ROCKFLESH

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Bloodstock 5 Don'ts : Don't go to bed!

I want to wake up in the festival that never sleeps, Bloodstock. The main stage headliner maybe done and dusted pretty darn early (10.30pm curfew no excuses) but that is just the beginning. First off, you have your Sophie headliner kicking off as soon as the sound fades from the main stage and this year it's a heavy weight trio of Grand Magus, Taake and Eluveitie (not mentioning Rotting fucking Christ on Thursday). Then the Sophie tent becomes a metal disco until 3pm. For many years, it was hosted by the four DJs of the apocalypse and their vast collection of five records (three of which were “Warriors of the World” by Manowar). However last year, they went all ambitious with big names DJs and Andrew O'Neil comparing. Well, if truth be told, it all fell a bit flat (and Andrew inadvertently ended up braining someone with a very trendy can of lager). We await this year's plans with interest.

Meanwhile back at the campsite, the drinking continues (there is a bar in the campsite, I haven't made me mind up yet whether this is genius or a recipe for disaster or both). If you do want an early night, the quiet campsite is highly recommended as the main campsites are noisy. However, if you are in quiet mode and are woken by a dickhead screaming Imhotep at 4.00 in the morning, I do apologise on behalf of Chris. Audience participation is the name of the game for Bloodstock early hours, whether it will be bin jousting or the associated game of ensuring security do not confiscate all the bins (NB ROCKFLESH does not condone either of these activities). If bin based versions of medieval pursuits are not to your taste then there is always the age of bloodstock tradition of wandering around in packs chanting 'Push wash showers', 'Imhotep' or 'Free Rolf Harris'. As bizarre and plainly anti social this all sounds, it is all done in the non threatening and good natured spirit that prevails through the whole of the festival. Just don't expect to get much sleep.