In Episode 85, Neill Wilkinson, Rich Holmes an Arran Prime take a look back at the chaos and glory of Bloodstock 2025. From the sheer power of Gojira to the "berserker mode" energy in the pits, we’re breaking down what fans really wanted and how they reacted to the legendary performances on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, The Ronnie James Dio Stage, The EMP Stage, and the New Blood Stage.

We also talk to the powerhouse behind the scenes, Vicky Hungerford, to discuss the massive task of booking the 2026 lineup and the logistical "magic" that makes Bloodstock a global metal pilgrimage.

Whether you’re a seasoned "Bloodstocker" or a first-timer, this episode is packed with tips, band reactions, and exclusive insights.

Don't forget to visit our friends at Fat Frank’s Camping Shop! Pick up your last-minute festival essentials or use their Click & Collect service to have your gear waiting for you on-site.

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Welcome back to Festpod, the unofficial rock festival guide!

In Episode 84, Neill and Rich are diving deep into the massive Download Festival 2026 lineup. We’re talking the return of Linkin Park (with Emily Armstrong), the "lengthy" Guns N' Roses sets, and why on earth Scooter is on the main billing!

We’re also breaking down the latest Bloodstock Open Air news from their recent Q&A, including the end of the funfair (RIP 🎡) and some massive site upgrades to the Sophie Lancaster and EMP stages. Plus, we’ve got Gig Picks, "Nine Inch Kills" (oops!), and a look at the Sanctum Modern Metal Festival line-up.

In this episode:

• Download 2026: Are the headliners fresh enough?

• Keanu Reeves at Download: Can Dogstar actually play?

• Festival Accessibility: A look inside the Diverse Sensory Calm Space.

• Bloodstock Upgrades: Why we're getting "extra length" on the EMP stage.

• Gig Picks: The Hara, Deadbolt Festival, and Survivalist.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US

👕 Festpod Merch & Patreon: https://festpod.co.uk

📱 Follow us on Socials: Search "Festpod" on the decent platforms.

📧 Bands/PR: Send your tracks to info@festpod.co.uk

Sponsor: Huge thanks to Fat Frank’s Camping Shop for sponsoring the show. Get your festival essentials at https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

#DownloadFestival #BloodstockFestival #LinkinPark #LimpBizkit #RockFestival #Metalhead #FestPod #KeanuReeves #Dogstar #UKMetal

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In episode 83 of Festpod, hosts Neill Wilkinson, Rich Holmes, and Arran Prime meet:

- @allearsavowband

- @CollapseTheSky

- @changepersonaband

- @DACARAUK

- @TWOYEARBREAK

- @ExistImmortal

and Hevs, the organiser of the Takeover at Download.

with our sponsor:

Fat Frank's Camping Shop @fatfrankscamping1991

https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

Find all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1t

Please support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpod

If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod

All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

Timestamps ⏱:

0:00 - Pre Titles

0:31 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot

01:10 - Title sequence

01:31 - Welcome

03:04 - All Ears Avow

09:04 - Collapse The Sky

17:21 - Change Persona

-- Ad Break --

25:37 - Greysight break bumper

25:47 - Frank's Camping Shop - 2nd sponsor spot

--- Part 2 --

26:31 - Welcome back

26:50 - Dacara

37:06 - Two Year Break

47:01 - Exist Immortal

55:33 - Heather Gibb (Hevs) - Organiser

-- Outro --

1:03:11 - Wrap-up

1:04:09 - Goodbye

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In episode 82 of Festpod - the Unofficial Rock Festival Guide, with hosts Neill Wilkinson & Rich Holmes:

We discuss ‪Mediterranea Metal Cruise‬:

• The value for money compared to other fests
• Varied activities onboard
• Passengers were from varied backgrounds around the world.

with our sponsor:

Fat Frank's Camping Shop

https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

Video playlist: • Festpod - The Unofficial Rock Festival Guide

Please support us on Patreon! / festpod

https://festpod.co.uk

Timestamps ⏱:

0:00 - Pre Titles

0:15 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot

0:57 - Title sequence

01:18 - Welcome

02:21 - Life aboard

08:22 - Mixing with passengers

13:15 - Comparison to Download and Bloodstock

21:57 - A lot to offer

26:18 - Legion Of The Damned band

27:11 - Broken By The Scream band

-- Outro --

28:14 - Thank you

28:44 - Goodbye

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 81 of Festpod - the Unofficial Rock Festival Guide, with hosts Neill Wilkinson & Rich Holmes:

As heavy metal music fans, we've been going to rock festivals for a long time - but never outside of the UK, and certainly not on a cruise ship! That's exactly what Mediterranea Metal Cruise is! And we're talking LUXURY. Amazing food, beautiful views of Greece and incredible metal acts make a festival far beyond the ones we're used to in the fields and parks of the UK.

