Originally held indoors for one day with two stages, the festival started in 2001 at the Derby Assembly Rooms and expanded over the years. It became an outdoor event in 2005. By 2019, it had five stages and a capacity of 15,000 now in 2023 it welcomes 20,000 metal heads [1]
History
Originally on one stage only, the festival expanded to incorporate a second stage in 2006. Known simply as The Unsigned Stage, it was designed to provide a platform for the next generation of metal talent to reach a wider audience. In 2010 it was renamed The New Blood Stage.
2007 saw further expansion with the addition of a third stage, originally called The Lava Stage, which in 2009 became the Sophie Lancaster Stage. In 2010 the capacity of this stage was increased and it became the festival's second stage.
Bloodstock Open Air was conceived as an extension of the original Bloodstock indoor festival which ran from 2001 until 2006 at Derby Assembly Rooms. After an amicable parting in 2006 with his business partner Vince Brotheridge, in 2006 Paul Gregory brought his daughters Vicky Hungerford, Rachael Greenfield and son Adam Gregory on board as directors.
In 2010, Heaven & Hell was scheduled to headline Bloodstock Open Air, but pulled out due to the death of singer Ronnie James Dio. The main stage at the festival was subsequently renamed as the "Ronnie James Dio stage" in tribute to him.
The 2020 festival was planned to be a celebration of "20 years of Bloodstock" however the festival was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ticket holders were given the option either to have a refund on their ticket or to roll it over to the 2021 festival which saw three stages expanded to include an extra day.
Bloodstock has hosted numerous metal bands from the following countries/dependencies: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, England, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, India, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland (including Shetland Islands), Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, USA, Wales, and Guernsey.
Bloodstock originally began as an indoor festival held in Derby Assembly Rooms which ran for six years, 2001 to 2006. In order to associate the festival roots with Derby, where founder Paul Gregory lives, the festival's mascot/logo was based on the tale of The Derby Ram; a beast so large that, when a butcher finally slaughtered it, he drowned in the Ram's blood. A competition was run to name the beast and 'S-tan' was selected, he has appeared on almost all Bloodstock artwork since only missing from the first three BOA festivals when the S-tan snake featured instead.
2001
The first year was a one-day event headlined by Saxon, whom Paul Gregory had known personally since being commissioned to do the artwork for their 1984 Crusader album. Attendance for the festival topped 700 people and, despite taking an (expected) financial loss, a second festival was arranged for the following year.
2002 saw Blind Guardian headlining, again a band Paul Gregory knew through producing their artwork, which was their first UK show. Bringing metal acts to the UK for the first time become a regular occurrence for Bloodstock and the stronger line-up which also included Gamma Ray as second billing doubled the festival's attendance to approximately 1500.
2003 brought the first of many expansions to the festival as it stretched across two days. The first day was headlined by a returning Saxon and the second by Nightwish whom like Blind Guardian the year before were playing their first UK show. Paul and Gregory had gone on tour with Saxon the previous year and it was then that Vince first saw Nightwish which convinced them they should be booked for the Bloodstock festival. This year also featured Edguy's first UK show as they were drafted in to replace HammerFall after guitarist Oscar Dronjak broke his arm in a motorcycle accident only weeks before the show. The full line-up was:
2004 saw continued growth in attendance with the festival selling out and brought Gamma Ray back to headline the first day and Children of Bodom headlined the second day. The full line-up was:
2005 was the first year which saw both the indoor and outdoor festivals running. HammerFall were booked to play, now with a headline slot on the first day, and Within Temptation headlined the second day. The full line-up was:
Cathedral
Soliloquy
Balance of Silence
Jesus Fix
Kingsize Blues
Kyrb Grinder †
Dreadnought
Mfkzt Pro-jekt
Osmium
† Kyrb Grinder were not originally booked to play, but the band members were working at the festival and delays in the running of the Darwin stage left a gap, so they played a short sell to fill in the gap.
