Mastodon

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF 20 BANDS AND DAY SPLITS FOR 2022 LINE UP

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Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced 20 new bands for 2022, including the mighty A Day To Remember, Shinedown, Black Veil Brides, Mastodon, Code Orange, Ice Nine Kills, Creeper and more. They join the already stellar line up, headlined by KISS, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro. The three-day festival takes place on 10-12 June 2022 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. September is the last chance fans will be able to purchase Early bird tickets  – with prices increasing from October 1st – fans are encouraged to secure their weekend and instalment plan tickets now and join the celebratory return of the full scale Download Festival they know and love. downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets
 
Announced for Friday are Floridian fan favourites A Day To Remember fresh off the back of seventh album ‘You’re Welcome’ and having flipped the script multiple times over their career, they remain at the top of their game. With a bottomless trickbag of scene anthems from “I’m Made Of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?,” “The Downfall of Us All,” through to their trap pop punk meldings they are set to receive a hero’s welcome.
 
Joining them are Californian glam stalwarts Black Veil Brides to deliver a visceral set of arena ready rock led by Andy Beirsack alongside MYLES KENNEDY & Company, whose stratospheric vocals and powerhouse guitar playing has seen him lauded as one of rock’s finest frontmen. Bury Tomorrow have cemented their spot as one of the UK’s finest metalcore exports and U.S. newcomers Meet Me @ The Altar promise a buoyant frenzy of pop punk bangers in their UK festival debut. Also announced are Swedish alt-metal act Normandie and Brighton’s brightest indie punks and purveyors of grunge tinged riffs Gender Roles.
 
Saturday has got even more exciting with the addition of the world beating Shinedown.  The immaculate showmen and Download veterans have been a dominant force in rock music since their inception and their ascension shows no signs of slowing down. They are joined by progressive metal goliaths and metal icons Mastodon are onboard to showcase the true mastery of their craft.
 
The Game-changing Code Orange are also set to join Saturday’s line-up and promise to engulf the crowd the throws of their industrial laced hardcore and goth-punks Creeper will step up as as the ‘Sex, Death and the Infinite Void’ era resumes in full swing. Horrorcore icons Ice Nine Kills are set for a gore-drenched metalcore assault, Sheffield quintet Malevolence will bring burly riffs by the bucketful and the living embodiment of death metal’s gruesome spirit Obituary make their grand return.
 
Also announced is rising metal-pop provocateur Cassyette who is ready to take her place as a breakout star as well as  raucous Seattle punk five piece  Dragged Under and Liverpool  hardcore outfit Death Blooms who return after a triumphant set at Download Pilot where they historically became the first band to play a UK festival in 15 months.
 
Sunday additions include Danish rabble-rousers Volbeat, with their unmistakable chugging metal-meets-rockabilly as well as the fearless Grammy award winning Baroness. The Fourth Stage is set for a very special headline set from Myles Kennedy on double duty with an acoustic set not to be missed and future feminist punk icons THICK join the bill all the way from Brooklyn, New York with the raw defiance of punk in tow.
 
 
ANNOUNCED TODAY
A Day To Remember
Baroness
Black Veil Brides
Bury Tomorrow
Cassyette
Code Orange
Creeper
Death Blooms
Dragged under
Gender Roles
Ice Nine Kills
Malevolence
Mastodon
Meet Me @ The Altar
MYLES KENNEDY & Company
Myles Kennedy (Acoustic)
Normandie
Obiturary
Shinedown
THICK
Volbeat
 
Download 2022 Line up so far
 
Friday 10 June 2022
KISS, A Day To Remember, AA Williams, Airbourne, Ayron Jones, Black Veil Brides, Blues Pills, Bokassa, British Lion, Bury Tomorrow, Cellar Door, Dead Poets Society, Electric Wizard, Gender Roles, JJ Wilde, Lacuna Coil, Meet Me @ The Altar, Moon Crow, MYLES KENNEDY & Company, Normandie, Press Club, Sleep Token, Tempt, The Distillers, The Ghost Inside, The Scratch, Theory, Wayward Son.
 
Saturday 11 June 2022
Iron Maiden, Black Label Society, Blackout Problems, Bleed From Within, Bush, Cassyette, Code Orange, Creeper, Daughtry, Dead Label, Death Blooms, Deftones, Dragged Under, Dying Fetus, Funeral For A Friend, Grandson, Higher Power, Holding Absence, Ice Nine Kills, Joyous Wolf, Loathe, Malevolence, Mastodon, Megadeth, Monster Truck, Obituary, Salem, Sepultura, Shinedown, Temples On Mars, The Faim, The Pretty Reckless, The Raven Age, Those Damn Crows, Venom Prison.
 
Sunday 12 June
Biffy Clyro, Alestorm, Anchor Lane, As Everything Unfolds, Boston Manor, Cemetary Son, Dead Posey, Fire From The Gods, Gloryhammer, Jamie Lenman, Kill The Lights, Korn, Marianas Trench, Modern Error, Myles Kennedy, Phoxjaw, Powerwolf, Rise Against, Spiritbox, Static Dress, Steel Panther The Darkness Skillet Baroness Of Mice & Men Wednesday 13 Massive Wagons The Last Internationale Control The Storm, The Descendants, The Hara, The Injester, THICK, Trash Boat, Twin Temple, Volbeat, Wargasm.

More acts added for DOWNLOAD 2020!

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Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced further acts including ALTER BRIDGE, BOWLING FOR SOUP, FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES, MASTODON, THE DISTILLERS, SEPULTURA, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, to join headliners IRON MAIDEN (Legacy of the Beast Tour), KISS and SYSTEM OF A DOWN this summer. NXT UK is returning to deliver more knockout entertainment over the weekend, and Kerrang! Radio will host FINDING FRESH BLOOD for another year – searching for the best emerging acts in the world of rock to perform on The Avalanche Stage.

Download takes place on 12 – 14 June 2020 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets are on sale now at downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

The Main Stage just got even better with a host of new names which are sure to stir the crowd into a frenzy. US heavyweights ALTER BRIDGE will return to Download with their breed of blistering and technical rock completed with incredible showmanship courtesy of Miles Kennedy.

Mark Tremonti from Alter Bridge said:
“We are very proud and honoured to be a part of the 2020 lineup.  Download has always been the highlight of our touring schedule over the years, thanks for another opportunity to perform for some of the best rock fans in the world!”

The brilliantly chaotic FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES will wreak havoc at Download, with pit-starter anthems such as ‘Juggernaut’, ‘Crowbar’ and ‘I Hate You’. MOTIONLESS IN WHITE are staggeringly heavy, with a good dosage of theatrics that will no doubt fuel a memorable performance. Also performing rare Australia’s ferocious THY ART IS MURDER, rising Florida metalcorers WAGE WAR, and melodic Brit metallers THE RAVEN AGE.

Chris Motionless from Motionless In White said:
“Playing Download is an accomplishment that bands of every level still write home about. It is THE festival to be a part of, and I’m so proud to announce that we will be making an appearance again for the first one of the new decade. See you in a few months!”

Looking towards The Zippo Stage, Atlanta’s finest MASTODON have garnered a reputation as a formidable live force, and their performance at 2020 is sure to be enormous. Fronted by the infamous Brody Dalle, THE DISTILLERS are a household name in modern punk and make their anticipated return to Donington. THE DARKNESS are also set to bring a healthy dose of classic rock and roll bombast., Italian goth icons LACUNA COIL, melodic rockers AMARANTHE, bondage-punks HATARI and rock n roll revivalists THE GLORIOUS SONS. They’ll be joined by Mississippi rock stalwarts 3 DOORS DOWN.

