Download Festival 2009 Review

Download Festival 2009

Just come back from this years awesome Download Festival (which to me will always be Donnington Monsters of Rock). This was actually my first festival but its always been something I've wanted to do way back to when I first listened to Whitesnake headlining the event in 1990 on the radio.

I'll come on to the highs and lows in a minute but I wanted to first say what a well organised event it was. There was plenty of stewards on hand to provide directions and help at all times and everyone was incredibly friendly. The masses of litter left after each day miraculously dissapeared by the next morning and the event had an great vibe at all times. Testament to this was the fact that I didn't see one fight during the entire festival.

So anyway, on to the fun stuff. I was totally blown away by the performances during Download and  the following bands stood out due to their incredible sets raw energy and outstanding guitar performances

Dragonforce

These guys looked like they play at gigs like this all the time. The band truly owned the stage and frontman ZP Theart is an incredible presence and vocal talent. The twin guitar attack of Herman Li and Sam Totman is something else and the fact they make the complex shredding look so easy is mind blowing.

Limp Bizkit

These guys proved to be one of the most popular acts of the weekend and Wes Borland looked incredible. 'Rollin' and the 'Take A Look Around'  produced some of the biggest mosh pits and finished off an electric set!

Thunder

These guys always put on a class show and I think the only sad thing is that they weren't on the main or second stage during the event. The crowd was lapping up the classics like 'Dirty Love', 'Love walked in' and 'Gimme some lovin and the band pulled in so many people that you could get near the Tuborg tent. I'll miss these guys!

Anvil

Probably the nicest guys in rock! Glad they had their moment headlining the Turborg stage. Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner are incredible musicians and Steve Kudlow really knows how to engage an audience with entertaining stories about why and how many of the songs were written. 'Metal on Metal' was a real highlight (see video above) and I can't wait to see the film now!

Dream Theatre

These guys have a hardcore fan base that ensures their popularity whereever they are. I didn't know much of their back catalogue but they really impressed me with their set. Tracks such as Pull Me Under and Rite of Passage proved popular with the crowd and demonstrated the bands intensity and melodic sensibilities.

Skin

It was great to see these guys back in action and playing to such a big crowd. They have written some clasic rock tunes during their career and they all came out on their sunday set. Tower of Strength, Look but don't touch and House of Love all got the crowd going big time. Probably one of the best surprises of the festival!

Def Leppard

What can I say? Simply awesome. We were right at the front for these guys and it was worth the wait. The band were on incredible form and were worthy headliners from start to finish. Highlights for me were Animal, Hysteria, Bring on The Heartbreak/Switch 625 (almost died and went to heaven when they played this!) and Rock of Ages. Rick Allen received a well deserved standing ovation and the gig proved an emotional and worthy tribute to his courage and determination. He's one of rocks true heroes and as Joe Elliot said " stand up rick , this ain't gonna happen again!"

I'll always be a hardcore Def Leppard fan and its great to see the band playing to an audience of 70,000 plus. It was almost like going back to when Hysteria had just been released. A true slice of rock heaven that I'll never forget.