Part One here.
Maid Of Stone Festival
Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent – Saturday 20 July 2024
Tyketto
There have been lineup changes over the years and this current one hits a sweet spot.
Fronted by Danny Vaughan, in great voice, the crowd got a reminder of just how good this band is. This was a set heavily drawn from the first two albums, still sounding fresh and vibrant, a testament to the enduring quality of the material.
Rescue Me, Sail Away, and, of course, Forever Young were highlights, providing ample opportunities for singing along. Talking of which, Danny casually mentioned that he was 63 the day before, prompting a full crowd rendition of Happy Birthday.
But there’s always cause for celebration when Tyketto are on stage.
Wayward Sons
Now three albums in, Toby Jepson’s Wayward Sons have found their identity as a good-time hard rock band. The songs are tight and lean but pack a whole lot into those few minutes, with the set nicely spread across the albums so far.
Live performance is currently a four-piece after the departure of keyboardist Dave Kemp. The interplay between Jepson and Sam Wood is infectious, and the engine room of Nic Wastell and Phil ‘Martini’ Martin ensured the pace was punchy.
There are certain things we have come to expect from a Wayward Sons gig, one of which is seeing Jepson hurl his guitar high into the air towards a roadie at the back of the stage after the last song. That simply never gets old – it is big and it is clever.
The Warning
Seemingly one of the fastest-rising bands on the planet right now, The Warning came to Maid Of Stone on the back of numerous sell-out shows after the release of their latest album, Keep Me Fed, hit the top of the UK Rock and Metal chart.
Hailing from Mexico, the three Villarreal sisters have grown into an unfeasibly assured outfit that really does let the music do the talking, Daniela’s guitarwork, Paulina’s drumming and the bass playing by Alejandra all matching their on-point vocals.
With four albums to chose from, the material was carefully crafted to make the biggest impression. With highlights including S!CK, Consume and Automatic Sun, this was a set that went all out to show that this was not just hype but something with substance behind the buzz.
Those Damn Crows
Headlining the Phoenix stage in the early evening, Those Damn Crows were a hugely popular choice, quite rightly so. The Welsh boys know how to hold a crowd under their spell.
Right from the opening blast of Who Did It, they never lett up once. Vocalist Shane Greenhall’s banter was on form, self-deprecating and genuinely funny. They have been doing a lot of big support slots recently, so hearing a full set was a joy.
There are anthems aplenty, alongside big emotional numbers, and a band that makes it look effortless. Blink Of An Eye saw an acoustic start with Greenhall on piano while the crowd demonstrated that they were also in fine voice with a mass singalong to Rock ‘N’ Roll Aint Dead. On this showing, it’s alive and kicking. 
Wolfmother
While their lineup and fortunes may have fluctuated in the twenty years since first forming in Sydney, Wolfmother remains one of the most vital and compelling bands on the circuit, their ’60s and ’70s infused hard rock sounding massive and punchy.
Closing proceedings tonight the talismanic Andrew Stockdale brought his distinctive howl and fretwork to the rumbling boogie of opener Pyramid and a bruisingly euphoric Joker And The Thief – this was a show of strength by the Oz team that dared anyone to stand against them.
Backing Stockdale, Christian Condon and James Wassenaar prove a dynamic team and when the trio close with a triumphant run-through of Led Zep’s Rock And Roll, it’s a euphoric meeting of the primal majesty of the band who have influenced them and their own gritty sonic attack.
MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL 2024
The Maid Of Stone Festival 2024 edition will find 39 bands gracing the stage at Mote Park between 19 and 21 July 2024. Gun, Wolfmother and Mr. Big are the headline acts on what has become, over the years, a must-attend event for music lovers.
MetalTalk’s Maid Of Stone 2024 coverage can be found at https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/maid-of-stone-festival-2024.
This year’s MetalTalk team is:
Photography:
For MetalTalk’s Maid Of Stone 2023 coverage, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/maid-of-stone-festival-2023.
Maid Of Stone Website – maidofstonefestival.com