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness said:
 “UK festival appearances are like children – so precious and impossible to pick a favourite. This year though, my number 1 child is our Download slot! I have a pair of pyjama bottoms designed to look like jeans with tickets for Monsters of Rock 1991 hanging out of the pocket, and that tells you everything you need to know about my excitement levels.”

Following their disbanding in 2016, Download are beyond excited to reveal that Welsh post-hardcore and crowd favourite FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND will make their euphoric return to the festival by headlining The Avalanche Stage. Joining them are Texan troopers BOWLING FOR SOUP who are sure-fire to get Donington singing along to their tongue-in-cheek pop punk anthems.

Ryan Richards from Funeral For A Friend said “As a band, and as individuals – we’ve made some incredible memories at the hallowed grounds of Donington through the years, so it’s going to be nice to come back and make a few more together. Those trademark black fringes are a bit greyer/balder these days, but we’ll still be able to show these young ‘uns a thing or two!”

Jaret Reddick from Bowling For Soup said:
“Download Festival is always something special for Bowling For Soup. So many of the stories we share with other bands and family members back home come from our time spent playing or hanging out at this festival. Very much looking forward to making more memories this summer…and of course bringing something special to our show, that only BFS can get away with!”

Elsewhere on the Avalanche Stage are Philadelphia’s THE MENZINGERS who will draw a monstrous crowd with their honest melodic punk, Woking’s brutal EMPLOYED TO SERVE, anonymous collective SLEEP TOKEN, garage punk outfit PRESS CLUB, Welsh post-hardcore band HOLDING ABSENCE, Liverpool prog-metallers LOATHE, mysterious emo rapper SULLII, London ska-punks THE SKINTS, alt-pop-rock Mancs THE HARA, Northern Californian pop-rockers CEMETERY SUN, and Brighton indie punks GENDER ROLES. They’ll be joined by punk trio MILK TEETH.

Headlining The Dog Tooth Stage are genre defining heavy music titans SEPULTURA who are set to be a crowd pleaser with huge songs such as Roots Bloody Root and Refuse / Resist.

Derrick Green from Sepultura said;
“We are ecstatic about our return to Download Festival. It’s an honour and pleasure to be a part of a festival with such a rich music history. We look forward to rocking out with you all!!”

Also on The Dog Tooth stage are Sydney metalcore innovators NORTHLANE, alongside bruising Leeds hardcore collective HIGHER POWER. If that wasn’t enough, further Dogtooth Stage additions are London progressive rock band HAKEN, virtuosic Texan quartet POLYPHIA, Sacramento noise metallers WILL HAVEN, the hotly tipped KILL THE LIGHTS (featuring members from Bullet For My Valentine, Still Remains, Throw The Fight, Glamour Of The Kill and Threat Signal), self-proclaimed ‘Satanic doo wop’ trio TWIN TEMPLE, Texan hardcore outfit FIRE FROM THE GODS, Bristol post-punks HEAVY LUNGS, NYC rockers TEMPT, Peterborough melodic hardcore act MODERN ERROR, brutal Holy Roar signees London five-piece RENOUNCED, mesmerising alt rock artist JJ WILDE, and Brummie metalcore pack SHVPES.

Download Festival are pleased to announce the return of WWE NXT UK to this year’s festival. The first round of Superstars to be announced are title-holders WWE NXT UK Champion WALTER, NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray, and NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus. The first-ever WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate, and his Tag Team partner Trent Seven, will no doubt bring a stunner of a show. Also set to perform is Finn Bálor’s protégé Jordan Devlin, the highflyer Mark Andrews, and his Tag Team partner Flash Morgan Webster. Toni Storm is also confirmed, alongside powerhouse Piper Niven – both of whom will bring the energy to Donington Park. NXT UK has made a massive impact at Download in previous years, full of tense moments and adrenaline-soaked performances, it’s the ultimate spectacle for fans of loud music and even louder sport.

In addition, Kerrang! Radio will once more host Finding Fresh Blood, the search to bring the hottest emerging talent to Donington. 2019 was its inaugural year and grime-punks PENGSHUi triumphantly opened the Avalanche Stage. UK acts can now upload their tracks online to be in with the chance of playing this year’s festival on the same stage. To apply, and for more information please visit their website. The chance to apply closes on 1st March at 23:59, and winners will be announced in April.

Kerrang! Radio’s Alex Baker said:
“Playing at The Download Festival is a benchmark moment in any bands career, it is the most important festival in the country for alternative music and a performance on any of the hallowed stages can catapult your career as a musician to new heights. I only like working with people who share my unyielding spirit for supporting new artists, and the absolute dedication that Andy and the team from Download have in this field is truly inspiring. When Pengshui walked out on the Avalanche Stage last year, the atmosphere on the stage, in the crowd AND in the wings was absolutely electric – it is a moment that will never be forgotten.”

Download Festival is the home of rock music and takes place on the sacred grounds of Donington Park, which have been associated with rock since the eighties. The festival attracts icons of rock and metal to its main stage, plus some of the best and hottest new acts in the world.

Bloodstock Open Air 2016 – Full Review

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It’s that special last month before Autumn sets in, the high summer sun shines down on the most inappropriately weather-attired crowd of the entire year, yes, It’s Bloodstock Open Air. I will never stop being equally amused and proud that the metal community rocks black tshirts, heavy denim, sticky leather and a mass of metalware regardless of temperature, or indeed comfort.

Though this year’s Bloodstock line-up has been the topic of much forum debate and there are some rather under-represented groups (female musicians on the main stage anyone?) this year, you can’t deny there is first-class metal on offer this weekend. Friday sees a beautiful site-wide crab-athon (Crabulon) with Evil Scarecrow, and Corrosion of Conformity tear up the Ronnie James Dio stage with their gritty bluesy metal, to a decent crowd having overcome some mishaps on the route here. “In case you guys don’t know, we lost our guitars in fucking Paris… we’re kind of winging it” the guys let us know, before a calling Donald Trump a dickhead and dedicating the beautifully relevant ‘Vote With A Bullet’ to him.

Over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, the comedically named Foetal Juice hailing from Manchester, sound pretty much exactly as you’d expect – extreme but a little bit silly. Everyone in the tent seems to love them though, which is pretty good going for group of mates who started this for fun.

Heading over to the Kraken Rum garden for a spot of black ice-cream (good work guys, you know this is exactly the crowd to appreciate a gothic dessert) we take the opportunity to check out the merch stall and pop into Lemmy’s Bar to raise a glass (well, plastic cup) to the man, the legend. Back on the Sophie stage XII Boar are absolutely killing it, yelling out “You’re here! You’ve made it to the party” to us latecomers joining them mid-set. It’s a bit of a shame about the noise-pollution next door, the music on the fairground rides is offensively loud and unnecessary. No-one needs to hear Sweet Child O’Mine more than once in half an hour.

Home grown heroes Venom are a massive Friday highlight with their thrashy, wild child behaviour and obvious love of what they do. Calling out “It’s great to see the fucking UK legions” to a roaring crowd, it’s nice to see a proper homecoming. Demon-faced Behemoth are kind of a BOA staple now right? The band are over from Poland, presumably to promote Satanism and murder… *snigger* and for a band who’ve done every trick in the goth manual to seem dark and gloomy, they look like they’re having a pretty amazing time.

Last up is the final ever (yes really, EVER) UK Twisted Sister show on their ‘Forty & Fuck It’ tour, and it’s an absolute blinder. Playing 15 minutes over the curfew, with every single hit you wanted to hear, and a gigantic crowd singing alongside them – Twisted Sister go out with a bang. Like the music or not, you can’t deny they’ve got amazing showmanship and the ability to engage with a crowd on a funny and personal level. They will be hugely missed.

