NVRF 2025 - 4th-7th September ~ Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincs
The UK's boutique Classic Rock, Prog and Blues Festival
Sunday
Swan & Heron stages
These stages will operate alternately so you will be able to see all of every band if you wish.
Both stages, and the bar, are housed within one marquee to protect you from the weather.
Uli Jon Roth
The musical career of Uli spans an amazing five decades. As an artist, Uli is a phenomenon and his unique set of artistic talents has gained him an international reputation as a musical visionary and innovator early on in his career. Having not only explored the world of rock music and written symphonies for orchestras, Uli has recently come full circle to re-connect with his roots. Starting out in Dawn Road, in 1973 his friend Michael Schenker left The Scorpions for UFO, leading eventually to a new Scorpions with Uli on board. This line-up released four classic albums and the iconic "Tokyo Tapes" live album. Numerous guitarists cite him as an influence including Eddie Van Hale, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani etc. In addition to developing his famous Sky Guitars, he later formed Electric Sun and further developed his music. For NVRF expect a mix of all of these!
Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster formed in the late 60s and had top twenty singles in 1971 with "Tomorrow Night" and "Devil’s Answer", along with two top twenty albums in 1971/72. In their early days they featured Vincent Crane (keys) and even a talented young drummer called Carl Palmer - both were also previously members of Arthur Brown's band. Since then they've come and gone and featured a Who's Who of musicians including Steve Bolton, Peter French, Chris Farlowe, Ginger Baker, Bernie Torme etc. They were inactive between 1979 and 2016 when Bolton and French put together a new band. Peter French has since left but the current line-up of Steve Bolton (guitars), Shug Milledge (bass), Adrian Gautrey (keys) and Paul Everett (drums) will deliver classic bluesy progressive rock at it's best!
Ken Pustelnik's Groundhogs
Originally formed way, way back in 1962, the classic line-up of The Groundhogs featured Tony McPhee, Pete Cruikshank and Ken Pustelnik (drums). Ken then left the band and rejoined a few times and now has a new version of The Groundhogs under his own name, playing much of the classic early psychedelic blues material with a renewed energy for generations old and new! In 2023 the band, who now include Chris d'Avoine (guitar/vocals), Sol Latif (guitar) and Latch Manghat (bass), wowed NVRF at Nene Park with a repertoire of classic Groundhogs music, so we thught we should bring them back!
Haze
An NVRF ever-present, Haze have been constant supporters of the festival. Despite their reputation as a progressive rock band, Haze have always included a wide variety of influences, from pop, rock, folk & metal. They established their reputation as one of the hardest working underground bands of the ‘80s and continue to perform regularly, including weekly live-streams during Lockdown. Their latest album "The Water's Edge" featured most of the McMahon family tree was heavily previewed at the first NVRF but their extensive back-catalogue means you'll always hear something different. Haze’s legendary reputation is richly deserved!
McHale's Permanent Brew
The five member band have toured extensively in 2022, they were nominated for a 2023 UK Blues Federation Award. The band have received rave reviews throughout 2022, and are best known for their amazing live performances. They have supported Atomic Rooster, Dr Feelgood, Nine Below Zero and Gino Washington. Influences are Rory Gallagher, Pink Floyd, 60/70s based rock. They've been described as Blues Rock Psych. They were a huge hit at NVRF last year and we didn't hesitate to put their name down on the list for 2024!
Winter In Eden
Vicky Johnson and Steve Johnson are thrilled to announce the return of acclaimed UK symphonic rock band “Winter In Eden” with a new digital EP “Therapy” to be released imminently and the band’s fifth studio album to follow in 2025. The regenerated band will feature Vicky and Steve, along with a lineup of guest musicians. “The band stands out for their song writing, their vocals and their musicianship” Powerplay Magazine.
The Dead Can Wait
The Dead Can Wait play 80's style classic rock. Their debut album In Lumine was released with a fantastic reaction in Oct 24. The bands classic but modern sound has been likened to Iron Maiden and Queensryche. Hailing from Reading, three of the band members originally met back in the 1970s with a chance meeting bringing them back together in 2024. The album was recorded and produced by Asia guitarist John Mitchell and you may recognise the bass player and drummer from festival favourites The Room.
