Three days at Czech Republic’s Rock for People music festival

2025 marked the 30th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s epic five-day festival, Rock for People. From June 11- 15th, fans danced on the airfield/racetrack called Park 360 in Hradec Kralove to over 200 performances spread out on ten stages.

Around every corner, you could find something new, different areas, art installations, and a wide variety of food vendors that even had their own section focusing on vegan and sustainable cuisine. This contributes to the festival’s goal to become climate-neutral by 2030. In 2025, already 1/4th of the power used came from renewable sources, and a percentage of ticket sales went to the Fuck Cancer foundation.

It’s not only about music, though. There were DJ sets, workshops, political talks, and stand-up comedy to fill your day, all in beautifully decorated areas. The two main stages, KB and Tesco, stood in the centre of it all, while the smaller ones were nestled to the side in tents and bunkers.

The first day was packed with performances that spanned across alternative, hardcore, metal, and punk, with Avenged Sevenfold, Awolnation, Holy Wars, Kittie, and Kneecap standing out as some of the most intense and memorable acts of the day.

The Art Stage kicked things off with Holy Wars, the Los Angeles-based band whose blend of metal, punk, and alternative rock immediately drew attention. Their set was nothing short of electrifying, with frontwoman Kat Leon leading the charge with fierce energy and powerful vocals. Tracks like Unlucky and Wild Thing showcased the band’s ability to seamlessly blend heavy riffs with anthemic, emotionally-charged lyrics.

Leon’s stage presence was magnetic, as she moved with intensity across the stage, rallying the crowd to embrace the raw, unapologetic energy of the set. Fans surged forward, some moshing and others nodding along to the heavy grooves. Holy Wars’ performance was a perfect introduction to the festival’s rock and metal-heavy vibe, leaving the crowd pumped and eager for what was to come.

Next up Kittie, the iconic all-female metal band, took over with a set that was as fierce as it was unforgettable. Known for their pioneering role in the heavy metal scene, Kittie’s brutal mix of groove metal and deathcore was a powerhouse performance. Songs like “Brackish” and “Spit” had the crowd headbanging in unison, while Morgan Lander’s commanding vocals and shredding guitar work kept the energy at a fever pitch. The crowd was a sea of fists in the air, moshing wildly to every breakdown and roaring chorus. Kittie’s set wasn’t just a performance, it was a declaration of their enduring influence in the metal world. The band delivered an intense reminder of why they remain a heavy metal legacy, and the energy in the crowd was palpable as they played with unmatched aggression and precision.

As the day progressed, Rock for People became the site of one of the most energetic and politically charged sets of the festival: Kneecap, the Irish rap-punk trio. Known for their unique blend of punk, hip-hop, and Irish culture, Kneecap delivered a performance that was as wild as it was impactful. Their mix of infectious beats, razor-sharp political commentary, and rowdy live energy had the crowd hyped from the first beat. Songs like “Cúpla Focail” and “Let’s Talk About the Trouble” had the entire audience jumping and chanting along in unison. The band’s ability to blend humour, irreverence, and deep social commentary kept the crowd engaged while also making them think critically about the world around them.

They weren’t the only Irish artist of the day, Dublin-based post-punk band Fontaines DC, known for their intense, literary-inspired lyrics and gritty sound, also took the stage. Tracks like “I Love You” and “A Hero’s Death” were crowd favourites, with frontman Grian Chatten’s commanding vocals drawing fans into their raw and poetic world.

Following Fontaines D.C., Awolnation brought their blend of alt-rock and electro vibes, igniting the crowd with infectious tracks like “Sail” and “Run”. Their energetic performance was a perfect contrast to the more aggressive acts earlier in the day, with Aaron Bruno leading the band through an electric set that had the crowd dancing and singing along. The mix of rock and electronic elements created an anthemic atmosphere that had the entire audience bouncing to the beat.

Next, Dayseeker took over with their emotive post-hardcore sound. Known for their ability to blend melodic elements with aggressive breakdowns, the band delivered a cathartic set filled with highs and lows. Tracks like “Crooked Soul” and “Sleepless” showcased their signature ability to evoke intense emotions while keeping the crowd engaged with their powerful stage presence.

Later in the day, Sigrid injected a burst of pop energy into the rock-heavy lineup. The Norwegian pop star’s anthems, including “Strangers” and “Don’t Feel Like Crying,” created an uplifting contrast to the heavier sounds of the day, and her bubbly stage presence made her set an instant crowd favourite. The audience sang along to every word, with Sigrid effortlessly blending pop melodies and infectious energy to create a feel-good vibe that lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance.

When Static Dress took the stage on day two, they immediately established themselves as one of the most energetic acts of the day. Their mix of post-hardcore and emo-punk left a deep impression on the crowd, with a powerful blend of catchy hooks, raw emotion, and unrelenting chaos. Static Dress proved themselves as one of the day’s most exciting up-and-coming acts.

Dead Poet Society, the alternative rockers from Boston, took the Shoe Stage next, adding a bit of grit and edge to the festival’s heavy lineup. Lead vocalist Jack Underkofler’s voice was an immediate standout, resonating with raw emotion and power. Their performance was charged with a palpable sense of urgency, and the crowd was fully engaged, swaying, clapping, and cheering to every chord.

Next up, The Ghost Inside brought their signature blend of melodic hardcore and post-hardcore. This legendary band’s set was one of the most anticipated of the day, and they didn’t disappoint. From the first note, Jonathan Vigil’s commanding vocals and the band’s thunderous, yet melodic riffs had the crowd in a state of unrelenting energy. The crowd’s energy only amplified as the band gave a nod to their recovery after their near-fatal bus accident years ago, making the performance not just a concert, but a symbolic return to the stage. The Ghost Inside’s set was a reminder of why they are such revered figures in the post-hardcore scene, delivering both a sonic and emotional gutpunch.

The day’s intensity ramped up when Lorna Shore took the stage. Known for their brutal and technical deathcore sound, the band’s performance was an absolute force of nature. Opening with their hit “To the Hellfire,” the crowd was immediately whipped into a frenzy by the pulverising blast beats and guttural vocals of Will Ramos. Lorna Shore’s set was a masterclass in deathcore, and they showed no mercy.

When Slipknot stepped out on the Rock for People stage, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. As soon as the band’s iconic masks appeared on stage, the crowd erupted into a frenzy, and the band wasted no time launching into their brutal set. Kicking things off with high-octane tracks like “Psychosocial” and “Duality” the crowd, packed tightly, was an unrelenting sea of headbanging, moshing, and singing along to every word.

The legendary In Flames took the festival by storm, bringing their brand of melodic death metal to the eager crowd. Anders Fridén’s vocals were as commanding as ever, seamlessly moving between harsh growls and clean choruses that had the crowd moshing and singing along. In Flames didn’t just play, they took control of the crowd, blending technical precision with atmospheric melodies that made every song feel like an anthem.

Imminence, the Swedish post-hardcore band, delivered one of the most emotionally intense performances of the day. From the first note, their powerful mix of melodic hardcore and orchestral elements grabbed the audience’s attention. Eddie Berg’s impassioned vocals and commanding stage presence set the tone for a performance that was both an emotional journey and a sonic explosion.

Later in the day, Paleface Swiss injected a burst of heavy energy into the festival’s final hours. The Swiss quartet got the audience jumping, clapping, and shouting along.