Bloodstock 2026 Band Feature: The Cartoon Cartel
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 The Cartoon Cartel!
First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you get started?
The Cartoon Cartel played it’s first gig last year. It’s made up of Tommy Smith (Leogun) , Dan Edwards (Pig Iron/Blind River) and Mark Sharpless (Blind River). We’ve all been friends for decades and played many gigs together on the same bill. We all originally grew up in South East London and were part of the musical scene there.
Leogun relocated to LA and later Nashville due to the deal they had at the time and when Tommy returned to the UK, we got together in a rehearsal room and created The Cartoon Cartel.
Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
Extremely Heavy Rock with an extremely heavy groove!
How has playing Bloodstock 2026 come about?
A couple of us have played Bloodstock a few times with our previous bands and luckily some people connected with the festival have come to watch The Cartoon Cartel and have dug what we are doing.
What does it mean for you to play the festival this year?
It means an awful lot. Bloodstock is a fantastic festival run by people who love heavy music for people that love heavy music. It’s an honour to be included on the line up.
What’s the setlist looking like and can we expect any surprises?
The setlist will deliver. You can expect to nod your head and pull a stinkface for the entirety of it!
Who are you looking forward to seeing, provided they don’t clash with your set?
We love our Blind River brother and Orange Goblin bassist Harry Armstrong, so we will definitely be catching his show with Noisepicker.
Ignoring the obvious (tent, sleeping bag, toilet roll, etc.) what’s one thing you should always take with you to a festival and why?
Some chewing gum, it’s nice talking to new people with minty fresh breath.
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?
Me, a black coffee and a water. The other two, probably a glass of red wine or an ale.
Eating wise, something sweet to replace the huge amount of calories we’ve just sweated away on stage.
The Cartoon Cartel play the EMP stage on the Sunday of the festival. Limited Bloodstock tickets are on sale now and you pick them up here.
