The Wildhearts set for Bloodstock Open Air

The Wildhearts (Image credit: Tony Woolliscroft)

Bloodstock organisers have confirmed today that following Code Orange’s summer tour cancellation, The Wildhearts will take their place at next month’s festival.

Bloodstock will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire, UK, on August 8-11, with Sabaton, Scorpions and Parkway Drive headlining this year, while artists including Anthrax, Soulfly, Dimmu Borgir, Children Of Bodom, Tesseract, Dee Snider and Cradle Of Filth will also play.

The Wildhearts will play on the Ronnie James Dio main stage on the Saturday, with frontman Ginger saying: “I am over the fucking moon to be playing Bloodstock. I’ve been waiting for this for years. I always said that the first time I attended Bloodstock, I want to be on the bill. What a way to lose your cherry!”

Organizers also report that Shvpes have had to cancel their planned appearance. They’ll be replaced by Lotus Eater, while Pemphigoid, Black Falcon, Crimson Tusk and Jackal's Backbone have all been announced today.

Metal 2 The Masses has been another success this year, with the next batch of artists from the competition also announced.

Death By Ki, Gaia, Xero, Midnight Prophecy, Grief Ritual, Voltunas, Empire Warning, Voidlurker, Stormcast, Fractions and Leadrobot will all play on the New Blood Stage over the weekend.

Visit the Bloodstock website to find out more about this year’s festival.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.