Join us aboard the Celestyal Discovery as we talk about our first impressions of cruise life and the Mediterranea Metal Cruise festival so far.

with our sponsor:

Fat Frank's Camping Shop

https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

Find all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1t

Please support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpod

If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod

All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

Timestamps ⏱:

0:00 - Pre Titles

0:16 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot

0:57 - Title sequence

01:18 - Welcome

01:59 - First Impressions

04:05 - The cabin

05:46 - Food onboard

06:21 - Fun on The Pool Deck

07:25 - Kuşadası excursion

09:21 - Turkish Carpets

12:37 - The bands

14:26 - The atmosphere

15:53 - Mykonos walking tour

17:10 - Stray dogs and cats

18:08 - Still to come

18:50 - Santorini drinking contest

20:19 - Everyone together

-- Outro --

21:37 - Thank you

22:13 - Goodbye

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In episode 80 of Festpod, hosts Neill Wilkinson, Rich Holmes, and Arran Prime discuss:

- Download Festival lineup teased and a commemorative coin is available.

- Bloodstock lineup additions.

- Live Nation is investigated over monopoly fears.

- Reading Rising creators are interviewed about this year's event.

with our sponsor:

Fat Frank's Camping Shop @fatfrankscamping1991

https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

Find all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1t

Please support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpod

If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod

All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 79 of Festpod, hosts Neill Wilkinson and Rich Holmes discuss:

- The branding and merchandise updates from Download Festival;

- Bloodstock announces that a 4th headliner will appear on Thursday night;

- Mediterranea Metal Cruise is sold out for this year - we take a deeper look at what to expect onboard.

with our sponsor:

Fat Frank's Camping Shop

https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

Find all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1t

Please support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpod

If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod

All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

Timestamps ⏱:

0:00 - Pre Titles

0:27 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot

01:08 - Title sequence

01:35 - Welcome

-- Festival News --

03:03 - Download Festival new branding - DLXXIII

04:04 - Download's new merch

08:24 - Download lineup expectations

12:52 - Bloodstock's lineup and 4th headliner?

18:56 - Mediterranea Metal Cruise

-- Ad Break --

27:00 - All Ears Avowbreak bumper

27:10 - Frank's Camping Shop - 2nd sponsor spot

-- Festpod's Download Stage Show --

28:02 - Explanation

30:07 - Steph starts the theme tune

35:29 - Q&A

52:53 - RIP vs General Camping

1:06:00 - Festival Hacks

1:28:09 - Time to end

1:28:57 - Our analysis

1:33:22 - Outro

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in Episode 78, Neill, Rich, and Arran take a walk around the main arena for a guided tour of Bloodstock Festival 2025, discovering what's on offer at the stages and stalls, and meeting many happy people along the way.

with Fat Frank's Camping Shop

https://fatfrankscampingshop.com

Find all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1t

Please support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpod

If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod

All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

Timestamps ⏱:

-- Part 1 --

00:00 - Titles

00:23 - Welcome to Serpent's Lair

02:29 - Rupert the Bear

04:20 - Man with belly shirt

05:39 - Ram Gallery

06:23 - Market stalls

07:00 - EMP Stage

09:39 - Sophie Stage

10:58 - Bradley the Barman

14:51 - Lobsters

17:28 - Battle Arena

18:36 - Pink Man

21:52 - Red Bull Gaming Sphere & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 & 4

24:42 - Camel Sheesha

25:13 - 'Axe Heads' Axe Throwing

26:02 - Old Sarum Tattoos

27:21 - Kitty de Vyne and Jam

-- Ad Break --

30:50 - @TheFiveHundred break bumper

31:01 - https://fatfrankscampingshop.com - sponsor spot

-- Part 2 --

32:09 - Firehound Forge Blacksmith

38:11 - Spud Man

39:36 - Gaming Arena

43:26 - Campsite Entrance with Stan head

44:40 - Man vs Food

45:54 - Spin the Wheel

46:21 - Peek inside the Sophie Tent at Eihwar

47:49 - Chodepod

48:36 - New Blood Stage

49:34 - Pizza Roma

51:25 - Seating area

51:46 - Merch stall

52:28 - Red Method

53:14 - 4-pint beer or cider in a plastic milk bottle at Lemmy's Bar

54:11 - Main Stage

54:22 - 2026 lineup announcement

01:00:21 - Outro

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