Catton Park

Everything you ever wanted to know about BLOODSTOCK (that’s not bands)

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With only a couple of weeks to go, BLOODSTOCK’s here to update you on lots of non-band-related delights at this year’s event, including a diverse range of traders, food stalls, drinks, on-site entertainment, and other facilities at next month’s glorious celebration of heavy metal. Not to mention a bargain deal on this year’s festival t-shirt and info on 2023’s charity partners.  

First up, BLOODSTOCK is very aware of the cost of living squeeze, so is pleased to confirm that the price of the 2023 event t-shirt has been frozen at £25. Head to the merch stand in the main arena over the festival to snap it up! You can also find a range of new merch online now here including super-soft dressing gowns, drinking horns, umbrellas, and the S’tan plush toy/bobblehead!
Whether you’re vegan, veggie, meat-eating, or seeking something gluten-free or halal, BLOODSTOCK has a wide range of food available onsite. Here’s just a few options… burgers, pizza, tacos, burritos, gyoza, waffles, crepes, toasties, smoked meats, chicken, noodles, pies, giant Yorkshire puds, baguettes, fish & chips, fries, hotdogs, kebabs, donuts/churros, mac n’ cheese, wraps, nachos, fudge, the infamous black ice-cream, and more – and Bunnychow is back too! Check out more info here and there’s a handy graphic below to help you keep track of which food stands to head to first. 
For any essentials you’ve forgotten, there’s a supermarket in the Midgard campsite (and a small shop in the main arena) plus Fat Frank’s Camping Store, where for £2 you can even get your air bed inflated for a comfier night’s sleep. 

For those looking to do a little heavy metal shopping in the arena, you’ll be able to pick up patches and badges, CDs/vinyl, or official merch and alt clothing (leggings, t-shirts, denim jackets, leather waistcoats, army surplus, hats… you name it) to rock ‘n roll home accessories, wiccan wares, all types of jewellery (visit the Guitarwrist for items benefiting charity made with used guitar strings and Black Feather Design for BLOODSTOCK’s official 925 silver jewellery range) and if you don’t have one already, surely a Viking drinking horn is an essential addition (other Viking crafts also available). 
When you’re not watching bands, how about a spot of axe-throwing with your pals or visit Firehound Forge, the local blacksmith stall, who may even forge your item while you watch? There’s also the Nordic Spirit Gaming Arena with modern and retro video games to play, the Rock And Metal Gallery (reputed to be the coolest place onsite, metaphorically and literally), the Planet Rock Signing Tent to meet your favourite bands, and fairground attractions, plus you can join a 45-min open air Rockfit class at 10:15am Fri-Sun to get your blood pumping squatting to Slayer, or why not grab a cold beverage and watch some Vikings go to battle right in front of you!
When the bands are done, it doesn’t mean BLOODSTOCK is!  Late night ents kick off with DJs on both the New Blood and Sophie stages ‘til the early hours. Over in the Sophie tent, on Thursday from 12am-2am, DJ Pressplay welcomes you with a selection of tunes from upcoming bands and other metal bangers; Friday from 12am-2am brings The Blood Rave with DJs Little M and Lloyd, marking the 25th anniversary of iconic movie, Blade! Expect EBM, industrial, techno, and heavy beats.

The Sophie tent on Saturday from 12am-2am is the Dark Night of the Scarecrow! Jakk and Jordan from EVIL SCARECROW are joined by DJ Arockalypse to offer up a slab of the best metal and rock anthems. Sunday from 12am-2am, sees DJ Rich Harris (Desertfest) closing the festival in the only way he knows how – loudly and by including guilty pleasure metal whoppers to lodge in your head until Bloodstock 2024!

The New Blood tent sees the return of the very popular silent disco on Thursday and Saturday nights from 11pm-2am – take your pick from three channels of rock & metal, pop & party cheese, or full-on dance, or why not mix it up with all three?! Just turn up and grab a headset. At the other end of the scale, New Blood’s Friday night from 11pm-1am sees DJ Darren Smith serving up a crushing selection of the blackest, darkest, and heaviest music around.

If you’d rather have your fun back in the campsites, get in on Midgard Madness between 11pm – 1am, with some brand new inflatable shenanigans this year. Fan of wrestling? Take on your pal in a sumo wrestler suit! Feeling a bit more athletic? Put your strength and stamina to the test with the Bungee Run! How far can you make it down the track before the bungee catapults you back to the start?!

For the jousters amongst you, take on the Pole Joust challenge. Who can stay on the pole the longest without being toppled to their doom?! Who will be the BLOODSTOCK Almighty Joust Champion?? Bragging rights indeed. A late night Redbull bar will be there to quench your thirst (wings not included).
Each year BLOODSTOCK has various dress themes for those who want to participate. In 2023, we see the return of the very successful ‘Pink For Sylvia’ theme on both Thursday and Friday, in memory of Sophie Lancaster’s mother, the founder of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Pink was Sylvia’s favourite colour. Corpsepaint Saturday does what it says on the tin! If you don’t want to do your own make-up, stop by the Sophie Lancaster charity stall in the main arena between 10am – 3pm Sat and they’ll paint your face for a small donation, with all proceeds going to the Foundation. On Sunday, it’ll be Helloween Pumpkins day, so bust out your best pumpkin-themed attire to welcome the mighty HELLOWEEN! 

As part of BLOODSTOCK’s continuing sustainability/green efforts, the cup redemption scheme returns to help keep BLOODSTOCK litter-free!! Open to those 18+, you can redeem prizes for collecting cups! Hand in your stash at Lemmy’s bar to get a stamp on your collector’s card for every 50 cups returned. This year’s prizes are:  

50 cups – 1 free pint / spirit worth £6
100 cups – 15% off Bloodstock merch or 1 meal voucher worth £12 (one transaction only)
250 cups – 1 Bloodstock festival shirt (size subject to availability)
600 cups – Jump the queue to the signing tent for one whole day 
750 cups – Access to Serpents Lair VIP hospitality area for 2 people
1000 cups – Watch a band from side of stage or in the pit for first 3 songs (subject to no closed stage or pyro restrictions).