2006
2006 was the last year an indoor festival was hosted allowing for full focus on the outdoor festival from then on. Primal Fear headlined day one with My Dying Bride headlining day two and thus being the last ever band to play at Bloodstock as an indoor festival. The full line-up was:
Vanden Plas Deadfall
Enemy Unknown
Died Smiling
Tourettes Syndrome †
Beyond Afterlife
Agankast Mael Mórdha
Isaiah
H.O.S.T.I.L.E.
The Boy Will Drown
† Tourettes Syndrome had originally been booked to play the main stage. However, their flight was delayed and they did not arrive in time. Sworn Amongst were bumped up from their scheduled Darwin Stage slot to fill the gap, and Tourettes Syndrome played on the Darwin Stage later in the day when they eventually arrived.
Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air is the outdoor venture for the festival after selling out the indoor festival which had a maximum capacity of 2500. Catton Hall was selected as the venue to allow growth in size without losing the festival's established friendly atmosphere and also maintained its link to Derby.
Bloodstock Open Air 2006 brought in a second stage called simply "Unsigned Stage". This was to showcase new unsigned acts to a wider audience like the indoor festival did previously to on their second stage. Now backed by Wacken Open Air, the festival was able to attract more European metal bands to the line-up which was headlined by Edguy (Friday) and Stratovarius (Saturday). It was the last year which had both the indoor and outdoor festivals running together.
Deadweight
Sicfelt
State of Serenity
Nekkrosis
Kyrb Grinder
Spitting Blood
Beyond All Reason
Isaiah
Deadeye
Solace
Luna Pin
Phat Jerusalem
Cycle VI
Black River Project
Bloodstock Open Air 2007 brought further growth for the festival which now ran over three days and included three stages. The additional stage was named the Lava Stage and allowed more established but smaller acts to perform at the festival. Following a stronger marketing campaign which included advertisement within HMV and greater coverage in music media, attendance at the festival more than doubled from the previous year exceeding 5000 people. The festival's website also went through a major overhaul and the opportunity was given to unsigned bands to upload their videos. Following public voting, Costa Rican band Sight Of Emptiness won and were invited to open the main stage on Thursday. The three mainstage headliners were Testament (Thursday), Lacuna Coil (Friday) and In Flames (Saturday).
BOA 2007 took place from Thursday 16 August to Saturday 18 August. The line up was as follows:
Terrathorn
Axis of Evil Exit Ten
Trigger 9
Honey for Christ
Nemhain
Speed Theory
Nephwrack Sinnergod
The Hollow Earth Theory
The Apostacy
Kobrakai
Hanging Doll
From the Ashes
Sorcerer's Spell
The Dead Lay Waiting
Anger Management
Firebrand Super Rock Son of Science
Obsessive Compulsive
Hospital of Death
Broken Faith
A470
Deadfilmstar
The Berzerker RSJ
Metalloid
Concept of Time
Hellfighter
Keltic Jihad
The Defiled
Blood Island Raiders The Dirty Youth
Mantra
Empyreal Destroyer
Witchsorrow
Denounce
9 Days Down
Vallenbrosa
The Green River Project
Gods of Hellfire
Blindfolds Aside
Alternative Carpark
Snakebite
Divine Chaos
Left to Bleed
Bloodshot Dawn
Bisonhammer
Ventflow
Bloodstock Open Air 2010 celebrated the festival's 10th anniversary, and took place between Friday 13 August and Sunday 15 August. The line up was as follows:
Shortly after Heaven & Hell pulled out, Dio died. The main stage was later renamed the Ronnie James Dio stage in tribute to him.[4]
Twisted Sister's headline slot was moved from Friday to Sunday to replace Heaven & Hell. Opeth were then booked to fill the Friday headline slot.
Dream Evil were confirmed for the mainstage on Friday, but were forced to pull out due to "personal commitments".[5]
Behemoth were confirmed for the mainstage on Friday, but pulled out due to the hospitalisation of frontman, Adam "Nergal" Darski.[6]Cathedral were announced as their replacements.
The Sophie Lancaster stage was increased in size and became Bloodstock's second stage. It now plays host to larger, more well known bands, as well as DJs, karaoke, film showings, competitions and more.
Bloodstock Open Air 2011 took place at Catton Hall between Friday 12 August and Sunday 14 August 2011. This year the festival had over 10,900 visitors.
