FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
Well, who'd have thought it - 2010 sees Bloodstock reach its tenth anniversary. Tenth, that is, counting from the first indoor festival in 2001 as Bloodstock Open Air didn't come to be until 2005. I recall attending the one day 2001 event in Derby's Assembly Rooms, headlined by Saxon, and have keenly observed its growth since then, including the dual running of the indoor/outdoor versions in 2005/2006 to what was announced as a temporary suspension of the indoor bash in 2007 (sorely missed by many, including myself) so that all efforts could be concentrated on making Bloodstock Open Air bigger and better. In this, the small team of organisers responsible for the festival have indubitably succeeded. With an attendance this year in excess of 10,000 for the first time in Bloodstock's history, it's refreshing to see that it continues to grow while maintaining full integrity in terms of its promise to eschew the corporate trappings of bigger 'metal' events like Download, with the organisers continuing to exercise their motto - 'By Fans For The Fans'.
With a characteristically diverse lineup, 2010 offered something for everyone from metal's multifarious subgenres - power, prog, death, black, thrash, stoner, doom, folk, symphonic, industrial were all represented through the disparate nature of the bands that had been booked. Sadly, Heaven & Hell had to cancel for reasons surely known by every metal fan on the planet, but Twisted Sister switched headline slots from Friday to Sunday, leaving the way for the welcome return of Opeth to Catton Hall to close the first day. Also, just a few days prior to the festival, Behemoth announced their cancellation due to frontman Nergal's hospitalisation for an undisclosed illness (it's since transpired this is leukaemia...all at Metal Discovery wish him a full recovery and return to the stage soon). At particularly short notice, Cathedral were booked for what would be their Bloodstock Open Air debut (although not festival debut as they headlined the second stage of the 2005 indoor event).
So, beyond the music, what else did Bloodstock have to offer in 2010? Well, kicking off on Thursday evening on the Sophie Lancaster stage (which was far bigger this year - I'd estimate a 1,500 - 2,000 capacity within the tent where it was located), festivities included a comedian, performances from Hospital of Death and Desecration, as well as a couple of pole dancers (apparently, as I left the site before the latter appeared). To 'celebrate' the first day proper being Friday the 13th, festival goers were invited to attend in horror themed fancy dress for which prizes would be awarded for the best. A small number obliged, ranging from those who'd gone to great efforts with elaborate costumes and professional makeup to the occasional punter who was simply wearing a mask. At one point, I even witnessed Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees brandishing weapons in some sort of standoff in the VIP area before launching themselves at each other to wrestle on the muddy ground! I know some of that beer was pretty strong stuff in the VIP bar (30 real ales to choose from!), but I definitely had a clear head when I witnessed Freddy vs Jason, as surreal as it might have been! Rather remarkably, there was also the opportunity for one incredibly fortunate festival attendee to win a brand new car (a Toyota Aygo), with the second prize of a BC Rich guitar and couple of VIP tickets for next year's Bloodstock.
Weather-wise - probably as varied as Bloodstock Open Air in 2007. Plenty of heavy showers Thursday night and throughout Friday, a small amount of rain on Saturday, but with Sunday living up to its name as it really was a day of sun which felt like the temperature had doubled between the first and last days of the festival. Although certain areas of the arena became rather muddy, I've experience worse and it didn't really feel like a problem or mar enjoyment in any small way. This is probably due to the friendly vibe conveyed around the site as Bloodstock has proved once again that it has one of the best atmospheres of any festival anywhere. And that's always refreshing to know in light of its growth to bigger proportions. Here's to the next ten years.
