We look ahead to the 5th edition of, and our first trip to, Firevolt Festival – August 2026

FIRST TIME FIREVOLT

With the endless clashes of festivals that inevitably occurs during the Summer months, the lure of Cropredy has always trumped Firevolt. But not no more! The fifth round of Firevolting at Etherow Country Park near Stockport finally gets an ATB visit with Cropredy politely sifting to a week later. We can finally allow ourselves the comfort of a swift trip around the M60 to find out why this is one of the finest little festivals in the country.

The promise of face melting Rock be it Hard, Heavy, AO, Blues or Alt, three days and two stages play host to a huge array of well known and internationally acclaimed names.

HEADLINERS

Our appetites whetted in particular by the headliners – ATB faves and generally all round top blokes Massive Wagons, The WIldhearts and Mason Hill, yet with supporting bills that see the likes of Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hears, Cats In Space, FM and local-ish lads Virginmarys returning in explosive duo form after touring a stunning more stripped back album – all lined up to ensure a terrific quality.

Plus the not-to-be-missed, impressively theatrical shock Rock from Ward XVI who’ll be bringing their criminally insane production to town after recently completing the finale of an incredible trilogy of albums. If you’re also in for the full weekend, Thursday sees An Audience with Gorilla Riot – another local band who are successors in waiting with their rabid Blues Rock noise.

Meanwhile, here’s the irrepressible Massive Wagons:

Firevolt: Website

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