PHOTOS: Scorpions, K.K. Downing, Dee Snider and more rock Bloodstock Open Air 2019

Their only UK show of the year - and first gig on these shores since they headlined Stone Free Festival in June 2018 - the German hard rock icons treated the Catton Park faithful to an epic set that opened with 2015 track ‘Going Out with a Bang’ and culminated with their timeless classic ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’. 

Other gems in the setlist included a poignant ‘Winds of Change’, ‘Blackout’, ‘Still Loving You’ and a cover of Motörhead’s ‘Overkill’, which has become a staple of Scorpions live shows since they recruited Mikkey Dee to their ranks. 

Also among the acts performing on the Ronnie James Dio Stage yesterday were Dee Snider, Anthrax, Queensrÿche and ex-Manowar axeman Ross The Boss who was joined by former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing. 

In his first live show in a decade, Downing played guitar on the Judas Priest classics ‘Heading Out On The Highway’, ‘Breaking The Law’ and ‘Running Wild’, plus their version of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Green Manalishi’.

Downing told The Unchained Rock Show afterwards: "It was a bit of a whirlwind. I was saying to the other guys there, I don't know whether I dropped from a helicopter as a bungee jumper, once I landed after 20 seconds and realized where I was, I was good after that point."

Check out photo highlights from Bloodstock Open Air 2019 right here (all photos © Katja Ogrin/Redferns, unless stated): 

Bloodstock Open Air will return to Catton Park in Derbyshire on the weekend of 6th to 9th August 2020. 

Celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, Skindred, Vio-lence, Sacred Reich, Black Dahlia Murder, Dark Tranquility and Butcher Babies have already been confirmed on the bill. Early bird tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets right now. 

Scorpions' setlist at Bloodstock Open Air 2019 was as follows: 

Going Out With a Bang
Make It Real
Is There Anybody There?
The Zoo
Coast to Coast
Top of the Bill / Steamrock Fever / Speedy's Coming / Catch Your Train
We Built This House
Delicate Dance
Send Me an Angel
Wind of Change
Bad Boys Running Wild / I'm Leaving You / Tease Me Please Me
Blackout
Big City Nights

Still Loving You
Rock You Like a Hurricane