FRIDAY
In October 2021, ill-advised comments from festival director Vicky Hungerford cast a dark cloud over Bloodstock, as its commitment to inclusivity was scrutinised. After internally and publicly working to heal people’s hurt and learn from mistakes, and with a promise to continue educating themselves going forwards, the Bloodstock team have renewed their focus on creating safe spaces, have partnered with Derbyshire LGBT+, and continue to work with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. It’s a welcome effort to listen to and support our community.
Opening the main stage and various pits, RED METHOD look like a carnival sideshow from Hell and sound like nu metal if it had burrowed underground and embraced dirty breakdowns instead of radio-friendly choruses. HEART OF A COWARD keep the momentum up, getting bodies colliding and jumping with their prog-tinged metalcore.
Over on the Sophie stage are stripping down crossover thrash to its most vital, volatile essence as the circle-pit resembles a post-apocalyptic war dance. Their cover ofproves they’re plugged into metal’s most enduring pleasure centres, too.
