Firevolt 2025 Battle Of The Bands Final Breadshed, Manchester 22.03.2025

Spring has sprung, the sun is shining more, and days are getting longer. That means one thing and one thing only; festival season is fast approaching! Being in an open field with a cold pint and singing along to your favourite artists with friends. Is it even summer if you haven’t experienced this? Maybe you’d like to this summer, but maybe financial, travel, or other constraints means that getting to the ‘big’ festivals across the UK is out of your reach. Maybe just simply getting a ticket is just impossible too. Those local to Manchester may not know about Firevolt Rock Festival but this may well provide an opportunity to overcome some of these hurdles and get a taste of that summer festival experience. Especially if you’re of the NWOCR or traditional heavy metal persuasion! Whilst being a smaller and more affordable alternative, the festival’s alumni includes the likes of Massive Wagons, Kris Barras Band, and Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons hence there’s no lacking of firepower nor dilution of artist quality!

 

The Bread Shed would play host to an event that would offer a preview for at least one band who will play at the festival this summer. In the grand final of the Battle of the Bands competition, 4 bands would compete for this chance as a result of this pathway. It had been a while since I had seen any live music at this venue but having been host to everything from local upcoming artists through to international touring heavyweights, it sure felt nostalgic to be back. It felt very much the same but with some much-needed and welcome upgrades, including a new dedicated merch area. The matinee hours, 12-6 pm was an interesting choice, one that I’m fully behind as it can remove legitimate barriers to attending. After all, who really likes sprinting for the last train at 11pm?

Upon arriving, it was crazy to find such affordable drink prices for a Manchester city centre venue too! It was already a healthy turn out and certain buzz about the venue even if it was still noon. Head honcho and organiser of today’s festivities John Scanlan took to the stage to explain the rules; one band would progress on judges vote, another on crowd vote to which voting would open after all bands had played. Can’t be fairer than that; after all it’s important to support and view all the bands, right? All the bands including openers Divided Kingdom.

 

Divided Kingdom

Coming all the way from Chelmsford, this is an ode to the appeal that Firevolt Festival has and the lengths bands are willing to go to for an opportunity. Centred on a solid NWOBHM style, it felt like all the elements were here for the band to be successful. A tight rhythm section with Iron Maiden style gallops, a vocalist with a rich and soaring baritone-esque voice, and a blistering lead guitarist. What was missing from this set ? Confidence! A bit more swagger and the band projecting their own belief in their individual talents which are undeniably there!

 

Rare Breed

From Chelmsford to local boys, it was time for Rare Breed. A more blues and southern rock style which was more stripped down and melodic with infectious grooves and hip swinging rhythms, this offered a sense of diversity and variety in today’s line up.

“Can you put your hands together ?”

A question posed by the band’s front man. The crowd engaged and made you forget that it was still so early in the afternoon.

You could see an array of Rare Breed t-shirts indicating who the crowd were here to see. Would this translate into those all important crowd votes ?

 

Feral Kings

Another local act and one I had been introduced to at a Metal To The Masses show not so long ago. Perhaps not being able to make that genre crossover work, it felt like home field advantage here. This advantage gave them more of a visible confidence boost and believable stage presence. A rather progressive twist on the classic rock genre and I sensed there was more depth and experimental structure to their songs. Songs built around solid and engaging riffs which had many headbanging and cheering along.

 

Heavy Souls

First impressions count. Based solely on the effort the band had made into their stage attire I was already convinced that they were legit even before they had played a note! Then when it was their time, everything about their sound felt remarkably polished and genuinely a joy to listen to. A sound rooted in 90s style grunge and alternative rock (think Audioslave, Pearl Jam), each instrument got their chance to shine in a clean mix. A major step up in class and surely doing more than enough to secure their place at Firevolt this summer.

 

We Three Kings

Wanna see what it takes to play at Firevolt? Last year’s battle of the bands winners were up and to headline the evening whilst voting was open for crowd vote. Those lurking at the back made their way to the front draped in the bands merch, singing, swaying and dancing dances that should be reserved for family weddings and office Christmas parties! This speaks to how well the band was received on a solid headline set. I found it remarkable how only two people could create so much noise and sound so full. Maybe fewer cooks spoil the broth and each instrument is given their chance to shine in this limelight. In either case, this was a wonderful set and fitting way to round off the evening.

 

The verdict:

Crowd: Rare Breed

Judges: Heavy Souls

 

This was tight. Very tight. Either or all could have claimed a place at this year’s festival. Though I hope that the event was a success for Divided Kingdom and Feral Kings and they won new fans over as well as those all important new contacts. Congratulations to Rare Breed and Heavy Souls who earned a place at this summer’s festival.

 

Sadly my summer plans will involve being in Catton Hall Park for Bloodstock Open Air on the same weekend of Firevolt. Though now that this is sold out, if you’re looking for some August based festival vibes, I’m sure Firevolt will be a more than suitable alternative if this is the standard of bands playing! Maybe in 2026 I’ll be there ?

 

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