With a characteristically diverse lineup, 2010 offered something for everyone from metal's multifarious subgenres - power, prog, death, black, thrash, stoner, doom, folk, symphonic, industrial were all represented through the disparate nature of the bands that had been booked. Sadly, Heaven & Hell had to cancel for reasons surely known by every metal fan on the planet, but Twisted Sister switched headline slots from Friday to Sunday, leaving the way for the welcome return of Opeth to Catton Hall to close the first day. Also, just a few days prior to the festival, Behemoth announced their cancellation due to frontman Nergal's hospitalisation for an undisclosed illness (it's since transpired this is leukaemia...all at Metal Discovery wish him a full recovery and return to the stage soon). At particularly short notice, Cathedral were booked for what would be their Bloodstock Open Air debut (although not festival debut as they headlined the second stage of the 2005 indoor event).
So, beyond the music, what else did Bloodstock have to offer in 2010? Well, kicking off on Thursday evening on the Sophie Lancaster stage (which was far bigger this year - I'd estimate a 1,500 - 2,000 capacity within the tent where it was located), festivities included a comedian, performances from Hospital of Death and Desecration, as well as a couple of pole dancers (apparently, as I left the site before the latter appeared). To 'celebrate' the first day proper being Friday the 13th, festival goers were invited to attend in horror themed fancy dress for which prizes would be awarded for the best. A small number obliged, ranging from those who'd gone to great efforts with elaborate costumes and professional makeup to the occasional punter who was simply wearing a mask. At one point, I even witnessed Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees brandishing weapons in some sort of standoff in the VIP area before launching themselves at each other to wrestle on the muddy ground! I know some of that beer was pretty strong stuff in the VIP bar (30 real ales to choose from!), but I definitely had a clear head when I witnessed Freddy vs Jason, as surreal as it might have been! Rather remarkably, there was also the opportunity for one incredibly fortunate festival attendee to win a brand new car (a Toyota Aygo), with the second prize of a BC Rich guitar and couple of VIP tickets for next year's Bloodstock.
Weather-wise - probably as varied as Bloodstock Open Air in 2007. Plenty of heavy showers Thursday night and throughout Friday, a small amount of rain on Saturday, but with Sunday living up to its name as it really was a day of sun which felt like the temperature had doubled between the first and last days of the festival. Although certain areas of the arena became rather muddy, I've experience worse and it didn't really feel like a problem or mar enjoyment in any small way. This is probably due to the friendly vibe conveyed around the site as Bloodstock has proved once again that it has one of the best atmospheres of any festival anywhere. And that's always refreshing to know in light of its growth to bigger proportions. Here's to the next ten years.
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2010
FESTIVAL OVERVIEW BELOW
DATE:
VENUE:
Friday 13th August - Sunday 15th August 2010
Catton Hall in Derbyshire, UK
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
CHILDREN OF BODOM; FEAR FACTORY; DEVIN TOWNSEND; AMORPHIS; OBITUARY; EDGUY; ONSLAUGHT; LEAVES' EYES; ANDROMEDA
OPETH; MESHUGGAH; POWERWOLF; SONATA ARCTICA; GORGOROTH; CATHEDRAL; ENSIFERUM; RAGE; ROSS THE BOSS; BLACK SPIDERS
By the side of Bloodstock's main stage, at night, 15th August 2010
Photograph copyright © 2010 Mark Holmes - www.metal-discovery.com
Reviews by Elena Francis & Mark Holmes; Photography by Mark Holmes
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Adam Sagir at The Noise Cartel for arranging and granting accreditation for Metal Discovery.
SUNDAY
TWISTED SISTER; CANNIBAL CORPSE; BLOODBATH; GWAR; KORPIKLAANI; DORO; HOLY MOSES; SUFFOCATION; BONDED BY BLOOD
FESTIVAL OVERVIEW ABOVE
Reviews by Elena Francis & Mark Holmes; Photography by Mark Holmes
Early morning audience and photographers brave the rain for Black Spiders on Friday
Capturing all the action on film during Bloodbath's set for a future DVD release
Photographers and security in the photopit prepare for Gwar's onslaught of blood, spunk and nuclear waste
Gwar's Oderus Urungus backstage immediately after the band's set
Display of horns during Suffocation
Fans await Sunday night headliners, Twisted Sister