Bloodstock, the UK dedicated heavy metal festival staged in the southern Derbyshire countryside, uses the crowd management and event security company Showsec. The Leicester-based firm has been praised for the mouldable, customer-focused approach at the long weekend annual event.
Founded and organised by the Gregory family, Bloodstock Open Air attracts almost 15,000 heavy metal fans to the grounds of Catton Hall where this year’s line-up featured headline acts Twisted Sister, Mastodon and Slayer over the three days. Showsec reports that the festival is enjoyed as much by Showsec’s team as it is by the audience, such is the atmosphere which has been generated by the biggest independent event of its kind.
Adam Gregory, one of the festival directors, said: “Bloodstock is like a big family gathering each year and Showsec have certainly added to that great sense of togetherness.
“Front-of-house contact can define your event because it transmits the feel, the atmosphere. Showsec work well with what we are trying to achieve in terms of the customer experience and that helps to enhance a real family vibe right across the whole event. What makes them stand out from the crowd is their mouldable approach. We can engage with Showsec at all management levels, we’re listened to and they deliver.”
Bloodstock is now well established on the heavy metal scene and Showsec have been working there for the past seven years. Fellow Director Rachael Greenfield added: “The relationship has grown much stronger in the time that we have engaged Showsec’s services for the festival. They understand our family brilliantly, and the familiar faces which we see within their team make a big difference in terms of building trust with all parties.
“The fans feel like they are coming to see their friends once a year and I know that many would include members of the Showsec staff among them.”
That was clearly evident too from the numerous messages which were posted on Social Media after Bloodstock had once again lived up to expectations. “Just nothing but praise for the Bloodstock security,” wrote Stewart Lucas on the festival’s Facebook page. “There are no power trips or egos, they just do their jobs with utter professionality and total respect for us paying punters.”
Alex Fynney stated: “The best security ever. Good seeing familiar faces each year.” While Jo Dark added: “Great work. They are so friendly.”
Many of the Showsec staff on duty at Catton Park have worked there a number of times, some of them regularly travelling from Wales.
Joe Milner, Showsec’s Area Manager for the East Midlands, said: “We all look forward to Bloodstock each year. It isn’t just a festival, it’s a community of people who enjoy listening to their favourite music and the other attractions of this event. We’ve all worked together for some time now and the strength of that relationship is reflected in the festival experience we deliver for the thousands of metal fans who are so loyal to the event and look forward to their time at Catton Park.”
Pictured are Joe Milner (Showsec Area Manager) with Vicky Greenfield, Adam Gregory and Rachael Greenfield.
