Stonedead Festival 2025 -
Newark Showground, Newark-Upon-Trent, Friday, 22nd August, 2025
The Mercia Whiskey Friday Night Party for Stonedead Festival started at 6pm and the arena area soon filled up. Excitement was building and the weather holding off. The Festival is a nice compact Rock Family vibe type festival. A throw back to how the Monsters of Rock used to be. One stage on one day.
The party night was started for the campers to keep them entertained. You are greeted by an arch, like the old Donington tyre arch. Very friendly and helpful staff and Storm Troopers! Fabulous!
Lots of food stalls, Andy's Man Club, three bars and some merch stalls. A large screen dominates and a wheelchair platform. Some picnic benches are to be found at the rear of the screen. It's very well laid out, although I would like more stalls, perhaps around the picnic bench apex. But apart from that, there is very little to complain about.
Jayler opened the show whose line-up consists of James Bartholomew (Lead Vocals/ Guitar), Tyler Arrowsmith (Lead Guitar), Ed Evans (Drums) & Ricky Hodgkiss (Bass Guitar/Keyboards).
For any band, this would be a high-pressure moment, but the four lads handled it with an infectious ease. From the moment they stepped out, they looked and felt at home. The massive smiles and undeniable camaraderie between the band members immediately resonated with the crowd, setting the perfect tone for an unforgettable night.
 Jayler - Photograph 8 |  Jayler - Photograph 2 |
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 Jayler - Photograph 7 |  Jayler - Photograph 5 |
 Jayler - Photograph 6 |  Jayler - Photograph 3 |
 Jayler - Photograph 1 |  Jayler - Photograph 4 |
Tyler Arrowsmith, I don't think there has been a cooler name since Bon Jovi with incredible class and talent, he played with a seemingly effortless style. His easygoing way with the guitar was clear as he smiled at his bandmates before scanning the crowd, captivating everyone with his performance.
Drummer, Ed delivered a relentless performance, pounding the kit with incredible energy while maintaining a tight, controlled skill. Alongside bassist Ricky, they created a powerful, seamless flow that was the very heartbeat of the band's sound.
 Jayler - Photograph 9 |  Jayler - Photograph 16 |
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 Jayler - Photograph 15 |  Jayler - Photograph 14 |
 Jayler - Photograph 13 |  Jayler - Photograph 12 |
 Jayler - Photograph 11 |  Jayler - Photograph 10 |
But James looks every inch the Rock God and has the killer voice to match. The band looks like they just walked out of the 70's: the look, music and total vibe. The comparison between James and Robert Plant has probably been made several times but it has to be said again. His voice is so powerful, he just lifts his head, opens his mouth and it flows. Just incredible..
After their performance the crowd all through the weekend kept commenting on how good they are and will be headliners. In fact not one bad word was heard about Jayler. I met the very proud parents, I pointed out the obvious, that the boys got their looks and talent from the Dads. As you can imagine that went down well with the Mums. Watch this space, these lads are going to be big and deservingly so. Great set.
 Jayler - Photograph 17 |  Jayler - Photograph 24 |
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 Jayler - Photograph 23 |  Jayler - Photograph 22 |
 Jayler - Photograph 21 |  Jayler - Photograph 20 |
 Jayler - Photograph 19 |  Jayler - Photograph 18 |
I arrived at the Stonedead festival with zero knowledge of Sweet Electric, which only heightened my curiosity who are made up of Brad Marr (Vocals), Mike Schneider (Guitar), Michi Krol (Guitar/Vocals), Jonas Bareiter (Bass/Vocals) & Bobo (Drums).
When they hit the stage, I was captivated by a man in a striking gold jacket, complete with a beard and a cap. His energy was infectious, and he possessed a charisma and stage presence that went beyond mere talent. He had my full attention from the get go.
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 4 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 9 |
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 Sweet Electric - Photograph 8 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 7 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 5 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 6 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 3 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 1 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 2 |
Mike and Michi certainly tried to hold the limelight, but the stage dynamic shifted completely when some lovely dancers joined the band. It was a battle they were destined to lose as Brad immediately seized the moment, dancing alongside the newcomers. Surrounded by the crowd, the dancers, and the spotlight, he looked completely in his element, as if he was born for this moment.
