Download Festival - 8th -10th June 2018!
When Download festival made its debut in 2003, many people thought it wasn't going to last and that it didn't have a place in the UK festival scene. How wrong those people were. Download came at the right time as it was just when the genres like nu-metal was taking off, and the return of others such as garage rock. A casual symbiosis of cemented heavyweights in music, and the prominence of brand new talent.
In fact the very first festival, Metallica did a secret show on the second stage with no soundcheck, even they saw the potential. Now 15 years on, and Download is up there with Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds and a few others. This year, anyone who will be going will be witnessing a somewhat Middle Earth event. A mixture of brand new bands like No Hot Ashes, who are selling out shows and about to embark on a tour with the well-established This Feeling. The kings of rock n roll, such as Marilyn Manson, Ozzy Osborne and Guns 'n' Roses will also be coming back.
Who will wear the ring of Download power at the end? Who knows, but lets take a look at some of the bands announced already...
Avenged Sevenfold Whether you like this band or not, no one can deny that they have stayed true to themselves. Front man M. Shadows even said himself ''we will never truly fit into the metal genre''. But when you have music that incorporates the classical instruments, and a vocalist who received opera vocal training, you wouldn't want them to sell themselves short. They haven't had an easy ride, In December 2009, their childhood best friend and band member, Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan died. They announced no more music, no more tours. With the encouragement of family and a worldwide fanbase, they came back with a new album (Nightmare) in honour of their best friend. A stellar tour was subsequently announced around the UK, with a knockout concert at Hammersmith Apollo where everyone cried, moshed, sang and smiled at the end (yes, I was there). Last year they released an album depicting the battle between humans and artificial intelligence; a deeply profound album that finally saw them get –finally- nominated by the GRAMMY awards. This band care about their fans; they even created an album of B-sides. Count how many bands do that. They'll be headlining the main stage on Friday; if you want to be in a space full of people pumped ready for the weekend, need I say more?
You Me At Six This quintet from Weybridge, Surrey have been building momentum since they released their debut album in 2008. What is also great about this band, is that they've adapted their sound without "selling out" nor losing the signature, that propelled them to stardom in the first place. They've also survived compared to some of the other bands that emerged around the same time. Another great achievement is that the many fans they acquired who were teenagers, they have managed to still keep engaged in present time. Soon as they're on stage, their energy is addictive, and something you can hear in their honest, sometimes cheeky but relatable songs such as 'Loverboy', 'If You Run', 'Trophy Eyes' and 'Stay With Me' Their current album 'Night People' which was released last year, sets them apart from many. It shows that they have grown up, learned lessons and are better equipped for the future. So many people admit they got the wrong idea about this band, until they listened to their music so don't be quick to write them off until you've given them a listen!
The Hives This group from Sweden were making waves, and challenging obstacles by smashing through them, with their unique determination. They shook the nation here, with the release of their second album 'Veni Vidi Vicious', which had classic hits such as 'Main Offender' and 'Hate To Say I Told You So'. In fact with unforgettable hits such as those, fans wondered if they'd hear them live again, or any new music since their last release, a single in 2015. Thankfully, they are returning to these islands all throughout the summer but making a very important pit stop at Donington Park. I won't exaggerate, but you'd be limiting yourself if you didn't go to their set. The Hives have a reputation for putting on a show full of colour, vibrancy and extreme spontaneity. They converse with the crowds, they interact, they want everyone to feel like they're on the stage taking part performing too. If you've ever been curious, about what people mean when they say music makes the hair on the back of their neck stand up, The Hives should be on your list that weekend.
Like what you read? You can get Download Tickets Here.
Full line up available for your curious eyeballs - here.