Read our full Twisted Sister review HERE

 

Saturday sees the likes of The Raven Age, off the back of their supporting role in Iron Maiden’s Book of Souls world tour, carving out a name for themselves on the Sophie stage, and Rotting Christ have the main stage under a veil of darkness with their unique melodic metal and some synchronized headbanging. Fear Factory pull in a huge crowd and those 90’s sounds are just so nostalgic it makes us want to buy some of those huge jeans again, you know the kind with safety pins all up the seam and one of those giant ball-chains attached to your wallet.

Grabbing some grub is much more difficult than we had anticipated, this festival has come a long way on the food front since it’s early days of scary burger vs. scary hotdog options. We opt for a Bi-ella (It’s not sexual, it’s just both kinds of paella – meat and veggie. Actually I take it back, that is pretty sexual.) and chilli-inna-bun, which is much less Dibbler than it sounds. Both were awesome and actually worthy of high price tag we’ve come to expect from UK festivals.

Paradise Lost playing in the late evening sun is an absolute treat, but the stunningly beautiful guitars ring out across a sleepy crowd, there are a lot more people sitting down in a post-dinner sun-drenched haze. Only the astoundingly tall Kraken diver is dancing around like a lunatic, presumably taking an in-suit bath in his own sweat.

Over on the Sophie stage One Machine are throwing down hard, their sound is interesting and fresh and there’s a pretty decent crowd in there enjoying it. In the Hobgoblin New Blood tent, Warwickshire band The Face of Ruin have In Flames vibes and we are loving their rowdy set. Let’s hope they return to BOA soon… next year even… on a bigger stage…

On the main stage it’s time for the truly incredible Gojira, and judging by the sheer size of the crowd that has turned out to see them, they could just have well bumped Mastodon from tonight’s top spot. There’s something so strangely hypnotic about Gojira, it’s hard to put your finger on it, but as the sun sets on day two of BOA it’s clear they’re one of the true highlights of the festival already, and ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’ is the anthem. Shouting out “Are you having a great day at the festival? Are you drinking enough beer? Are you happy?” It’s kind of adorable that they care about our festival welfare, and everyone is more than appreciative of the brand new tracks from Magma.

In comparison it’s hard to watch Mastodon’s entrance onto the main stage, with dodgy sound and a do-the-job attitude, the magic dwindles a little. Sure, they’re musically strong but there’s less of the awe and more of the ought about them. However, as the night pulls on Mastodon appear to get comfortable and the last half an hour is considerably, thankfully better.

Read our full Mastodon review HERE

 

As the hungover masses drag their butts outta bed (well, sleeping bag) for one last day of metal mayhem, the Sunday lineup sees the likes of Satyricon, complete with forked mic stand and altogether too much white face powder – makeover the main stage with their black metal in the rather overcast afternoon. It’s sort of appropriate. On the Sophie stage, Derange deserve a bigger crowd than they’ve got – I mean, no their sound is nothing exactly new, but they execute well and vocalist Cat Pereira is commanding centre stage.

Outside after a bloody (literally, one guy had his head cut open) battle reenactment, it’s time for the final challenges of the Bloodstock’s Strongest Man competition, and get this… the trophy is Thor’s Hammer! Amazing. After a lot of grunting, sweating and swearing, a little crowd participation and some free tshirts being thrown about, a champion is crowned. It’s been a brilliant little event, hope to see it back bigger for next year.

On the main stage there’s a kicking of heels as we wait patiently for Dragonforce to appear. Technical difficulties are blamed and it’s a blistering, albeit short show from the power-metal heroes. Despite the crowd chanting ‘Herman Lee’ rather than Dragonforce before they came on, it really doesn’t seem to have phased the rest of the band, and frontman Marc Hudson yells “We are Dragonforce from London England, and it’s nice to fucking play at home for once”. ‘Cry Thunder’ and ‘Through The Fire And  Flames’ have the entire crowd wailing along as crowd surfers flail overhead, which is pretty great considering that’s all we got. Five songs seems hardly enough.

Symphony X are somewhat underwhelming but New Blood’s Valous, immediately followed by amusingly named Footprints in the Custard – are anything but. Both bands are energetic and enthusiastic, an atmosphere that spills over into their rowdy crowds who are loving it.

As the many… many Judges circle the site telling you not to take photos of them, or pretending to terminate delinquents, they can only herald one band. Anthrax hit the stage with all the raw power you’d expect from a band twenty years their junior, they just make it look easy. ‘Antisocial‘ has the entire arena thrashing, and as they close out with ‘Indians’ shouting “This is the war dance, bang your fucking heads! Everyone move ok?” it’s unsurprising to see the BOA crowd comply, hard.

Following up with another of the ‘Big Four’ thrash metal bands, Slayer are here to re-conquer Bloodstock and with a stage top to bottom bathed in real actual fire (how they sustained playing in that direct heat, I have no idea) it’s almost as if they’ve come out to prove they’re children of the underworld. Last time Slayer topped the BOA bill was just after the death of Jeff Hanneman, three years later we see a fresher, stronger Slayer with a giant Hanneman tribute flag, and something to prove. With the massive and iconic riffs of ‘South of Heaven’ and ‘Raining Blood’ reverberating around Catton Park, it’s hard to imagine a better way to close Bloodstock 2016. Here’s to 2016, and wondering what the next lineup will bring…

Read our full Slayer review HERE

Check out our full photo gallery HERE

All photos © A. Hyams 2016. Do not use without permission.

Reviewed: Mastodon headline Bloodstock Open Air 2016

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With a UK legacy of great shows already behind them and a fanbase that can be measured in the sheer number of their tshirts on display in the crowd today, Mastodon have stake their claim on Bloodstock’s Ronnie James Dio Stage as headliners.

Throwing down with moody opener ‘Tread Lightly’ Mastodon come out strong, unfortunately the sound does not. Luckily it’s quickly remedied and the melodic guitars of ‘Feast Your Eyes’, ‘Blasteroid’ and ‘Oblivion’ shine through. The crowd density of last night isn’t quite replicated tonight, you can pretty much wriggle to the front with relative ease, but Mastodon’s lighter sections seem to conjure a sort of sombre reverence where everyone is just appreciating the music.

Amusingly (albeit for those who are old enough to remember…. Sigh…) the five giant light panel installations behind the band, appear to be playing the entire Windows 98 screensaver catalogue. You know, the one with neon electricity or trippy tie-dye patterns that everyone thought they were super edgy and cool for having instead of the standard windows one your Dad used.

In a rare moment of crowd-interaction in Mastodon’s twenty-song onslaught, bassist Troy Sanders yells out “You guys are music hungry lovers, thank you” before the band swing into the harmonic vocals of ‘High Road’. However on a few of the others the words seem to be coming out so distorted you could almost swear the band are fluent in whale.

As the stage lights up in yellows and reds for ‘Ember City’ and the band call out “Are you fucking alive?” to the headbanging crowd, Mastodon seem to relax slightly into the show. Speaking of their first UK gig sixteen years ago at Camden Underworld, the band want us to know that they love us… “We knew we were going to have a special relationship with this country, you metalheads. When we’re home or on vacation… we talk about you guys! You nice British people”. Aww, isn’t that adorable?

Finishing up with ‘Megalodon’, ‘Colony of Birchmen’ and to an almighty roar of appreciation from the BOA arena, the huge ‘Blood and Thunder’ – Mastodon close the RJD stage for Saturday night with style. “Thank you for an unforgettable experience, we’re Mastodon, we love you”.

