Interview – Photos Credit: Adrian Hextall – Myglobalmind
Mote Park, Maidstone. For Black Stone Cherry, it’s more than just a picturesque spot in the Kent countryside; it’s hallowed ground, a “musical home” thousands of miles from their native Kentucky. On July 19th, 2025, they return to this cherished venue, not just as visitors, but as conquering heroes, set to headline the Maid of Stone Festival. It’s a booking that feels less like a gig and more like destiny fulfilled, a testament to the unique, unbreakable bond forged between these Southern rock titans and their legions of UK fans.
This won’t be their first rodeo at Mote Park. Far from it. As frontman Chris Robertson reflects, “This is going to be our third time back at the venue”, referencing their previous triumphant headline slots at Ramblin’ Man Fair on the very same turf. Does stepping back onto that familiar stage feel like coming home? “Yeah, dude!” Robertson exclaims with genuine warmth. “I mean, it’s, you know, miles from where we were born and raised, we found a musical home where our music was accepted in a way we could have never dreamed of”. “We’ve got this island, you know, where we can go. And it’s pretty amazing”.
This deep connection isn’t accidental. The UK embraced Black Stone Cherry early and passionately, providing a bedrock of support that propelled their international career. “For us, we could have never dreamed that our success as a band would ever blossom, you know, so far from home,” Chris admits candidly. “But we’re so thankful and so grateful that… for coming up on 19 years this year, we’ll have been coming over and playing our music over there”. He adds, acknowledging the debt, “It’s crazy, man, and we definitely owe a lot to you guys”.
The significance of headlining a major UK festival isn’t lost on these self-proclaimed “four redneck dudes from Kentucky”. Robertson still marvels at past glories on this soil, like headlining over Cheap Trick. “That doesn’t happen to just everybody, so we don’t take it lightly at all”. Even now, coming from a tiny hometown (“We’re living in a town of 1800 people, man” ), the scale of their UK success retains a “pinch yourself” quality.
The fan reaction when the Maid of Stone headline slot was announced – first teased by the band at their Wembley Arena show and then confirmed online – was overwhelmingly positive. “Nobody is anything but happy about it, you know, it’s clearly the right fit”. Hearing this feedback delights Robertson: “That’s so awesome to hear”. It confirms their feeling that they arrived in the UK scene at a moment when audiences were hungry for their particular brand of rock. “People were just ready to hear some Southern rock and roll again”, he theorizes. “I guess we’re much more in line with a band like Skynyrd than we would be, you know, a Pantera. But we like elements of both”.
So, what can the Maid of Stone faithful expect come July 2025? Pure, unadulterated Black Stone Cherry. Their approach is built on raw authenticity, a “blue-collar grit” that permeates their music and electrifying live performances. “There’s an attitude in everything we do,” Robertson asserts. “It’s definitely that blue-collar, raised-on-mistakes kind of vibe… we don’t know how to do anything else”.
Forget elaborate choreography or rigidly planned stage patter. Their show runs on instinct and energy. “When we get on stage, you know, it’s… it’s running on raw emotion and raw feeling”. Pre-production? Minimal. “We don’t”, Chris states plainly. “Our pre-production is literally, we run over whichever songs in the setlist we haven’t played in a few months… at the first day of soundcheck, and then we go for it”. While big shows get lighting and pyro cues coordinated, the core remains spontaneous. “There’s nothing really planned out other than which song goes into which song”. “For our band, that’s just not what we do. We just go in and plug in our guitars and play the song… and when it works, it’s absolutely magical”.
This commitment to honesty [“honest” is a word used frequently to describe their music and performance ] resonates deeply with audiences. It’s a quality that also likely eased the integration of bassist Steve Jewell, who stepped in following the departure of long-time member Jon Lawhon. The transition was seamless. “Nobody ever questioned it,” Chris says. “It’s like he’s been here from day one… We were met with ‘This is amazing. So glad you guys are still rocking'”.
Returning to the familiar embrace of Mote Park undoubtedly adds a layer of comfort, though it doesn’t diminish the pressure of headlining. “Anytime you get the call to headline a festival… there’s a certain level of ‘Okay, you gotta bring your A-game’,” Robertson stresses. “We don’t take that lightly either. We come in fully ready to give our best”. But familiarity helps. “Absolutely, you’re 100% correct,” he agrees. “When you show up to a place you’re familiar with, yeah, there’s just a sense of calm before the storm”. He compares it to the feeling of playing Wembley Arena – another UK venue that feels like home. Knowing the layout, the backstage setup, recalling good past experiences – it all helps. “I remember the last time we did Ramblin’ Man… the first time we were really super nervous. And the last time when we got there, it was just like, ‘Let’s go do this thing'”. He praises the consistent quality of the events held at Mote Park: “You guys have always done it right, no matter which name it’s been under… That ground has always taken care of us. So we’re very happy to be coming back”.
Meanwhile, Back at the Record Store…
While the Maid of Stone headline set is the main event on the horizon, die-hard fans and collectors did have an earlier treat in store. Black Stone Cherry dropped a special Record Store Day vinyl release back in April, a curated collection dipping into their recent archives. The releases wasn’t just a collection of recycled material, as Robertson is quick to point out. “Yes, some of the stuff is completely previously unreleased,” he clarifies, mentioning tracks like ‘I Miss You’ and ‘Have You Ever Been Lonely?’ from the Screaming at the Sky sessions, and a live acoustic ‘Pieces’ featuring Lizzy Hale, previously only heard on a broadcast.
The release also gathered digital-only collaborations and other hard-to-find pieces onto a physical format, something close to the band’s heart. “We’re all vinyl people,” Chris affirms, having grown up on their dads’ collections. (Ask Chris if you ever get to speak to him about his love of Bob Marley. For a man who should be stored in bourbon when he’s not touring and listening to Blackfoot, his go to albums include the classic Legends LP from Bob Marley and probably explains the cross-genre appeal of Black Stone Cherry as well. It also explains the fantastic cover of Tina Turner’s What Love Got To Do With It. This release specifically features the current lineup with Steve Jewell, capturing the band’s potent modern sound. For the collectors who treasure physical media – much like Robertson himself, an avid collector of vinyl, gear, and even Pokémon cards – it’s a must-have.
From the grooves of exclusive vinyl to the roar echoing across Mote Park, Black Stone Cherry continues to operate on passion, honesty, and a deep appreciation for the fans who took them to heart. Their Maid of Stone headline performance promises to be more than just a concert; it’s a reaffirmation of that special UK connection, a true rock ‘n’ roll homecoming. Get ready, Maidstone.
https://www.blackstonecherry.com/
maidofstonefestival.com/the-festival
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