Summer Festival Guide

Folk By The Oak 2019

July 27, 2019July 22, 2019 by Kimberley-Anne Simmons

With being the first time attending Folk By The Oak I wasn’t too sure what to expect as I am so used to a lot more rock music than folk. Attending the festival I entered the grounds of Hatfield Park which is just North of London. The site is filled with grasslands and woodland areas. Entering the festival was really quick and first thing I saw was a huge selection of food and drink vendors from roast pork and stuffing rolls to vegan cakes and tea to freshly made lemonade. There were gazebos and tents with people chilling on their chairs and blankets with picnics. Folk By The Oak had 2 stages which was the main stage and the Acorn Stage both showcasing some amazing acts throughout the day.

My most notable acts were The Trials Of Cato a power-folk trio from Wales. I first heard of these guys from a family member who has seen then busking around the city of Cambridge so I made sure to check them out. The trio put on a fantastic performance with songs such as ‘Tom Paines Bones’ ‘Gloria’ ‘Haf’ and more. I will definitely be checking these guys out again when I can. Their album Hide and Hair is out now and worth having a listen to.

Another band I really enjoyed was the Acorn Stage headliners the Scottish band Elephant Sessions an indie folk band who infuse folk, funk and electronica together. They had the whole tent dancing to their music and I could definitely see them playing the main stage one day.

Another big thing at the festival was The Lost Words: Spell Songs which is a book for children to help learn lost words that are not used as often anymore. They had the book for sale and had an area which had little shows performed by a cast under some trees. Also a musical companion piece to The Lost Words was performed by a collaboration of folk artists on the main stage which was bringing nature back to life through the power of music, poetry, art and magic.

There was plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy including archery, bubbles, arts and crafts, wood carving and then stalls selling nic nacs.

The festival closed with Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls a punk folk style band. They were a little confused as to why they had been picked to play the festival but were very happy to play. A great moment was when Frank mentioned that they usually get the crowd to do a circle pit but considering it was a folk festival they were to do a circle jig, which is probably the first one to be done at a show.

I will definitely be coming back next year to see what more delights Folk By The Oak can offer.

Review and photos by Kane Howie

Truck Festival Preview

July 11, 2019 by Kimberley-Anne Simmons

In just a few weeks time, Truck Festival is due to take place in Oxfordshire with being a sell out its sure to be the best festival of the year! The lineup for this year is by far one of the best we have seen. Summer Festival Guide has been covering the festival for the past few years and we think its great to let you know on who we think you should check out. See below for the top bands to check out at this years Truck Festival!!

HOT MILK – Saturday-The Nest-13.15

YONAKA-Friday-The Nest-19.30

DODIE-Sunday-The Market Stage-19.00

DECO-Saturday-Truck Stage-14.15

STRANGE BONES-Sunday-This Feeling-20.45

MARSICANS-Friday-Truck Stage- 15.00

ALFIE TEMPLEMAN-Sunday-The Market Stage-14.45

We hope you liked some of the bands we chose. You can see the full line up and more information at the Truck Festival website https://truckfestival.com/

Have a Truckin time!!

Download 2019 – Slayer’s final UK show REVIEWED!

June 30, 2019June 27, 2019 by Anna Hyams

Ahh, it’s that time of year again. The last stand of the big bands. With Black Sabbath, Aerosmith and countless others over the last couple of years doing their ‘final’ tours and including Donington as a must-do stop, we seem to have these epic/ sad endings coming thick and fast. Honestly though, given I’m about half a generation behind the curve of these bands, I’m pretty glad I’ve had the opportunity to see them at all. Tonight it is the turn of the mighty thrash merchants Slayer to bid us farewell, in their last ever UK show, and the Zippo Encore stage area is awash with black tshirts as far as the eye can see. This is hands down the fullest this arena has ever been in the whole of Download history, and I can see half a dozen kids-on-shoulders who have yet no idea how insanely lucky they are to be at this show, given that these guys have been playing for almost 40 years.

