There are more festivals than you can shake a big spiky stick at going on throughout the UK and Europe over the summer months. We’re hitting a couple of our usuals, as well as some others this year. In the “We’ll Be There” series, we’re going to keep you up to date with the ones where someone from Moshville Times will be around, soaking up the rock and metal (and beer and pizza…)!
We’ve had someone (or several someones) at Bloodstock for the last few years, partly as Bloodstock have been nice to us and partly because who’d not want to go? With consistently strong lineups, plus the bonus of the New Blood stage featuring winners of the annual Metal 2 the Masses competition there’s something for every metalhead.
Atmosphere-wise, it’s spot on. Band and punters we’ve talked to all agree that the Bloodstock crew have it nailed. It’s the right size, too. Camping at even the furthest point out will have you at the main stage in around 15 minutes from your tent with most spots being even closer. There’s the fairground, the knights or strong-person competitions, the fantastic cos-players, and the constant rotation of quality acts.
This year’s triumvirate of headliners are Judas Priest, Gojira and Nightwish. Elsewhere on the main stage bill are Cannibal Corpse, DevilDriver, Alestorm, Combichrist, Jasta, Mr Big… and that’s just scraping the surface. The huge Sophie Lancaster “second” stage currently includes Doro, Exhorder, Watain, Conjurer, Bleed From Within, Dead Label and De Profundis amongst the many ready to tread its boards.
Pelugion are the first band announced to play the New Blood stage, having won the Coventry Metal 2 the Masses over the weekend. Many more will follow! I personally spent an age at that stage last year and discovered a couple new favourite bands as a result. Oh, and then there’s the dinky Jagermeister stage that always ends up with a crowd much larger than you think it could handle.
For the full current lineup, head to Bloodstock’s website where you can also grab your tickets. A weekend will set you back £152 (including booking fee and camping) for three full days plus the Thursday evening opening party at the Sophie stage.