With their own unique brand of slowed down psychedelic sounds vs. hyper and heavy eardrum challenging metal, you could be forgiven for being on the fence about Mastodon, but tonight’s extremely tightly rehearsed set does everything to prove that above all else this band cares about music.

With a set that sounds almost identical to their album tracks (bar some vocal blurring from a production point of view) you almost with they’d break character a bit, interact in a less forced way. There’s a grittiness missing for sure, but Mastodon make up for it by being, well, precisely beautiful.

All photos © A. Hyams 2016. Do not use without permission.

All photos © A. Hyams 2016. Do not use without permission.

BLOODSTOCK reveal comedy bill and RAM Gallery plans

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BLOODSTOCK HQ is at fever pitch with just 10 days to go ‘til the gates swing open at Catton Park!  There are a last few things to announce before everyone packs their bags and heads to the UK’s biggest and best heavy metal party!

One of the things that sets BLOODSTOCK apart from other events is festival founder, Paul Raymond Gregory’s on-site RAM Gallery.   This year, Paul has paid tribute to MOTORHEAD’s Lemmy Kilmister with a stunning new portrait exhibited in a custom, hand-carved frame, as well as other choice installations from his world-renowned portfolio of work.  Regular RAM Gallery contributor and luthier Cynosure, creator of hand-made guitars as art, will be exhibiting two new instruments also inspired by Lemmy.  Other artists also exhibiting work are Orange County artist, Christian Sloan Hall, who has created work for the likes of AMON AMARTH and TESTAMENT, plus abstract artist and GOJIRA drummer, Mario Duplantier, who has contributed two original paintings.  Also expect to view featured art-focussed books from Lariyah Hayes (Darkadya: The Book of Art From Below) and Ramon Martos (And Justice For Art, revised edition), plus rock-themed photography from Peter Nahum and Alison Richards.

When the metal finishes in the Hobgoblin New Blood tent each evening, a different set of howls take centre stage with BLOODSTOCK’s comedy bill.  Friday’s gag-filled line up includes David Jordan’s edgy songs and stand-up, Chris Brooker’s hilarious improvisation, the award-winning newcomer Ingrid Dahle, all compere’d by everyone’s favourite heavy metal comedian, Andrew O’Neill.   Saturday evening’s bill features compere and all-round funny man, Jim Smallman, plus laffs-a-plenty from Jonathan Mayor and Perrier comedy Award-winner Wil Hodgson.  Sunday ushers in a full ‘History of Heavy Metal’ set from Andrew O’Neill, combining stand-up comedy with live music played on his customised Flying V guitar.  Andrew will be supported by thrash metal beasts, REPRISAL.

Over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, once the bands have finished for the night, the DJ squad steps in to take you through ‘til 2am.  Expect a guest slot on the decks from EVIL SCARECROW’s ringmaster Monty Blitzfist and Kraven Morrdeth on Friday, the DJs from London’s VooDoo Rocks on Saturday and Total Rock’s Anna Dumpe on Sunday, plus BOA’s resident 4 DJ’s Of The Apocalypse doing their regular 12 Midnight-2am slot.  

The always popular Friday fancy dress competition is returning!  This year the theme is ‘Twisted’, so dress up in whatever you fancy, the more extreme and creative, the better!  To enter the competition, just find BOA’s official photographer (between the Serpents Lair VIP area and the EMP Tent entrance) between 12pm and 6pm on the Friday to have your photo taken (the photographer will wear a Fancy Dress Photographer t-shirt).  Then check BLOODSTOCK’s Facebook page for the photo gallery the week after the festival and tag the fancy dress photo of yourself for the chance to win a pair of tickets to BLOODSTOCK 2017!

Got your tent ready?!  This year, our campsite partner is Miss Daisy’s Camping Store.  If you don’t want to tow a ton of camping gear to site, order online and collect your stuff from the Miss Daisy tent in the main Midgard campsite at Catton Park.  Saves a lot of hassle and achy shoulders!  Place your order or just see what’s available via their ‘click & collect’ service here – http://www.missdaisyscampingstore.co.uk/.

Want to check out the 2016 merch range?  BLOODSTOCK's online 'click & collect' service allows you to pre-order your favourites for on site collection.  Festival attendees can snap up their choice of t-shirt or grab the 2016 beer mug or hip flask without fear of their size or design being already sold out on site.  Simply pre-order at https://bmerch.com/store/bloodstock/collect-on-site and collect at the merch stall in the arena at any point over the weekend, knowing your item is guaranteed and paid for.  Maybe you want that BOA hoodie for when the sun goes down, so just collect it from the merch stall then to save a trip back to your tent!

How to get to BLOODSTOCK?  Ditch the hassle of parking, trains & transfers and let our official coach partner, Big Green Coach take you and your camping gear straight to the festival from 21 UK cities.  To book your return seat and see where to catch the coach, check: http://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/events/bloodstock-festival-tickets-coach-travel.  If you’re coming by train to Catton Park, don’t forget to pre-book Big Green Coach’s shuttle bus from Lichfield City rail station to save yourself a wad of cash.  Return tickets are priced at £10, one way at £8 (it costs more to pay on the day, so pre-booking wins)!  Book tickets at the link.  Car-sharing with GoCarShare is another option (and participating could even win you a pair of tickets for 2017)!  Full details and to post up a car space/look for a car ride from your town, visit: http://gocarshare.com/festival/bloodstock.   

Our three headliners for 2016 are TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  

Three weeks ’til Bloodstock!

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The BLOODSTOCK festival faithful are on countdown as it’s just three weeks to 2016’s best heavy metal weekender!  The bill for the Jagermeister stage is together and BLOODSTOCK is excited to welcome all these bands to the bill…

Friday’s line-up includes Leeds hard rockers CHASING DRAGONS (www.facebook.com/chasingdragonsuk) Corby metal outfit FUELED HATE (www.facebook.com/fueledhateuk), Brighton prog-rockers VRONA (www.facebook.com/VronaOfficial), Irish sludgemonsters TWO TALES OF WOE (www.facebook.com/TwoTalesofWoe), Manchester’s hard rock duo THE HYENA KILL (www.facebook.com/thehyenakill) and London folk metallers ISARNOS (www.facebook.com/Isarnos). Saturday’s bands include Wakefield metal band BROKEN, Belfast stoner rockers ZLATANERA (www.facebook.com/zlataneraband), Midlands metallers VICIOUS NATURE (www.facebook.com/ViciousNature), Leeds’ female-fronted rapcore band PULVERISE (www.facebook.com/Pulverise), Bury metal 4-piece VICE (www.facebook.com/Vicemetaluk) and Cornwall’s psych/spacerock animals, CYBERNETIC WITCHCULT.  Sunday’s bill will include Stevenage metal 5-piece OUTRIGHT RESISTANCE (ww.facebook.com/OutrightResistanceBand), Gravesend stoner rockers JUKEBOX MONKEY (www.facebook.com/jukeboxmonkey), Welsh old school death metallers SODOMIZED CADAVER (www.facebook.com/SodomizedCadaver), Tyneside doomsters DIRTY KING (www.facebook.com/dirtykingmusic), Glasgow heavy rockers ATTICA RAGE and black metallers AKLASH.