The stage is set with all the trappings you’d expect of metal royalty, pentacles, skulls, chains, fire… and the crowd are already chanting ‘Slayer’ in unison. Walking onto the stage with all the clear purpose and confidence of a band who have made performing live their home, it’s a sobering moment to think that we are about to see this for the very last time, that this is our metal history we’re saying goodbye to. We can’t wallow for long though, ‘Repentless’ is wild and immediately gathers a hot and chaotic mosh pit, before the band break into early track ‘Evil Has No Boundaries’. It’s certain that tonight we’re getting a history lesson.

We’re spoilt with a list of raw, furious shredding from ‘Disciple’ to ‘Seasons in the Abyss’ as pyro cannons shoot flames across the inside of the stage and inverted crosses burn in the darkening night. Rocking a ‘Kill the Kardashians’ tshirt, guitarist Gary Holt is ripping Donington a new one alongside Tom Arya and Kerry King in his signature belt chains, and as the first ominous notes of ‘South of Heaven’ shimmer across the arena, I feel actual chills. Slayer played at the first festival I ever went to – here at Donington for Ozzfest 2002 and those notes, that moment will be forever etched into my memory – now, alongside this one. As the band scream into the iconic ‘Raining Blood’, thousands of people are windmilling their hair and headbanging like their necks aren’t over 30 and going to be immobile by work on Monday, it’s a sight to behold.

Shutting Donington down with ‘Dead Skin Mask’ and ‘Angel of Death’ is exactly the fire fueled, gut-punch of an ending I expected of Slayer, they are masters of their craft and Gods of the genre, that much is undeniable. With a final “Thank you for being here” and Tom Arya reluctantly leaving the stage, with what looks to be tears in his eyes, we in the crowd can only chant their name in appreciation and thanks. I think it’s testimony to their legacy that everyone is just still standing, still throwing horns into the air – instead of legging it straight to the main stage. This night is too important to so many, and I hope we gave Slayer the farewell they deserved.

© Photo courtesy of Download Festival, do not use without permission.

Download 2019 – Slipknot REVIEWED!

June 30, 2019June 27, 2019 by Anna Hyams

Ok. Confession time. I’m not a Slipknot fan. I am standing in a field full of Slipknot fans eagerly awaiting this much anticipated show. Flanked by overall-clad bodies, every face a grotesque mask (some quite obviously homemade), a through-the-ages tour of Slipknot’s style back catalogue, the excitement is palpable. Of course, this UK debut of the bands’ new masks is just a part of it, but the forums and news stories have been filled with ire towards the new choices – with many describing them as boring or thoroughly non-theatrical compared to previous iterations.

Indeed as the giant stage banner drops and the majesty of the stage set up is revealed – all industrial turbines and Mad Max-esque landscaping – frontman Corey Taylor appears in a black trenchcoat in place of a jumpsuit, and gives off a distinctly corpse dragged-from-the-river vibes in his bloated mask. Instantly I am reminded of the terrible ‘dream machine’ mask from the ultimate cheese-fest Bond movie ‘Die Another Day’, which levels on funny rather than creepy for me.

Sporting a more traditional Slipknot look, the rest of the band hit the stage in black boiler suits and their own new masks for an undeniably powerful opening trio of ‘People = Shit’, ‘(Sic)’ and ‘Get This’ with Corey yelling “This is where you fucking scream for me”. New release ‘Unsainted’ is a strong introduction to what we can expect from Slipknot going forward, as Corey screams “…are you happy to see Slipknot back in your beautiful fucking land? It’s amazing to be back HOME” to an almighty roar back from the Download crowd.

I’ll admit, they bring a great show – the pyrotechnics, the crazy percussion podium made of steel industrial hazard drums, the mysterious extra member who still hasn’t been revealed… and it’s clear the crowd are absolutely loving Slipknot’s return to Donington. Growling “…bunch of crazy motherfuckers over here. You feel good?” we head into a brutal assault of ‘Psychosocial’ and ‘The Devil in I’ while Corey muses “…this is the kind of Download I wanna see right”.

