Wild Nights: Five Classic Download Sets (Download Festival Feature)
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Written by Sam Jones
On June 14, Download gets underway. Iron Maiden, Rammstein and Slipknot will headline the 11th edition of the festival, a descendant of the legendary Monsters of Rock event held on the same hallowed ground at Donington Park.
Since its inception in 2003, Download has provided the UK's rock and metal fans with a smorgasbord of hell-raising acts and legendary performances. Here we take a look at some of the festival's finest moments, from secret shows to metal karaoke, new faces and circle pits. Horns at the ready.
Metallica's big secret – Download 2003
Iron Maiden and Audioslave headlined the inaugural festival, although there was a surprise for fans as Metallica popped up almost unannounced on the second stage. With around 8,000 people packed into the tent the metal legends ran through a set including classics Sad But True, Master of Puppets and Damage, Inc. The band were preparing to release 'St. Anger' and would headline Reading and Leeds later in the year, hence the need for secrecy. In 2006 the band also played 'Master of Puppets' in full as they headlined the main stage, repeating the trick with 'Metallica' in 2012.
Trivium announce their arrival – Download 2005
Having released a critically-acclaimed sophomore album – 'Ascendancy' – the Floridian thrash-revivalists were among friends at Download 2006. Called upon to open the main stage on day two, they walked and were greeted by the kind of crowd usually reserved for headliners. Vocalist Matt Heafy introduced opener Rain with a cry of “unleash hell”, and he wasn't let down. Circle pits soon sent up plumes of dust, with the band tearing through an eight-song set including Like Light to Flies and Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr. They had arrived.
Korn's revolving door – Download 2006
When Korn frontman Jonathan Davies was rushed to hospital just prior to their main stage appearance in 2006, all appeared lost. But the Californian nu-metal pioneers had one trick left up their sleeves. Or tucked inside their basketball jerseys. We're not sure. They were joined on stage by a veritable who's who of contemporary metal singers, with Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Coal Chamber's Dez Fafara, Trivium's Heafy and M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold all taking the mic. Taylor's Freak on a Leash was a particular highlight and a fine example of how to make the best out of a bad situation. Davies and Korn returned the following year.
AC/DC take the stage – Download 2010
AC/DC are Donington royalty. At Download 2010, they were afforded a welcome befitting their status. A second stage was constructed – runway included – solely for their headlining set, allowing them to bring their full stadium show to the party. Very few bands do 'big' like AC/DC, and this was no different. Runaway trains, hell's bells, all the bases were covered. Beneath the pyrotechnics, fans were treated to a set brimming with classics, from Shoot to Thrill, to Thunderstruck and Back in Black. Angus Young cartwheeled around the place like a man half his age – flashing his AC/DC boxers in the process – while Brian Johnson conducted proceedings. It was a fine way to celebrate 30 years of music at Donington.
Round and round with Machine Head – Download 2012
Very few frontmen can offer the boundless enthusiasm of Machine Head's Robb Flynn. He loves metal. Loves it. And metal fans love him for just that reason. At Download 2012, Flynn and his merry men brought the house down. At one stage the band incited a reported 29 circle pits during their main stage set. If festivals are good for one thing it's letting your hair down, and Machine Head made absolutely sure that their fans had a few things to talk about at work the following Monday.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
