With music blaring and the sun scorching down on Catton Park, Bloodstock 2026 welcomed what might have seemed like an odd pairing on paper, but turned out to be an absolute smash hit with the crowd: the Scan UK Gaming Tent.
Come join the MusiCube Team as we explore this bizarre but well loved feature!
Guitars, Rigs, and Retro Classics
Serving as an essential sanctuary from the brutal heat and dust, the tent was packed with energy from dawn until late. Inside, the line between heavy metal culture and gaming blurred seamlessly, pairing heavy guitars and high-end pro audio gear alongside rows of top-tier consoles and custom-built rigs. It gave festivalgoers the ultimate spot to escape the relentless mosh pits, recharge, and dive into an expansive selection of free-to-play titles.
The floor stayed constantly alive with button-mashing, cheering, and light-hearted rivalries. Players traded leather jackets for controllers, moving between high-octane sessions of arcade classics like Crazy Taxi and full-blown shredding on Clone Hero. Crowds routinely gathered to watch players nail impossibly fast solos on custom guitar controllers.
Daily Challenges and Gear
The energy stayed electric all weekend thanks to a packed schedule of daily competitions. Festivalgoers could test their skills across multiple game genres, with structured tournaments running throughout the afternoon:
Participation Perks
Every contestant walked away with guaranteed Scan swag just for stepping up to compete. While high scorers and tournament winners took home official Bloodstock merchandise alongside exclusive gaming accessories.
The £10,000 Grand Prize Challenge
The crown jewel of the entire setup was a jaw-dropping, custom-built £10,000 AMD-powered gaming PC. To earn an entry into the draw, attendees had to take on a meticulously detailed visual hunt: inspecting an intricate custom diorama and correctly identifying the home franchise of every single character hidden within the display. It became an instant focal point, drawing groups of friends who spent hours debating obscure lore over the glass.
While the MusiCube team didn’t manage to walk away with the monster £10k rig in the end, nobody left empty-handed. Between the air-conditioned respite, the loud rivalries, and the sweet Scan swag, taking on the challenge was a highlight of the weekend.
All photography provided by David Ellitts (@dave_took_some_photos)