‘Duality’ comes with a side of the clown smashing up some of the stage set with a bat, and we’re treated to “something fucking special” which turns out to be a bit of a mishmash of ‘555 to the 666’ and ‘If Rain is What You Want’ at possibly the only time this weekend it isn’t actually raining. It’s kind of a shame to be honest, if there’s any band that the rain would have benefited in terms of atmosphere – it’s Slipknot. Regardless, the entire crowd is singing along in a rowdy chorus before going headlong into ‘Spit it Out’ for an arena-wide bounce… on the floor… before the song breaks and everyone goes absolutely berserk.

Corey leads out with a heartfelt speech on Download/the fans being family and making the statement “We are not their kind”, before heading into closer ‘Surfacing’, and a quick message to ‘take care of each other’ as they exit the stage. There may be thousands of raised horns in the arena, there may be a mass chant of ‘one more song’ but it’s clear as the house lights come up that the band are done for the night. Despite a bit of initial disappointment in the crowd, as the black video screens change to display ‘SLIPKNOT LIVE 2020’ a guttural roar of appreciation begins to ripple. Slipknot are coming back, and the sweaty hordes are abated as they head out into the night.

Photograph © Matt Higgs – Courtesy of Download Festival. Do not use without permission.

Download 2019 – Rob Zombie REVIEWED

June 30, 2019June 23, 2019 by Anna Hyams

Forced once again to choose between the Zippo Encore and the Main stage for tonight’s grand entertainments – we have opted for Rob Zombie, master of the macabre and fringed outfits. Immediately upon turning the corner to the Zippo Encore stage it is clear that mistakes have been made. When Rob last played Download in 2017 the area was pretty jam packed but this year the arena is so ridiculously full that some people are actually almost standing in the shops at the back to watch. As much as I applaud Download for the booking – why oh why can’t we just have him on the main stage? He’s got the back catalogue, the energy and the showmanship to fill the main arena, never mind the sardine-can Zippo.

Anyway, aside from the spacing rant, Rob Zombie was an absolute highlight of the weekend, as expected. Rocking up with his signature screen boxes/dance podiums and immediately storming through ‘Meet The Creeper’ and ‘Superbeast’, Rob is resplendent leaping from box to box in as much fringed clothing as I’ve ever seen on a person. His style is sort of… the creature from the Black Lagoon, meets deep South in the 70’s, and I’m here for it. Anyone who can pull off such spritely moves in tight ass flares gets my respect to be honest.

Down the rabbithole we go with Rob for the iconic ‘Living Dead Girl’, as he yells “Good evening everybody, welcome to the Zombie show! Download, you ready to fuckin go?”. People are shrieking the lyrics all around us and throwing down some good old fashioned cyber goth moves for good measure. If you were gonna put a soundtrack to Vampire porn, this would be it – and Rob Zombie would have probably directed it to be honest.

Calling out “Everyone down here in the front, in your muddy shoes… jump jump” he rolls into the epic White Zombie track ‘More Human than Human’ and the crowd goes absolutely berserk. There’s nothing like a festival arena full of sweaty writhing bodies just dancing with wild abandon, it’s not something us Brits are usually especially practiced at but we’ll give it a damn good go, even in the rain and mud. Rob quips “Well we travel all around the world, and I must tell you… you win the award for the muddiest place on earth. I’m sure its cosy in those tents after the show… I’m sure when you’re sitting in those tents freezing you go… do I really wanna see these bands that fucking bad? And you guys just say fuck it, let’s get high and do this shit” as a set up to ‘In The Age of the Consecrated Vampire We All Get High’.

Manson clip backdrops herald Beatles cover ‘Helter Skelter’ and Rob turns stage side to ask “Can we keep playing? Do we have time?” eliciting a roar from a crowd who simply aren’t ready to end the night there. Rob muses “I was thinking the other day about Stone Henge. I believe I’ve solved the mystery. It’s one big landing pad for ufo’s” and calls us all to wave at an aeroplane passing overhead during ‘Well, Everybody’s Fucking in a U.F.O.’ whilst his guitarist rocks a flashing rainbow grille to grin at the crowd.