Thursday 11 August
Sophie Lancaster Stage
Steve Hughes
Jason Rouse
Beholder
Revoker Xerath
Achren
The Last in Line
Pig Iron
Inferno
Operation Error Amaranthe
Nevermore were booked for the Ronnie James Dio stage, but were removed from the official line up in July. No official explanation was released.
Primevil were booked for the Sophie stage, but were later removed from the official line up. No explanation was released.
2012
Alice Cooper performing at Bloodstock Open Air in 2012
Bloodstock Open Air 2012 was scheduled to take place at Catton Hall between Thursday 16 August and Sunday 19 August 2012 (a week later than usual, owing to the festival organisers not wanting the festival to clash with the closing of the 2012 London Olympics); however, the dates were changed to between Thursday 9 August and Sunday 12 August.[7] This change was never officially explained.
Fallen Fate
Infernal Creation
Kataleptic
Scare Tactics
Killer Hurts
Exile the Traitor
My Wooden Pillow
Cambion
Krepuskul
Warhorse
Waking Theo
Control the Storm
InComa
Gone Til Winter
Doomed
Reflection in Exile
Cosmic Vortex of Doom
Tempus Fusion
Bull Riff Stampede
Wretched Soul
Sublime Eyes
Father
The Conflict Within
Stormborn
Merciless Fail
Apollyon
Lock Up were booked to play on the RJD stage on the Friday, but were removed from the lineup. This was later confirmed on the official Bloodstock Twitter page due to logistical problems.
Deicide were booked to play on the RJD stage on the Sunday, but ended up cancelling the whole European tour that BOA was a part of. Because of this Evile were moved from the Sophie Lancaster Stage to the Ronnie James Dio Stage to fill the void.
Last In Line Power Quest*
NeonFly Mael Mordha
Scarab
Betraeus
Vanderbuyst
Sworn Amongst
Unfathomable Ruination
The Infernal Sea
Skreamer
One for Sorrow
Dishonour the Crown
Ten Cent Toy
Internal Conflict
In the Hills
Gehtika
XII Boar
Diesel King
Mask of Judas
Elithia
Fallen Riot
Incassum
Awake By Design
The Earls of Mars
Ballsdeep
Cavorts
Jackknife Seizure
Jonestown
Angerman
Dog Tired
Hogslayer
Sinpathetic
Alone with Wolves
Oakhaart
Brutai
Abhorrent Decimation No Sin Evades His Gaze
Convincing Clearity
Goat Leaf
All Consumed
Cacodaemonic
Warcrab
The Canyon Observer
Phantom
Metaprism
Resin
Born of the Jackal
Synaptik
The Threat
Darkeye
Reprisal
Back Down or Die
The Self Titled
Once Upon
Kill All the Gentlemen
Scordatura
Stoneghost
Today the Sun Dies
Psykosis
Leatherneck
Akbal
Eradikator
Unseen Prophecy
King Goat
Byzanthian Neckbeard
enkElination
Ded Orse
The Heretic Order
Rabid Bitch of the North
Resin Acoustic
Prior to Lamb Of God's set at Bloodstock 2013, Emperor were announced for the 2014 event. Phil Campbell's All Starr Band were booked to headline Thursday on the Sophie stage but withdrew 2 weeks before the festival due to Phil's Motörhead commitments.
Due to Graveyard's flight being delayed, Graveyard and Avatar swapped slots at last minute.
Hexis
Piss Viper
Diatessaron
Blackened Ritual
King Leviathan
Forgotten Remains
Countless Skies
We Are the Catalyst
Mutagenocide
XVII
Kryocell
Loft
Mortishead
Victorian Whore Dogs
Sumer
From Eden to Exile
Akarusa Yami
Bloodyard
Codex Alimentarius
Soulborn
Martyr De Mona
Chaos Trigger
Mastiff
Overoth
Deified
Amethyst
Wretched Toad
Burden of the Noose
Scarred
Left for Red
By Any Means
Taken By the Tide
Animator
Obey
Spirytus
Incipit
Tombstone Crow
Hell's Gazelles
Skarthia
The sideshow Pritchard vs Dainton also appeared at the festival. The historical battle re-enactment group Battle of the Nations UK have been confirmed.