Albany Down
Albany Down is a contemporary Rock band from Bedford who have recorded four highly studio albums with producer Greg Haver. With over 12,200 fans on Facebook, fans of Albany Down agree that their live show never disappoints. The band run on pure adrenalin, unrelenting energy and raw emotion. As Velvet Thunder said, “This is what you might call a “Salt of the Earth” rock band, not shredders, little glam or flash, but straight up, honest-to- goodness Classic Rock of the type we all grew up on. Long may it continue”.
tba
We have plans for this opening slot, but at the moment we need to keep them under wraps!
Kingfisher stage
This stage will usually offer a clear contrast to the bands in our other marquee.
The Skys
The Skys since 1995 is the best Lithuania's rock export. During the years on stage the band released 6 albums and currently is in the process of recording the 7th. The band recorded with Grammy winning producers and top musicians. The songs and videos received many international awards and were broadcasted on radios and TV’s worldwide. Multiple tours in Asia, Americas and Europe brought The Skys to the international spotlight. Sounds like Pink Floyd meets Dire Straits and Eloy but skysish
Hekz
HeKz is a progressive rock band that stands at the crossroads of heavy metal legends and the luminaries of the prog rock genre. With each album release, they've sought to redefine and reimagine the progressive metal landscape, creating a unique and compelling musical experience. HeKz's fourth album, 'TERRA NOVA,' promises to be their most ambitious project yet. The band's rejuvenated live lineup consists of lead singer and bassist Matt Young, guitar virtuoso Mirko Fadda, the spellbinding Lucia LaRezza on violin and the percussion powerhouse Jerry Sadowski.
Candacraig
Sharon Cannings and Martin Nicholls have been writing together for 30 years, but Candacraig in its current incarnation formed just before lockdown. Although they often tour as a duo, they are excited to be playing as a full band for the festival, with their unique blend of neo prog, art rock and dark folk. A Prog Magazine "Limelight" band earlier this year, they have several festivals under their belt, including Fusion, DanFest and Highway, and have supported I Am the Manic Whale, Peter Jones and EBB.
Heronimus Fin
Heronimus Fin are a neo-psychedelic band, formed in 1994 with 6 albums released, they are among the few acts in the genre who have been acclaimed by both the mainstream and underground press, made appearances in key venues and radio shows (London Astoria, BBC Radio, Channel 4 TV), and garnered a fanbase popular enough for the band to be voted above Roger Waters and White Stripes in Record Collector Magazines Top 500 Poll!. With their ‘Bloodguilt’ LP banned from release and selling for £1500 their cult status has continued to grow.
Tribe3
Steve, Jon & Chris have been active on the local Prog/Fusion scene on and off over the last 40 years, and have played in and recorded with various line-ups. As Tribe3, they have finally found the perfect combination of musicians who create huge memorable soundscapes with interesting melodic musical twists and thought provoking lyrics. Theirs is a modern take on Prog, with the occasional nod to some of the greats of the genre. Having been a very late addition to the 2024 line-up, we decided to give them another opportunity in 2025.
Ashley Sherlock Band
Ashley Sherlock Band is a gritty blues rock trio from Manchester, combining catchy vocal melodies and a dynamic rhythm section to create their signature sound. Nominated for Young Blues Artist of the Year, their material presents a modern outlook on the sounds of the deep south with a fantastic vocal range and song writing style. The Ashley Sherlock Band have been featured on Planet Rock as well as other popular radio stations, and appeared at numerous festivals appealing to multiple genres.
Teiger
With a sound meandering through quiet metal and bright acoustic rock, Teiger creates a rich, melancholic atmosphere that’s fragile yet furious.
Turning heads with an intriguing mix between metal, alt-rock and psychedelia, Teiger are wilfully hard to pin down. Combining soft-metal aesthetics with early prog without being indulgent or overblown, the band's ethereal sound is tinged with ferocity. Where many bands would find a distortion pedal to stomp on to create drama, Teiger compose intensity using harmony and dynamic contrasts alone. No genre describes Teiger’s haunting landscape exactly.