White Zombie (and Guitar Hero) classic ‘Thunder Kiss ‘65’ is punctuated with a little Ramones’ ‘Blitzkreig Bop’ for the “…punk rockers in tonight” and Rob heads down to the pit to meet his front row fans. Finishing up with the gut-busting ‘Dragula’ to strobing images from Rob’s ‘House of 1000 Corpses’ is unreal, there’s something undeniably visceral and sort of tribal about a Rob Zombie show. It makes you want to move, be part of the throng, takes you right into that horror movie realm. Honestly we could have gone another ten rounds with Rob Zombie and it still wouldn’t have been enough – so my message to you Download Festival: please book him for the main stage so we can headbang without the fear of breaking our faces on the person in front of us next time. Rob Zombie is undeniably rock royalty and deserves the throne.

© Matt Eachus 2019 - Photo courtesy of Download Festival — © Matt Eachus 2019 – Photo courtesy of Download Festival

PHOTOBLOG: Marshall Live 2019

June 10, 2020June 13, 2019 by Kimberley-Anne Simmons

Our photographer Kane Howie went to Milton Keynes to check out Marshall Live at Arena MK. There were two stages at the event, the main stage and the Discovery Stage in which new and upcoming bands played and had the public vote on who they wanted to play the main stage that evening. Headlining the event was The Hunna with support from Yonaka, Barns Courtney, Keywest, Press to Meco, D_Drive, Rews, King Creature, Bad Touch and Thousand Thoughts. The night was hosted by Daniel P. Carter. Check out the photos below.

Download Festival: last minute larry guide!

June 12, 2019 by Anna Hyams

DOWNLOAD 2019! Are you a last minute larry? Have you just drunkenly spent your wages on a weekend ticket because your mates are going, but have no idea what you need? Ok, so – you’re probably screwed in all honesty. The weather is tracking to be vile (cue Drownload jokes) and if you haven’t sorted out a tent and sleeping bag you need to leg it to a camping shop immediately. For everyone else, here’s your last minute mini checklist for the DL2019 weekend!

Rain poncho – yeah these come in clear, or funky colours… but everyone wants to swish about like a Dementor in the rain right?
Absurd leggings – Sure, you’ll never have occasion to wear these ever again but they’re comfy, and they afford you ample lunge-ability for appropriate headbanging stance. Oh and Whitesnake are playing so you’ll be paying tribute to a better time, when hair and dreams were bigger.
Wellies – Don’t pretend you’re too cool for wellies if it’s raining. Your mates aren’t going to be sympathetic to your self-induced trench foot.
Inflatable guitar – hear me out. It’s a multi-use item in my opinion. Obviously you’ll look rad/tragic rocking out with it, but it can double as a waterproof/comfortable arena seat that folds back up to pocket size. Can also be used to smash the bonce of any friends who dare to snooze.
Battle jacket – Ok, not essential buuuut… how else are you meant to proclaim your love for Nickelback? Extra points for covering it past festival wristbands, instead of keeping them on your wrist, you filthy bastard.
Beanie hat – Categorically the best way to retain heat at night. Cover in studs if you’re precious.
Bandana – Stylish, tames greasy day three hair, can be used over the face when entering offensive portaloos.
Tissue packs – Small enough for the pocket and in a handy water resistant pouch for when you spill your beer all over yourself trying to throw horns at Slayer.
Power bank – We all used to make it work without mobile phones back in the day, just meet back at the Dog right? But you’ll probably want to use your phone camera to capture some memories of your pal Dave mud surfing naked soooo, keep that battery charged for those magical moments.
Sun cream – Yep. The forecast sucks. It doesn’t matter. For some inexplicable reason, Download is THE festival where you can get simultaneously burnt and soaked. I don’t know how or why. It’s just how it is.
Foldable drinks sac – Download is going green, which means a ban on water bottles/single use plastics. These lil babies are about a quid from Sports Direct and will roll up in your pocket while you’re not using it. Also good for your ‘walking whisky’ between the campsite and the arena.

