This years Download Festival was always going to be something special and with AC/DC, Rage Against The Machine and Aerosmith headlining there was an air of excitement from the minute the festival started. With probably the biggest crowds Download has ever seen, this years festival has probably been the most successful ever. Check out our full Download 2010 review below.
Before I get on to the good stuff, lets just get the crap out of the way. Firstly no AC/DC on the official Download 2010 t-shirts? What the hell is that about? There are a ton of rumours that AC/DC were incredibly expensive ( no surprise if you saw their stage show but more about that later) so merchandising may have been used as a way to claw back some much needed revenue. If this is true I think its a real shame not to see the AC/DC name on the t-shirts and a real dissapointment for fans. Secondly the food was extortionate and whilst this is something common to all festivals, it does make festivals way more expensive than they need to be. Thirdly the campsite is more like a demilitarised zone so getting a good nights rest is never really on the cards. I can’t see this ever changing so be warned if you ever plan of going to another download. Its RIP camping next year for me! On a plus note the toilets were emptied on a regular basis and weren’t anywher near as bad as I thought they would be. Result!
Ok so on to the bands. What I really loved about this years Download festival was the sheet quality of all the bands playing the smaller stages. You could have an amazing festival without going anywhere near the main stage which I think is awesome. The Pepsi Max stage in particular was superb (much like the Tuborg tent last year). Rock Sugar, Y&T, Halestorm and Skin were real highlights for me!
The Jagermeister acoustic stage was also a revelation with fine acoustic performances from many tops bands including Skin, Dommin, Enuff Znuff and Everything Burns (shameless plug for Cornish Rock!). Plenty of hardcore fans turning out for these bands which ensured a great atmosphere!
AC/DC
So on to the headliners, AC/DC kicked off the Friday night with what I have to say is probably one of the finest stage shows from a rock band that I have ever had the privilege of seeing. This was AC/DC’s first time in 19 years and the band exploded to a note perfect Runnaway Train. The show had all the favourites and was complete with CGI graphics, pyrotechnics, inflatable rosie, exploding cannons and fireworks. What more do you want? The crowd loved any minute and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a crowd so excited in my life. What stood out for me was the incredible marshall tone that Angus had, the sounds system was as good as I’ve ever heard.
AC/DC setlist – June 11th 2010 – Donington Park
- Runaway Train
- Back in Black
- Big Jack
- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
- Shot Down In Flames
- Thunderstruck
- Black Ice
- T.N.T.
- The Jack
- Hells Bells
- Shoot To Thrill
- War Machine
- High Voltage
- Shook Me All Night Long
- Whole Lotta Rosie
- Let There Be Rock
Encore
- Highway To Hell
- For Those About To Rock
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine headlined on Saturday and whilst the band didn’t have the advantage of such a dynamic stage, the band were awesome. The crowd went mental (no surprise there then) and the band actually had to stop the set a few bars into People of the Sun as a couple of fans were injured. Zack controlled the crowd really well and they got everyone to take a few steps back so first aiders could get in to helps the fans out. Things were soon back to normal however and tha band totally rocked Donnington Park. The performance is intense full of polical message and a wall of sound like no other band can create. You literally have to experience this band live to know what I’m talking about. It’s a wall of sound like no other!
“Rage left the stage having set out what they achieved to do. Spread a political message. Thank their UK fans for never losing faith in them. And above all, to have an awesome time sending thousands of people wild on the world’s most prestigious rock turf.”
www.downloadfestival.co.uk
Rage Against The Machine setlist – June 12th 2010 – Donington Park
- Testify
- Bombtrack
- People Of The Sun
- Know Your Enemy
- Bulls On Parade
- Township Rebellion
- White Riot (The Clash cover)
- Bullet In The Head
- Calm Like A Bomb
- Guerrilla Radio
- Sleep Now In The Fire
- Wake Up
Encore
- Freedom
- Killing In The Name
Aerosmith
Despite a massive Downpour on the Sunday afternoon the crowd is still firmly encamped in front of the main stage ready for what promises to be an incredible set from Aerosmith. The band from Boston don’t dissapoint! The band run through some absolute classics including Love in an elevator, Livin on the edge, Sweet emotion and Mama kin. Shame we didn’t see much material from Permanent Vacation though ( a big favourite of mine).
“Closing the weekend in formidable style the Boston boys climaxed with an encore which included fan favourites Dream On and Walk This Way.”
www.downloadfestival.co.uk
Aerosmith setlist – June 13th 2010 – Donington Park
- Love in an Elevator
- Back in the Saddle
- Mama Kin
- Eat The Rich
- Livin’ on the Edge
- What It TakesA
- Train Kept A-Rollin’ (Tiny Bradshaw cover)
- Cryin’
- Lord Of The Thighs
- Stop Messin’ Around (Fleetwood Mac cover)
- I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing
- Sweet Emotion
- Baby, Please Don’t Go (Big Joe Williams cover)
Encore
- Dream On
- Walk This Way
- Toys in the Attic
I’m looking forward to seeing what the Download team can pull off next year but I get the impression that this lineup will be hard to beat for some time!
