Reign at Bloodstock! What happened when Lamb Of God headlined Friday of BOA 2026

Bloodstock's silver anniversary has already got off to a very good start by the time Lamb Of God hit the stage. Last night, Saxon – headliners of the very first edition when it was still an indoor affair in Derby city centre - got the party started in gloriously thundering style, while the first day proper has seen record-breaking numbers of crowdsurfers on inflatables (courtesy of Party Cannon), a truly ludicrous circle pit (Municipal Waste), a huge announcement for next year, and a surprisingly emotional farewell to Sepultura.

When the Richmond ragers arrive, they do so in a combustible mix of caustic fury and wild celebration. "I'm pleased to report that I remembered my laminate this year," grins Randy Blythe, recalling the viral oops moment from last time they were here. The added sense of occasion only makes things more deadly when they roll out Parasocial Christ and an absolutely steamrolling Walk With Me In Hell.

As a finely-tuned wrecking machine, these days Lamb Of God could do the business with their eyes closed and their brains in bed. But when they're as clearly up for it as this, their power increases by megatons. Art Cruz looks like he's having a whale of a time behind his kit, while Randy can't stop grinning his head off. Apart from when he's screaming, when his stare could bore a hole in concrete. Out in the crowd, it's mania in a stupidly big pit, while at the back by the vegan fried chicken stand, one lad uses the moment to get down on one knee and pop the question. Rumours of romance's death, it seems, have been greatly exaggerated.

He takes a minute to shout out the festival, as well as late-Killing Joke guitarist Geordie Walker, with whom LOG played last time they were here in 2022. It's just one example of what makes Bloodstock what it is, the bringing together of fans and bands, and fans in bands.

As Redneck brings things to a predictably chaotic close, you just wish there was more. But the night, and the weekend, are still young. And as a salute to this killer festival, it's an absolute riot.

Read this next:

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• Randy Blythe: “In an ideal world, I’d have made millions, retired to a hilltop mansion and be surrounded by models by now”