Bloodstock 2026 Band Feature: Joakem
Where does the time go!? Once again, Bloodstock is right around the corner, and once again, it is shaping up to be one the best festivals of the year. Not just because there are a variety of bands spread across its main two stages, not just because it is packed with fun things to do, great food and drink to enjoy, and tons of likeminded people to experience it all with, but because it champions the future of the scene with its New Blood and EMP stages. Where unsigned bands, some handpicked, but most coming through the Metal 2 the Masses events, get to play the festival.
It can be an absolute gamechanger for a band to play the New Blood or EMP stages and plenty have gone on to bigger and brighter things. We know, we’ve been paying a lot of attention to that side of things for a long time now, and every year, tried to feature as many bands playing as we could. While we can’t promise that we will see all these bands at the festival, we can promise that you will find a wealth of talent should you wander over to either.
Who knows, you may even end up finding your new favourite band.
It’s almost time for BOA 2026, so it’s time to get to know some of bands who will be playing the New Blood Stage or the EMP stage. This is Joakem!
First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you get started?
Joakem is the brainchild of vocalist, keyboardist, and composer Stelios Ioakim. The band was formed in 2018 alongside the release of our debut album Mind Matter. Since then, we’ve been performing both locally and internationally, playing headline shows and supporting some legendary names in the industry.
Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
Depends who’s asking. If it’s my mom’s aunt, I’ll just say “rock” and hope she knows what I mean. If it’s a music enthusiast (especially a prog snob like myself) then I’d say Progressive Metal.
How has playing Bloodstock 2026 come about?
Last year, we reached the finals of the first ever Metal 2 The Masses competition held in Cyprus, but we didn’t manage to qualify for Bloodstock. We decided it was time to step up our stage setup and overall live presence and apparently it worked because this time we secured a spot at Bloodstock!
What does it mean for you to play the festival this year?
With the release of our new singles and our upcoming second album, this feels like the perfect time to showcase our music and introduce the new era of Joakem’s sound to the UK audience. It’s definitely a big milestone for us.
What’s the setlist looking like and can we expect any surprises?
We’ll be performing a mix of older material and our freshly released songs. Expect proggy heaviness, powerful grooves, and melodic hooks that will stick with you long after the show.
Who are you looking forward to seeing, provided they don’t clash with your set?
There are loads of bands on the lineup that I’m excited to see live, but my top two would probably be Lamb of God – for the fifth time – since Randy Blythe had a huge influence on my extreme vocals, and Leprous because, well, PROG!
Ignoring the obvious (tent, sleeping bag, toilet roll, etc.) what’s one thing you should always take with you to a festival and why?
Anything that helps you survive the elements: water-resistant boots or shoe covers, extra pairs of socks, raincoats, sunscreen, and hats/caps. Festival weather can turn on you instantly so it’s always better to be prepared.
It’s post-set, you’re packed away and your press is all done. It’s finally time to kick back and relax, what are you drinking and what are you eating?
A beer and a burger. The perfect post-show reward.
Joakem play the New Blood stage on the Sunday of the festival. Limited Bloodstock tickets are on sale now and you pick them up here.
Joakem Links
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X