The last of the Hobgoblin New Blood stage slots have been snapped up via the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals.  Joining the chaos are death metallers END OF SALVATION (www.facebook.com/endofsalvationUK) and thrash beasts REDEYE REVIVAL (www.facebook.com/redeyerevival) on Friday,  stoner/heavy psych animals REGULUS (www.facebook.com/regulus.band) and melodic death metal mob THE FACE OF RUIN (www.facebook.com/thefaceofruin) on Saturday and metal four piece GUTLOCKER (www.facebook.com/GutlockerUK), prog/tech outfit KAHTET (www.facebook.com/kahtetband), Polish deathcore mob THE JOHN DOE’S BURIAL (www.facebook.com/tjdburial), Nottingham rockers FIREBOMB (www.facebook.com/firebomb.uk), self-proclaimed ‘street mafia geek metal’ outfit CHRONICLES (www.facebook.com/chroniclesmetal) and heavy rockers VALOUS (www.facebook.com/valous.birmingham) on Sunday.  The final act added to the New Blood stage is the winner of Hobgoblin’s video upload competition, who also go into a Sunday slot.  That lucky band is Manchester punk metal outfit, FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD (www.facebook.com/Footprintsinthecustardband).  You can watch their ‘age-restricted’ winning video for ‘The Descent of Decency’ here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u-YfsMWiHU.

Got all your camping gear ready?  This year, our campsite partner is Miss Daisy’s Camping Store.  If you can’t be bothered to tow a ton of camping gear to site, order online and collect your stuff from the Miss Daisy tent in the main Midgard campsite at Catton Park.  Saves a lot of hassle and achy shoulders!  Place your order or just see what’s available via their ‘click & collect’ service here – http://www.missdaisyscampingstore.co.uk/.

Want to check out the 2016 merch range?  BLOODSTOCK's online 'click & collect' service allows you to pre-order your favourites for on site collection.  Festival attendees can snap up their choice of t-shirt or grab the 2016 beer mug or hip flask without fear of their size or design being already sold out on site.  Simply pre-order at https://bmerch.com/store/bloodstock/collect-on-site and collect at the merch stall in the arena at any point over the weekend, knowing your item is guaranteed and paid for.  Maybe you want that BOA hoodie for when the sun goes down, so just collect it from the merch stall then to save a trip back to your tent!

How to get to BLOODSTOCK?  Ditch the hassle of car parking, trains, & transfers and let our official coach travel partner Big Green Coach take you and your camping gear straight to the festival from 21 UK cities. Various packages are on sale now; secure your coach trip straight to the festival site with only a £10 deposit.   To book your return seat and see where to catch the coach, check: http://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/events/bloodstock-festival-tickets-coach-travel.  If you’re coming by train to Catton Park, don’t forget to pre-book Big Green Coach’s shuttle bus from the station to save yourself a wad of cash.  Return tickets are priced at £10, one way at £8 (it costs more to pay on the day, so pre-booking wins)!  Book tickets at the link.  Car-sharing with GoCarShare is also available (and participating could even win you a pair of tickets for 2017)!  Full details and to post up a car space/look for a car ride from your town, visit: http://gocarshare.com/festival/bloodstock.   

Our three headliners for 2016 are TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  

Bloodstock announces more bands

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BLOODSTOCK festival is excited to announce another batch of bands for August’s event at Catton Park!

Regrouped Brit industrio-metallers, KILL II THIS join the main stage for a Saturday slot.  Frontman, Mark Mynett says “BLOODSTOCK is one of the finest metal festivals there is; this year’s stunning line up says it all!  So we are both delighted and honoured to be playing the Ronnie James Dio stage.”  Check out their video for ‘The Universe In A Nutshell’ here;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myNgEf8I7jU.

Stepping into Friday’s special guest slot on the Sophie Lancaster Stage are Norway’s black jazzsters, SHINING.  Singer Jørgen Munkeby comments, “Last time we played at BLOODSTOCK was one of the best and most exciting shows we’ve ever done. We’re so much looking forward to be back at the UK’s best metal festival again!”  Remind yourself of their sound with the video for ‘The Last Stand’; https://youtu.be/7tNODbdyJaw

Also landing Friday slots on the Sophie stage are Brit crust/grindcore monsters, FOETAL JUICE and British apocalyptic metal crew, ANTI CLONE. Tunisian symphonic prog metallers, MYRATH play the Sophie stage on Saturday, as do French avant-garde extremists, MISANTHROPE.  Lastly, stepping into a Sunday Sophie slot are US progressive thrash beasts, VEKTOR.

The second wave of BLOODSTOCK club nights kicks off in June.  Get along to one of the following local events for a chance to win BLOODSTOCK weekend tickets and BLOODSTOCK-related giveaways.  Check with your local club for further details in case of changes and expect the unexpected!  Events for June and July stack up as follows:

Wed 1st June – Nottingham – Bodega

Thu 2nd June – Bury – Blind Tiger

Sat 4th June – Stoke-on-Trent – Bunker 13

Thu 9th June – Manchester Rebellion Bar

Sat 18th June – Stoke-on-Trent – Bunker 13 (Rawkus)

Fri 24th June – Middlesbrough – SUMO

Fri 24th June – Reading – Face Bar

Fri 24th June – London Elektrowerkz

Fri 24th June – Glasgow – Cathouse

Fri 24th June – Ipswich – The Cock and Pye

Sat 25th June – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club
Sat 25th June – Sheffield – Corporation

Thu 30th June – Exeter – Timepiece

 

Fri 1st July – Leicester – Firebug

Sat 2nd July – Doncaster – The Vintage Rock Bar

Sat 2nd July – Brighton – Envy

Sat 2nd July – Coventry – The Phoenix

Sat 2nd July – Stoke-on-Trent – Bunker 13

Fri 8th July – London – Electric Ballroom

Thu 14th July – Winsford – De Bees

Sat 16th July – Birmingham – The Asylum

Sat 23rd July – Burnley – Sanctuary Rock Bar

Thu 28th July – Sheffield Leadmill

Sat 30th July – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club

Sat 30th July – Sheffield – Corporation

Already announced for 2016 are the three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  Additional bands are still to be announced.

Bloodstock beef up and prepare for battle!

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There’s less than 100 days until BLOODSTOCK 2016!!  While we’ve been revealing many killer bands for you to mosh to all festival, there’s plenty more on-site to see and do besides watch the awesome bill (and for regulars, we don’t mean bin-jousting or Deli Kate)!  BLOODSTOCK knows the meaning of both heavy and metal…!

While you might be feeling a little weakened at times over the weekend (especially if you’ve been taking advantage of the real ales on site), BLOODSTOCK are delighted to welcome some of the strongest people in the world to the festival!  For the first time, BLOODSTOCK and the 100% CA team will host 2 special strongmen events. On Saturday, 20 top athletes from across Europe will compete for the title of ‘Europe’s Strongest Man Under 90kgs’. Then on Sunday, see what pure strength is all about, in the ‘BLOODSTOCK’s Strongest Man’ challenge, showcasing some of the biggest and strongest competitors handpicked from around the world.  Don’t worry, they’re not planning a face-off with festival attendees, but we wouldn’t recommend spilling their pint.

Over the 2 days, the athletes will complete 2 events in each title, including a max deadlift event, and we hope to see 400kgs pulled on Sunday!  Plus, an overhead log-press for reps, a loading medley consisting of 5 objects, 2 which weigh 19 stone!  Not to mention, a gruelling back-to-back tug of war. Joining us, will be World’s Strongest Man and Arnold’s competitor, the South of England’s Strongest Man Rob Frampton, and Dave Meer, the local Tamworth multi-record-breaking strongman who has competed in the UK’s Strongest Man numerous times.  With the support of XplosiveApe, USN, and Rebel Strength, we will be bringing you the best in the country!

If swords and armour are more your thing, don’t miss the ferocious BATTLE OF THE NATIONS UK historical fighting team, on site from Friday-Sunday!  BLOODSTOCK is thrilled – if slightly trepadacious – that they can lay waste to Catton Park again this August. The UK Federation regularly compete around the world, and are ranked among the very best.  Look out for their regular “demonstrations” (by which we mean, a no-holds-barred full-contact scrap with broad swords, maces, and an array of other brutal Medieval weaponry) in the main arena.  We wouldn’t recommend spilling their mead either.

