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In photos: Bin jousting, happiness and wholesome humour at Bloodstock 2025

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Long-haired person in black metal band shirt making aggressive gesture with raised hands amidst crowd at outdoor concert, sunset sky.

Derbyshire doom — At first glance, the UK’s heaviest metal festival may not seem like a particularly warm affair. But metalheads are some of the nicest music fans in the country, and Chris Bethell was there to capture the fun and funnies of the weekend.

With its ever-present references to Satanism and the occult, spiky fashion and violent mosh pits, heavy metal fans aren’t typically imagined as a light-hearted bunch. Yet enter into any gig or festival where the music is characterised by double kicks and breakneck distortion, and you’ll find wholesome interactions, warm embraces, and metalheads unafraid to let out a belly laugh.

Imagine then, that energy ramped up to 11 at Bloodstock – the UK’s biggest independent metal festival, and generally considered to be its heaviest. Set in Derbyshire’s Catton Park, the festival welcomes 20,000 diehard fans each year for a celebration that feels as close to the authentic spirit of the genre as any get together in the country each year.

The most recent edition, which took place between August 7 – 10, was Bloodstock’s 25th anniversary, and it was a blue-skied affair – headlined by Machine Head, Gojira and Trivium. The undercard included bands named Dead Flesh, Bad Smell, Nailbomb and Mantis Defeats Jaguar.

Person in gas mask and red jacket crouched behind bearded man with long hair making peace sign, surrounded by people in sunglasses outdoors.
Group of people holding orange puppet heads with googly eyes and black moustaches at outdoor event, cloudy sky background.

But among the raging guitars and aggressive boot stomping, was a warm, collective energy that defied stereotypes, as well as a heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and his impact on the genre. Photographer Chris Bethell was there to capture all of the smiles, slogans and spirit of the weekend.

Two men wearing knitted balaclavas with colourful patterns and text embroidery, standing in crowd at outdoor event during sunset.
Person in pink fairy costume with wings, gold head chain, and red lipstick at outdoor festival with blue tents and crowd in background.
Two bearded men holding plastic cups of orange beer at outdoor event with crowd and blue-orange sunset sky in background.
Long-haired bearded man in sunglasses and patch-covered vest eating pizza slice from box at outdoor festival with crowd behind him.
Bearded man in cap getting tattoo from artist beside grey trailer, camping chairs and colourful bags on grass ground.
Man in black cap and sunglasses eating sandwich whilst making peace sign gesture, with woman and car visible in background
Man in black beanie and patch-covered vest holding pint and food at outdoor festival, with decorative skull visible in background.
Man with long hair and beanie sits on ground wearing dark top, with stacked metal kegs behind wire fencing in background.
Group of seven people in sunglasses and festival attire posing together at outdoor event with bright yellow sky and crowd in background.
Bearded man wearing burgundy baseball cap and sunglasses with pink and white striped party horn in mouth covered in gold glitter.
Black man with long dreadlocks and beard wearing black leather waistcoat at outdoor event with crowd in background.
Shirtless bearded man with sunglasses making peace signs at outdoor festival, crowd and tents visible in background at sunset.
Tattooed man in military gear and helmet crouches at outdoor festival, holding blue drink can, with crowd and stalls behind
Two women sitting on dusty ground at outdoor festival, one in fishnet tights and sunglasses, other in bright pink headscarf, crowd in background.
People gathering at concrete memorial wall with John "Ozzy" Osbourne 1948-2025 tribute banner, person filming with mobile phone.
Person in white mask and dark blue boilersuit stands beside decorated cart at outdoor event with white marquee and crowd seated on grass.
Shirtless man with blonde hair and face paint screaming whilst surrounded by crowd at outdoor event.
Two people making peace signs at outdoor event during golden hour sunset, man with long grey beard wearing sunglasses and cap.
Three people in alternative fashion at outdoor food stall. Two women pose together wearing colourful patch jackets and dark makeup.
Bearded man in sunglasses wearing Nicolas Cage t-shirt holds coffee cup at outdoor festival with tents and crowds in background.
Man in grey wizard costume with pointed hat and green garland amongst crowd at outdoor event with stalls and cloudy sky.
Two women with long dark hair wearing matching colourful patchwork jackets with comic-style graphics, posing together indoors.
Woman in black leather outfit with sunglasses and curly hair at outdoor festival, tent and crowd in background.
Three people in costume at outdoor event - person in blonde turban and purple glasses, bearded man in blue t-shirt, woman with blue hair.
Bearded man in black hat holding microphone at outdoor gathering, crowd visible in background, sunset lighting.
Shirtless man with dark tribal-style face paint and body markings, grinning widely with arms raised against light background.
Shirtless male pole vaulter mid-jump against grey sky, holding black pole, wearing dark shorts and spikes.
Bearded man with black and white face paint featuring cross and teardrop designs, wearing band t-shirt, making hand gesture outdoors.
Two women standing outdoors holding skateboards, wearing casual clothing and sunglasses, with trees and people in background.
Man with long curly dark hair and beard smiling, wearing denim jacket covered in metal band patches against blue sky.
Person wearing torn white paper bag over head with "Myles was here" handwritten in black text, standing against wire fence.
Crowd of people at outdoor music festival with blue peaked tents, food stalls, and banners in background under cloudy sky.
Two people in medieval costume engaged in combat reenactment, one holding shield and axe, other in chainmail with sword, crowd watching.
Bearded man in cowboy hat and patch-covered denim vest making rock horns gesture at outdoor festival with blue tent and crowd.
Woman in white dress holds bright pink furry monster toy with sharp teeth at outdoor festival with other attendees in black clothing.
Person in brown cowboy hat and pink t-shirt with humorous text about tofu and homophobia at outdoor music festival crowd.
Woman in hooded coat covered with band patches stands amongst crowd at outdoor music festival with blue signage visible.
Person in yellow outfit crowd-surfing over festival audience with hands reaching up, stage and metal barriers visible in background.
Bearded man in glasses, cap, and red plaid shirt at outdoor festival with stage tents and crowd in background.
Person in black hooded costume with metallic mask and quilted armour at outdoor event, surrounded by crowd reaching towards them.

