Rock Regeneration

May03

Teddy Rocks Festival 2025 – Day 2

on May 3rd, 2025 at 17:04

Charisworth Farm, Blandford Forum

Saturday morning and its day two, the same cheery chap on the gate gives me a big smile, despite I’m sure working a long shift and waves us through to the car park. There is no real plan today, except for a few must sees that I have previously ear-marked on my Teddy Rocks Lanyard. Once again the gods have been kind and we are greeted by warm sunshine and white fluffy clouds hanging over the festival site. As we arrive through the gate we see Star Wars characters from the wonderful MK Garrison including Storm troopers, Scout troopers, Tie Pilot and even Grogu/Mandalorian. These guys are here all weekend and it is so great to see them walking around the site having their pictures taken with anyone that requests it.

The Funky Munks

The Funky Monks, a Red Hot Chilli Peppers tribute band are over on the main stage giving the crowd some early energy and recreating the band’s hits. First though it’s over to the Merry Woodland stage to catch Wytch, a band fronted by the enigmatic Jordan Watts, who has one of the most varied vocal ranges of any vocalist I have heard. With his band we are treated to a fine set of Eagles Covers, along with some wonderfully creative originals.

Wytch 1–2

I can’t say enough about the organisation of this festival, it’s just so easy to get around. You can quickly find out who is on when and where, there are plenty of clean toilets, an abundance of options for food and getting served at the bar is hassle free. There are plenty of event staff and security all around to help at the drop of a hat if needed. Even though the event is Sold Out there is plenty of space for everyone; it is comfortable, safe and totally suitable for families. If you have ever considered going and have not been before, go next year – I promise you won’t regret it.

A new band to my ears called Muddibroke are on the Vocalzone stage, a trio featuring Brooke on Lead Vocals/Guitar, Anna on Bass/Vocals along with Morgan Drums. They mix Classic Rock with a Grungey sound, a captivating act with well delivered vocals and some catchy melodic riffs, along with dynamic rhythms. They deliver an all round impressive set and are one of the original bands highlights.

Muddibrooke 1

There is chaos on the main stage as the Children’s Metal band that adults seem to love Slay Duggee bounds on stage. After an impressive set here last year and a debut Download Festival appearance, their promotion to the main stage seems well deserved. There is nothing like them and you can’t help but smile seeing these guys or possibly girls dressed in dog/bear costumes banging out children’s TV themes like “Octanauts’, “Go Jetters”, “Bluey”, and the circle pit inducing “Round and Round The Garden”.

Slay Duggee 1–2–3–4

The best is saved until last with a rendition of that ultra annoying track “Baby Shark” which sees the band bring on a plethora of inflatables, along with a couple of sharks to join in the fun. The audience love all the band have to give and show plenty of appreciation as they leave the stage.

I’ve been an InMe fan since seeing them for the first time back in 2003 and today I’m gonna get a double dose as frontman Dave McPherson and guitarist Gary Marlow are to play an acoustic set in the “Royal Ted” ahead of a full band performance on the Vocalzone stage. The acoustic set certainly doesn’t disappoint with a intimate set featuring a great emotive cover of Kodaline’s “All I Want”, as well as some stripped down InMe classics. There is also some of Dave’s solo material including a new incredibly personal and autobiographical track called “Born on the Eighth of July”, he shows just what a great songwriter he still is. The duo get the band singing along and two particular guys who seem to be InMe diehards get to sing along with their hero.

Dave McPherson 1

A quick dash over to the Vocalzone stage and as if by magic the new look 5-piece Essex band InMe appear on stage. The tent soon fills up and the band are seen serenading one of the biggest crowds of the weekend here. With tracks like “Underdose”, “Safe in a Room” and “Firefly” the band totally impress new and old fans alike.

InMe 1–2

I get emotional as I always do watching this band, they mean a great deal to me and some of these songs have been a part of my life for over 20 years. “Crushed Like Fruit” and “Faster The Chase” still sound fantastic live and a new track called “Confession” shows the band are still able to dig deep into their creative skills to bring a special song. I am very biased, but the two sets are the highlights of my weekend so far.

With just time to catch my breath I hotfoot it over to the Merry Woodland to catch Mischa And His Merry Men, one of my favourite local bands who secrete positive vibes wherever they go. With a three-piece brass section, electric/acoustic guitars along with keyboards, drums, bass and two fine backing singers, they are the perfect festival band with Mischa (this stage’s weekend compère) at the helm delivering his fine all original songs of Peace, Love and Politics, set to delightful Folk/Pop/Rock instrumentation.

Mischa And His Merry Men

On 9th May in his hometown, Rock legend Lemmy Kilminster of Motorhead will have a statue unveiled in his honour and guitarist Phil Campbell will attend the event to place Lemmy’s ashes inside the statue. Tonight before the event, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons are here to play homage with a set of Motorhead classics on the Vocalzone stage. Kicking off with “Iron Fist” the band do the legend proud in front of an adoring crowd of young and old, all who seem to appreciate the legacy of this legendary band.

Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons 1–2

The set is full of highlights with the five-piece truly impressing with a fantastic sound, along with a notable performance from vocalist Joel Peters. “Born to Raise Hell”, (We Are) “The Road Crew” and of course “Ace of Spades” keeps the momentum high throughout. There is also a fine cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” that Phil tells us was the last track that Motorhead recorded together.

The Merry Woodland stage is the place to return to if you want to catch up with a couple of local Dorset-based, legendary bands. The first of these is Ska Band Guns Of Navarone who get people’s feet moving with some great tunes from original and new wave ska. Lead vocalist Beth (who has performed previously with Cash Converted and The Cropdusters) does a great job in whipping up the crowd with her bold humour and well delivered vocals.

Following them are Pronghorn, a band that have been around since the early 1990’s and one that have carved out their own style of Cowpunk. Over the years the band have been a collective and have featured many different members with the two founder members of Jon Bruce & Lamma Maund remaining. The unique sounding banjos and fiddles, along with their infectious constant rhythms just show why the band have been popular for so long.

Pronghorn 1–2–3

Tonight’s headliners on the main stage are the one and only Punk Rock Factory, who are a cover band with a twist. Their popularity has grown from strength to strength for them as they describe themselves as “Four Idiots making Punk Rock covers”.

Punk Rock Factory 1–2–3

Formed in 2014 the band feature Peej (vocals, guitar), Benj (bass, vocals), Ryan (guitar) and Kob (drums, vocals). Fun is the name of the game during their set with a host of well known tracks including Cars theme “Life Is a Highway” and Frozen’s “Let It Go”. The set is filled with pyrotechnics and confetti canons with the usual Teddy Rocks epic production. There is even a surprise sing-off between Tom and Phoebe Newton, which Phoebe clearly wins. A great way to spend a Saturday evening in the company of some amazing acts and a great bunch of people. Will we be back tomorrow… of course we will be!!

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