Download Festival 2010 - The captive reality bubble.

Well for those of you that are secluded from the world of Heavy Rock and metal. The download festival is the modern incarnation of the legendary 'Monsters of rock' festival making Donnington the UK home of ROCK.

Over its time the festival have seen some proper legends play, such as Iron Maiden, Metallica Linkin Park, Guns N' Roses and many more, just check it out on wikipedia or the festival website.

I have been 3 times, 2007, 2009 and 2010 and each time had an amazing time. A break from normality a bubble if you will from current affairs, news and politics where all that matters is good honest rock, metal and silly costumes.

This years festival took place once again on the hallowed pilgrimage grounds of Donnington between the 9th - 14th June. Leading up to this years festival me and my friend where having mild crisis moments trying to sort out travel, a tent and other logistics which really was only sorted out properly the night before. We set out for the usual 5 day camping affair so arriving on Wednesday. So for the full 5 day excursion i packed flapjack, cereal bars and a crate or 2 of strong bow. Alongside the traditional hygiene kit - Wet wipes, Deodorant and a comb.

Wednesday
Woke up early on Wednesday rather excited to have my last shower for nearly a week, (you wouldn't believe how horrible it is to not have a shower or use simple things like hairdryers or hair straighteners). Upon arriving at the site we get out of the car and dash across with all our stuff, and out of all 100,000 people going we bump into a few other friends!

After queuing for a while we get issued with wristbands, and find a spot within the blue campsite. We had our tents pitched, beers open and settled by 2pm, not bad 4 Hours form leaving to setting up :). This years wristbands design were quite poor from the previous years, a simple black on grey, although they were a lot more comfortable to sleep on.

Thursday
Every Thursday i seem to forget what happens in the day time, its only really the evening when i start to remember, ironically because i get beveraged up. Me and my friend started drinking from mid afternoon and continued right up until about 1am hitting the wine at various points in time to enjoy the heightened drunkenness from mixing drinks. This is where the village comes in to its own, a mixture of overpriced poor quality food combined with overpriced fair ground rides. It would thoroughly recommend to any drunks out there going on a fun house, the waltzers or bumper cars (remember its the only time you can legally drive drunk), and with seeing double its more of a shock when you actually hit something.

Friday
Fridays main attraction were the one and only AC/DC who agreed to give a separate concert after download had closed for the day, they were that impressive they brought there own stage, sound and lighting equipment which overshadowed downloads own.

• 36 Crazyfists were the first band i recall actually paying attention to, and lived up to the expectations as i am a fan but it was complemented beautifully when Howard Jones (From killswitch engage) joined the stage. His first public appearance since having to leave for medical reasons. Although i can imagine how disheartening it must be when everyone is chanting for him more than the main band.

• Killswitch engage were the second and my favourite band to tear up the Donnington stage delivering a sound performance as expected with Adam D running around in his usual cape, ending with there cover of holy diver as tributes to the recent passing of Ronnie James Dio.

• AC/DC then followed on there own stage delivering one of the most powerful and amazing sets i have ever seen. My dad has watched them perform at Donnington in his youth making this a strange right of passage for me. There set featured the hells bell, a steam locomotive, the inflatable Rosie with all there world smashing hits, it was pure music for a purely excited and hyped crowd for something which could be a once in a life time opportunity.

Now we come to an amusing story, just before AC/DC this guy came up to me and spent ages starting into my eyes claiming he could read my mind, although while doing this he was swaying backwards and forwards. It was really really strange and everything he said was wrong but he thought it was true, until he shook my hand and wandered off. Through this we did meet a nice group of AC/DC fans that were there for the day but they looked after us and when they were leaving gave us all there remaining bottles of water and food.
After this an early night is in order, its surprising how tiring it is watching bands perform all day.

Saturday
Most of the music on Saturday wasn't really to my taste, but its a great time to truly experience a festival both in stores, bars, the people and discovering new bands.

• Godsized, i had never heard of them before but there music was reasonably heavy and i think that they could over the next few years become more and more prevalent.
• Sybreed, I am so stoked about seeing this band live in a few weeks, again one of my favourite bands. Although i arrived to only hear the last few songs of there set, it was a small taster of what is to come this weekend when they are supporting Deathstars at the Birmingham O2 Academy
• Rage against the machine, they delivered a good set although i admit there not one of my favourite bands.

Again another early night
Sunday
Sunday is usually a rock chill out day, so playing some of the old classical types of rock, a good way to end a long weekend.

• Dommin, a band i had never heard of but presented a nice mix of keyboard and rock, although not exactly heavy have some very good songs and would be interested to keep an eye on them to see how they develop.
• Aerosmith closed download 2010 by playing all there famous hits on a stage with lights and glamorous shiny clothing making it a perfect end with the entire crowd singing along perfectly happy and enjoying everything.

Monday
This year was the first time i have stopped Sunday night, what is rumoured to be the dangerous night, there were fire trucks and security staff patrolling most of the night, with loud rowdy drunks everywhere. Sleeping with at least one eye and nostril open making sure your not getting burnt alive is a strange feeling.

The moment i got back home from download i ate, showered, washed, and started sleeping to recover. So i have just under 12 months to recover before next years, to this i say bring on the drunks, bands and camping :)