Bloodstock '26, Review

What can I say?

I have been to Bloodstock a number of times as a punter and a couple now as a journalist, to be honest, I would say that Bloodstock is THE Festival that Metalheads should go to. Why? It is no sellout to commercialism like Download where you will see some great bands obviously, but everything there has a price. The soul has been sucked out of the music and that is crucial to me for having a great time as opposed to just being at a Festival. Bloodstock has always retained that 'Family' vibe, everyone looks out for each other and evey one is there to have a great time.

Of course, other than crowd surfing on a Rubber Duck, there is a whole host of things to do, four stages which each have their own identity and brand, The Ronnie James Dio Stage being the main, Sophie Lancaster Stage being second, New Blood being the third and open to competition winners of multiple heats around the country each year and finally the fourth stage, the EMP Stage which hosts a few bands between mainstage acts. Lets not forget The Sepants Lair Stage which held court to some very good bands as well over the weekend, but unless you had a VIP pass, you probably would have missed most of these.

For me, this was the core of my business and reason for being there, the bands on these stages. There were other things like RockFit, organised Bin Jousting and various other things on the bill I did miss the Line Dancing........ thankfully! Yet it is the things like this that have grown organically over the 25 years of Bloodstock, that helps keep this Festival grounded and connected to the fans.

25 Years.

Lets just take a moment to let that sink in shall we? This Festival has defied all the odds and grown so much in 25 years where many others have failed. Starting as an indoor festival for the first handful of years in what was a difficult time for many others, Bloodstock made its home at Catton Hall and like a school kid at the start of the school year, has grown into its clothing, to the point now that it is full to stretching point. I do believe that if it could find a way to stretch its parimeters, the Festival could grow even more. Would it be the same? That is the million dollar question of course. This year we saw the stretching of the Sophie tent and the EMP Stage having a new home. Last year we lost the fairground thank the Gods, but for me, the struggle is the popularity of the New Blood stage and those dreaded chairs!

To be fair, the 'No Chair Zone' worked a treat, the mainstage had a great crowd each time I was there. The only option left in my mind is a type of grandstand style of seating at the back or wings and ban the chairs completely...... this would have to come at a cost of course but would it save or take up more actual space?

The New Blood Stage, back when I was here as a punter, used to always have a little room, now its packed to the rafters as with the other stages. A bigger Tent? a reposition? I have no idea how to approach the problem, this is where Bloodstock has become a victim of its own success. Success is indeed what it is. I had the pleasure of watching Seething Akira on the New Blood Stage years ago and this year saw their fourth return, with a stunning set and a marridge proposal. This sums up why the New Blood Stage and the Metal II The Masses comp is so important, not only is it vital to help new bands find an audience, it shows that with the right push, these bands can come back to the bigger stages and use this as a foothold to get further within the murky waters of this tricky industry.

Being there as Press and doing interviews, meant that I did not see as many bands as I would have wished. Highlights of the weekend for me...from what I saw? Bootyard Bandits making a return after 4 years and being on a decent stage! They needed to shake off the NWOCR glass ceiling and find themselves that ideal audience. It was a helluva way to open a Sunday, but the Boys were Back!

Froglord were just superb, I have a real fear of frogs so this was like therapy of the worst kind for me! I do love the music and to be honest, they are great guys as well.

The Cartoon Cartel made an explosive entry to the EMP Stage, I love this band and the quality of the songs is just top notch, however...no photos!!!! Another great band on the EMP stage was Tempest Saint who pull from the era of NWOBHM, and do this rather well...get their album!

Another Sophie Stage band for me was Mantis Defeats Jaguar, such a great vibe and nice guys as well!

Headline acts...this is where the real money is at of course! Saxon on the Thursday were just as mighty as ever. The long history this Band has with the Festival made them the perfect choice for the Thursday. Not only have the band been to these hallowed grounds many times, but the connection goes back to the artwork for the Crusader album cover, created by the Festival directors Father.

Slaughter To Prevail were as intense and intimidating as they could ever be, bringing fire and brimstone to the masses. Impressive show but not really my bag musically, however...Lamb Of God were just mighty, there are no other words to describe them. Its one band I have followed for a long time now and they just do not disappoint. The show on this night proved that they could control a crowd 5 times the size with ease. I have to say though, I was watching from further back than I normally do, I think I may be getting a little old for the excitement!

Headliner for me...Judas Priest. They still have it, not sure what is is...but its still there! Mixing in a few lesser heard tracks in the set was a master stroke of genius and the Glitterball? Style and sheer class!

So, for me, Bloodstock 26, the 25th anniversary was a triumph, but honestly, I did not expect anything less. It has always been well run and executed, the bands are always stoked to be playing there and whenever I am there...the weather is perfect!

Would I go again, solely as a punter? Yes, without a doubt. It's not in the money the tickets cost or how much a pint is there, its what you get back as an experience. Its the giving side of Bloodstock that makes the Festival what it is.

Would I go back as press? Yes, the best run press tent in this country I have come across and also...the interviews. I did 33 interviews across the weekend, most were from the New Blood bands. This for me ticked my boxes, I love meeting the new bands that are eager to be heard. This is the spice of life and the reason why I do what I do. It is all very well chasing the big names for a chat, invariably, these guys have heard all your questions before and can seem a little harder to draw out. So yeah, for me it will always be a place to find New Blood and this is what I want my station to be more involved with. If I am asked back again next year, expect more from the New Blood bands.

I know this is not my usual review of a festival, it is hard to be in several different places at the same time and to give you the reader, the correct feedback. But Bloodstock, whatever side of the fence you are on, be it Band, Press or Punter, it was and always has been the best you can get.

Dave Cyderbaby

Photos were supplied by Bloodstock, thank you. Togs were Steve Dempsey, Kat Ogrin Abbi Draper & Jonesy