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A bit more space, a shower and a proper toilet. At a festival, those things can start sounding dangerously appealing. For Festpod episode 91, Neill, Arran and Rob catch up in the guest area on day two of Download Festival 2026. We talk about the appeal of R.I.P. and guest camping, whether we’d pay extra, and why a little taste of comfort can make ordinary camping harder to return to. There’s also a quick look back at Friday’s music, some festival fashion and a familiar problem - trying to enjoy everything on very little sleep. In this episode: Guest-area space, familiar faces and whether we’d pay for the experience.Campervan treats, showers, proper toilets and camping preferences.Friday reactions to vianova, Pendulum and Electric Callboy.Getting around a busy arena.Arran Core, festival food prices and the lack of sleep.A quick hello from Bailey of Within Reach.Catching up with mates and the community that keeps us coming back.Spotting Sam Carter from Architects nearby, plus discussion of a reported last-minute stage change for As Everything Unfolds. And yes, the wind gets involved too. Whether you were there or couldn’t make it, pull up a chair and join us for a catch-up from the field. MORE FESTPOD https://www.festpod.uk WATCH OR LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES https://www.festpod.uk/podcast SUPPORTED BY FAT FRANK’S CAMPING SHOP https://www.fatfrankscampingshop.com Recorded at Download Festival 2026. Contains strong language. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Missing Download already? Come back to the field with us - no tent to put up this time. For Festpod episode 90, Neill Wilkinson, Arran Prime and Rob Hemingway catch up with Paleface Swiss, Return To Dust, Self Deception, Rockin’1000 founder Fabio Zaffagnini and the RockFit crew at Download Festival 2026. There are reactions to a first-UK-show, album ideas born on tour, a plan involving 500 musicians and a Green Power Ranger determined to find the Electric Callboy pit. Because the bands are only part of what makes Download, well, Download. - Paleface Swiss join us before their set to talk festival crowds, playing the UK and making the most of that first-day energy. - Return To Dust have just played their first UK show. We get into hearing their lyrics sung back thousands of miles from home, touring with YUNGBLUD and a van that really didn’t want to get up the hill at Red Rocks. - Self Deception talk turning tour-life ideas into One of Us, letting go of perfection and packing everything into their shortest set yet. They’ve also got their sights on a bigger Download stage. - Fabio explains how wanting Foo Fighters to play his hometown became Rockin’1000 - and what it takes to get hundreds of musicians playing together. - RockFit’s crew talk finding your people, making classes welcoming and why you don’t need to arrive as a fitness fanatic to get involved. Plus crowd chats, a tiny duck and the mosh pit mime. An interesting person for a podcast, that. Subscribe for more rock festivals, live music and the people who make them happen. MORE FESTPOD https://www.festpod.uk WATCH OR LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES https://www.festpod.uk/podcast SUPPORTED BY FAT FRANK’S CAMPING SHOP https://www.fatfrankscampingshop.com Recorded at Download Festival 2026. Tour, release and event plans discussed reflect the time of recording. Contains strong language. #DownloadFestival #Download2026 #Festpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every band dreams of playing Download Festival. For six unsigned bands, that dream became reality at The Takeover 2026. In this special episode, FestPod follows the emotional journey of six bands as they step off the Download stage and reflect on achieving a lifelong ambition. Hear from 40,000 Leagues, CELAVI, Pryma, DeadWax, RXPTRS and Black Water County just moments after their performances, as they share the adrenaline, relief and excitement of playing one of the world's biggest rock festivals. Joining Neil Wilkinson are Arran Prime (Crushed By Waves) and Rob Hemingway (Veiled), two musicians who once stood on the very same stage themselves. Together, they reflect on what The Takeover means for emerging artists and why it's become one of the most important