Field Captain Rob ‘Moose’ Morris comments, “BLOODSTOCK is always the most popular event we host in the tournament calendar.  The unique atmosphere and amazing music always combine to a complete unreal experience.  Showing the music fans what being a real metal-head involves; wearing 16kg of armour and caning the hell out of your opponent in August!”  Wish them luck with their BLOODSTOCK warm up this month, taking on the Battle Of The Nations World Championships in both the classic 5v5 Bohurt and female fighter categories.

On the musical side, already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many, many more.  Additional bands are being announced regularly so keep up to date via BLOODSTOCK’s official sites at www.facebook.com/bloodstock and www.bloodstock.uk.com, or via Twitter on @BLOODSTOCKFEST.

BLOODSTOCK adds more bands, ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals & announces first New Blood stage winners!

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BLOODSTOCK HQ is readying to send Team M2TM out on the road for the finals,
but in the meantime, there’s a few more band additions to the August bill!

Joining Friday’s main stage bill are newly re-grouped British death metal
overlords, AKERCOCKE.  The band are working on new music and BLOODSTOCK
will be their very first gig since their reformation.  Frontman Jason
Mendonca tells us: “AKERCOCKE have returned after 5 years absence from the
live circuit.  We are reinvigorated by the return of our original guitarist
Paul Scanlan and the ranks are completed by Dam front man Nathanael
Underwood on bass guitar.  Following the great experience the band enjoyed
in 2008, we are proud to return to the BLOODSTOCK main stage for a second
time.  Expect fan favourites from the past and killer new tunes from the
present.  See you down the front."

Stoner/blues rock five-piece, DESERT STORM join Sunday’s Sophie stage
bill.  Check out their video for ‘Signals From Beyond’ –
https://youtu.be/U2G-Tqhswsw.  The track can be snapped up on various
coloured vinyl as a split 7” (with Suns of Thunder) on 29th April from
http://www.h42records.8merch.com/presale.

Also landing a Sunday Sophie slot are thrash metal animals, DIVINE CHAOS.
Check out their video for ‘Fields of the Fallen’ –
https://youtu.be/wJn8qWmDt8A – and pre-order their debut album, ‘A New Dawn
In The Age Of War’ over at their webstore for a 29th May release –
http://www.divinechaosmetal.com/#!reviews/c9qb.

Meanwhile, back at BLOODSTOCK HQ, the first acts for the New Blood stage
have been chosen!  After throwing their hat in the ring via CD
applications, the following bands win slots on the New Blood bill;  London
doomsters POSEIDON, Bristol’s darkly melodic MORDRAKE, Belfast metal
beasts RABID
BITCH OF THE NORTH and Austria’s REST IN FEAR all snare themselves stage
time at BLOODSTOCK!

BLOODSTOCK’s ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ judging squad are also ready to hit the
road, as the M2TM finals get under way soon!  The local heats have been
oversubscribed with entries and many playing to packed houses countrywide,
so anticipation is already running at fever pitch.  Get along to your local
event and support grass-roots metal!  Not only will be a fun night out,
there’s a chance at each event to win weekend tickets to BLOODSTOCK, a case
of Hobgoblin Ale to take home, or various other BLOODSTOCK related prizes.
You can even shake hands with BLOODSTOCK’s ‘M2TM’ mainman, Simon Hall.
Finals run as follows:

1st May – KENT / GRAVESEND – The Red Lion

6th May – NORTHERN IRELAND / BELFAST – Voodoo

7th May – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND / DUBLIN – Fibber Magees

14th May – NORWAY / SANDNES – The Tribute

20th May – WOLVERHAMPTON – Slade Rooms

21st May – LONDON – Nambucca

22nd May – BRIGHTON – The Green Door Store

27th May – GLASGOW – Ivory Blacks

28th May – INVERNESS – Mad Hatters

29th May – CARLISLE – Club Rock

2nd Jun – EAST ANGLIA / NORWICH – The Brickmakers

3rd Jun – LUTON – The Castle

3rd Jun – NOTTINGHAMSHIRE / MANSFIELD – The Intake Club

4th Jun – LEICESTER – Leicester De Montfort Hall (plus headline sets from
Phil Campbell’s All Stars and more)

17th Jun – NEWCASTLE – The Cluny

18th Jun – SOUTH WALES / CARDIFF – Fuel Club

19th Jun – MANCHESTER – Grand Central

24th Jun – SWINDON – The Victoria

24th Jun – DEWSBURY – The Old Turk

25th Jun – MERSEYSIDE / LIVERPOOL – Bumper

1st Jul – LINCOLNSHIRE / LINCOLN – The Lincoln Imp

2nd Jul – READING – Facebar

9th Jul – BURNLEY – Sanctuary

9th Jul – BOURNEMOUTH – The Anvil

9th Jul – POLAND / BIELSKO-BIALA – The Rude Boy Club

10th Jul – BIRMINGHAM – The Roadhouse

There’s still time to enter your band via the third method to win a spot on
the New Blood stage.  You have until 8th July to upload your band’s video
to Hobgoblin’s Video Upload site.  An outright winner lands a slot at
BLOODSTOCK, but a selection of runners up will win airplay for their band’s
video on Scuzz TV!!  Get all the details here –
www.bloodstock.uk.com/pages/hobgoblin.

Already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in
their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH,
GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF
CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL
ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM,
UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  Additional
bands are still to be announced.

Nas, Frank Turner and more added to Reading and Leeds Festival

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Reading & Leeds has added even more names to the Bank Holiday weekend mecca of music, with over 70 names announced today across 6 phenomenal stages. 
 
Leading the additions is New York hip-hop royalty Nas, who’ll be bringing his untouchable catalogue of defining anthems to Reading & Leeds this summer in a UK Festival Exclusive. Responsible for one of the most acclaimed and influential albums of all time; Illmatic, his heavy-hitting rhymes have kept him at the top for over 25 years. His set on the BBC Radio 1/NME Stage this summer is sure to be a welcomed reminder as to why he remains a true pioneer of hip-hop.
 
 
After breaking the record for consecutive appearances at Reading & Leeds last year with his ninth straight set, festival hero Frank Turner is set to make it a decade of singalongs and heart-on-your-sleeve performances as he takes to the stage this summer. His catalogue of distinctively British anthems has seen the troubadour stand as a true Reading & Leeds icon. Celebrating his tenth appearance in a row, Frank will open the Main Stage with a truly unique set this summer.
 
Frank Turner commented:
“I'm very happy to be making my tenth annual return to Reading and Leeds Festival this summer. That's the record, by miles, and I'm proud of it. They've always been supportive of my career, loyal to me, and I'm more than happy to repay that in kind. It's the best festival in the UK.”
 
Revered grime kingpin Kano cemented his reputation with his comeback album Made In The Manor; a collection of his classic rhymes and British flow, which he’ll be bringing to an electric headline set on the BBC 1Xtra Stage this year. Reading & Leeds have a strong history of musical icons taking the stages by storm and this year is no exception. Pop-punk trailblazers Good Charlotte will be returning to headline the intimate Lock Up Stage with track after track of euphoric classics in another UK Festival Exclusive. Coheed And Cambria are set for a mammoth return to the festivals on the Main Stage whilstMastodon bring their heavy tectonic rhythms to The Pit with a hugely anticipated headline performance.
 
On their return to Reading & Leeds, Good Charlotte said:
"For us there's no better way to celebrate the GC comeback than to come do it at Reading and Leeds. Everyone's favourite festival. It will be a highlight for sure.” 
 