After Sabaton's set, Venom were announced for the 2016 festival. Also, on the Sunday, Behemoth were announced for BOA 2016 as well.
2016
Satyricon performing at Bloodstock Open Air in 2016
BOA 2016 took place at Catton Hall between Thursday 11 and Sunday 14 August 2016.
Exhumation
Agrona
The Crawling
Triverse Massacre
End of Salvation
Burning the Dream
Vehement
Garganjua
Husk
Seed of Sorrow
Souls of Jack Ketch
Redeye Revival
Witch Tripper
Poseidon
The Face of Ruin
Regulus
Mordrake
After The Abduction Conjurer
Famyne
Ramage Inc
Vendetta Heriot
Ten Ton Slug
Bearfist
Black Ink Sun
Gutlocker
Footprints in the Custard
Valous
Chronicles
The John Doe's Burial
Firebomb
Rabid Bitch of the North
Art of Deception
I Saw the World Burn
Far from History
Kahtet
Pteroglyph
Visions of Disfigurement
King Bison
Trivax
Body Harvest
Sertraline
Underdark
A Ritual Spirit
Seven Hells
Kinasis
Pelugion
Vulgore
Democratus
Garshkott
Turbyne
Earthbound
Luna's Call
Psychotype
Valafar
Aonia
Equinox
Oracle
13
Negative Thought Process
Ashborn
Cadence Noir
Kilonova
The Brood
Srd
Servers
Sellsword
Skybrudd
Dead Before Mourning
Barbarian Hermit
This Place Hell
Obzidian
Ethyrfield
Crawlblind
Drudge
Autocracy
Imminent Annihilation
Skypilot
Beggar
Graves
Eyes of the Raven
Sophie Sparham
Daybreaker
Foul Body Autopsy
Black Falcon
Pemphigoid
Womenowar
Jailbirds
Victus
Jackal's Backbone
Crimson Tusk
VIP Bar Stage
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
The Essence of Springsteen
Heavy Duty
The Brothers Keg
NPKR
Gorilla
Disgraceland
Slay Duggee
Forged In Black
The Lost Boys
Dimmu Borgir were booked to play the Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday but pulled out due to illness, they were replaced by Batushka.
Code Orange were booked to play the Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturday but pulled out and were replaced by The Wildhearts.
Shvpes were booked to play the Sophie Lancaster stage on Saturday but pulled out and were replaced by Lotus Eater.
Generation Kill were booked to play the Sophie Lancaster stage on Saturday but pulled out and were replaced by Divine Chaos who were also moved up to the Special Guest slot as Skeletal Remains had to pull out as their ferry was cancelled due to bad weather.
Due to windy conditions, the Ronnie James Dio stage was unsafe for use on the Saturday evening, leading to Cradle of Filth being moved to the Sunday, taking Batushka's slot, with Batushka being moved to the Sophie Lancaster Stage, resulting in The Lazys being moved to the New Blood Stage. As well as this, Parkway Drive's and Anthrax's performances were both delayed until the Stage was deemed safe to use.
2020
BOA 2020 was due to take place at Catton Hall between Thursday, 6 August and Sunday, 9 August 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announced lineup at the time of postponement was:
BOA 2021 took place at Catton Hall between Wednesday 11 August and Sunday 15 August 2021. This is an extra day to the usual length of the festival owing to the postponement of the 2020 event.
