Established in 2019, Call Of The Wild have since garnered an army of loyal attendees that have become like a family better known as ‘The Wolf Pack’. They continue to fill the bill with top-class rock and metal acts with a great variety in style from the UK and across the globe.
One of the things that makes COTW so special is the opportunity they give up-and-coming acts to play on their Trailblazer Stage and then later expand onto one of the two main outdoor stages, The Southall Lawless or Kilmister stage. Their only bar (excluding VIP) is placed in the tent which hosts the Trailblazer stage, which we think is a smart move that helps to encourage people to watch some new talent. Many bands we had the opportunity to see and interview last year from the Trailblazer stage tore up the main stages this weekend, which was a joy to witness.
It takes but a moment to get to the arena from the main campsite which makes the walk over a doddle. There, they have a variety of vendors, including food stalls catering to various dietary needs, merchandise, archery and tattooists on site.
The excitement extended from the punters to the artists and to the staff who were always on hand to help if you should need it. We even spotted some security with glow sticks and fake taches! We have had some strong winds and a bit of a downpour over the weekend, but mostly, we have been blessed with some scorching sunshine.
Friday:
Hailing from Edinburgh, Big Iron kick the festival off with a bang. Kitted out with some dashing jumpers, they delight the crowd with their groovy hard rock. Busting some killer moves and have us roll with laughter with their banter, we fall in love with their charm. Mixing brutal and melodic vocals, Manors are a Metalcore band with a message and they don’t shy away from the big issues. They not only sing about subjects such as mental health and misogyny, but they take the time to talk about it with the audience as well. They say you ‘need to learn to dance in the rain’, but Phoenix Lake can write the book on rockin’ in the rain and keeping the crowd in the palms of their hands, despite the downpour. Vocalist Lana Phillis gives Amy Lee vibes with her melodic metal vocals. Big on attitude and big on blistering guitars and drum beats The Soul Revival are one of those bands that you won’t be forgetting in a hurry. Their stage presence gives them an edge, and we think particularly Steve Nunn brings something fresh as a frontman on some timeless rock and roll instrumentals. Fairly new on the scene but making serious waves are Jayler, and for good reason. Many in attendance are wearing their merch. Reminiscent of the likes of Led Zeppelin and proving rock ain’t dead. Four young men who perform like seasoned showmen. Asomvel’s frontman and bassist has that gritty, raspy voice similar to Lemmy, and the whole band have that unshakable, unabashed attitude that would make the greats before them proud. Tailgunner perfectly encapsulates the essence of traditional heavy metal with every note and with every move they make on stage. The guitarists line up front and centre, swinging their hair, never missing a beat. This kind of feat is only possible with a true passion for the genre and for the show. The Commoners from Toronto headline our first night at COTW. They bring some bluesy soul and swagger with some roaring guitar solos. They top the first night off with their feel-good no nonsense, high-energy rock, with a backdrop of fantastic lighting.
Band Of The Day – Heartbreak Remedy
From Cumbria and Established in 2013, we are surprised to see Heartbreak Remedy on the Trailblazer stage. However, the tent is packed to the brim and we get to see them front row and center. They are well known for their ‘foot tapping, hip shaking, rock n roll’ and playing their own flavour of New Wave Classic Rock. Featuring Matty Penn on vocals, Stephen Jackson on drums and Luke Blaire on guitar, this trio have their set and sound down like a well-oiled machine. They play tracks to get the crowd moving and a ballad which creates a beautiful juxtaposition within their set. We’d love to see them on one of the main stages in the future, a spot they truly deserve.
Saturday:
With Girlschool Jackie ‘Jax’ Chambers on lead guitar and Julia on vocals Syteria are like a beautiful ray of sunshine on a rainy day. The whole band radiates an infectious energy, drawing out a large crowd on an early Saturday morning. Glam Rockers White Tygër carved their career at the start playing tributes of classic rock legends, but have firmly cemented themselves as individuals with their original content. They effortlessly range between heavy to sleazy beats with a colourful, in-your-face stage presence. This House We Built commands an audience with their electrifying stage show, leaping around the stage while blending a mix of genres including funk and metal creating a distinct and captivating sound. Silk Spinster created a buzz before they even hit the stage, looking like they have walked straight out of the apocalypse. They blend heavy metal and the theatrical seamlessly. Darlings of the UK rock scene, Falling Red grace the Southall Lawless stage, which is partly dedicated to the dearly departed Mikey Lawless. These guys never disappoint and have the whole crowd singing in unison to their classic hit ‘If You Ain’t Down With The Rock’. Swedish rockers Bonafide have been in the business for almost 20 years and they never fail to deliver. They are masters of creating an earworm, and no one is immune to shaking a tail feather when they hit the stage with their often bluesy, classic, hard rock. The highly anticipated Royal Republic headline our second night at COTW. Fire bursts from the stage, and we don’t just mean the pyro; each member delivering an explosive set. A favourite for many this weekend and probably one of the most buzzing crowds we have witnessed during our time attending the festival.
