BLOODSTOCK announces first RAM Gallery exhibit; The Judas Priest Wall

BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce the first details of 2018’s onsite RAM Gallery, one of the more unique elements that sets BLOODSTOCK apart from other festivals.  Festival founder and globally renowned artist, Paul Raymond Gregory created the onsite RAM Gallery in 2014 and each year the purpose-built structure showcases not only some of Paul’s work, but several other BLOODSTOCK-related rock and metal-friendly artists and creators.  This year the festival has chosen to honour the Friday night’s headliners, Judas Priest with a dedicated wall in the gallery, including some of the band’s album artwork and two incredible new creations, the ‘British Steel’ guitar and the ‘Angel V’ guitar from the RAM Gallery’s luthier-in-residence, Cynosure.  Cynosure’s previous guitar-as-art creations honouring Motorhead and Saxon in years prior, garnered global attention.  Further details on Paul’s own work in 2018’s gallery, as well as details on the other artists exhibiting will be announced in July. For all information related to the artist then click here.

Paul Raymond Gregory explains, “As an artist and founder of BLOODSTOCK, I decided to take my next journey with art and music by creating the www.rockandmetalmuseum.com.  My first step was to go back to my roots as a gallery owner by establishing the RAM Gallery at BLOODSTOCK with an inaugural exhibition in 2014.  When Judas Priest were confirmed to headline the main stage in 2018, I decided to create a Priest wall in the gallery.  The wall would feature some of the band’s iconic album art, plus two bespoke, hand-crafted guitars to sit either side of the band’s latest ‘Firepower’ album artwork.  The guitars were created by artist-in-residence, Cynosure a talented luthier who has made guitars for the museum’s RAM gallery each year since 2014.  Mark Wilkinson, the artist responsible for many of Judas Priest’s iconic album covers, has also shown his support by designing The Priest Wall.  Both Mark and Cynosure will be at the festival this year.” If you want any information or blogs related to painting then check this out.

Check out these video clips illustrating Cynosure’s amazing guitar builds for the Judas Priest ‘Angel V’ and ‘British Steel’ guitars and come along in August and see the axes in the flesh at the RAM Gallery!

Angel V – https://youtu.be/SHx3EENE_LM

British Steel – https://youtu.be/qq0-OscU4oo

Cynosure comments, “Quite simply, this is the biggest opportunity of my career to date.  I am thrilled to have been asked by Paul Raymond Gregory to produce two guitars to honour the inimitable powerhouse of metal, Judas Priest.  For a band that defined metal music and inspired millions, I am humbled to work so closely with them.”

BLOODSTOCK is pleased to announce that the festival’s official charity partner for 2018 will once again be the TEENAGE CANCER TRUST.  Since partnering up in 2011, BLOODSTOCK is very proud that over £62,000 has been raised to date to help young people facing cancer, so this year we’re aiming to bust the £80K mark!  Don’t miss the charity’s stall in the market area, where you can purchase Teenage Cancer Trust merchandise and join in the very popular ‘T-Shirt Amnesty’ (bring your unwanted band t-shirts to donate or swap) and help raise funds for this very worthy cause.

Come join us in August!  Standard weekend tickets are on sale now, priced at £145 for four days of metal fun.  Grab yours at https://bloodstock.seetickets.com.  A limited number of one day tickets go on sale on 29th June.

With Friday night headliners JUDAS PRIEST, Saturday headliners GOJIRA and Sunday’s bill toppers NIGHTWISH announced, as well as EMPEROR, AT THE GATES, DEVILDRIVER, WATAIN, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, WEDNESDAY 13, JASTA & FRIENDS, FOZZY, COMBICHRIST, BLOODBATH, VENOM INC., MR BIG, ORPHANED LAND, KAMELOT, POWER TRIP, CONJURER, DORO, ORDEN OGAN, SEPTICFLESH, EXHORDER, PALLBEARER, MEMORIAM and many more, we’re more excited than ever for BLOODSTOCK 2018!

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 9th-12th August 2018.  Get additional information at www.bloodstock.uk.com.

British Steel Bloodstock 2018

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!