Bloodstock Outdoor Heavy Metal festival 2025

Bloodstock 2024 was a year to remember, a celebration of life, legacy, and the unifying power of metal music. The festival, which took place at Catton Park in Derbyshire, was a testament to the dedication and passion of the metal community. This year’s event was particularly special, as it marked a tribute to the legendary Lemmy Kilmister, the frontman of Motörhead.

The festival organizers worked closely with Lemmy’s manager, Todd Singerman, to curate a “Lemmy Forever” experience, which included the unveiling of a magnificent sculpture of the iconic frontman on the Ronnie James Dio stage. The sculpture, created by Alan Williams, was a stunning tribute to Lemmy’s legacy, and it was a truly emotional moment for the crowd as Phil Campbell, former Motörhead guitarist, unveiled the sculpture and placed a portion of Lemmy’s ashes within its heart.

The festival itself was a huge success, with over 120 performing artists across four stages. The weekend kicked off on the Sophie Stage with Acid Age, the 2023 Northern Irish Metal 2 The Masses “War-Jazz” winners, who set the tone for the rest of the festival. Other notable performances included Tailgunner, South of Salem, and Hellripper, who all delivered high-energy sets that got the crowd moving.

The Ronnie James Dio Stage saw some incredible performances, including a sensational 30th-anniversary show from Hatebreed, who unleashed their giant “Ball of Death” to a massive and jubilant crowd. Clutch made their Bloodstock debut, delivering a fantastic set that had the crowd dancing and singing along. Opeth followed with a monumental fan-picked setlist that featured some of their most iconic tracks, including “The Grand Conjuration” and “Deliverance.”

One of the highlights of the festival was the announcement of the 2025 lineup, which included headliners Trivium, Machine Head, and Gojira. The reaction from the crowd was overwhelming, with all general camping tickets for next year selling out in record time.

The festival also saw some incredible performances from emerging bands, including Unpeople, who drew a huge crowd to the Sophie Stage, and Malevolence, who delivered a truly unforgettable set that included a record-breaking crowd-surfing attempt. The New Blood and EMP stages also saw a huge increase in attendance, with punters flocking to catch the biggest UK festival selection of unsigned and emerging new talent.

As the festival came to a close on Sunday, the crowd was treated to some incredible performances, including a headlining set from Amon Amarth, who brought their signature theatrics and delivered a truly epic performance. Other notable sets included Beast in Black, Septic Flesh, and Carcass, who all delivered high-energy performances that left the crowd breathless.

The festival concluded with a heartfelt tribute to Lemmy, as the organizers carefully transported the Motörhead frontman’s sculpture from Catton Park to Nottingham Rock City, where it will rest before returning home to Bloodstock in August 2025. It was a fitting homage to a legend whose spirit continues to resonate deeply with the metal community.

As the organizers look forward to 2025, they can take pride in knowing that Bloodstock is more than just a festival – it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of heavy metal. As Lemmy once said, “Born to raise hell, We know how to do it and we do it real well.” At Bloodstock, those words are lived by every single day. Until next year, horns up!

The success of Bloodstock 2024 was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the organizers, crew, and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the festival happen. From the stage crews ensuring seamless transitions between acts to the tireless waste management teams keeping Catton Park clean, Bloodstock is a true labor of love.

The festival also saw some incredible exhibits, including the RAM Gallery, which featured a multitude of never-seen-before Motörhead paraphernalia, as well as exhibits from respected photographer Paul Harris, artist and cover illustrator Travis Smith, and Judas Priest illustrator Mark Wilkinson.

As the metal community looks forward to 2025, one thing is certain – Bloodstock will continue to be a celebration of the music, the people, and the spirit that makes it all happen. With its unique blend of established and emerging bands, incredible exhibits, and a sense of community that is unmatched, Bloodstock is truly a festival like no other.

In conclusion, Bloodstock 2024 was a year to remember, a celebration of life, legacy, and the unifying power of metal music. The festival was a testament to the dedication and passion of the metal community, and it will be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest metal festivals of all time.