2025 also saw the return of a long-standing Bloodstock tradition – bin jousting. The sporting spectacle, which began several years ago as an impromptu game in the campsite, sees two competitors mount wheelie bins, which are then rushed towards each other, as each player attempts to knock their opponent off. Whoever remains on top the bin at the end, is the winner.

Of course, the violent impact makes for a dangerous game, and each year rumours fly around the site of snapped legs, wrists and even concussion. Bloodstock have previously attempted to ban the sport, but with the diehards refusing to be swayed, the festival now hosts bin jousting as an official activity in the Midgard area, with crash mats, helmets, safety marshals and of course, waivers. Still raucous, but safer, Chris caught the action up close.

Two wrestlers grappling on blue mats whilst spectators watch. Orange and red signage with flames visible in background.
Person in white towel costume with "TOOL" text being lifted by crowd at night-time outdoor event with police officer present.
Man in decorated black leather outfit with hat stands whilst another kneels, holding what appears to be a tool or implement at nighttime event.
Two wrestlers grappling on black table with flame graphics and "Fat Frank's Camping Shop" text, crowd watching in dark venue.
Man with long grey beard wearing decorated steampunk-style jacket with patches, goggles on top hat, raising one arm at night event.
Man in grey shirt and cap stands on table branded "Fat Frank's Camping Shop" with flame design, holding large pan over seated audience.
Military personnel in green vest adjusting black helmet strap with assistance from colleague in camouflage uniform.
Person in denim jacket and spiked accessories lies on ground at outdoor event with crowd and barrier visible in background.
Wrestler in dark clothing performs move on opponent lying on black table, surrounded by crowd in dimly lit venue.
Group of men gathered around table at night, one in orange jumpsuit being restrained, others in casual clothing watching.
Man in hat standing behind "Bloodstock" barbecue grill with flame graphics, surrounded by three people in dark clothing at nighttime event.
Bearded man removing black helmet, wearing dark clothing with tattooed arms and red wristbands in dimly lit setting.
Man in bright yellow tracksuit and beanie leaning over table whilst four bearded men in dark clothing watch from behind.
Police officers restraining a person on the ground during an arrest, with onlookers nearby on grass surface at night.
Person with tattooed legs in grey leggings and plaid flannel shirt performing headstand on yellow platform with flame design.
Two wrestlers grappling over wrestling ring ropes. One wears red shirt and black shorts, other in purple with beard and glasses. "BLOODSTOCK" visible on ring apron.
Wrestler in mask and camouflage gear attacking opponent through flaming table at indoor wrestling event with crowd watching.
Wrestling match on black table with flame graphics; wrestlers in red and blue shirts grappling whilst crowd watches in background.
Three people in fancy dress costumes: yellow banana suit, orange bucket hat with dark clothing, and naval uniform with cap and gas mask.
Man leaping horizontally over black and yellow camping shop stall at night outdoor event with crowd watching in background.
Demolished car covered in stickers and graffiti surrounded by crowd at nighttime event, with bright light illuminating dark scene.
Person in camouflage clothing being flipped backwards over black trailer with "Fat Frank's Camping Shop" text and flame graphics at night event.
Wrestling performer in orange shirt stands on decorated table with flame designs and "BLOODSTOCK" text whilst another wrestler lies below.
Wrestler being thrown backwards over black barrier with orange flame graphics and "Fat Frank Camping" text, crowd watching in background.
Two wrestlers grappling on stage at night event, one in yellow costume, one in dark clothing, crowd visible in background.