In addition, the tent donation point returns by Fat Franks in the Midgard campsite! When you’re going home, if you can’t be bothered to lug your tent with you, don’t abandon it to be lonely in landfill! Put it to good use by donating it for charitable benefit.
BLOODSTOCK’s official charity partners for 2023 are The Sophie Lancaster Foundation and Derbyshire Air Ambulance. The ever important work of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation to stamp out prejudice, hatred, and intolerance everywhere is something BLOODSTOCK have been proud to support for many years.

The Derbyshire Air Ambulance Service operates 24/7, 365 days a year, providing a rapid trauma response. They receive no government funding and rely solely on the public’s generosity to keep their helicopters flying and saving lives. BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to confirm that a team from Derbyshire LGBT+ will run a stall too. They are Derbyshire’s only LGBT+ specific support service, supporting all LGBT+ people or anyone who is having issues with sexual orientation or gender identity, including family and friends. Look out for their spots in the main arena (left of the main stage as you look at it) and pop over to learn more about the awesome work these organisations do.

BLOODSTOCK would like to take a moment to celebrate the incredible efforts of Pick Collectors Against Cancer, who have now raised more than $250,000, benefiting band-nominated cancer-related charities all over the world. BLOODSTOCK is very pleased to keep supporting this worthwhile cause, and with everyone’s help, perhaps they can top $300,000 this year. Head to their socials for more info, and look out for Lee from PCAC at the fest.

If you find yourself falling ill or in need of some extra support/assistance while at BLOODSTOCK, head to the MEDICAL / WELFARE TENT in the main arena. You can also visit THE SAMARITANS marquee located in the Midgard campsite for a non-judgemental, confidential chat at any time over the festival event. 
BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to welcome 1625 OUTREACH, a local service that specialise in supporting festival goers in relation to drugs, alcohol, and personal safety. This year 1625 will be working collaboratively with Welfare on site – you can find them in the campsite hub or you can drop them a message on Instagram (@1625_Outreach).  1625 are available to provide…Free & confidential advice about drugs/alcohol.Harm reduction information & resources.Assistance in accessing additional support on site & in the community.Free safety resources (drink spiking covers, condoms, etc).A harm reduction &/or recovery centred safe space to chat.

Every campsite has its own vibe, but if you’re looking for the designated quiet campsite, make a beeline for Ragnarok. Niflheim is the accessible campsite for those who have applied successfully in advance to camp there. Coming on your own and/or a bit anxious about that? Consider joining unofficial Bloodstock group Camp Loners & Newbies, who always camp in a corner of Valhalla. With Ironwood, Midgard, Jotunheim, Asgard, and Hel to choose from too (plus Vanaheim 1 & 2 for our campervan friends & the Serpent’s Lair campsite for VIPers) you’re sure to find your home away from home! Want to chat to fellow BLOODSTOCKers before you get there? There are a number of unofficial Facebook groups, including BMF666.
Looking for directions or travel info including coaches and the official festival shuttle, running from Tamworth train station this year (note: NOT Lichfield, as in years prior)? Click here. For all general event info & frequently asked questions, including box office, main arena, and car park opening times, accessibility, lost & found (inc. lost kids), and much more, go here. You can find this year’s site map of BLOODSTOCK here. Stay tuned to BLOODSTOCK’s official social channels over the next couple of weeks for news all about the festival’s brand new app that you’ll soon be able to download, complete with a helpful clash finder and stage times.

While you’re planning your packing, don’t forget that BLOODSTOCK has introduced a dedicated one-stop-shop featuring all those festival essentials. From the all important cold beers to BOA’s 2023 merchandise, through to camping equipment and much more, BLOODSTOCKers can secure all their must-have items in advance from one online shop, eradicating the need for last-minute scrambles, long queues or searching in multiple online stores for different items. For more info and to explore what you can get, visit the official Bloodstock Festival Preo store. 

Weekend early bird tickets for BLOODSTOCK 2024 will be available to purchase at the box office on site for £165.  This is the cheapest way to buy a 2024 ticket, minus any online booking or admin fees.  Serpents Lair VIP tickets and campervan pitches will go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 16th August and are expected to sell out quickly, so if you want one, be ready!!  Please note that there will be no VIP Upgrades in 2024. A very limited number of 100 VIP Deposit Scheme tickets will be available at 9am on 1st September. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Still not got your ticket?! Snap up your standard weekend tickets inc. camping at the ticket store for the bargain price of just £165 (+ fees). Don’t hang about, limited numbers remain!  If you want to make it a family affair, there are child tickets too, priced £45 (+fees) and mini-moshers under age 4 go free. If you can’t make the whole weekend, but don’t want to miss out, limited day tickets are available priced £75 (+fees) for adults and £25 (+fees) for kids. See all options in the ticket store and get excited watching the latest trailer here! 
BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, BIOHAZARD, EMPLOYED TO SERVE, ROYAL REPUBLIC, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, CANDLEMASS, TRIBULATION, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, ABBATH, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, BOSSK, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, PEST CONTROL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, TROLLFEST, SKYND, FROZEN SOUL, EMBODIMENT, THE VIOLENT INZIDENT, TRIBE OF GHOSTS, DAKESIS, THE ENIGMA DIVISION, THE GREY, AMBRIUS, TUSKAR, STENGAH, OVERTHRONE, TORTURED DEMON, CASKET FEEDER, GAEREA, BLOODYARD, WOLFBASTARD, EMBODIMENT, SKIN FAILURE, WITCHSORROW, WYTCH HAZEL, HATE, BLACK COAST, PHOENIX LAKE, ZETRA and more. 

