Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn sat down with Bloodstock TV following the band’s surprise performance at this years’ Bloodstock Open Air on August 12. Asked about the fact that the band hasn’t performed at a festival in 8 years, Flynn responded:
We stopped playing festivals for eight years. That was my first festival in the U.K. in 10 years. And I stopped doing festivals ’cause I didn’t feel that connection with the audience anymore and I just needed to get my break from it.
Asked by the interviewer about performing at Bloodstock, Flynn further elaborated:
Obviously if every festival was like yesterday, I’d be like, ‘Fuck yes! This is fucking sick.’ I mean, it was insane — just insanity levels of fucking mayhem. It was incredible. But you’ve also gotta do the festival circuit. That’s what people don’t realize.
You’ve gotta go to Serbia, you’ve gotta go to Budapest.
It’s a bit sad that Robb Flynn doesn’t feel a connection with audiences at festivals in Serbia and Hungary. It’s understandable to want to take a break from festival performances after doing them for a while. But to slam the entire circuit, and call out festivals in a country where he’s never even played one, seems a bit harsh. I’m sure there are plenty of great fans and amazing shows to be had at festivals all over Europe (and beyond), regardless of where they’re located.
Still, it’s great to see Flynn enjoying himself and the fans at Bloodstock Open Air. Here’s hoping Machine Head can continue to put on killer shows for all their fans, no matter where they are in the world.
Machine Head have recently released a follow-up to 2018’s critically-maligned “Catharsis”, “Of Kingdom And Crown” via Nuclear Blast records. The band will team up with Amon Amarth who are also promoting a new album for an European tour. The tour coincidentally includes a show in Budapest on October 18th, at Barba Negra.