Festpod - The Unofficial Rock Festival Guide

In episode 87 of Festpod: The Unofficial Rock Festival Guide, Neill, Rich, and Arran talk about this year's Download Festival - what's coming up, what's changed, and what we're looking forward to.Topics this episode:- Railway bans bins. We discuss East Midlands Railway's decision to ban festival-goers from bringing wheelie bins full of beer and camping gear onto their trains.- RIP Park Farm glass ban. We look into the Download rules, including the controversial ban on glass in the RIP Park Farm campsite. Can it be enforced?- Lineup Updates: We share the unfortunate news that Static X has cancelled their 2026 tour dates, including their Download appearance, due to serious medical issues. - The 2026 Map Reveal: We take a long look at the newly released festival map. We examine the massive expansion of the RIP areas and the brutally long walk facing families in the Mini Mosher and Quiet Camps. - Inside District X: We look at what's happening in District X, including the Ace of Spades tent, The Outpost, and the Arcade Bar. There are some changes and some new spots, too!- We review the stacked District X entertainment lineup, which features sets from Five, Electric Six, a DJ set from Creeper, Dick and Dom in the Doghouse, Token Grass, and Bongo's Bingo. - Are podcasts a good form of stage entertainment at music festivals? Would you rather see music or podcasts on stage at Download?- The Takeover Stage: A quick recap of the six unsigned bands kicking things off on Wednesday: 40,000 Leagues, Celavi, Pryma, DeadWax, Rxptrs, and Black Water County. - Our Top Band Picks: To wrap things up, we share our ultimate recommendations for the weekend. Hear why we are hyped to see Social Distortion, Scooter, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Bad Omens, Caskets, A Day to Remember, and more! with our sponsor, Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.comFind all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1tPlease support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpodIf you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://festpod.shopAll our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

The Download Community Takeover is your shot at playing the festival. It happens every year in District X, what used to be known as the Village, on the Doghouse stage. Bands submit videos of themselves playing and a panel whittles them down to six bands who will play on the first day of Download Festival.This episode reveals the final six bands. Trish and John, two members of the deciding panel, join us to discuss them and give us their thoughts on the band's music, journey so far and potential reaction by the Download crowd.with our sponsor, Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.comFind all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1tPlease support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpodIf you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://festpod.shopAll our links here: https://festpod.co.uk

Festpod heads to Bloodstock Open Air 2025! 🤘In this episode, we dive deep into the chaos, community, and unforgettable moments of one of the UK’s biggest heavy metal festivals. From wild crowd moments to exclusive interviews, this is your all-access pass to Bloodstock Festival.We meet the fans (aka the Bloodstockers), we watch a ridiculous dinosaur fancy dress mosh pit, and sit down with rising band Waterlines as they achieve their dream of playing the Sophie Lancaster Stage.Plus, we get real reactions to the Bloodstock 2026 lineup announcement and chat with Vicky Hungerford for insight into what makes this festival tick.If you love heavy metal, festivals, and behind-the-scenes access, you’re in the right place.Featuring: • Bloodstock Open Air Festival  @Bloodstockfestivals  • Waterlines  @wearewaterlines  • Sophie Lancaster Stage • Metal fans from across the UK⸻Subscribe to Festpod for more festival coverage, band interviews, and behind-the-scenes content from the UK rock & metal scene.with our sponsor:Fat Frank's Camping Shop @fatfrankscamping1991 https://fatfrankscampingshop.com⸻Follow Festpod:- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/festpod- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@festpod- Discord: https://discord.gg/tk82kzFYz3- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/festpod- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fest.pod- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@fest.pod- BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/festpod.bsky.social- EH!: https://ehnw.ca/u/festpod- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/festpodListen to Festpod: - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/festpod/id1527011266- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7uWSj37GU4OdyTmThqdmwcBuy Festpod Merch:- https://festpod.shopFestpod Website:- https://festpod.co.uk⸻

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.ukSponsor: 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

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.comFind 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/festpodIf you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/FestpodAll our links here: https://festpod.co.ukTimestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles0:31 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot01:10 - Title sequence01:31 - Welcome03:04 - All Ears Avow09:04 - Collapse The Sky17:21 - Change Persona-- Ad Break --25:37 - Greysight break bumper25:47 - Frank's Camping Shop - 2nd sponsor spot--- Part 2 --26:31 - Welcome back26:50 - Dacara37:06 - Two Year Break47:01 - Exist Immortal55:33 - Heather Gibb (Hevs) - Organiser-- Outro --1:03:11 - Wrap-up1:04:09 - Goodbye

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 festsVaried activities onboardPassengers were from varied backgrounds around the world.with our sponsor:Fat Frank's Camping Shophttps://fatfrankscampingshop.comVideo playlist:    • Festpod - The Unofficial Rock Festival Guide   Please support us on Patreon!   / festpod  https://festpod.co.ukTimestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles0:15 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot0:57 - Title sequence01:18 - Welcome02:21 - Life aboard08:22 - Mixing with passengers13:15 - Comparison to Download and Bloodstock 21:57 - A lot to offer26:18 - Legion Of The Damned band27:11 - Broken By The Scream band-- Outro --28:14 - Thank you28:44 - Goodbye

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 Shophttps://fatfrankscampingshop.comFind 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/festpodIf you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/FestpodAll our links here: https://festpod.co.ukTimestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles0:16 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot0:57 - Title sequence01:18 - Welcome01:59 - First Impressions04:05 - The cabin05:46 - Food onboard06:21 - Fun on The Pool Deck07:25 - Kuşadası excursion 09:21 - Turkish Carpets12:37 - The bands14:26 - The atmosphere15:53 - Mykonos walking tour17:10 - Stray dogs and cats18:08 - Still to come18:50 - Santorini drinking contest20:19 - Everyone together-- Outro --21:37 - Thank you22:13 - Goodbye

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 https://fatfrankscampingshop.comFind all our video podcast episodes in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlfyhNTZm6HBHjHm4kSORo_HykWXf0KGu&si=_5FbNi1-Rfe0sU1tPlease support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/festpodIf you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/FestpodAll our links here: https://festpod.co.ukTimestamps ⏱:0:00 - Pre Titles0:28 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot01:09 - Title sequence01:35 - Welcome-- Festival News --03:53 - Download lineup tease07:18 - Download Collector's Coin09:33 - Download 2026 teaser video11:05 - 5ive to headline13:55 - Should Live Nation be broken up?39:58 - Bloodstock adds 27 bands to lineup45:46 - Bloodstock '26 site additions49:08 - Camping at Bloodstock56:12 - Slaughter To Prevail controversy is their own fault1:10:24 - Sheffield Independent Venues Alliance1:13:46 - Takedown Festival lineup1:19:59 - Birmingham to change airport name to Ozzy?1:22:50 - Heavy Music Awards winners-- Ad Break --1:26:58 -  @godethband  break bumper1:27:14 -  @fatfrankscamping1991  Frank's Camping Shop - 2nd sponsor spot--- Part 2 --1:28:05 - Reading Rising Interview-- Gig Guide --1:43:56 - Bloodstock Winter Gathering1:45:00 - Reading Rising1:46:05 - Mediterranea Metal Cruise-- Festpod Favourites --1:52:43 - https://metalforgood.org1:54:37 - https://www.bowlingforsoup.com1:57:12 - Pop-up stool https://www.fatfrankscampingshop.com/product/summit-pop-up-stool-with-carry-handle/-- Outro --1:59:57 - Host plugs2:04:49 - Goodbye