Get full festival information over at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

BLOODSTOCK 2023 – Final band news & RAM Gallery details

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As this year’s event gets ever nearer, BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to announce that Sunday day tickets for 2023 are now SOLD OUT!! Standard weekend tickets remain available but are going quickly, plus a limited day allocation for Friday and Saturday.  Read on for more band news, plus all the details on the RAM Gallery exhibitors, the return of the T-Shirt/CD Amnesty and Planet Rock Signing Tent, plus how to do a one-stop-shop for all your festival essentials. 

There’s just 4 weeks to go before the metal hoardes thunder their way onto Catton Park’s hallowed turf! This week the Metal 2 The Masses scheme is closing out this year’s initiative with the final batch of 10 lucky bands who won local heats to score a slot on the New Blood stage.  

Friday’s New Blood line up will include the Oxford heat victors, SHOOT TO KILL, who’ll be bringing their metalcore breakdowns and 90s riffs, showcased on their recent video for ‘Crimson’. Also appearing will be modern metal squad, APATHY, whose brutal downtuned guitars and psychedelic soundscapes won out in Devon & Cornwall. Check out their official video for ‘Gravewalker’.

Bournemouth’s winners, TO OBEY A TYRANT also grab a Friday slot. Their blackened deathcore has won many admirers – appraise yourself via their video for ‘Vermillion Moon’. DEVIL’S HENCHMEN picked up the Merseyside prize – watch them bring the retro riffage in the video for ‘Built By Hate’. Grabbing the last Friday slot are South Wales outfit, TORCHBEARER. The four piece dropped their ‘Warrior’ EP just last month, featuring the blistering ‘Catharsis In Karma.’ 

Grabbing a Saturday New Blood slot will be Cheltenham’s SKORA.  The band’s progressive hardcore sound has made them mainstays of the South West underground scene. Find out why via their video for ‘Harakiri.’ Northampton’s PICTURE THE SCENE also win their place. Having picked up Radio 1 airplay and won Arts Council England support, find out what the fuss is about via this live set from North Acre Studios.  THE DEAD XIII picked up the prize in the Burnley heat. With a couple of albums and Kerrang! Radio airplay under their belts, they’re no strangers to the touring circuit – watch their video for ‘Killers’ here. Picking up Saturday’s final space are Stoke’s winners, BLOODMORES. This four piece take their influences from all corners of the metal realm, leaning heavily in a melodic death direction. Check out their video for ‘Virulence’ taken from their second album, ‘Too Close To The Sun’.

Sunday’s New Blood line up welcomes Nottingham’s winners, BEYOND YOUR DESIGN. The East Midlands four piece blend massive metalcore riffing with melodic hooks and snarling vocals. Watch them take on an assault of marauders in their official video for ‘United We Fall’. 

On Sunday morning, over at the Sophie Lancaster Stage, the party also gets started by the winner of Planet Rock Radio’s band competition. Chosen from hundreds of entries, PHOENIX LAKE came out on top. With comparisons to Evanescence, Parkway Drive and Paramore, their debut EP, ‘Beyond The Flames’ has been picking up a ton of attention. Check out their single, ‘Faithless’ to see for yourself.
Due to extenuating circumstances, a number of alterations to the bill have been necessary.  Due to some unforeseen logistical issues out of ZEAL & ARDOR‘s hands, ZEAL & ARDOR are unfortunately not able to perform on Saturday at BLOODSTOCK. Rather than BLOODSTOCKers lose out entirely on what will be a spectacular set, festival management have managed to move the band to Sunday’s Sophie Lancaster stage line up. ZEAL & ARDOR will now play their full 75-minute set, with their full production, directly before headliners, BIOHAZARD. KING 810’s set will now move to Thursday and TRIBE OF GHOSTS to Saturday. In addition, EYES have had to withdraw from the festival and will be replaced by AMBRIUS in the Saturday morning opening slot on the Sophie Lancaster Stage.  

BLOODSTOCK is also thrilled to announce the exhibitors in this year’s RAM GALLERY, the festival’s unique, purpose-built art space curated each year by festival founder and globally renowned fantasy artist, Paul Raymond Gregory.  Showing across two whole walls of the space will be KILLSWITCH ENGAGE’s bass player & founder of Dark Icon Design, Mike D’Antonio. Mike’s work is featured on many albums from his own band, but you may not know his work litters the heavy music spectrum and also extends to merch including posters, t-shirts, skateboard decks and more, for the likes of 36 Crazyfists, Armored Saint, Crowbar, and Harley Davidson, among numerous others. 

BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to be the first ever art space to showcase selects of Mike’s body of work from the ‘other side’ of his impressive career. Also exhibiting at the gallery will be a familiar face to the RAM Gallery, Oliver Andrew (who created the incredible array of handcrafted ‘guitars-as-art’ for the gallery over the years under his Cynosure Guitars moniker). Oliver will be showcasing his new project, ‘Bloodworks’, which sees him using his own blood as the medium for hyper-realistic artworks. 

The RAM Gallery also welcomes Dan Seagrave, who’ll be showing 20 outstanding pieces of work, including creations for the likes of ENTOMBED, SUFFOCATION, PESTILENCE, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and more. Also exhibiting is sculptural artist Paul Cutting, who’ll have a winged masterpiece on show and a metal guitar themed around one of the headlining bands. Another familiar face in the gallery is Liam Brandon Murray, whose incredible, sculptural throne will once more make an appearance for all your gallery selfie needs! 