opportunities for new rock and metal bands. More than a collection of interviews, this is a celebration of the next generation of rock and metal - and the dreams that keep bands going through years of rehearsals, tiny gigs and hard work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Right then! Welcome back to Festpod, the Unofficial Rock Festival Guide. For Episode 88, we are getting stuck into one of the absolute best weekends on the entire music calendar - Radar Festival! We’re looking back at all the brilliant madness from the 2025 edition and looking forward to what’s coming up for 2026. Neill Wilkinson is joined by the amazing Arran Prime from the band Crushed By Waves to chat about why this indoor Manchester gem at the O2 Victoria Warehouse is so enjoyable. Think about it: no trudging through ankle deep mud, no freezing in a tent, and hotels literally all over the place. It genuinely feels like a giant VIP guest area all weekend. We’re breaking down the sets from heavy hitters and incredible acts like Carpenter Brut, Zeal & Ardor, As Everything Unfolds, Future Palace, Lake Malice, and Pint Glass (yep, the lads in the high vis jackets with the traffic cones). Plus, we talk about the upstairs gear market, delectable pastries, the legendary Mosh Pit Mime drinking game, and a bit of weirdo science about why circle pits only spin anti clockwise. Whether you’re watching along on YouTube to see the footage or listening on the move, come and join the chat! Check out the Festpod links: Support us on Patreon (and grab the behind-the-scenes Debrief episode!): https://festpod.co.ukGet your Festpod Merch (Don't be a mug, get a bloody mug!): https://festpod.shopOur Official Sponsor: Shout out to Fat Frank’s Camping Shop! Order your festival essentials at https://fatfrankscampingshop.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://festpod.shop All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://festpod.shop All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/festpod Listen to Festpod: - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/festpod/id1527011266 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7uWSj37GU4OdyTmThqdmwc Buy Festpod Merch: - https://festpod.shop Festpod Website: - https://festpod.co.uk ⸻ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected] Sponsor: 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Timestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles 0:31 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot 01:10 - Title sequence 01:31 - Welcome 03:04 - All Ears Avow 09:04 - Collapse The Sky 17:21 - Change Persona -- Ad Break -- 25:37 - Greysight break bumper 25:47 - Frank's Camping Shop - 2nd sponsor spot --- Part 2 -- 26:31 - Welcome back 26:50 - Dacara 37:06 - Two Year Break 47:01 - Exist Immortal 55:33 - Heather Gibb (Hevs) - Organiser -- Outro -- 1:03:11 - Wrap-up 1:04:09 - Goodbye Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 82 of Festpod - the Unofficial Rock Festival Guide, with hosts Neill Wilkinson & Rich Holmes: We discuss ‪Mediterranea Metal Cruise‬. It's a metal holiday! The value for money compared to other festsVaried activities onboardPassengers were from varied backgrounds around the world. with our sponsor: Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.com Video playlist:    • Festpod - The Unofficial Rock Festival Guide   Please support us on Patreon!   / festpod   https://festpod.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Timestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles 0:16 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot 0:57 - Title sequence 01:18 - Welcome 01:59 - First Impressions 04:05 - The cabin 05:46 - Food onboard 06:21 - Fun on The Pool Deck 07:25 - Kuşadası excursion 09:21 - Turkish Carpets 12:37 - The bands 14:26 - The atmosphere 15:53 - Mykonos walking tour 17:10 - Stray dogs and cats 18:08 - Still to come 18:50 - Santorini drinking contest 20:19 - Everyone together -- Outro -- 21:37 - Thank you 22:13 - Goodbye Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Timestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles 0:28 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot 01:09 - Title sequence 01:35 - Welcome -- Festival News -- 03:53 - Download lineup tease 07:18 - Download Collector's Coin 