Bringing together genres, generations and game-changers across the site, Reading & Leeds is delighted to reveal more top-calibre names taking to the stage for true festival moments this summer.
 
BBC RADIO 1/NME STAGE
 
With huge headline performances set from the already announced Jack Ü, Two Door Cinema Club and The 1975, new additions today include another UK Festival Exclusive from Australian rock morphers Tonight Alive; fresh from releasing their soundscape-filled third LP Limitless earlier in the year. Further additions include Mancunion buzz-rockers Spring King, the swirling pop dreams of Sunset Sons, translucent movers Haelos and the roaring heavy punch ofBlack Foxxes, who are all set to make the BBC Radio 1/NME Stage a roaring coliseum of altering and exciting game-changing soundtracks. 
 
Jenna McDougall of Tonight Alive said of their UK Festival Exclusive performance:
"We're over the moon to be returning to our favourite rock festival this year! We're coming back for our second round of Reading and Leeds, introducing the 'Limitless’ era.”
 
Black Foxxes commented:
“Reading and Leeds were always big festivals for us and we can’t believe we’ve gone from opening the smallest tent to the second stage in a year! Words can’t describe how stoked we are!!”
 
Tarek Musa of Spring King said:
"We’re ready for another wild year at Reading and Leeds Festival! It’s gonna be immense to play alongside some of our favourite bands!"
 
Sunset Sons who’ll be returning this year, commented:
"Reading and Leeds was our first taste of an iconic UK festival. We will always love playing it and are stoked to be back this year!"
 
Haelos said:
"Reading and Leeds were the first festivals we all went to as teenagers… Feels good to be playing this year."
 
FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE
 
Previously announced headliners Maximo Park will take to the Festival Republic Stage this year where they’ll be joined in topping the stage by Australian euphoric dreamers The Temper Trap who’ll be ushering in the next phase of their acclaimed career with third LP Thick As Thieves due to land this summer. Also headlining the stage is Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon And The Crowes who’ll be bringing his emotionally charged debut solo releasePainkillers to the festivals, as an exciting new chapter for an American cult hero begins at Reading & Leeds. Sungazing, psychedelica, pin-up BØRNS will bring his Electro Love to Reading & Leeds this summer, whilst the hotly tipped Americana-soaked Clean Cut Kid will touch down for a hotly anticipated set. Heroes for the Leeds heavy scene will be aplenty with Eagulls and Pulled Apart by Horses destined to tear down the tent, with the enigmatic and unpredictable sound of Ezra Furman also set to bring his universally acclaimed catalogue of tracks to the Festival Republic Stage. 
 
Reading & Leeds is once again leading the way in fresh new music and the headliners of tomorrow before anyone else, with further names announced for the Festival Republic Stage today including VANT, The Magic Gang, Blaenavon, The Hunna, LANY, The Sherlocks, Rationale, Beach Baby,Transviolet, Isaac Gracie, Lewis Del Mar, Otherkin, Anteros, The Beach, The Vyrll Society, Area 52 and Tibet. 
 
Speaking about his headline slot, Brian Fallon said:
"Very excited and honoured to be apart of Reading and Leeds this year in celebration of my first solo album.  See you all there! Stay in love with everything!”
 
Leeds locals Pulled Apart By Horses said:
"We're pretty god damn excited about coming back this year. We're geared up with new album material to play and can't think of a better place to road-test it than at Leeds and Reading Festival!"
 
Blaenavon are looking forward to the weekend, saying:
"Reading and Leeds were the festivals we grew up with. I remember seeing At The Drive-In in 2012 and having my face utterly melted. We've only played Leeds before, so we're very stoked to have a proper go at both this year – the Festival Republic tent is probably our favourite stage as well. We'll have some new music out too, so it'll be wicked to try it out in a proper, frenzied festival scenario: abject dirt."
 
Eagulls commented:
"Us Eagulls love fests and Reading and Leeds. To us, it’s got to be up there as one of the most important fests. "
 
Gus from The Magic Gang commented:
"We’re so excited to play Reading and Leeds Festival for the first time, we can’t wait.”
 
VANT said:
"We can't wait for Reading and Leeds Festival 2016. We all went as kids and dreamed of playing it one day. It's such an honour to be there again this year on a bigger stage. See you in the pit!"
 
Rising pop movers Transviolet said:
"This year's line up is insane! So unreal to be a part of this!"
 
The Sherlocks said:
"Big love for Reading and Leeds! We hope that the tents are pegged down properly because we are going to blow the roof off! We'd urge everyone to get down extra early, last year the tents were rammed, this year it is going to be absolute carnage!!! We'd hate for anyone to miss our set, it's going off!"
 
THE PIT/LOCK-UP STAGE
 
With an incredible array of names from across the rock world, The Pit/Lock-Up Stage is the go-to home of all things heavy. Alongside Good Charlottereturning for a incredibly special headline set and stone drivers Mastodon topping the bill, Californian rock pioneers Thrice will return with a hotly anticipated set filled with classics and fresh cuts alike. Hacktivist will be bringing an unparalleled live experience to the stage this summer, whilst the anthemic refrains ofNothing More and the grunge kicks of Milk Teeth are destined to steal the stage with some truly breathtaking performances. 
 
In a seismic coming together of rock icons, supergroup Giraffe Tongue Orchestra will make a landmark appearance at the festivals as members of Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Dethklok and The Mars Volta combine for an unmissable performance. Further additions include the potent and brash rhymes of MGK, Heck, ROAM, Beach Slang, SWMRS, Superheaven, Big Spring and Waterparks as The Pit/Lock-Up Stage takes it to another level this summer.
 
Thrice drummer Riley Breckenridge said:
“It’s always an honor to be a part of a festival as steeped in tradition as Reading and Leeds. We’ve had some memorable shows in front of some incredible (and massive) crowds at both sites over the span of our career, and we can’t wait to get over there and do it all over again.”
 
Heck’s Matt Reynolds said:
"Reading and Leeds fest is like the holy grail of the festival circuit to us. It's a festival we've grown up going to every year and last time we played was probably one of our favourite shows to date. To be asked back to wreak our awful racket once again is an absolute honour."
 
Hacktivist co-frontman Ben Marvin commented:
"We're so hyped about playing again this year! It’s our third time playing but this time we have our debut album out so it's gonna be the most rowdy yet. See you in the pit."
 
Matt Roskilly of ROAM says:
"It really is a huge honour to be invited to play Reading and Leeds festivals this year. I've attended Reading festival for the last 5 years and it has always been mine and my friends favourite festival every time. Having the chance to play a stage, where over the years I have witnessed some of my favourite bands play is beyond exciting. This is a huge deal for me and the band, and is definitely one to cross off of the bucket list!"
 
Superheaven said:
"It's been a dream of ours to play this festival for some time now. It's exciting to get the opportunity to play."
 
Waterparks said:
“These festivals have been on my bucket list for years and it’s surreal that we actually get to be a part of it. See y’all there.”
 
 
BBC 1XTRA STAGE
 
Bringing together the hottest names from both sides of the atlantic, the BBC 1Xtra Stage is set for its biggest lineup to date, with Kano, Travi$ Scott and G-Eazy headlining across the weekend. New additions today include teenage slacker-rap sensation Yung Lean who has taken the world by storm with his unique flow and style, underground US wordsmith Hoodie Allen, the soulful tones of Maverick Sabre and the in-demand producer responsible for the most played and revered hip-hop tracks of recent times after working with Drake, Kanye West, Future and many more; Metro Boomin. 
 