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to announce the return of the very popular T-SHIRT & CD AMNESTY this year. Dig out your unwanted shirts & discs in good, clean condition and hand ‘em over at the INFORMATION/ROCK SOCIETY tent in the main arena. Then head to the PLANET ROCK SIGNING TENT from 10am-12 Noon, Friday thru Sunday, to grab yourself a pre-loved bargain, as they’ll be selling off donated items to raise money for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Also, stay tuned to BLOODSTOCK’s socials for details of who you’ll be able to meet in the PLANET ROCK SIGNING TENT this year!

While you’re planning your packing, don’t forget that BLOODSTOCK has introduced a dedicated one-stop-shop featuring all those festival essentials. From the all important cold beers to BOA’s own 2023 merchandise through to camping equipment and much more, BLOODSTOCKers can secure all their must-have items in advance from one online shop, eradicating the need for last-minute scrambles, long queues or searching in multiple online stores for different items. 

For more info and to explore what you can get, visit the official Bloodstock Festival Preo store. 
Ready for four days of heavy metal fun? Snap up your standard weekend tickets inc. camping at the ticket store for the bargain price of just £165 (+ fees). Don’t hang about, limited numbers remain. If you want to make it a family affair, there are child tickets too, priced £45 (+ fees) and mini-moshers below age 4 go free. If you can’t make the whole weekend, but don’t want to miss out, limited day tickets are available priced £75 (+ fees) for adults and £25 (+ fees) for kids. See all options in the ticket store and get excited watching the latest trailer here! 

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, BIOHAZARD, EMPLOYED TO SERVE, ROYAL REPUBLIC, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, CANDLEMASS, TRIBULATION, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, ABBATH, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, BOSSK, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, PEST CONTROL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, TROLLFEST, SKYND, FROZEN SOUL, EMBODIMENT, THE VIOLENT INZIDENT, TRIBE OF GHOSTS, DAKESIS, THE ENIGMA DIVISION, THE GREY, EYES, TUSKAR, STENGAH, OVERTHRONE, TORTURED DEMON, CASKET FEEDER, GAEREA, BLOODYARD, WOLFBASTARD, EMBODIMENT, SKIN FAILURE, WITCHSORROW, WYTCH HAZEL, HATE, BLACK COAST, ZETRA and more. 

Get full festival information over at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

THE BLOODSTOCK COUNTDOWN IS ON! 

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JUST 46 DAYS TO GO!

With just 46 days to go to BLOODSTOCK, the countdown is ON!  

Tonight, Tuesday 27th June, sees festival directors Adam Gregory and Vicky Hungerford doing a Live Q&A via the festival’s Facebook and Instagram channels, answering punters’ questions about this year’s event. Tune in at 7pm to get all the latest updates and maybe even win some prizes!

The Metal 2 The Masses finals are nearly complete and another nine bands, the cream of the crop in each region, win a slot on 2023’s New Blood stage. Grabbing a Friday slot are Essex’s winners ARMS TO OBLIVION. Check out ‘Tequila Blues’ from the Ipswich groove metallers’ latest EP, ‘Defciylion’. Also appearing Friday are Bristol’s MOON REAPER UK, whose blackened death/doom sound is showcased via ‘Overlord’, which was shot live at their M2TM semi final. 

Saturday’s bill will feature County Durham’s SWARMS whose fat riffs and heavy breakdowns won over the Newcastle heat’s masses. Watch for yourself via ‘Copperhead’ shot during their Trillians set. Also winning a Saturday slot are Kent’s BROKEN CALLING, who blend hardcore, metalcore and nu metal and have picked up airplay from BBC Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe. Check out their video for ‘S.I.C.K’ and find out why.

Five bands land themselves slots on Sunday’s New Blood stage. London’s SANGUINEM will be bringing their melodic death sounds, including ‘Hate Transfusion’, Birmingham’s NAMELESS will be showcasing their mix of nu metal and hardcore. Watch them play ‘Circus Of Freaks’ live, shot earlier this year.

Deathcore squad DYSTOPIAN SUN grab a slot too, via the North Wales final. Watch an online slaythrough of their track ‘Shadow Of Dread’ from 2021. Also joining Sunday are Hitchin’s tech metal outfit, SENTIENT. The 4-piece serve up a mix of noodly riffs and beefy breakdowns; heavy spaghetti indeed!

Check out ‘Gaslighter’ from their ‘Sentient Is Dead’ EP. On Sunday, the winners of the Poland heat of M2TM, bHP will bring their nu metal sounds to Catton Park. Watch them unleash the mayhem via their video for ‘Crownless’.
Unfortunately, STRIKER have had to pull out of this year’s event, but Birmingham metal squad, FURY slide into a slot on the Sophie Lancaster stage instead. 

BLOODSTOCK is also excited to announce a game-changing addition to this year’s event. In collaboration with event technology provider Preo, BLOODSTOCK is introducing a dedicated one-stop-shop featuring an array of festival essentials. From those all important cold beers to exclusive merchandise through to camping equipment and much more, festival go-ers can secure all their must-have items in advance from one online shop, eradicating the need for last-minute scrambles, long queues or searching in multiple online stores for different items.  For more info and to explore the online shop, please visit the official Bloodstock Festival Preo store. 

Each year BLOODSTOCK has various dress themes for those who want to participate.  In 2023, we see the return of the very successful ‘Pink For Sylvia’ theme on both Thursday and Friday, in memory of Sophie Lancaster’s mother, the founder of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.  Pink was Sylvia’s favourite colour.  Corpsepaint Saturday does what it says on the tin!  If you don’t want to do your own make up, stop by the Sophie Lancaster charity stall in the main arena and they’ll paint your face for a small donation, with all proceeds going to the Foundation. On Sunday, it’ll be Helloween Pumpkins day, so bust out your best pumpkin-themed attire to welcome the mighty HELLOWEEN! 