Group of people at outdoor night event, woman in centre wearing black outfit with arms raised, men in band t-shirts around her.
Two people on stage floor, one in patch-covered vest over another in blue patterned shorts, with scattered purple objects nearby.
Bearded man in tactical gear and shorts giving middle fingers whilst kneeling on stage at night concert, crowd visible behind.
Wrestling match in dimly lit venue with flame-decorated tables, competitors grappling whilst others watch from decorated ringside area.
Man in dark clothing sits atop decorated vehicle with orange flame designs and "BLOODSTOCK" text against black night background.
Group of people in camouflage clothing gathered around orange and black decorated camping equipment carts at night outdoors.
Person lying horizontally across orange and blue decorated table surface in dark venue with crowd visible in background.
Wrestlers performing at night event with decorated trolley featuring flames and "Bloodstock" text, crowd watching behind barriers.
Man performing handstand on black wrestling ring with orange flame graphics, crowd watching in background.
Two performers embracing on stage in dark clothing and face coverings, with audience seated behind chain-link fencing in background.
Two wrestlers grappling on a black table with flame graphics and "Campfire Shop" text, surrounded by crowd at night event.
Person with black hair and red streaks drinking from purple carton, wearing patterned top and dark jacket, surrounded by others.
Person in dark clothing with patterned back design performing at night event, crowd watching behind barriers, colourful lights visible.
Two wrestlers grappling on blue mat, one upside down with legs raised. Crowd watches from behind barriers in dimly lit venue.
Four bearded men in steampunk costumes with goggles, patches, and accessories standing together at night event.
Wrestling match with performer diving from flaming table setup onto opponent, crowd watching from tiered seating under lights.
Shirtless wrestler stands on table with "Bloodstock" logo and flame design whilst crowd watches in dark venue
Shirtless wrestler with arms raised in victory pose, wearing black vest and shorts, standing in wrestling ring with crowd in background.
Masked wrestler in black vest stands on table with flame decorations whilst referee counts, crowd and other wrestlers visible in background.
Two wrestlers grappling on blue mats whilst spectators watch. Orange and red signage with flames visible in background.
Person in white towel costume with "TOOL" text being lifted by crowd at night-time outdoor event with police officer present.
Man in decorated black leather outfit with hat stands whilst another kneels, holding what appears to be a tool or implement at nighttime event.
Two wrestlers grappling on black table with flame graphics and "Fat Frank's Camping Shop" text, crowd watching in dark venue.
Man with long grey beard wearing decorated steampunk-style jacket with patches, goggles on top hat, raising one arm at night event.
Man in grey shirt and cap stands on table branded "Fat Frank's Camping Shop" with flame design, holding large pan over seated audience.
Military personnel in green vest adjusting black helmet strap with assistance from colleague in camouflage uniform.
Person in denim jacket and spiked accessories lies on ground at outdoor event with crowd and barrier visible in background.
Wrestler in dark clothing performs move on opponent lying on black table, surrounded by crowd in dimly lit venue.
Group of men gathered around table at night, one in orange jumpsuit being restrained, others in casual clothing watching.
Man in hat standing behind "Bloodstock" barbecue grill with flame graphics, surrounded by three people in dark clothing at nighttime event.
Bearded man removing black helmet, wearing dark clothing with tattooed arms and red wristbands in dimly lit setting.
Man in bright yellow tracksuit and beanie leaning over table whilst four bearded men in dark clothing watch from behind.
Police officers restraining a person on the ground during an arrest, with onlookers nearby on grass surface at night.
