Bloodstock Festival website: http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/
Buy Bloodstock Festival tickets here: https://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2018/catton-park/1136700/?ClearOffer=true
It’s coming up to that time of year again, where the UK’s biggest independent metal festival come back around and thousands of metalheads converge on a field in Derbyshire to drink too much, headbang too much, feel sore for a week and then want to do it all over again the next year.
I started going to Bloodstock Festival back in 2015, as part of a group from the wonderful Camp Loner for Download Festival. I immediately fell in love, and so now I do Bloodstock instead of Download every year. There were not a lot of bands on the lineup who I knew, but I still had an amazing time. It is the mix of people, music and atmosphere that just keep me coming back for more.
I have scoured the lineup for all things folk, power and pagan, and if you think I’ve missed any out please let me know, I’ll be sure to give them a listen and give them a shoutout on Facebook if I do miss them!
In this first part of my Bloodstock Festival picks, I shall be focusing on the Ronnie James Dio stage, the main stage of the festival. Headlining this year are Judas Priest, Gojira, and of course, one of my favourite bands of all time…
Nightwish
Nightwish have been a favourite of mine for a long time, and I may have screamed a little out loud when they were announced as a headliner for this year’s festival… My first ever Nightwish performance was at Wembley Arena in 2015, and it was magical, with a special guest star in the form of Richard Dawkins, speaking his final part of The Greatest Show On Earth. I do hope we can get a repeat of that this year, and of course more surprises as they will be closing the main stage on the Sunday. Floor’s voice is beautiful, she can growl, clean sing and do operatic vocals, all of which are now required for a Nightwish performance. Tuomas is a genuis composer, and I am sure they will be a highlight of the festival weekend.
Nightwish will headline the Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday 12th August.
Buy Nightwish Music and Merch: https://www.backstagerockshop.com/collections/nightwish
Listen to Nightwish on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2NPduAUeLVsfIauhRwuft1
Kamelot
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for their latest album The Shadow Theory, which I reviewed here, I am really looking forward to the opportunity to see Kamelot live. They have an amazing back catalogue, and it isn’t often that they grace our shores. With some amazing vocals from Tommy, and some amazing instrumentals from the rest of the band, I think this set will be a good one. If you enjoy your power metal, be sure to check them out.
Kamelot will play the Ronnie James Dio stage on Friday 10th August.
Buy Kamelot music and merch: https://www.merchlandshop.com/shop/uebersicht/kamelot/all
Listen to Kamelot on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7gTbq5nTZGQIUgjEGXQpOS
Alestorm
Every Bloodstock needs a band that you can drink ridiculous amounts to and there’s no better excuse this year than the mighty Alestorm. Expect ducks, dogs, (w)anchors and mead. They never fail to put on one hell of a show, and their hilarious form of pirate metal (sorry, I mean deadly serious pirate metal), is sure to get you moving and in the party mood for the evening.
Alestorm will play the Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturday 11th August.
Buy Alestorm music and merch: https://shop.napalmrecords.com/alestorm
Listen to Alestorm on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3OpqU68JpZlzvjAJj3B2Da
Orden Ogan
Orden Ogan are once again very much in the power metal genre. They are very much what you expect from power metal, and are a fairly recent discovery for me. I’ll definitely be heading to their set on the Sunday, and if you are a fan of power metal but haven’t heard these guys before, you should definitely make some time in your day to go and see them.
Orden Ogan will play the Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturday 12th August.
Buy Orden Ogan music and merch: https://shop.afm-records.de/search?sSearch=orden+ogan
Listen to Orden Ogan on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3t5X2CVDf5mrlIx1SdvWYM
Ostara Metal 
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