Band Of The Day – Spike and Willie Dowling
The secret band was announced on the COTW Facebook page, and fans clamour into the Trailblazer stage tent to see the legendary Spike play alongside Willie Dowling. It was a tough call between this set and Royal Republic for today’s band of the day. We’ve seen Spike perform a lot over the years but he truly is on top form tonight. It feels like a mix between a live set and a comedy show; between songs, the laughter is as loud as the music. it’s probably one of the loudest audiences and some of the most crowd participation we seen this weekend. The show feels incredibly intimate and we doubt a single person wasn’t feeling uplifted after witnessing it. Spike is a living legend, almost like a mythical creature who can appear from the shadows and raise the roof in an effortless manner. We imagine sitting on stage and entertaining a crowd is one of the most comfortable places for him to be. This set really feels like at the bones of it all, what a music festival is all about. Unison, having a rip roaring good time and leaving your worries at the door.
Sunday:
We called it last year that Deadfire belonged on one of the main stages and they hit the Southall Lawless stage like a hurricane. They are a force to be reckoned with and a band you must witness live. Wild and untamed hard rock at its finest. We were drawn in by Bobbie Dazzle, eager to know where this powerhouse of a voice and music was coming from. Their stage presence matches their sound of 1970s glam rock. Sîan Greenaway aka Bobbie Dazzle is an icon in the making. Oslo’s Suicide Bombers are colourful, in your face and full of attitude. Frontman Chris Damien Doll is the perfect frontman and has the crowd transfixed. Silverroller are without a doubt our favourite find of the weekend. A quartet of young lads who look like they have stepped out of a time machine from the 70s, lighting up the stage with some good old-fashioned rock n’ roll. New on the scene since 2023. We heard everyone raving about them all day. Another stand-out set is by Brave Rival, who bring their blues-infused rock n’ roll. Vocalist Lindsay Bonnick sounded at times like a literal angel as the sun beamed down on us. It’s Continental Lover’s final date of their ten-night tour alongside Trench Dogs and Suicide Bombers, and they go out with a bang! They fuse punk, glam and rock n’ roll to create their own unmistakable sound. We particularly love their tracks ‘Paraffin Lips’ and ‘Let’s Go Out Tonight’. Knock Out Kaine make a triumphant return as they reunite for a one-off reunion show. We haven’t seen them for years and it was like they have never left. Frontman Dean Foxx is not only a vocalist but a storyteller and is made to be on stage. We’re gonna have ‘BackStreet Romeo’ stuck in our heads for a week! The Swedes know how to rock, and Trench Dogs are no exception! They are a larger-than-life sleazy punk outfit with an Aussie singer who is a born entertainer. We love the addition of the tambourine, which just topped off this eccentric bunch that keep the audience smiling from ear to ear. Michael Monroe doesn’t seem from this planet and we mean that in the best possible way. He has more energy than a Duracell bunny and we are surprised he doesn’t get told off for climbing up the rafters! An immense stage show for a household name and legend. Monroe is the perfect show-stopping headline for the weekend.
Band Of The Day – Harsh:
Today is the hardest day to choose a band of the day as so many talented musicians scaled all three stages. We have to give it to Harsh who made their debut last year on the Trailblazer stage. Hailing from France their style reflects different eras and elements of glam and rock n roll from Def Leppard to Led Zeppelin, Heat to Santa Cruz. They are one of the few bands we have seen that truly embody the spirit of it all. Dressed to impress in leopard print, gold and flowing shirts, but what is most notable is they all are wearing the biggest smiles we have seen all weekend. It feels like it takes a minute for the show and crowd to really kick off (it is only 2pm on the last day, to be fair), but once they get into the groove, nothing is holding them back. We have guitars being played behind their heads, coming up to the barrier and giving big licks to the crowds as they play their hearts out. At one point, frontman Albert Arnold comes out with a bottle of Jack Daniels and offers it to the crowd. That certainly helps wake quite a few people up! We expect a lot of bright things in Harsh’s future and we can’t wait to witness it.
As the festival closes for another year, the team behind COTW 2025 can give themselves a round of applause. It has grown exponentially since its debut in 2019, and we are excited to see what the future looks like. A beautiful blend of genres that no matter what your preference you are sure to find something here that will tantalise your earbuds. The affectionately named Wolf Pack that is at the heart of this festival will reunite at Lincolnshire Showground once again in 2026.
Review by Aggy Gillon
Photos by Nikita Sharp