Bloodstock 2020 cancelled, but will return with extra day in 2021
Judas Priest will also headline once again
Bloodstock Open Air 2020 has understandably and unsurprisingly been cancelled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The UK’s heaviest rock festival was due to take place at Catton Park in Derbyshire from 6th to 9th August 2020, however Bloodstock organisers issued a lengthy statement earlier today (4th May) confirming that the event can’t go ahead.
However, there is some good news – Bloodstock will return with an extra day next year and takes place from Wednesday 11th to Sunday 15th August 2021.
Fans who want to roll their tickets over to 2021 can do so at no extra cost and, for those purchasing tickets, prices will be frozen until later this year. Refunds are also available.
Many of the artists on bill for this year have agreed to perform again in 2021, including headliners Devin Townsend and Judas Priest, who will bring Bloodstock to a rip-roaring close on the Sunday night.
Judas Priest’s Rob Halford has recorded the following video message:
There is also an updated trailer for the festival, which you can cast your eyes on here:
Bloodstock’s full statement reads:
Dear Bloodstockers,
Following the ongoing government guidance on mass gatherings and social distancing, we are extremely disappointed to announce that this year’s BLOODSTOCK will no longer be going ahead. We respect the government’s mandate and recognise it is made with the best intentions, in order to protect the health & safety of not only our audience, but our staff, crew, musicians, and other contractors who work on site at BLOODSTOCK. Safety remains of paramount importance to us.
We know you have been concerned about what the developing Covid-19 situation would mean for BLOODSTOCK and will be as disappointed as we are at this tough decision, but we hope you can appreciate it is the right choice to make at this time. We had been working tirelessly to ensure we could still offer the top quality BLOODSTOCK experience you trust us to provide, year on year - and this year more than ever, when we invited you to celebrate 20 Years of BLOODSTOCK with us. We do not - and never will - take this trust in us for granted.
We have been reading your comments on our social media, and many of you have said that in this circumstance, you would like the option to roll your 2020 ticket over to 2021’s event - and we can confirm that you are able do that. Rest assured that BLOODSTOCK will return with an almighty vengeance, better and stronger than ever, so to that end and to help assuage your disappointment, next year BLOODSTOCK will be adding an extra day!
The festival will be 5 days and start from Wednesday, as opposed to Thursday; the dates for 2021’s event will be 11th - 15th August. This will be at no extra cost to those who have already purchased weekend tickets for 2020 and wish to roll them over. We will also freeze prices at the ticket store until later this year, when prices will then increase by just £10 and a new, longer 6-month instalment plan will launch to make that option even easier to manage. The on-sale date for day tickets and any returns on previously sold out ticket categories, such as camper vans, will be announced in due course. We are happy to report that many artists on this year’s line-up have already reconfirmed for 2021 and we look forward to sharing further plans with you soon.
Should you prefer a refund, we also wish to state that full, face value refunds will be available to everyone who has already purchased a BLOODSTOCK 2020 ticket from official sellers and assure you of our best efforts to process those refunds within 28 days, where possible. We have a lot to sort out, so please bear with us - everyone who has purchased a ticket already from Seetickets will be emailed in the next 7-14 days.
While we understand the current financial climate is difficult for many, we sincerely hope you will decide to join us to celebrate BLOODSTOCK next year. As an independent, family run festival, we wish to extend our deepest appreciation for your continued and loyal support.
We know we are privileged to have such a strong BLOODSTOCK community, and as a united family of heavy metal fans, we WILL prevail.
Vicky, Adam, Rachael, Paul, and all at Team BLOODSTOCK.
The Bloodstock 2021 line-up: