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Download 2010 - Wellies, Wombling and Wonderfulness - Sunday
posted on Wednesday, 16 June 2010 @ 09:49 | permalink
 Some weird and wonderful people. A less bands-packed day than the previous one, we caught the last song from August Burns Red, Composure, which showcased their unforgivingly heavy style that has transferred them from a small tent to the second stage in the past two years. Switchfoot were next reminiscent of stadium rockers Nickelback. Slowing it down for movie-moment ballad Dare You To Move, they added deeper layers of instrumental to the song giving it a heavier sound, perhaps more appropriate for the Download crowd. Singer Jon Foreman's vocals were brasher and grittier than on record - however, this proved a positive thing as it gave the songs a new kind of depth. Ending on Meant to Live, featured on the SpiderMan 2 soundtrack, the crowd perhaps didn't know much about this band, but seemed to enjoy them nonetheless.  What do you get if you cross Anthrax, Fall Out Boy and Every Time I Die? New 'supergroup' The Damned Things consist of Rob Caggiano (Anthrax), Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley (Fall Out Boy) and Keith Buckley (Every Time I Die) on vocals. A strange mix, but one that seemed to work, with heavy riffs and manic drumming, a far cry from the sugary pop-punk of Joe and Andy's previous band.  One of my favourite flags of the weekend... During Dillinger Escape Plan, the gorgeous weather that had been working overtime turning me the colour of a mahogany dining table gave up, and the heavens opened. Having to head back to my tent for wellies, I managed to miss a fair few bands, including the inimitable Steel Panther, who covered Backstreet Boys track I Want It That Way (expect a post about that soon too!), so the next band I managed to catch were pop-punkers Zebrahead while sheltering in the Pepsi Max tent. Playing catchy and fun songs, even those who had simply ventured in for shelter from the rain were bopping along, and joining in the charming chant of 'MINGE'.  Closing the day's proceedings, and the festival itself, were the legendary Aerosmith. Opening with the classic Love In An Elevator, Steven Tyler gyrated around the stage in tight trousers and sequins. Despite being 62 years old, he had the energy of a 20 year old and a strange kind of sex appeal that I don't quite understand, but there were definitely plenty of ladies hot under the collar - especially when he stripped the sequins to reveal a tight vest. After a stunning rendition of Cryin' that showed Tyler's voice had certainly not diminished with age, Joe Perry took on lead vocals at points and gave the eager crowd 'a lot of blues in a short amount of time'. The lights went down, and some famililar opening strings were heard, and the crowd went crazy for power ballad Don't Wanna Miss A Thing. With lighters and glowsticks in the air, the mass singalong to the song gave me (and probably everyone in the arena) goosebumps. After a short break, their encore featured dramatic and theatrical Dream On, one of my personal highlights of the set, and had Walk This Way had everybody dancing. Thanking us and each other before they left the stage, Aerosmith were easily some of the best headliners I've seen in my 6 years of attending the festival, and more than worth facing the rain and mud for. A massive thanks go to all the people I camped with, met and spent time with this weekend. I love you all! Labels: download, festival, live |