From rising underground chaos to the next wave of heavy hitters, this year’s festival is doubling down on fresh talent across two of its most forward-thinking stages.

Words & photo by Felix Bartlett | April 15, 2026

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Bloodstock has unveiled the stacked line-ups for its New Blood and newly revamped EMP stages at this summer’s festival, once again shining a spotlight on the future of heavy music.

The New Blood Stage will host a fierce mix of emerging acts including Void Below, Temples On Mars, Negative Frame, Concrete Age, Thrasherwolf, Imperial Demonic, Chained Saint, Imbrium and Overpower, alongside winners from this year’s Metal 2 The Masses heats across the UK.

Meanwhile, the upgraded EMP Stage is set to showcase an eclectic wave of new noise, with performances from Untamed Silence, Change Persona, After Smoke Clears, Soulride, Vanitas, Goat Major, Cancel The Transmission, Tempest Saint, Trollmother, Dosed, Stitched, WREX, Following The Signs, The Cartoon Cartel and Aethoria.

They’ll be joining an already massive bill featuring Lamb Of God, Judas Priest, Bleed From Within, Body Count, Northlane, Fit For An Autopsy, Graphic Nature and more, taking over Catton Park, Derbyshire from August 6–9.

Here’s where you can go and check out the best of the new breed, who have the chance of playing a 30-minute slot at Bloodstock.

APRIL

19 – LARNACA Savino Live, Larnaca

MAY

08 – BELFEST Voodoo
23 – LEEDS The Belgrave
23 – EDINBURGH La Belle Angele
23 – SHEFFIELD Corporation
29 – BOURNEMOUTH Bear Cave
30 – NORTHAMPTON The Black Prince

JUNE

06 -MANCHESTER Rebellion
06 – NORWICH Brickmakers
06 – BIRMINGHAM The Flapper
13 – SANDNES The Tribute
20 – WREXHAM XS @ Penny Black
20 – NEWPORT Corn Exchange
20 – HITCHIN Club 85
20 – BRIDGWATER Cobblestones
20 – NEWCASTLE Trillians
20 – GRAVESEND Leo’s Red Lion
26 – GUERNSEY The Pit @ St James
26 – CHELTENHAM Frog and Fiddle
27 – NOTTINGHAM Saltbox
27 – BURNLEY Sanctuary
27 – COVENTRY The Arches

JULY

04 – LIVERPOOL Box Park & Arc:Hive
04 – LONDON The Dome
04 – DALTONS Daltons
04 – SALTASH Livewire
05 – NUNEATON The Queens Hall
11 – OXFORD The Jericho Tavern
11 -STOKE The Underground
12 – BRISTOL The Exchange