BLOODSTOCK ANNOUNCES FULL JAGERMEISTER STAGE LINE-UP

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With just 8 weeks to go before the metal brethren thunder through the gates of Catton Park, BLOODSTOCK is excited to reveal some of the hotly tipped talent who’ll be ripping up the Jagermeister stage this year.  So on festival weekend, why not grab a cold one and investigate some fresh talent that could become your new favourite band. 

Friday brings fuzzed-up Brummie rock duo, THIS SUMMIT FEVER, whose heavy riffage is showcased on ‘Messiah’, taken from their ‘Distraction Rituals’ EP.  Belfast’s high energy rock squad WILD HEAT, will also be bringing their ‘Hustle’ to Catton Park, plus expect to see Birmingham’s sludgy death metal trio, DEATHFIEND, whose brand new video for ‘Beyond Life’ is giving us life! 

Also joining Friday’s line up are Newcastle trio DUNES. Check out their desert-soaked sound via the video for ‘Heart of the Sun’.  Wrapping up proceedings with a headline slot on Friday’s Jager stage are Aussie thrash brutes, HIDDEN INTENT.  The three-piece have established a solid following around the globe, with influences taken from the classic Bay Area and Teutonic thrash movements.  Check out their riff-tastic video for ‘Breaking Point’. 

Opening up the Jager Stage on Saturday are DAYBREAKER, who hail from the North West of England. Check out their chunky, driving riffage via the track, ‘M.O.A.B’.  Also appearing on Saturday are Cumbrian old school death metal squad, REPULSIVE VISION.  The four piece have become mainstays of the extreme metal circuit across the US and EU, so check out what the fuss is all about via the video for ‘Other Than Divine’, taken from their second album, ‘Necrovictology’. 

Expect to also see Kent heavy rockers PRYMA, bring their sticky tunes like ‘Freaky Fright Night’, driven by singer Gabrielle’s powerful vocals to the Jager stage.  Grunge/alt trio, MUDDIBROOKE may be a familiar name, having picked up radio airplay on Kerrang!, Planet Rock and BBC and support slots with Nick Oliveri and Reef. Check out their statement take on ‘You Don’t Own Me’.  And headlining the Jager stage on Saturday evening are Yorkshire metalcore squad, WATERLINES, who’ll undoubtedly be starting a massive pit with their single, ‘KÖNIG’. 

Sunday’s proceedings kick off with Nottingham’s THOSE ONCE LOYAL, who’ve been described as the bastard child of Killswitch Engage and Hatebreed!  Decide for yourself by checking out their single, ‘Relentless Cycle’.  South London power trio DEAD AIR also join the fray, bringing their multi-influenced sound to Catton Park.  Watch their video for ‘Teeth Grinder’, a track taken from their 2022 debut EP, ‘City Sins’. BLOODSTOCK’s power metal fans will be pleased to see SKIES TURN BLACK play on Sunday, showcasing their impressive musicianship on tracks like ‘This Too Shall Pass’, taken from their ‘No Place Like Home’ debut album. 

Also appearing are PAST THE FALL, whose modern metal demonstrates elements of prog flair and refined classicism.  Check out their official video for ‘Beholden’.  Closing out the stage on Sunday will be Scottish riff beasts, IRON ALTAR.  The band have just completed work on their second album, ‘Promethean’, which is set for release soon.  In the interim, get up to speed via their video for 2020’s single, ‘Cruor’.
BLOODSTOCK is also excited to announce a very special collaboration with Black Feather Design on an exclusive capsule collection of solid 925 sterling silver jewellery.  You can take your pick between both small and large statement versions of BLOODSTOCK’s iconic S’tan mascot, hewn in silver and tailored to your finger of choice, or alternatively plump for the more understated, yet equally epic, BOA shield signet design.  There’s also two choices of earring; S’tan studs or S’tan Drops (11mm sleeper hoops).  The three rings and two earring designs will be available to pre-order for two weeks from today (Thursday 15th June until 30th June 2023), or as soon as the 200 pieces of each design have sold out (whichever comes first).  Your pre-orders will ship to you in time for this year’s festival. 

For more information and to pre-order your own piece of unique heavy metal, click here.

BLOODSTOCK REVEALS FIRST ‘METAL 2 THE MASSES’ FINALS WINNERS FOR THE NEW BLOOD STAGE

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With just 73 days left between now and festival weekend, things are hotting up at BLOODSTOCK HQ, especially on the New Blood front! With the Metal 2 The Masses finals well underway around the country, the winning band in each region is locking in and BLOODSTOCK is excited to share nine more lucky developing bands who’ll be performing on the New Blood stage at Catton Park this August.

Winning the Leicester heat and grabbing a Friday slot are the progressive tech/death collective, VOIDWALKER. Familiarise yourself by checking out their 2022 track ‘Tar Stained Lips’ over at their Bandcamp page. The Manchester heat victors, the genre-twisting SQUARE WILD, won Prog Magazine’s ‘Best Unsigned Band’ poll last year. Watch their video for ‘Hounds’ and find out why. Also winning a Friday slot are the East Anglia final top dogs, URIDIUM. If you love your old school classic metal sound, these could be one for you. Check out ‘Fire & Lies’ taken from their debut EP, ‘In For The Kill’. 

Saturday’s New Blood stage will feature Scotland’s winners, EXTORT. Check out the extreme metal squad’s live version of ‘Control Alt Deceased’ and go give their ‘Reset’ debut EP a listen. Also appearing Saturday will be Sheffield’s grunge rockers, DEAD BLONDE STARS. Get a handle on their sound via the lyric video for ‘Hernan’, taken from their 2020 debut album, ‘Metamorphosis’. And coming out on top in the Milton Keynes heat are DROWND. Get a feel for their brand of industrial rock via the video for ‘Sinner’, taken from last year’s ‘[An]Aesthetic’ album.