So, grab your stash, prepare yourself for mud and madness… see you at Donington!

BLOODSTOCK unveils Jager Stage acts and more Metal 2 The Masses winners

June 10, 2020June 12, 2019 by Anna Hyams

There’s just 8 weeks until BLOODSTOCK’s metal weekender gets underway and BLOODSTOCK HQ have now locked in some of the bands for 2019’s Jagermeister Stage.

Belfast’s SKYPILOT bring their heavy riffs and groove to Catton Park’s Jager stage on Friday, joined by Leicester grunge/hard rock outfit, GRAVES and blues metal squad, BEGGAR. On Saturday, we welcome Irish heavy groove trio, BLACK SHUCK and one man death metal outfit FOUL BODY AUTOPSY. Then Sunday’s bill features Irish/Australian hard rockers, JAILBIRDS and you-can-work-it-out-from-their-name, WOMENOWAR! A second batch of Jagermeister Stage bands will be announced next month!

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to announce the second wave of New Blood winners from their ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals, who all bag a spot to perform on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage. The finals are still taking place around the country, so get down to your local event and support grass roots music and help shape BLOODSTOCK’s line-up

Landing a Friday New Blood Stage slot are Burnley’s winners, the Southern/doom metal squad, GRAND ELDER, Bournemouth’s black/death metal victors ANAKIM, and thrash/prog groovesters BLIND DIVIDE who triumphed in Cardiff’s final. Saturday’s lineup welcomes Wrexham’s top dogs, SCARS OF REMEMBRANCE. Joining Sunday’s New Blood fun are ELYREAN, the melo/tech thrashers who won in Wolverhampton, Hitchin melodeath victors FEAR BOUND, and instrumental tri-guitar Stoke champions, LOST IN LAVENDER TOWN.

BLOODSTOCK RELEASE DAY TICKETS; ANNOUNCE FIRST ‘METAL 2 THE MASSES’ WINNERS

October 3, 2020June 12, 2019 by Anna Hyams

It’s time for BLOODSTOCK to unleash the day tickets!! A limited amount of day tickets for 2019’s event go on sale at 9.00am this Thursday 30th May, priced at £65 (+ fees) for adults and £20 (+ fees) for children aged 4-11. Children under 4 go free! Head here to snap them up! You can still also pick up 4-day ‘weekend tickets with camping’, priced £145 (+ fees) and children’s weekend tickets at just £35 (+ fees). VIP tickets are expected to sell out shortly, so grab yours soon if you want one, including limited Podpads, Bellepads and Octopads, plus limited remaining VIP upgrades (for those who’ve already purchased a standard ticket). Camper van plots & Luxpads are already SOLD OUT! For full VIP details click here.

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to announce the first batch of New Blood winners from their ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals, who all bag a slot to perform on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage! The finals are still taking place around the country, so get down to your local event and support grass roots music and help shape BLOODSTOCK’s line-up!

Saturday’s New Blood stage bill welcomes Coventry winners DJINOVA, Glasgow victors INFERIEM, and DEFORMATION OF MAN, who took top prize in the Sheffield heat. They’ll be joined by Belfast top dogs, LOCK HORNS. Black Country band MASTERS CALL also win a New Blood slot after impressing the booking team via their CD submission.

Sunday brings Dublin champions AESECT, Norwich leaders BASTARD, and TAKE REFUGE, having clinched first place in the Milton Keynes final. You’ll also get to see 28 DOUBLE, who took Leicester’s gold medal! Stay tuned for more results to come!

BLOODSTOCK’s second batch of club nights kick off from 1st June. Head on down for a great night out with your mates to warm up for BLOODSTOCK and you might just win yourself some goodies while you’re there.