Kurokuma
Battle Born
As The World Dies
Pemphigoid
Godeater
The Best Medicine
Slave Steel
Casket Feeder
Riptide
Solcura
Odysseus
Halveksia
Colpocleisis
Broken Jaw
Elder Druid
Sail
Sound of Origin
Beyond Salvation
Desolation
Beyond Extinction
Insurgent
Pearler
Severenth
Terminal Sun
Hanowar
Abduction
Grey Stag
The Ghoules
Nassau
Hawxx
Cottonmouth
Iron Tooth
Ascaris
Kinzoku
A Horse Called War
Black Atlas
Ghosts of Atlantis
Strangle Wire
Frozen In Shadows
Deitus
South of Salem
Fellowship
The Injester
This is Endless
Hybridize
Son of Boar
Words That Burn
Sorceress of Sin
Wired
Ghosts Of Men
Milliner
Axiom
Master Charger
Bad Earth
King Corpse
Shackled
Tortured Demon
Häxan
Godless Suns
Ale of Adam
Black Emerald
Wall
Mountain Caller
Primitai
Lowen
The New Sun
Zookeeper
Gemma Fox
Boycott the Baptist
Trilobite
The Howling Tides
Spectral Darkwave
VIP Bar Stage
Heavy Metal Cabaret
Popestars
Heavy Duty
Chestburster
The Hyper Bowl
Slay Duggee
Daxx and Roxane
Heavy Metal Cabaret
Chris Ryan/Sam Rhodes/Dan Vallender
Forged In Black (acoustic)
Electric Funeral
Forged In Black
Andrew O'Neill
Alan Brown (acoustic)
Brian Blessed appeared at the festival on Sunday 15 August 2021, Brian announced Saxon onto the stage on the Sunday evening.
Loathe were scheduled to perform on the Ronnie James Dio stage on Friday 13 August 2021 but they pulled out due to a member testing positive for COVID-19, they were replaced by Higher Power
Sylosis were scheduled to perform on the Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturday 14 August 2021 but due to Josh Middleton having to self isolate after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 at an Architects album release show, they were forced to pull out of the festival.
2022
Sister Shotgun performing at Bloodstock Open Air in 2022
Bloodstock 2022 took place from 11 to 14 August 2022. 17 bands were announced, including headliners Lamb of God and Saturday Ronnie James Dio stage headliner Mercyful Fate.
Life of Agony had to pull out due to a medical emergency,[9] resulting in Skarlett Riot taking a slot on the main stage.
On the Friday, Machine Head played an hour-long unannounced set on the Sophie Lancaster Stage[10]
Viction
Tribe Of Ghosts
Imperium
Collapse The Sky
Headpress
Novacrow
Steel Mage
Ambrius
Cast in Tephra
Portrayal of Ruinn
Draconian Reign
Silen
Collected
Torus
Denali
Must Kill
Sulvain
Karma's Puppet
Apollyon
Drip Fed Empire
Unburier
Devastator
Desenser
Callous Hands
Sweet May
Prolapse A.D.
Syncolima
Certain Death
Swamp Coffin
Vulgar Dissection
The Kunts
Master Charger
Solar Sons
BOZ
Warlock A.D.
Acid Throne
Tooms
Deadlock Saints
Lore Of The Woodman
VIP Bar Stage
stage closed
Through Hell Into Paradise
Mezzotint
Heavy Metal Cabaret
Martin Feral
Rekovered
Caleb H
2023
Royal Republic performing at Bloodstock Open Air in 2023
Bloodstock Festival 2023 took place on 10–13 August 2023. 8 bands were announced after Testament's set in 2022, including headliners Killswitch Engage and Megadeth.
Hidden Intent
Dunes
Deathfiend
Wildheat
This Summit Fever
Water Lines
Muddi Brooke
Pryma
Repulsive Vision
Daybreaker
Iron Altar
Past The Fall
Skies Turn Black
Dead Air
Those Once Loyal
VIP Bar Stage
Guns 2 Roses
Motörwrecked
Dave McPherson
Lauren Jennifer
101% Pantera
Lewis Floyd Henry
Popestars
Russkaja were scheduled to perform but disbanded prior to the festival. Anthrax, Whitechapel, Nonpoint, Unto Others, Striker, Eyes and DevilDriver were also scheduled to perform but withdrew from the festival.
Helloween were scheduled to perform on the Sunday, but were forced to withdraw due to Michael Kiske contracting acute laryngitis. KK's Priest were announced as their replacement.[11]
2024
Bloodstock Festival 2024 will take place August 8–11, 2024. 14 bands were announced after the In Flames set in 2023, including headliners Amon Amarth and Architects.