09:33 - Download 2026 teaser video 11:05 - 5ive to headline 13:55 - Should Live Nation be broken up? 39:58 - Bloodstock adds 27 bands to lineup 45:46 - Bloodstock '26 site additions 49:08 - Camping at Bloodstock 56:12 - Slaughter To Prevail controversy is their own fault 1:10:24 - Sheffield Independent Venues Alliance 1:13:46 - Takedown Festival lineup 1:19:59 - Birmingham to change airport name to Ozzy? 1:22:50 - Heavy Music Awards winners -- Ad Break -- 1:26:58 -  @godethband  break bumper 1:27:14 -  @fatfrankscamping1991  Frank's Camping Shop - 2nd sponsor spot --- Part 2 -- 1:28:05 - Reading Rising Interview -- Gig Guide -- 1:43:56 - Bloodstock Winter Gathering 1:45:00 - Reading Rising 1:46:05 - Mediterranea Metal Cruise -- Festpod Favourites -- 1:52:43 - https://metalforgood.org 1:54:37 - https://www.bowlingforsoup.com 1:57:12 - Pop-up stool https://www.fatfrankscampingshop.com/product/summit-pop-up-stool-with-carry-handle/ -- Outro -- 1:59:57 - Host plugs 2:04:49 - Goodbye Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 79 of Festpod, hosts Neill Wilkinson and Rich Holmes discuss: - The branding and merchandise updates from Download Festival; - Bloodstock announces that a 4th headliner will appear on Thursday night; - Mediterranea Metal Cruise is sold out for this year - we take a deeper look at what to expect onboard. with our sponsor: Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Timestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles 0:27 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot 01:08 - Title sequence 01:35 - Welcome -- Festival News -- 03:03 - Download Festival new branding - DLXXIII 04:04 - Download's new merch 08:24 - Download lineup expectations 12:52 - Bloodstock's lineup and 4th headliner? 18:56 - Mediterranea Metal Cruise -- Ad Break -- 27:00 - All Ears Avowbreak bumper 27:10 - Frank's Camping Shop - 2nd sponsor spot -- Festpod's Download Stage Show -- 28:02 - Explanation 30:07 - Steph starts the theme tune 35:29 - Q&A 52:53 - RIP vs General Camping 1:06:00 - Festival Hacks 1:28:09 - Time to end 1:28:57 - Our analysis 1:33:22 - Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

in Episode 78, Neill, Rich, and Arran take a walk around the main arena for a guided tour of Bloodstock Festival 2025, discovering what's on offer at the stages and stalls, and meeting many happy people along the way. with Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Timestamps ⏱: -- Part 1 -- 00:00 - Titles 00:23 - Welcome to Serpent's Lair 02:29 - Rupert the Bear 04:20 - Man with belly shirt 05:39 - Ram Gallery 06:23 - Market stalls 07:00 - EMP Stage 09:39 - Sophie Stage 10:58 - Bradley the Barman 14:51 - Lobsters 17:28 - Battle Arena 18:36 - Pink Man 21:52 - Red Bull Gaming Sphere & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 & 4 24:42 - Camel Sheesha 25:13 - 'Axe Heads' Axe Throwing 26:02 - Old Sarum Tattoos 27:21 - Kitty de Vyne and Jam -- Ad Break -- 30:50 -  @TheFiveHundred  break bumper 31:01 - https://fatfrankscampingshop.com - sponsor spot -- Part 2 -- 32:09 - Firehound Forge Blacksmith 38:11 - Spud Man 39:36 - Gaming Arena 43:26 - Campsite Entrance with Stan head 44:40 - Man vs Food 45:54 - Spin the Wheel 46:21 - Peek inside the Sophie Tent at Eihwar 47:49 - Chodepod 48:36 - New Blood Stage 49:34 - Pizza Roma 51:25 - Seating area 51:46 - Merch stall 52:28 - Red Method 53:14 - 4-pint beer or cider in a plastic milk bottle at Lemmy's Bar 54:11 - Main Stage 54:22 - 2026 lineup announcement 01:00:21 - Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Festpod, hosts Neill Wilkinson and Rich Holmes chat to Joe Hammond - the guitarist from the metalcore band Assurance, and also the creator of a new festival - The Sanctum festival in Digbeth, Birmingham. Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/assurance-band-uk/t-rpvzmko with our sponsor: Fat Frank's Camping Shop https://fatfrankscampingshop.com Find 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/festpod If you'd like to buy our merch, visit our merch store here: https://etsy.com/uk/shop/Festpod All our links here: https://festpod.co.uk Timestamps ⏱: 0:00 - Pre Titles 0:17 - Fat Frank's Camping Shop - 1st sponsor spot 0:58 - Title sequence 01:18 - Welcome 01:57 - Joe Hammond 27:41 - Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.