The Beginning of My Warlock Journey: From Birthday Celebrations to Bloodstock Adventures

If you've been following my blog, you’ll know I’ve been supporting Warlock for a while now. But where did this journey begin? It all started in August 2022, and what a beginning it was! My first tasks were no small feats: first, I had to drive Quinn to Bloodstock Festival on the Friday, and then I had the even bigger job of transporting all the band’s gear in my tiny car. As with all good adventures, things didn’t go entirely to plan, but those hiccups are what make the memories even more special.  

Here’s the story of how it all started. 

Why Quinn Needed a Separate Ride to Bloodstock 

Let’s rewind a little. My birthday fell on the Thursday before Bloodstock weekend. While the other three members of the band headed to Derby early to set up and soak in the festival vibes, Quinn stayed behind. Why? Because we had plans to celebrate my birthday together.  

The night before, while the rest of the band was celebrating their upcoming performance, Quinn had a few too many drinks. I, on the other hand, was out having dinner with my parents for my birthday. Later that evening, I drove to meet up with him and the band, only to find a very drunk Quinn slurring the words: “Will you be my girlfriend?”

I laughed it off and replied, “How drunk are you?” before telling him that if he remembered the question in the morning, I’d give him an answer.  

Sure enough, the next morning, on my birthday, the first thing Quinn said to me was: “I remember.”

From that point on, we were officially together. We spent my birthday in Nottingham, and the next morning, it was time to embark on the journey to Bloodstock.  

Hiccup 1: A Dangerous Incident on the Road

The day after my birthday, we packed up my tiny 1-litre car and hit the road. What started as an exciting road trip quickly took a frightening turn. While driving down the A50, a truck ahead of us blew a tyre. Pieces of debris flew off, and part of the trye struck my car.  

It was terrifying, but thankfully, my reflexes kicked in. I managed to swerve into the outside lane and avoid a collision with the truck. Quinn stayed calm throughout the ordeal and helped me focus as I pulled into the next service station to check for damage. Luckily, my car was unscathed.  

We took a moment to gather ourselves, grabbing some food and drinks before continuing on our way. It was a nerve-wracking experience, but we made it to Bloodstock in one piece.  

Arriving at Bloodstock  

When we arrived, we were greeted by Whiteacre, one of the band members, who helped Quinn with his things. At that point, the stress of the drive caught up with me, and I couldn’t hold back my emotions. When Whiteacre asked how the journey was, I just burst into tears. He gave me a much-needed hug, and it was a small but comforting moment that made me feel supported. Even after meeting him a handful of times before this, our friendship has only grown since. 

I left Quinn and the band to set up and headed back home to my parents for the evening. After the stressful day, I needed a quiet night to unwind and get ready for the even bigger task that awaited me the next day.  

Quest 2: Transporting the Band’s Gear

Saturday morning was all about the gear. The band needed everything for their performance, and it was my job to transport it all in my compact little car. I had the band number each item with labels to make sure nothing was left behind.  

After packing up at Warlock HQ, I set off for Derby once again. (This was before I learned to ask for fuel money—rookie mistake!) When I arrived, I discovered that my car would be parked near the band tent, so I didn’t even need the ticket I’d purchased for the carpark.  

The festival crew were fantastic. They helped unload my car and transferred the gear to the official van. They also walked me through how everything would be managed after the performance and where I could meet up with the band.  

The Performance

The band’s performance was nothing short of incredible. Despite the 30°C heat, they gave it their all. The tent was packed to capacity, with a crowd spilling out to watch from outside. Seeing family and friends in the audience made it all the more special.  

Quinn, ever dedicated to his craft, performed in his full outfit—Doc Martens and all—despite the scorching heat. The atmosphere was electric, and I couldn’t have been prouder of them nor could their families!

Hiccup 2: Dealing with the Heat

As amazing as the performance was, the heat started to take its toll. After the set, Whiteacre passed out from exhaustion and the high temperatures. Thankfully, there were plenty of people around to help him recover.  

With Whiteacre out of commission, I stepped in to help with the gear. Another band member nearly passed out as well, so I sent him off with a friend to hydrate and rest. That left me, Quinn, and one other member to take care of the rest of the gear.  

We managed to carry everything to my car despite the heat. By the time it was all loaded, we were exhausted. I told the third member to sit down and drink a Lucozade as he had also taken a turn for the worse while Quinn and I took the final steps to secure everything.  

Afterward, I stayed to enjoy the rest of the festival, soaking in the incredible atmosphere. Later that night, I headed back to Warlock HQ, fueled by a much-needed iced coffee from a 24-hour Starbucks.  

What This Journey Meant to Me 

That weekend at Bloodstock wasn’t just the beginning of my relationship with Quinn; it was also the start of my journey with Warlock. Since then, I’ve been supporting the band however I can—whether it’s driving, organizing, or just being there.  

That experience taught me so much about resilience, teamwork, and the power of community. It isn’t always easy, but it was worth every moment.  

What’s Next for Warlock?

I’m thrilled to share that Warlock has been announced to play Metal 2 the Masses in Burnley on Friday, March 28th. This competition is a huge opportunity—it could give us the chance to return to Bloodstock, this time with our full lineup and on a bigger stage.  

We’d love to see you there! Your support means the world to us, and it would be incredible to share another amazing festival experience with you all.  

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more adventures to come!  

Until next time,  

Nifty