Person with tattooed legs in grey leggings and plaid flannel shirt performing headstand on yellow platform with flame design.
Two wrestlers grappling over wrestling ring ropes. One wears red shirt and black shorts, other in purple with beard and glasses. "BLOODSTOCK" visible on ring apron.
Wrestler in mask and camouflage gear attacking opponent through flaming table at indoor wrestling event with crowd watching.
Wrestling match on black table with flame graphics; wrestlers in red and blue shirts grappling whilst crowd watches in background.
Three people in fancy dress costumes: yellow banana suit, orange bucket hat with dark clothing, and naval uniform with cap and gas mask.
Man leaping horizontally over black and yellow camping shop stall at night outdoor event with crowd watching in background.
Demolished car covered in stickers and graffiti surrounded by crowd at nighttime event, with bright light illuminating dark scene.
Person in camouflage clothing being flipped backwards over black trailer with "Fat Frank's Camping Shop" text and flame graphics at night event.
Wrestling performer in orange shirt stands on decorated table with flame designs and "BLOODSTOCK" text whilst another wrestler lies below.
Wrestler being thrown backwards over black barrier with orange flame graphics and "Fat Frank Camping" text, crowd watching in background.
Two wrestlers grappling on stage at night event, one in yellow costume, one in dark clothing, crowd visible in background.
Group of people at outdoor night event, woman in centre wearing black outfit with arms raised, men in band t-shirts around her.
Two people on stage floor, one in patch-covered vest over another in blue patterned shorts, with scattered purple objects nearby.
Bearded man in tactical gear and shorts giving middle fingers whilst kneeling on stage at night concert, crowd visible behind.
Wrestling match in dimly lit venue with flame-decorated tables, competitors grappling whilst others watch from decorated ringside area.
Man in dark clothing sits atop decorated vehicle with orange flame designs and "BLOODSTOCK" text against black night background.
Group of people in camouflage clothing gathered around orange and black decorated camping equipment carts at night outdoors.
Person lying horizontally across orange and blue decorated table surface in dark venue with crowd visible in background.
Wrestlers performing at night event with decorated trolley featuring flames and "Bloodstock" text, crowd watching behind barriers.
Man performing handstand on black wrestling ring with orange flame graphics, crowd watching in background.
Two performers embracing on stage in dark clothing and face coverings, with audience seated behind chain-link fencing in background.
Two wrestlers grappling on a black table with flame graphics and "Campfire Shop" text, surrounded by crowd at night event.
Person with black hair and red streaks drinking from purple carton, wearing patterned top and dark jacket, surrounded by others.
Person in dark clothing with patterned back design performing at night event, crowd watching behind barriers, colourful lights visible.
Two wrestlers grappling on blue mat, one upside down with legs raised. Crowd watches from behind barriers in dimly lit venue.
Four bearded men in steampunk costumes with goggles, patches, and accessories standing together at night event.
Wrestling match with performer diving from flaming table setup onto opponent, crowd watching from tiered seating under lights.
Shirtless wrestler stands on table with "Bloodstock" logo and flame design whilst crowd watches in dark venue
Shirtless wrestler with arms raised in victory pose, wearing black vest and shorts, standing in wrestling ring with crowd in background.
Masked wrestler in black vest stands on table with flame decorations whilst referee counts, crowd and other wrestlers visible in background.

The next edition of Bloodstock Festival takes place at Catton Park, Derbyshire between August 6 – 9, 2026. 

Chris Bethell is a freelance photographer and journalist. Follow him on Instagram.

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