2017 Headliner Predictions

[Haldamir319]

With Vicky recently tweeting about getting the first headliner booked in for next year, I thought it'd be a nice talking point to try and predict who we might get.

Friday - The 'BoA' Band
Nightwish

While a repeat booking, they haven't played at the festival for a long while. Would probably go down better with the casual BOA goers more than Within Temptation did, while still holding a similar appeal/aimed at a similar target audience.

Subbed by - Saxon
Sophie Stage alternative - Immolation


Saturday - The Mainstream/Kerrang/Metal Hammer Band
Killswitch Engage

I was tempted to put KoRn or Disturbed, but I think KsE would be cheaper than the former and a more popular booking than the latter considering the balance of heaviness on the line-up I proposing.

Subbed by - Testament
Sophie Stage alternative - Solstafir


Sunday - The 'Classic' Band
Whitesnake

David Coverdale recently admitted that 2017 will likely be his last as an active performer, and he's looking to tour on the 1987 album the round it all out. Given BOA snagged Twisted Sister's last UK show, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to do something similar here. Yes, they are softer than a lot of what we've had before, but I think few would genuinely complain (so long as the cost didn't kill the line-up, and you stuck someone rather heavy on the Sophie stage)

Subbed by - Accept
Sophie Stage alternative - Napalm Death

[CharlesDexterWard]

Nightwish and Whitesnake both realistic options and I am hoping for either Judas Priest or Helloween as another headliner.

[Tet]

Helloween are never going to headline Bloodstock. They're simply not big enough. Judas Priest are too expensive. It's that simple.

[someone else]

Whitesnake would have been fine in theory but Coverdales voice is shot - as a last run out he might want a bigger gig than BOA as they've so-headlined Download before. With Twisted Sister, their first port of call was Download, but they 'disrespected the band' (presumably they could only get a low slot).

Nightwish would be good. I presume Priest would have been approached in some capacity before now and not played, same with Scorpions. Other than them? A return for Alice Cooper? Dream Theater? Avenged Sevenfold? Can't think of many others that appear as big as the last few headliners without going more leftfield - either more mainstream hard rock or the fashionable end of metal - Alterbridge? Billy Idol? The Cult? Disturbed? Slash?

[fluffkitten]

Given I'm happy with two out of three of this year's headliners I'm expecting at least three bands I don't want to see, like last year.

[Bizza]

As always I'm hoping for Priest for the Sunday, the other nights dunno King Diamond is overdue a return and Amon Amarth are probably big enough now to headline the Friday.

But knowing the booking team we'll likely get Slipknot, Slayer and Evil Scarecrow.

[mathewxentrix88]

We are so apathetic about this year's edition that we are already speculating about what next year's lazy bookings will be...??
For what it's worth-i'll go for Korn,Amon Amarth/Kreator(co-headline),Sabaton.

[Soze]

Can't we concentrate on getting some good bands for 2016 before looking ahead to 2017?!

I can see Sabaton getting the nod sooner or later. With a top 30 album this year I wouldn't be surprised if Amon Amarth were chosen either. Probably some arse bobbins like KSE or Avenged Sevenfold...and then I dunno, Megadeth again probably.

[Skippy]

I'd love to see Nightwish and Whitesnake. I definitely think Nightwish are due a return, and as Bloodstock love to book headliners a year after playing Download they would definitely be in with a shout. I'd say them, Korn and Megadeth. Korn are only a matter of time and if they are gonna repeat Slayer, repeating Megadeth too will mean they won't have to think of anyone else.

[metalicbear]

Megadeth - KSE - Nightwish

Children of Bodom, Abbath and Saxon to sub.

[Warlock]

With Vicky recently tweeting about getting the first headliner booked in for next year, I thought it'd be a nice talking point to try and predict who we might get.

Friday - The 'BoA' Band
Nightwish

While a repeat booking, they haven't played at the festival for a long while. Would probably go down better with the casual BOA goers more than Within Temptation did, while still holding a similar appeal/aimed at a similar target audience.

Subbed by - Saxon
Sophie Stage alternative - Immolation


Saturday - The Mainstream/Kerrang/Metal Hammer Band
Killswitch Engage

I was tempted to put KoRn or Disturbed, but I think KsE would be cheaper than the former and a more popular booking than the latter considering the balance of heaviness on the line-up I proposing.

Subbed by - Testament
Sophie Stage alternative - Solstafir


Sunday - The 'Classic' Band
Whitesnake

David Coverdale recently admitted that 2017 will likely be his last as an active performer, and he's looking to tour on the 1987 album the round it all out. Given BOA snagged Twisted Sister's last UK show, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to do something similar here. Yes, they are softer than a lot of what we've had before, but I think few would genuinely complain (so long as the cost didn't kill the line-up, and you stuck someone rather heavy on the Sophie stage)

Subbed by - Accept
Sophie Stage alternative - Napalm Death

I'd be pretty happy with this, would be a great start! Whitesnake possibly to big and not modern enough though, and would probably be in high demand. Think they might get Disturbed and probably Megadeth again

[Soze]

Why do people think Saxon will be special guests? Last time they played they were half way down the bill. Whitesnake are terrible live nowadays, have been for ages.

[Gandalf the Red]

Bloomin' Hell.

Can't you get this awful/average line up out the way before thinking about 18 months or so.

[Czech's Mate]

Bloomin' Hell.

Can't you get this awful/average line up out the way before thinking about 18 months or so.

I think it is because it is so decidedly average that people want something to look forward to.

[Haldamir319]

Why do people think Saxon will be special guests? Last time they played they were half way down the bill. Whitesnake are terrible live nowadays, have been for ages.

Last time Saxon played, they were 3rd top. They are a big enough draw to put on as a sub (they comfortably drew more than Dimmu, who subbed the Friday of the same year.


For the record, I could definitely see Sabaton and Amon Amarth as headliners sooner rather than later.