Bloodstock 2026 Band Feature: Temple on Mars
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 Temple on Mars!
First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you get started?
We are Temples on Mars from London, UK formed in 2018. We had all kind of known each other for a while from the live scene playing in different bands over the years. James, Gerald, and Dean were playing in one band that had run it’s course and the band Daz was in had also reached a natural stop but we all got on well, had similar tastes, and wanted to keep playing music so we formed Temples on Mars. Everything since then has evolved pretty organically.
Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
Alternative progressive rock manifesting as a dynamic fusion of crushing heaviness, warm electronic elements, and hook-driven songwriting.
How has playing Bloodstock 2026 come about?
Bloodstock is a festival that we have been spamming for a number of years now and this year we seem to have got lucky – for which we are very grateful!
What does it mean for you to play the festival this year?
It is a huge honour for us to be a part of the Bloodstock Open Air 25th Anniversary edition! Bloodstock has been on the Temples on Mars bucket list for quite a while now and we are very excited to be making our first appearance. As musicians and fans of heavy music this means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing everyone there and having a blast!
What’s the setlist looking like and can we expect any surprises?
We are starting to tinker with a few ideas but expect a mix of out first album and some newer tracks from the latest album “The Last Ship” that we released towards the end of 2025.
Who are you looking forward to seeing, provided they don’t clash with your set?
This is very difficult as there are so many great bands to chose from but we always seem to play UK festivals on the same day as Sepultura (it’s becoming some kind of weird synchronicity) so will check them out, Bleed from Within (I sang some BV’s on their last record so I really want to hear the tracks live on a massive PA), Northlane (Dean absolutely loves them), and Judas Priest for some killer solo’s and see Rob being a complete legend!
Ignoring the obvious (tent, sleeping bag, toilet roll, etc.) what’s one thing you should always take with you to a festival and why?
A View-master. For reasons.
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?
Probably a nice cold beer or two and some tasty festival treats!
Temple on Mars play the New Blood stage on the Friday of the festival. Limited Bloodstock tickets are on sale now and you pick them up here.
Temple on Mars Links
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
