Bloodstock Open Air is undoubtedly the UK’s only true metal festival, consistently delivering the top names from the world of heavy music, as well as breaking the most exciting news acts in the scene. But BOA knows that putting a bunch of the world of metal’s most exciting acts across three stages over four days is not enough to say “job done” when it comes to putting on a festival. The music is one thing, but what separates a festival from a long gig, aside from the open air setting, is all the other entertainment on offer. Since it’s inception, Bloodstock has worked hard to provide stalls, rides and all manner of attractions and entertainment to offer festival goers the most fun-packed weekend in the metal calendar. Last year, Bloodstock offered comedy for the first time, an element that went down so well it is expanding on it this year, kicking off with one hour of comedy on the Thursday, with numerous performances across the weekend also scheduled on the Sophie stage.
One of Australia’s biggest comedians, Steve Hughes is a perfect fit for Bloodstock, having been in several metal bands himself before embarking on his comedy career. Starting at an open mic night in the mid 90s, Steve has gone on to earn rave reviews for his performances both live and on TV, with credits including numerous appearances at Edinburgh festival, MTV, Stand Up For The Week, as well as being hand picked by Michael McIntyre on his Comedy Roadshow. He comments:
"As a rule, as a comedian, I usually say no to doing comedy shows at music festivals. I’ve never really enjoyed it, and as my great friend and great Canadian comic Glenn Wool once said, ‘ You never want to do comedy,when in your peripheral vision you can see Iggy pop’. But as its Bloodstock and with a line up like it is, what is a man to do but say yes and turn up with microphone in hand and jokes ready to rock. See you all there. Hail the gods of metal."
According to Metal Hammer Magazine - who are in a perfect place to judge, being both experts on Metal and having let him host their 2009 Golden Gods Awards - Canadian Jason Rouse is “the most Metal comedian on the planet”. Brutal, dark, twisted and hell-bent on turning the mainstream comedy world upside down, over the last decade this comedy outsider has sharpened his teeth in clubs and festivals all over the world and become the most celebrated 'odd-ball' in comedy today. A clever combination of devilishly crafted jokes and 'freak-show-like' theatrics, Jason's stand up will pit your sense of morals against your sense of humour as this jester from hell forces you to laugh at stuff you should not find funny.
Stephen Hill is a London based stand up comedian and writer who started his career after becoming a finalist in Jimmy Carr’s Comedy Idol on his first ever stand-up gig. Since then Stephen has shared the stage with the likes of Andrew O'Neill (who performed at last year’s BOA), Russell Howard, Lenny Henry, Reginald D. Hunter and Al Murray to name a few, as well as contributing to Channel 4 Radio’s “4 Weekly News Show” alongside Frankie Boyle, Mark Dolan, Greg Davies, Katy Brand and Tony Law. If reviews for his sell out Edinburgh comedy shows “Adolf Hitler and Mother Teresa walk into a bar…”', “99 Problems But Your Mum Aint One” and “Creme Eggs vs Nazi Nana” are anything to go by, his explosive no holds barred performance and stage presence is bound to go down a storm at Catton Hall this august.
Joining them, Keith Platt brings his no-nonsense stand up to Bloodstock. With his flat-cap, specs and moustache, Keith may not look like your typical Bloodstock attendee, but having been the frontman of Harrogate Thrashers Acid Reign in the 80s, more than knows his metal. A somewhat crazy Yorkshire man, Keith is irritated at most things, leaving nothing safe as he rants and raves and lets off steam. Like a Yorkshire ‘Al Murray’ he’s got bags of energy and within his act seamlessly ad libbs, deals with heckles and comes up with topical stuff, while never breaking character, and will tickle more than a few ribs at Bloodstock.
With headline sets from Immortal, Motorhead and WASP, plus an undercard boasting exclusive appearances from the likes of Devin Townsend, Morbid Angel, At The Gates, Kreator, Exodus and many more, Bloodstock Open Air 2011 is an unmissable event for any metalhead. Add to this a fantastic comedy line up, fairground rides, dodgems and the infamous Bloodstock karaoke, and a ticket price of just £105 for FOUR days of fierce festival fun - including camping - there really is no better value ticket for fans of heavy music this summer.
Bloodstock Open Air 2011 takes place at Catton Hall August 12th - 14th.
Ronnie James Dio Stage
WASP – IMMORTAL - MOTORHEAD
DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – MORBID ANGEL - AT THE GATES – RHAPSODY OF FIRE - THERION - CORONER – KREATOR – NEVERMORE - EXODUS -TRIPTYKON - HAMMERFALL - WINTERSUN - FINNTROLL - GRAVE DIGGER - IHSAHN - NAPALM DEATH - TAROT - FORBIDDEN - WOLF - POISON BLACK - 1349
Sophie Lancaster Stage
ANGELWITCH - CRIMINAL - LAWNMOWER DETH - ARTHEMIS - POWER QUEST - THE ROTTED - OCTOBER FILE - NEMHAIM - DEF CON ONE - SURVIVORS ZERO - BYFROST - DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE – IMICUS – HAMMER OF THE GODS - BLAKE – REVOKER - ACHREN
Plus loads more bands still to be announced!
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