Bloodstock 2026 Band Feature: Technologist
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 Technologist!
First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you get started?
We’re a 5 piece progressive metal band from Manchester. I formed the band(or started searching for members) way back pre covid. I’d say it was around 2022 when I finally found the right guys to start work with.
Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
We like progressive music but we’ve always made sure our stuff is still catchy – and most importantly you can still bang your head to it. We are melodic but also turn on our death metal vibe at times. We definitely flirt between a positive and then negative sound in our music. Song by song and sometimes section by section.
How has playing Bloodstock 2026 come about?
Years of playing M2TM Manchester. It took us four years to finally do it. We made the semis twice and then two finals. It’s very difficult and always unpredictable. The journey is not without merit though, we made new fans, sold merch and generally are in a much stronger position now to play Bloodstock.
What does it mean for you to play the festival this year?
It’s the biggest opportunity we’ve had. Every band needs a team behind it and help with getting a foot in the door. This is ours, it means a huge amount to us. We will make sure to make the most of this, we have high hopes for Sophie next year. I’ve been going to this fest for 20 years, I’ve played it before with older bands but this one feel very very special.
What’s the setlist looking like and can we expect any surprises?
We haven’t settled on setlist yet but it could be we include more tracks from the Album since we are playing to a wider audience. We have played our ‘masses’ set for a while now so it would be good to mix it up again.
Who are you looking forward to seeing, provided they don’t clash with your set?
Nevermore. – That band and of course Jeff are a huge influence on my playing and our songwriting. They are also just simply awesome. Perhaps with the greatest vocalist replacement in human history I can’t imagine anyone will be disappointed, very glad they are on main stage now too. Of course, there’s others, Saxon, Priest, Leprous and way more.
Ignoring the obvious (tent, sleeping bag, toilet roll, etc.) what’s one thing you should always take with you to a festival and why?
Tarp – I always take a tarp to make a bonus shelter off our tent. Good for the sun and rain for those tent beer chills.
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?
We do like the smoker, and if not that we used to love the pie and mash place, but I think it’s gone! If the suns out it’s mango cider time…with the occasional larger to slow the pace a bit. Main thing is slow and steady, we’ve got bands to see.
Technologist play the New Blood stage on the Sunday of the festival. Limited Bloodstock tickets are on sale now and you pick them up here.