Landing a slot on Sunday and triumphing in Northern Ireland are power trio, ACID AGE. The band take their influences from across the board, but their thrash roots are on full display in the video for ‘Slave Girl’. Also playing Sunday will be Dublin hardcore squad, LAVEIN, who came out on top for the Republic of Ireland heat. Impressive for a band who are only a few months old! Check out their winning live set from the Fibber Magees M2TM final. Lastly, champions in the Leeds battle are local 5-piece, GODETH. Listen to their blend of groove, death and hardcore showcased on their new single, ‘Scour’. 
The M2TM finals kicked off at the end of April and the remaining heats are detailed below, so be sure to get out and support the crucially important network of small venues and developing bands in your area. 
Sat 3rd Jun – LONDON The DomeSat 3rd Jun – NEWCASTLE TrilliansSat 10th Jun – CHORZOW (Poland) Lesniczowka Rock n’ Roll CafeFri 16th Jun – COLCHESTER CodaSat 17th Jun – GRAVESEND Leo’s, Red LionFri 23rd Jun – BIRMINGHAM Devils DogSat 24th Jun – HITCHIN Club 85Sat 24th Jun – WREXHAM XS @ The Penny BlackSat 24th Jun – BRISTOL The ExchangeFri 30th Jun – BOURNEMOUTH Bear CaveFri 30th Jun – CHELTENHAM Frog & FiddleSat 1st Jul – BURNLEY SanctuarySat 1st Jul – STOKE The UndergroundSat 1st Jul – NORTHAMPTON The Black PrinceSat 1st Jul – LIVERPOOL ZanzibarSat 1st Jul – CARDIFF FuelSat 8th Jul – NOTTINGHAM The Old Cold StoreSat 8th Jul – SALTASH LivewireSat 8th Jul – OXFORD Jericho Tavern

BLOODSTOCK REVEAL ‘METAL 2 THE MASSES’ FINALS DATES AND FIRST BANDS FOR 2023’s NEW BLOOD STAGE

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As Spring settles in, BLOODSTOCK HQ is a hive of activity.  This week’s announcement sees the first bands announced for the New Blood stage, and the dates are set for the Finals of 2023’s METAL 2 THE MASSES programme, BLOODSTOCK’s celebrated initiative to help developing bands score a landmark opportunity, playing a slot on the New Blood stage at the festival in August.  Some winners are chosen from online submissions, whereas others battle it out among their peers at local events across the country. This year, 29 different regions have stepped up and we also welcome initiatives from Croatia and Poland to the programme. 

The finals kick off this Saturday 29th April at Leicester’s O2 Academy and roll through to Saturday 8th July at Oxford’s Jericho Tavern.  Full dates are detailed below, so be sure to get out and support both bands and venues near you. 

Sat 29th Apr – LEICESTER O2 Academy
Sat 6th May – EDINBURGH La Belle Angele
Fri 12th May – BELFAST Voodoo 
Sat 13th May – DUBLIN Fibber Magees
Sat 20th May – SHEFFIELD Corporation
Sat 20th May – MANCHESTER Rebellion
Thu 25th May – NORWICH Brickmakers
Sat 27th May – MILTON KEYNES Craufurd Arms
Sat 27th May – LEEDS The Library
Sat 3rd Jun – LONDON The Dome
Sat 3rd Jun – NEWCASTLE Trillians
Sat 3rd Jun – OSIJEK (Croatia) Ex-Epic
Sat 10th Jun – CHORZOW (Poland) Lesniczowka Rock n’ Roll Cafe
Fri 16th Jun – COLCHESTER Coda
Sat 17th Jun – GRAVESEND Leo’s, Red Lion
Fri 23rd Jun – BIRMINGHAM Devils Dog
Sat 24th Jun – HITCHIN Club 85
Sat 24th Jun – WREXHAM XS @ The Penny Black
Sat 24th Jun – BRISTOL The ExchangeFri 30th Jun – BOURNEMOUTH Bear Cave
Fri 30th Jun – CHELTENHAM Frog & Fiddle
Sat 1st Jul – BURNLEY Sanctuary
Sat 1st Jul – STOKE The Underground
Sat 1st Jul – NORTHAMPTON The Black Prince
Sat 1st Jul – LIVERPOOL Zanzibar
Sat 1st Jul – CARDIFF Fuel
Sat 8th Jul – NOTTINGHAM The Old Cold Store
Sat 8th Jul – SALTASH Livewire
Sat 8th Jul – OXFORD Jericho Tavern
Meanwhile, grabbing New Blood slots via the online submission process are these lucky acts.
Joining Friday’s New Blood stage are London’s LOKUST.  Their ferocious, instrumental demo single, ‘Guiltless’ (featuring Krimh – Septicflesh/ex-Decapitated) only hints at what’s to come when they release their debut album this year.  Also appearing Friday will be Stoke On Trent’s self-described “heavy as fuck” trio, HEADPRESS. Get a taster of their brutal triple attack via the video for ‘Outlines’. And joining Friday’s fray are Yorkshire UKHC squad, STREET SOLDIER. Check out the crunchy uncompromising title track from their debut ‘One Man Gang’ EP.

For Saturday’s New Blood stage, we welcome South Wales black metal collective OFNUS. Watch out for the band’s debut full length coming this Summer and meanwhile get a taster of their bleak, brutal sound.  Also featured on Saturday will be riff-laden Manchester metal trio, VICE. Their second album, ‘For The Fallen’ was released last summer – watch their video for ‘Vultures’ here. 

Irish doomsters SOOTHSAYER also land themselves a Saturday slot. Get familiar with their glorious, atmospheric noise via the video for ‘Cities Of Smoke’, taken from their album ‘Echoes Of The Earth’. Last, but certainly not least, Danish modern death metal squad NAKKEKNAEKKER join Saturday’s line up. For a five piece with the average age of 18, these boys have skills beyond their years. Check out this clip of their live show.