Recently named in Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’, the influential tales and torments of Little Simz will take to the BBC 1Xtra Stage stage, whilst the unmistakable rise of grime continues with Fekky, Geko and Manchester’s finest Bugzy Malone all dropping in across the weekend for quick-fire and relentless rhymes. Critically acclaimed US star Logic will be bringing his very own slant to proceedings alongside appearances over the weekend from K.Flay, Franko Fraizeand Radio 1’s Clara Amfo; making it a huge hip-hop superstar take over on the BBC 1Xtra Stage at Reading & Leeds this year.
 
Franko Fraize said:
"Absolutely buzzin’ to be part of Reading and Leeds this year! I've always had a proper good do as a punter so I'm proper excited to be the other side now and be the one bringing the party!" 
 
BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE
 
Already soaked with unmistakable dance royalty, the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage will be full of electronic boundary-pushers throughout the weekend, with new additions today including PC Music titan SOPHIE; whose superactive original sound has seen PC Music rise from bedroom concern to global festival stages. Fellow PC Music stalwart Danny L Harle will also bring the tectonic beats this summer, with the deep blues and soul of Brighton’s Rag’n’Bone Manalso destined to serenade the stage with his gritty blue-eyed charm. Dark bass honcho Friction will take to the decks over the bank holiday weekend, with further drum and bass takedowns set from Fred V & Grafix and Delta Heavy. 
 
After recently supporting The 1975 on their world tour, the hotly tipped electro-soul soother The Japanese House will mesmerise Reading & Leeds with her emotional masterclass. The Girl Is Mine chart supremos 99 Souls are set to bring the sunshine across the weekend, with experimental-house heavyweightRedlight and neo-soul groovers Lion Babe bringing their own refreshing beats that are sure to get the masses moving at Reading & Leeds 2016. With further performances from Zac Samuel, Tkay Maidza, Hermitude, Lemaitre, Low Steppa, Draper and James Organ over the weekend, the electronic souls and sounds are set to ring out from the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage this year.  
 
Chart supremos 99 Souls said:
"Can't wait to be back at Reading and Leeds… If you look at the vids on our social media, Reading was our craziest crowd of 2015… We're hoping to do an even bigger set and have an even bigger reaction this year!"
 
Draper says:
"Reading and Leeds is going to be awesome and an amazing opportunity to perform what I've been working so hard on! Can't wait!"
 
Redlight commented:
"Love playing at Reading and Leeds. Always a sick one. Can't wait to come and have a party…"
 
Lemaitre says:
"Excited to play our first festivals in the UK at these two legendary festivals alongside some of our favourite artists." 
 
Rag’n’Bone Man commented:
"I'm really excited to play Reading and Leeds. I actually always wanted to go as a punter but never got the chance, now I get to go as a performer, it's gonna be a banger!"
 
On joining the line up Tkay Maidza said:
"Reading and Leeds is one of my bucket list festivals that I wanted to play before I had even released a song. It's also the first festival I'll play in the UK so I'm super excited!"
 
Friction says:
"Reading and Leeds! As well as historically being one of the greatest festivals on the planet, it has a vibe like no other. So pleased to be back again for this year!"
 
Low Steppa commented:
"Can't wait to take my sound to Reading and Leeds festival! Been looking forward to this for ages!”
 
Drum and bass titan Delta Heavy says:
"We're really looking forward to playing at Reading and Leeds for the first time this year.  Having been to Reading many times over the years as punters it's exciting to be able to come back and play as artists on the Radio 1 Dance Stage."
 
With over 70 names added today, Reading & Leeds 2016 boasts the biggest names, sounds and festival moments for another unmissable year. With 5 Headliners Across 3 Days, over 28 UK + European Festival Exclusives and an untouchable blend of musical legends and future stars announced so far,Reading & Leeds has it all for the defining festival weekend.
 
 
ANNOUNCED TODAY
Nas (UK Festival Exclusive)
Frank Turner
Kano
Good Charlotte (UK Festival Exclusive)
Coheed and Cambria
Mastodon
Tonight Alive (UK Festival Exclusive)
Spring King
Sunset Sons
Haelos
Black Foxxes
The Temper Trap
Brian Fallon And The Crowes
BØRNS
Eagulls
Clean Cut Kid
Pulled Apart By Horses
Ezra Furman
VANT
The Magic Gang
Blaenavon
The Hunna
LANY
The Sherlocks
Rationale
Beach Baby
Transviolet
Isaac Gracie
Lewis Del Mar
Otherkin
Anteros
The Beach
The Vryll Society
Area 52
Tibet
Thrice
Hacktivist
Nothing More
Milk Teeth
Giraffe Tongue Orchestra
MGK
Heck
ROAM
Beach Slang
SWMRS
Superheaven
Big Spring
Waterparks
Yung Lean
Hoodie Allen
Maverick Sabre
Metro Boomin
Little Simz
Fekky
Geko
Bugzy Malone
Logic
K.Flay
Franko Fraize
Clara Amfo
SOPHIE
Danny L Harle
Rag’n’Bone Man
Friction
Fred V & Grafix
Delta Heavy
The Japanese House
99 Souls
Redlight
Lion Babe
Zac Samuel
Tkay Maidza
Hermitude
Lemaitre
Low Steppa
Draper
James Organ
 
 
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Biffy Clyro (Co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Fall Out Boy (Co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Headline)
Foals (Co-Headline)
Disclosure (Co-Headline)
Imagine Dragons (European Festival Exclusive)
Jack Ü                  
Two Door Cinema Club                 
The 1975
Courteeners                     
Boy Better Know 
Chvrches 
The Vaccines (UK Festival Exclusive)
A$AP Rocky (UK Festival Exclusive)
HAIM (UK Festival Exclusive)
Jack Garratt
The Wombats
Twenty One Pilots (UK Festival Exclusive)                                                       
Crystal Castles (UK Festival Exclusive)    
Fetty Wap (UK Festival Exclusive)                     
Eagles Of Death Metal (UK Festival Exclusive)
Slaves  
Parkway Drive (UK Festival Exclusive)
Nothing But Thieves     
The Internet (UK Festival Exclusive)
Rat Boy
Hinds
Lower Than Atlantis (UK Festival Exclusive)
Asking Alexandria (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Dillinger Escape Plan (UK Festival Exclusive)
Travi$ Scott (UK Festival Exclusive)
G-Eazy (UK Festival Exclusive)
Skindred        
Five Finger Death Punch (UK Festival Exclusive)                     
Sleeping With Sirens (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Neighbourhood (UK Festival Exclusive)
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes         
State Champs
Savages
Die Antwoord (UK Festival Exclusive)
Cage The Elephant (UK Festival Exclusive)
Krept & Konan
Sigma
Half Moon Run
Basement
Blossoms
Mura Masa
Giggs
Netsky
Highly Suspect (UK Festival Exclusive)
Sundara Karma
AlunaGeorge
Duke Dumont
David Rodigan MBE
Disciples                              
My Nu Leng B2B Oneman + Dread MC (Reading) / Oneman B2B My Nu Leng + Dread MC (Leeds)                          
MistaJam
Philip George                    
Riton                    
Birdy Nam Nam                               
Oliver Heldens   
DJ EZ
Hannah Wants
Crossfaith
Kurupt FM Presents: Champagne Steam Rooms
Cassetteboy vs DJ Rubbish
The King Blues
Kvelertak
FVK                                                          
Modern Baseball
Dead!         
Creeper             
Citizen                                      
Maxïmo Park
Raleigh Ritchie                                                                                                     
INHEAVEN                        
Banners                                                                                                                     
Tuff Love                                              
Seratones       
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals                         
Section Boyz                     
Protoje                                                              
Lady Leshurr
DJ Semtex (Reading)
Yungen    
Jauz