Review: Kingdom Come Fest 2025

By Stephanie Jordan

Blazing hot temperatures matched the bands’ performances and the crowd’s excitement at Kingdom Come Fest 2025. Greentown, in the middle of seemingly nowhere Indiana, was met with metal and sweat that shook the ground. The festival entertained from Thursday, June 19 through Saturday, June 21 with a consistent line up of music that did not disappoint. Between the music, campgrounds, merch tents, and fellowship there was nothing but good vibes and a lot of fun at Kingdom Come Fest. 

This was year five of the festival but my first time to attend. I am often hesitant about camping at summer festivals because I am a wee bit more of a glamper these days, but there is no RV in sight for me. I thought I’d man up and camp like a tough girl and have a few fun memories made with my daughters. We settled on a site close to the port-a-potty because if you’re a chick, you know access to potties matter. I loved how the camping area had everyone fairly close. It was easier to get to know and talk with people around us. Firepits are a requirement, and the festival had the entire set up available there on site for a small fee. Talk about some amenities. Bathroom. Fire. Friends. Endless awesome music. These are a few of my favorite things. 

Thursday wasn’t just a set up day because Kingdom Come Fest goes hard! They kicked off the festival with a night full of great bands. Angel Machine brought some goth synth to the scene, with Appryll Seraph holding it down like a boss 37 weeks pregnant. Heal the Hurt headlined with a brutal show of energy proclaiming a message so many people need: healing is possible, no matter what you are going through. Trevor, the lead vocalist/screamer of all the words, never fails to pour every ounce of his own pain out onto that stage for all to see and glean hope for their own wounded hearts. 

Friday started off with an incredible worship service at the Subculture Stage sponsored by The Subculture Company led by Dale and Brittany Vaughn. The worship band summoned everyone into the presence of Holy Spirit and there was beautiful healing taking place for all who received prayer. Once the service ended, the music started. One of my daughter’s favorites, Nextera was throwing down on the Subculture Stage early in the day. The Subculture stage was full of talent with bands like Theoterran, Leper and End of I. A varied flavor of music to keep you locked in all day. 

The Healing Stage, aka the main stage, was a non-stop party with incredible bands giving all they have to God and the crowd. When I asked if they would play KCF again, “Absolutely. It is our favorite festival each year because it feels like a giant family reunion. This festival means a lot to me because you can feel God’s heart of adoption, experience the Father’s love, and connect to so many wonderful people here.” says Autumn Eve, one of the opening bands. 

As We Are, Undefeated, XIII Minutes, and Nate Parrish and The Wrecks are just some of the incredible line up that kept fans head banging, body slamming and crowd surfing in eager anticipation of the headliners. Undefeated’s Meredith Dunkle says, “KCF is one of the best festivals with female – fronted rock bands. Everyone is so kind and inclusive, you never feel as if you have to ‘prove’ yourself or as if you’re ‘less than’. Everyone is there for the love of music, genres and who plays them don’t even factor in!” The Protest came in right about dusk and had an intense show that kept everyone on their feet. Disciple headlined the night by taking us all to church with powerful lyrics and a testimony from lead singer, Kevin Young, that was incredibly moving. 

Saturday came in with a vengeance like hell had something to prove. With temps in the high 90s and humidity at about 100%, everyone was desperately trying to stay hydrated. But by the look of the crowd at The Healing Stage, you couldn’t tell that they were all melting. The bands, these guys and gals showed up hard and didn’t let the unforgiving sun prevent them from screaming at the top of their lungs about a super forgiving Father that made a way for all of us to be in His presence through Jesus Christ. True Revival opened up the day with nonstop action from bands These Beautiful Ruins, Monarchs to Oblivion, DaMac, Brotality, Chaotic Resemblance, and Decypher Down. The real treat was the return of Nine Lashes, hailing from my home state of Alabama, after a nine year hiatus. There was a finale of baptisms for new brothers and sisters joining the family and claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

I asked a few female fronted bands about their experience with Kingdom Come Fest as a female artist in the metal/hard rock scene, and I would like to share their beautiful statements. I hope to encourage any female out there who is hoping to launch a band or start playing festivals to go for it, and not be afraid! Autumn, lead singer of Autumn Eve is emphatic with her response, “Yes! I love this question. KCF is one of the safest, most beautiful festivals for me as a woman because everyone is so respectful. Personally, I live in Dallas, and everywhere I go, no matter what I wear I am objectified. It creates a lot of social anxiety for me. But when I go to KCF, everyone is so loving, supportive, and kind that I get to be myself, wear a beautiful stage outfit, and feel like I can safely show the artist inside of me. There are so many moments where I get to be me and it’s not objectified, out of place, but is safe. There are so many respectful artists, staff, volunteers, and fans who show respect and care to me as a woman. It’s refreshing and I will never take that for granted.”

Kristen, one of the main duo from These Beautiful Ruins, says, “My experience as a female rock/metal artist at Kingdom Come Festival was nothing short of amazing. It’s a great feeling to be in community with other female rock artists where we uplift and support each other. This has always been my experience at Kingdom Come Festival and I’m grateful for it.”

If you haven’t experienced Kingdom Come Fest, take it from us, you want to join in! The experiences, bands, and community are worth the drive (or flight) from wherever you live…and did I mention that it’s FREE? Always One Ministries puts on this festival every year as a ministry, so if you can, join their effort by donating to the cause. Keep your eyes peeled, practice your best pit moves, and stay anticipated for the announcement for next year’s event.

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