The Prologue : Firevolt Festival on August 7th 2025

In these days of smaller, independent festivals going to the wall due to lack of interest and advance sales, it’s heartening to meet Firevolt and see how well they are doing. 

Since its inception in 2022 it has grown like a virus, attracting bands and punters alike and building itself a solid reputation year-on-year. As the date clashes with that bastion of All Things Metal that is Bloodstock, 2025 is the first year that Rockflesh have been able to attend and what we found was truly delightful. 

The festival is set in a stunning country park on the edge of the Peak District, with the main stage this year moving from a big top in what is now part of the live-in vehicles and glamping area into a natural ampitheatre. Bordered on one side by a grassy yet-to-be-named hill that leads to the campsite and forms a natural raised seating area, and on the other side by traders and bars against a backdrop of trees, it’s the perfect spot for a bit of live music. The bottom of the space becomes the all-important drinking area, with the huge barn housing the second stage, and a wine bar, cocktail bus (sadly not working this weekend) and craft beer shed complimenting the main bar perfectly.  

There was also a third stage just behind the entrance, sponsored by Grand Central and Leaf Promotions and offering a plethora of unknown artists to our unsuspecting ears, but we’ll get back to that later. 

Due to the location, there is not a lot of space on site for vehicles so campers in cars and the overflow live-in vehicles are directed to a field approx. a mile from the festival entrance. Unlike other festivals though there is no slog of walking what feels like forever with all your gear. Nope, Firevolt offer a regular shuttle service from carpark to campground but then they take it a stage further – once discharged at the entrance and wristbanded you will find a couple of little buggys ready and waiting to take your gear to your preferred pitch. Now that is service! 

But that seems to be what this little festival is all about to be honest. The team, the volunteers, the security, all were friendly and helpful and couldn’t do enough to make sure you had a positive experience. Of course there were a couple of little niggles, the festival is still growing and testing itself, but we’ll get to those as they arise. 

For now though, once we’re in and pitched there’s a laid-back Thursday party to attend! We Three Kings provide the live music, and there’s also a quiz and a rock disco provided by the chaps from WigWam Radio to keep the atmos flowing. What there mostly is though is people. Clumps of people greeting old friends and making new ones, mingling with each other and just enjoying being with their tribe in such a beautiful location. 

Although there are some portaloos on the outskirts, the main toilets are quirky, clean and kept stuffed with lashings of paper for the whole weekend. There are also free hot showers, and water and an elsan point for the live-ins. 

It’s a gentle evening, and a nice ease into the weekend for most. After a couple of hours exploring the site and nattering it’s time to hit the sack. The slightly iffy afternoon weather has given way to a beautiful clear night and as the hooting of owls provides a restful lullaby I await the rest of the weekend with eager anticipation.