A HOME-GROWN band used to playing in “a toilet or bingo hall” are soaking in praise after taking to the stage of a huge metal festival moments before the headline act.

Reverent Son, a four-piece band formed in Southend, blending late 70s hard rock with modern and progressive music, played an incredible set at Bloodstock, the famous metal festival held annually at Catton Hall in Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, since 2005.

One way to earn a spot at the beloved festival is through the Metal to the Masses competition, which was held in Colchester for bands competing in Essex.

Ross Mckie, the vocalist for the band, spoke highly of his experience at the festival and playing on the New Blood Stage.

He said: “It was pretty eye-opening because we have never played a stage that big.

“The crew there were amazing – they have bands every 35 minutes – and they were really nice and professional. They set it all up and talked it through with us, which we have never really had.

“It was quite weird because you’re on a stage where professionals play and it is eye-opening because you usually play in a toilet or a bingo hall.”

Formed in 2020, the band consists of Ross on guitar and vocals, Danny on guitar and vocals, Oli on bass and vocals and Nick on drums.

Ross said the band was lucky with the timing of their set at 12pm.

He said: “Loads of people came over because we got lucky as Green Lung was on at 12.45pm, meaning people would watch our set.

“It was interesting walking off stage and knowing that no other band would be playing until Green Lung.

“It felt like we kind of opened for them and for me was really kind of a big deal.”

Green Lung is a stoner doom metal band which formed in 2017 and released its genre-defining album Free The Witch in 2018.