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 17 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 13 |
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 Sweet Electric - Photograph 14 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 15 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 16 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 12 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 11 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 10 |
The entire set was performed with boundless enthusiasm, pushing the entertainment factor all the way to eleven. Jonas was incredibly flamboyant, and the energy from his performance was electric. But through all the chaos and fun, the beat from Drummer, Bobo was what I truly felt. Even though I couldn't see much of him, his timing, talent, and enthusiasm made it one of my personal highlights of the performance.
The flamboyant Brad was so good as the frontman that after we was all left with a massive smile on our faces, we were definitely entertained. A really enjoyable set from them.
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 26 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 25 |
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 Sweet Electric - Photograph 24 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 23 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 22 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 21 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 20 |  Sweet Electric - Photograph 19 |
 Sweet Electric - Photograph 18 |
So another band on the Friday Party that I don't really know much about – that being Tyketto whose current members are Danny Vaughn (Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Mandolin/Percussion), Michael Clayton (Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals), Ged Rylands (Keyboards/Backing Vocals), Chris Green (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals) & Chris Childs (Bass/Backing Vocals). Turns out I know just the one song. Yep that one!
So another education on the cards for me.
Originally being billed to play at the cancelled 2020 event they have finally arrived! The crowd were sold Cow bells, as you know you can never have too much cow bell! So that was the percussion sorted.
 Tyketto - Photograph 2 |  Tyketto - Photograph 7 |
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 Tyketto - Photograph 6 |  Tyketto - Photograph 5 |
 Tyketto - Photograph 4 |  Tyketto - Photograph 3 |
 Tyketto - Photograph 1 |
Out strutted a singer who looked like a Lord of the Rings elf-god, complete with long hair and another gold jacket. It was a look that made you think Tyketto and Sweet Electric should have teamed up to sell those jackets and cowbells at their merch stands! But when Danny began to sing, his voice was pure magic. The sound was so flawless from the band to his powerful vocals that it felt less like a live show and more like listening to a perfectly mixed studio album.
The individual performances were brilliant. The guitar, harmonies and Michael's drumming really captivated the audience with the added bonus of the cowbell. The sound was incredibly melodic with Chris's sensational guitar work and Ged's keys along with the other Chris's bass filling out the sound perfectly.
 Tyketto - Photograph 14 |  Tyketto - Photograph 13 |
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 Tyketto - Photograph 10 |  Tyketto - Photograph 12 |
 Tyketto - Photograph 11 |  Tyketto - Photograph 9 |
 Tyketto - Photograph 8 |
However, for me, especially after Sweet Electric and the outstanding Jayler, the finale wasn't the explosive finish I was hoping for. It was more of a "lighters-in-the-air" mellow experience than a headlining 'party' close. It felt like a bit of a 'meh' finale, especially since there were no new songs- just the classics the fans already knew and could sing along to.
A hint about a new album in 2026 did, however, get the excitement building for a future tour. The end was here with 'Forever Young' (yes, that's the song I know). An explosive finish and almost the end to Party Friday. It was enjoyable but not a rousing end to the night as I would have liked for a party night!
 Tyketto - Photograph 21 |  Tyketto - Photograph 20 |
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 Tyketto - Photograph 19 |  Tyketto - Photograph 18 |
 Tyketto - Photograph 17 |  Tyketto - Photograph 16 |
 Tyketto - Photograph 15 |
The compare throughout the Party Friday was Paul Anthony from Planet Rock. He was in charge of the party till 11PM. The music at the end was the usual generic stuff like 'Sweet Child O'Mine', 'Enter Sandman' & 'The Final Countdown'. Please can we have some other stuff next year instead of the over played fluff.
My final part came when Paul Anthony squirted water at the crowd and threw the empty bottle...which bounced off my forehead! It was a good Friday, enjoyable and nice to meet old friends.
By Dale Holford