tisdag 17 Jun 2014, 11:01

Fri 13 Jun – Download Festival 2014

This was me and my brothers' 10th year at Download, and it was an awesome way to celebrate a decade of Download!

The first 2 days were great fun. There was a cool atmosphere in the campsite all weekend.

Watched Kunt and the Gang on Thursday! As funny as ever.

This year I seemed to spend a lot more time at the Main Stage, which is unusual for me, but there were some great bands on all weekend.

So friday started with Miss May I opening the main stage. They sounded great live and I enjoyed their set.

Next were Crossfaith who were quite simply one of the best of the weekend! It takes a lot to get me bouncing up and down, but Crossfaith did it! Such a great show, and it was evident that they were loving it on stage.

A highlight for my weekend was always going to be seeing Powerman 5000 live. I never got a chance in the past, and so I was majorly excited to finally see them. They lived up to expectations and played a great set, the new songs sounded great live as well.

Moved to the 2nd stage for The Answer. They're one of those bands that I see live and love, and come away meaning to listen to them but don't. Great performance.

Caught the end of Page 44 over on the Redbull stage. Sounded so good, and I caught the song that made me want to see them live. Definitely a band I would like to see properly.

Then to the Pepsi stage for the mighty Quicksand who were awesome!

Caught up with my brother again at the 2nd Stage and watched a bit of Flogging Molly who were amazing! I wish I could have stayed, but I couldn't resist seeing Rob Zombie live again! It was an interesting decision to leave the giant robots etc. at home when performing on the main stage but was still a great show.

While I hated missing out on seeing Opeth I couldn't pass up finally seeing The Offspring live- and performing an album I loved as a kid — SMASH! They were simply amazing! A great way to end the 1st night of music, with lots of dancing and singing.

Saturday kicked off with the mysterious Iceman Thesis on the Redbull stage. I'd liked the song that was played on the rock show, and good thing to as they literally just played that one song! Very good.

Part of me was glad they were on so briefly, because it meant we could go watch some Dying Fetus who were just insanely good.

Fozzy continued the fun on the Main Stage with a great performance. Always happy to see them live.

We headed over to the 2nd stage to catch Chevelle who were really good.

This was followed by sticking around to check out The Boss Hoss out of curiosity… and I was damn happy we did! Because they turned out to be a big highlight of the weekend!

At this pont we headed to the Pepsi stage -via some full contact medievil battles- to catch a little bit of Marmozets before going to the main stage for the mighty Bowling for Soup! So much fun! A lot of banter from the guys as usual. A giant inflatable sheep on stage, which was killed by a random knight that showed up! Mad fun.

Caught a bit of Lonely the Brave who sounded real good, before watching Arcane Roots who were great.

Then go to see Vamps who were just awesome! Great to see a Japanese legend on that stage!

Then got to see Monster Magnet on the 2nd stage. So good to see them again, after seeing them so many years ago at my 1st (oneday) festival in Milton Keynes. While they didn't literally set the stage on fire, as they did that 1st time I saw them, they were damn good!

Then I headed over to see the Bowling for Soup acoustic performance, which was more fun! Before going to catch American Head Charge who were bloody awesome!

Caught a bit of Status Quo on the 2nd stage before heading to see Sikth headline the Redbull stage. Absolutely amazing!

Sunday began with a massive hangover. Missed out on Viza because I ended up in the wrong stage. But I did catch a bit of Dead City Streets, followed by the awesome Arthemis! A real metal treat! And another band who seemed genuinely stoked to be playing!

Caught a bit of Kill Devil Hill, who were really good and ended with a Pantera cover - complete with Phil on vocals!

Then it was time for Skillet, who I loved and was very excited to see live - they did not dissapoint! So damn good.

Headed to the Pepsi stage and decided against staying for Thy Art is Murder and headed to the main stage for a bit of Buck Cherry followed by a little bit of Richie Sambora.

Then it was time for the awesome feed the rhino!

Watched a bit of Emmure and the first song of Sepultura before going to see some Crazytown. I wonder if it would have been so packed at the Pepsi stage if it wasn't for the "secret band" - but CXT were really good!

It was back to the 2nd stage for the mighty Sabaton! So damn good, and was glad they weren't plagued by the technical problems they had last time I saw them.

Caught the end of Versechorusverse on the acoustic stage, as well as a bit of Milk teeth.

Really enjoyed what I saw of Steel Panther - genuinely funny. Then I headed back to 2nd for a couple of Seether tracks.

Then it was back to the acoustic for the solo Oxygen Theif who was bloody amazing! Had a short chat with him and baught a couple of CD's after the simply amazing John Gomm. Stuck around the aocustic stage for some [artist[Nick Oliveri who was really good. Also caught some Polar and Monuments while there.

Only caught a tiny bit of Alter Bridge between bands, but I will see them properly one day!

Aerosmith were awesome! I was glad to see them again, but snuck off to catch some Zebrahead.

Overall it was an awesome weekend. Had loads of fun, way too much to drink, and some some amazing bands. Still feeling the effects today, and dreading work tomorrow, but can't wait until the next festival - Sonisphere!!!