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30 Days to Bloodstock Festival 2023

Written by Erin Harrison on July 11, 2023

Bloodstock Open Air Is Just Around The Corner…

As July begins the excitement for an esteemed weekend in August bubbles and brews. That weekend, of course, being the grand Bloodstock Open Air Festival based in the grounds of Catton Park.

This year Bloodstock welcomes thousands of metal heads of all ages to indulge in 4 days of music and merriment; including headline performances from the likes of metal legends Megadeth, Grammy award nominated Killswitch Engage and the Swedish metal giants Meshuggah. Those bands alone sets the festival up for a big weekend and even bigger crowds.

However, that’s not all it has to offer. We will also see sets across the three stages including highly anticipated performances from Arizonan death metal band Gatecreeper; In Flames, another pioneer of Swedish metal, as well as hardcore giants Biohazard, who will be closing on the Sophie Lancaster stage on Sunday evening.

Another band who’ve conjured excitement throughout the festival goers is ghoulish German power metal band, Helloween, who are set to brew a storm before Megadeth take to the stage on Sunday.

Said elation has even led to the festival’s tradition of fancy dress to be centred round them on Sunday, with the theme being your best Jack O Latern look; it looks like Halloween is coming early at Catton Park this year.

With that being said, Thursday and Friday’s theme is the colour pink, to celebrate the lives of Sophie Lancaster and her late mother Sylvia, who we lost last year.

Saturday’s theme seems to be a firm fan favourite of dressing as characters from the Netflix series, Stranger Things, which bloomed after the Metal community fell in love with the on-screen metal head Eddie Munson.

Bloodstock also gives well deserved attention to smaller bands in the cosy yet chaotic Jagermeister stage, showcasing bands from all over the world.

This year’s lineup includes Birmingham rock duo, The Summit Fever, opening the stage on Friday. As well as Australian thrash band, Hidden Intent, who take huge inspiration from prestigious Bay Area thrash movement.

Moving to Saturday, metalcore band, Waterlines will be bringing some classic Yorkshire charm to close the Jagermeister stage (and a massive pit or two.) And, if you’re looking for some lively hard rock to get you through to your afternoon, Kent quartet, Pryma, will be just the band for you.

Sunday’s proceedings kick off with Nottingham’s Those Once Loyal, who’ve been described as a wild blend of Killswitch Engage and Hatebreed. Not only that, but if you consider yourself a power metal fan, do not miss out on Skies Turn Black; they’ve just stepped into a new era with their latest single The Skies Are Falling Down so they are truly raring to go.

The Jagermeister stage is well and truly stacked with loud excellency this year, so be sure to grab a cold one and enjoy what is has to offer.

Not only is the arena buzzing with life during the weekend, but as announced in an official Bloodstock livestream, there will be inflatable activities such as sumo suit fighting, jousting and more within the campsites this year.

This is due to the after dark phenonemon of ‘bin jousting’ which has been an unofficial Bloodstock tradition that spans years and years, however now it has been made more safe, organised and fun. So, for all of you who want to keep rocking on after the music stops each night, make sure to swing by and join in with the iconic rite of passage.

All in all, there’s a hell of alot to be excited about for this year’s Bloodstock that you are simply not going to want to miss.

I’ll be there, will you?