Sat 1st June – Brighton – Apocalypse @ Envy

Fri 7th June – Leicester – Feedback @ Firebug

Sat 8th June – Stoke-On-Trent – Devil’s Night @ The Sugarmill

Sat 8th June – Southampton – Apocalypse @ The Engine Rooms

Sat 22nd June – Sheffield – Corporation

Fri 28th June – Altern8 @ The Cavern

Sat 29th June – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club

Sat 29th June – Newcastle – RISE Rock Bar

Sat 29th June – Pandamonium @ Electrik Warehouse

Fri 5th July – Plymouth – Altern8 @ Envy

Sat 6th July – Brighton – Apocalypse @ Envy

Sat 6th July – Stoke-On-Trent – Devil’s Night @ The Sugarmill

Sat 13th July – Apocalypse @ The Engine Rooms

Sat 22nd July – Sheffield – Corporation

Fri 26th July – Leicester – Feedback @ Firebug

Fri 26th July – London – Voodoo Summer Ball @ Elektrowerkz

Sat 27th July – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club

Sat 27th July – Liverpool – Pandamonium @ Electrik Warehouse

BLOODSTOCK UPDATE…

June 10, 2020June 12, 2019 by Anna Hyams

BLOODSTOCK have locked down the last handful of Ronnie James Dio main stage and Sophie Lancaster stage bands, as the Metal 2 The Masses finals roll through the UK to find the best of the grass roots to flesh out the New Blood stage. BLOODSTOCK can also reveal that a limited number of day tickets for 2019’s event will go on sale at the end of May. Don’t miss out – sign up for a reminder here.

BLOODSTOCK’s final main stage band are classic UK thrash squad, XENTRIX, who are set to play on Friday. Having recently signed to Listenable Records, the band are set to release a new studio album, ‘Bury The Pain’ on 7th June. Check out the brand new track, ‘Bleeding Out’ here; https://youtu.be/vFgiw7XOiGo. The album has been produced by Andy Sneap and you can pre-order it over at www.shop-listenable.net/en/268_xentrix.

Joining the Sophie stage bill on Friday are British death metallers, KARYBDIS. The band released their third studio album, ‘In The Shadow Of Paradise’ last year, which you can pick up over on their Bandcamp page; https://karybdis.bandcamp.com/. Watch the video for the title track and get yourself up to speed – https://youtu.be/g09x4f8cVUc.

A former winner of BLOODSTOCK’s Metal 2 The Masses competition back in 2012, melodic metal crew CONTROL THE STORM have gone from strength to strength, and we’re delighted to now welcome them to Friday’s Sophie stage. With plans afoot to release their second album, ‘Forevermore’ this summer, hopefully they’ll treat everyone to some new songs live! See what you think of new single ‘Follow Me’ at https://youtu.be/7SzIq8yc0T4 and if you dig it, help them along by contributing to their Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/controlthestorm/control-the-storm-forevermore-help-fund-the-album.

The pioneers of Norwegian Viking Metal, HELHEIM land a Saturday set on the Sophie stage. Hailing from Bergen, you can find their latest blackened sounds on new album, ‘Rignir’, released late last month by Dark Essence, who have kindly added no less than three songs from it to their YouTube channel, including the title track at https://youtu.be/ECRCW94pW_o.

There’s more from our Norwegian brethren, with GUARDIANS OF TIME also bagging a Saturday slot on the Sophie stage to showcase their brand of heavy/power metal. Don’t know them yet? Their fifth album, ‘Tearing Up The World’ came out in Oct 2018 and features guest appearances from none other than Abbath and Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. Investigate that title track with Abbath here – https://youtu.be/69ItcYo8txU.

Bulgarian metalheads, ODD CREW also land a Saturday slot. The band take their influences from classic metal like Black Sabbath through artists like Pantera through to modern day acts like Killswitch Engage. Check ‘em out storming through ‘Death Trap’ here; https://youtu.be/MSpAig3cxaI. The band released their fifth studio album, ‘The Lost Pages’ last year, which you can check out on Spotify or via all major DSPs.