Over on Sunday’s New Blood stage, you’ll be seeing East Anglian thrashers ELIMINATION. The band’s 2021 debut, ‘Echoes of the Abyss’ turned many heads and the band are at work on its successor, due out this year.  In the interim, watch their video for ‘Icon of Despair’. 

Also grabbing a slot are Northern Ireland rock trio, SKYPILOT. The band’s latest album, ‘Simple Beasts’, laden with fat riffs, landed last Summer, featuring the track, ‘Octofuzz’. And Nottingham extreme noise terrorists OUTERGODS grab a Sunday spot. Featuring members of Evil Scarecrow and Raised By Owls, the band are working on a new album that’ll land this Summer.  In the meantime investigate their ungodly ‘Catacombs of Madness’.  
BLOODSTOCK’s very popular club nights are also underway! Grab your mates, hit the dance floor, and perhaps you’ll be a lucky winner coming home with a free pair of weekend tickets – every club night will be running a competition! If none of these are near you, fret not, there will be more party nights at other locations through June and July revealed soon.
APRILFri 28th April – Warrington, FC2Fri 28th April – Cardiff, Metro’sSat 29th April – Camberley, AgincourtSat 29th April – Stoke-on-Trent, The Sugarmill
MAYSat 6th May – Brighton, AboveFri 12th May – Bristol, The LanesSat 20th May – Newcastle, Reds Bar @ Northumbria Uni Students UnionFri 27th May – London, ElektrowerkzSat 27th May – Southampton, SuburbiaSat 27th May – Stoke-on-Trent, The SugarmillSun 28th May – Exeter, The Cavern

BLOODSTOCK’S EASTER UPDATE

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With 135 days to go to BLOODSTOCK, are we allowed to start a countdown yet?! Spring is officially here and though the festival has some disappointing news to share first, there is also a plethora of excellent news and lots more still to reveal while we’re (im)patiently waiting for August to roll around. You can also tune in to the next Facebook Live on Thursday, 6th April at 7pm. We can’t promise festival management will be wearing Easter bunny ears, but we can promise some Easter goodies. Keep an eye out on BLOODSTOCK’s socials next week too for a little Easter competition…!
Unfortunately, we have to share that both Nonpoint and DevilDriver have pulled out of the festival this summer. Putting on a festival involves a lot of moving parts, and BLOODSTOCK is as disappointed and frustrated as its audience when things crop up which the festival has no control over – after all, BLOODSTOCK wants to deliver the very best possible festival for you and works hard year round to curate an stellar line-up. Dez from DevilDriver has shared the following message and we wish Dez all the best with his continuing recovery. 
BLOODSTOCK is delighted to announce that the legendary, Norwegian black metal icon  ABBATH will step in to fill the breach on Saturday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage. Rarely in the UK, and not at BLOODSTOCK since Immortal’s headline slot in 2011, this is certifiably a set not to be missed!! ABBATH declares, “We’re really looking forward to be coming back to the UK to shake the Bloodstock foundation. It’s been way too long!” Get up to speed with this full stream of latest release ‘Dread Reaver’, out now via Season Of Mist, or watch the video for ‘Dream Cull.’ Better hone your meme skills, too. 
With Nonpoint dropping out, the previously announced, almighty BOSSK are moving up the Sophie Lancaster stage bill to takeover their slot, and BLOODSTOCK can also reveal the addition of crossover thrash beasts PEST CONTROL to keep your heads bangin’. Trot over to Bandcamp to investigate their tunes, including latest release ‘Don’t Test The Pest’, released just last month. 
The festival is more than just bands though! BLOODSTOCK is excited to welcome the UK’s biggest rock and metal fitness company ROCKFIT for the first time! Renowned for an amalgamation of cardio, dance, and some serious body-sculpting set to a pure rock and metal playlist for those that like it loud, if you’re not sleeping in then ROCKFIT will be the perfect way to shake off the night before and limber you up for the pit! Squatting to Slayer, singing your lungs out, and even the occasional viking row, there will be a 45-minute open air class kicking off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday  in the main arena at 10:15am! RockFit @ Bloodstock is going to be a seriously unique festival fitness experience for metal fans by metal fans to leave you feeling energised and fit for the pit! 
If the ROCKFIT workout gets you hot under the collar, then BLOODSTOCK also has the perfect thing to cool things down. BLACK ICE-CREAM is back!
Suitable for all ages and a refreshing ginger and lemon flavour, it’ll be available in the main arena all festival. Possibly the perfect summer accessory for you to watch ABBATH’s unholy set with?

BLOODSTOCK WELCOME BOSSK TO THE SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE

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Bossk!

Following the unfortunate news that ska-punkers RUSSKAJA have called it a day, and will therefore no longer be performing at BLOODSTOCK this summer, BLOODSTOCK is pleased to tell you who will be stepping into their slot… 

This enigmatic and experimental band formed in 2005 but it was eleven years before their debut ‘Audio Noir’ saw light of day through Deathwish Inc and exploded them into post-metal’s most respected echelons. Despite nods to Neurosis and Converge, this distinctive, atmospheric five-piece remain hard to pigeonhole, and continue to display their bone-crushing heaviness on latest album ‘Migration‘, which also features a guest spot from Cult Of Luna’s Johannes Persson on the single ‘Menhir‘. This Sophie Lancaster stage slot on Friday will be filled by none other than the mighty BOSSK!

BOSSK said, “It’s been a fair few years since we last played at Bloodstock. When we played the first time we were a little apprehensive about how we would go down at a predominantly fast metal festival, but the response was incredible. And even better the next time. To play in 2023 is going to be incredible, and to see the festival continue to grow is a great thing for the UK music scene. Thank you to everyone involved for having us back, we can’t wait. Hail the riff.

