Mourning metal fans' Ozzy festival tribute

Bloodstock is a major heavy metal festival held every year on farmland near the border of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Around 20,000 fans attend the event, which lasts four days from Thursday to Sunday. This year, the festival is especially meaningful because it is the first large gathering of metal fans since the funeral of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath. Ozzy was a key figure in the creation of heavy metal music, and his passing has deeply affected the metal community. To honor him, the festival has set up a massive 17-meter banner by the main stage where fans can write messages of condolence and share their memories. Festival director Vicky Hungerford said that the loss of Ozzy has hit metal fans very hard, and the festival wants to give everyone a chance to pay their respects and celebrate his legacy.

Throughout the festival, several tributes to Ozzy are planned. There will be Black Sabbath-themed artwork and a special display dedicated to Ozzy and other metal icons like Lemmy Kilmister, the late frontman of Motorhead. Fans have been eager to leave their own messages on the banner, expressing gratitude for Ozzy's influence on heavy metal. One message read, 'Thank you Ozzy for helping to create the religion that is heavy metal. We miss you. ' Adam Gregory, another festival director, described Bloodstock as a welcoming and friendly place where fans feel at home. He said that for many people, the festival is the highlight of their year and feels like a holiday. Gregory emphasized that while Ozzy's death is sad, the festival is about celebrating his life and the impact he had on music, rather than just mourning.

Bloodstock offers much more than just music. There are 120 acts performing across four stages, with headliners like Trivium, Machine Head, and Gojira. The festival also features fairground rides, food competitions, and a unique event called bin-jousting, where participants ride on large wheelie bins and try to knock each other off. Last month, thousands of fans gathered in Birmingham to pay their respects at Ozzy's funeral, showing how much he meant to the city and the metal community. The festival also honors Lemmy Kilmister with a silver bust and other tributes, recognizing his importance to Bloodstock. Environmental initiatives are a key part of the event, with a cup recycling scheme and encouragement for fans to pick up litter. Bloodstock is a place where metal fans come together to remember their heroes, enjoy great music, and have fun in a supportive community.