BLOODSTOCK reveal TRIPTYKON performing CELTIC FROST, and more

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Following on from the bonanza 15-band announcement earlier this week, BLOODSTOCK has some more news to share about 2023’s event. 

In these rapidly changing times, unfortunately Saturday’s special guest Anthrax have pulled out of their slot. With regret, the band have issued a brief statement saying, “Due to logistical issues beyond our control Anthrax will no longer be appearing at Bloodstock 2023.” 

Anthrax leave some big boots to fill but BLOODSTOCK is confident that their replacement is more than up to the task. Joining the 2023 line-up as Saturday’s special guests on the Ronnie James Dio main stage, will be the iconic metal pioneers, TRIPTYKON. In an unmissable UK exclusive performance, they’ll be treating BLOODSTOCK to a CELTIC FROST set. Warm your neck up with the stone cold Celtic Frost classic, ‘Circle Of The Tyrants’. 

Tom Gabriel Warrior comments, “It was audiences and media in the UK who first embraced Celtic Frost’s music in the mid-1980s and gave this band a history and career. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here as the musician I have become. Moreover, we have also been very fortunate with Triptykon to be granted an equally warm welcome every time we have played the UK. This is particularly true for our past appearances at Bloodstock. It is thus truly a special honour and pleasure for us to have been asked by Bloodstock to play this unique Celtic Frost-themed concert at Bloodstock 2023. There will be many memories and emotions.”

What songs will they play? Check out the Top 10 Celtic Frost songs according to Paradise Lost’s Nick Holmes here. You’ll have to come along to find out which songs make the cut! If you need to brush up on your Celtic Frost ahead of time, why not pop the new ‘Danse Macabre’ box set on your Christmas list, which includes their complete recordings between 1984-1987 and have a read of this recent interview with The Guardian.

BLOODSTOCK would also like to thank all the 2022 BLOODSTOCKers for supporting the festival’s efforts to be a little greener. BLOODSTOCK is delighted to state its officially certified as ‘A Greener Festival 2022 – Improvers’; particularly commended in the ‘external reach’ and ‘local community impact’ categories. A Greener Festival said, “Improvers signifies great strides on the green event journey, with continued improvements, and shows your event exhibits a significant engagement with the process of reducing negative environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts. Bloodstock have demonstrated a passionate drive for a greener event with a focus on best practice going forwards. The team have shown excellent efforts and a clear determination to continue to improve, to protect the environment and enhance positive stakeholder connections. The whole AGF team are very grateful for the achievements of certified events, and again we thank you wholeheartedly for your efforts and actions to make the global event industry greener, and striving for AGF Certification.” BLOODSTOCK also wanted to share, that in conjunction with Fat Franks, following on from the Tent Amnesty points and a site-wide salvage of reusable camping equipment, 90% was able to be redistributed, with some spare tent fabric even being used on the Nottingham Trent University sustainable fashion project, and some other equipment including chairs/gazebos going to the Scouts. BLOODSTOCK looks forward to continuing its greener efforts with your help in 2023.

Buying someone a BLOODSTOCK e-ticket as a Christmas gift? You can download a free, bespoke Christmas card via the link at the top of the ticket store page. Browse a full range of BLOODSTOCK merch here including the new special edition luxury hoodie and super soft BOA blanket, perfect now it’s getting colder! You’re still in time to order for pre-Christmas delivery! To buy weekend tickets, visit the ticket store. VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out. 

If you prefer, you can now sign up for the very popular ticket Deposit Scheme. With payments spread across 6 monthly instalments, it makes it much more manageable to pay for your standard weekend ticket. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul. Sign up to the scheme here.

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, BIOHAZARD, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, TROLLFEST, SKYND, WARKINGS, FROZEN SOUL, THE VIOLENT INZIDENT, TRIBE OF GHOSTS, DAKESIS, THE ENIGMA DIVISION, THE GREY, EYES, TUSKAR, STENGAH, OVERTHRONE, TORTURED DEMON, CASKET FEEDER, and ZETRA. Many more are yet to be announced. 

Get full festival information at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

BLOODSTOCK reveals Thursday line-up + 10 more for the Sophie Lancaster stage

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After just last week revealing their final headliner, MESHUGGAH and special guests, HELLOWEEN joining the bill, BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce even more bands for 2023, including the entire Thursday eve, opening party night line up!!

Headlining Thursday night on the Sophie Lancaster big top stage are hotly tipped, industrial goth duo, SKYND.  Also bringing the noise once you’ve set up your tent and cracked your first beer are power metal outfit WARKINGS, Texan death metal squad FROZEN SOUL, post-nu-core parody five piece, THE VIOLENT INZIDENT and opening the afternoon’s proceedings are Brighton M2TM alumni, TRIBE OF GHOSTS. 

Also joining are a slew of bands filling out the Sophie Lancaster stage line up across the weekend.  On Friday, expect to see the likes of avant garde goth duo ZETRA, Birmingham prog metal squad DAKESIS and THE ENIGMA DIVISION (feat. former Xerath guitarist, Conor McGouran).  Landing a slot on Saturday are thrashcore 4-pce TORTURED DEMON,  Cambridge post-rock trio THE GREY, Danish heavyists EYES and death metal/hardcore fusionists CASKET FEEDER.  Rounding out the bill on Sunday will be psych/doom outfit TUSKAR, French riffmonsters STENGAH and Brum metalcore gang OVERTHRONE. 

You can also now sign up for the very popular ticket Deposit Scheme. With payments spread across 6 monthly instalments, it makes it much more manageable to pay for your weekend ticket. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul. Sign up to the scheme here.

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, ANTHRAX, BIOHAZARD, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, and TROLLFEST. Many more are yet to be announced. 

With tickets selling faster than ever for 2023, all VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out. Grab your weekend tickets now at the ticket store.  

Get full festival information at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023.