2 weeks ago I attended the ever so awesome Download Festival for the 3rd time. And of course it was amazing!
Although I didn't know many of the smaller bands this year, a lot of bands I've loved and listened to for years that I thought I would rarely get a chance to see did.
I don't have much to say about it and I don't have many photos as my phone is still broken so I'll just lost my highlights of the 5 days I spent away from reality;
1. Nothing will ever top this for me, but watching Slipknot, so close to the front, singing my heart out and being soaking wet from the rain! The heavens had opened but I really didn't care, it was the best moment for me as its a band I've loved since I was only 10 years old and I completely fucked my voice from the non stop singing along.
2. KISS! I never thought at 24 years old I would get to see KISS, and only 3 rows from the front! I sang so loud and was covered in confetti (I was still fishing it out of my pockets the next day). Seeing Paul Stanley zip wire just above and front of me, Gene Simmons still with his bloody mouth and the atmosphere they brought to download will be something I will never forget.
3. Mötley Crüe. I think most people know my love for this band! Every time I've seen them they've been great and this was no exception. (Once again I was so close and I have no idea how I kept getting in these great spots as I didn't stay in the crowds, I walked around all day until who I wanted to see was on) I don't really need to say anything on these as I've said it all before.
4. Lord Summersby's Manor. This was just a bar that had been set up in the Main Arena this year but I've gotta say it was a pretty fun place (and I really hope it's there next year!). There were circus type acts, awesome music playing including Pantera and Van Halen and its was very warm shelter where you could sit and enjoy a beer from the rain that was going on outside
5. Slash. I never really had any interest in seeing Slash live but I'm really glad I did. I saw Guns N Roses a couple of years back (basically an oxygen starved Axl Rose and his merry men) and it wasn't great. However, Slash played some GNR tracks and just killed it! It definitely made up for that shitty GNR set Id seen in the past and I would definitely see him again.
6. The food! This year there were so many vegan options at Download! I ate so much awesesome food, se of my favourites were the gourmet pizza, veggie burgers, spicy bean burgers, hippy chips, the Chinese in the village which had the most amazing spring rolls and tempura BUT! The most amazing thing was my combo of an icy margarita and a chilli bread bowl! Had a crusty loaf, hollowed out and filled with tasty vegan chilli! And this time they didn't substitute meat for spice so it was just beautiful!
7. Another food topic; our camp BBQ! We had a chef with us and so had a huge BBQ full of different kinds of food for meat eaters and vegans alike - safe to say there was a lot of food left over
8. The club nights this year were great. Last year they were a little dull but this year moving between them and the doghouse pub which were both cheap for drinks and filled with great music and atmospheres made for nights out better than I've had at home
9. Lastly the people. Every year download has a great crowd and the people I camped with, friends Id seen there, new friends is met and everyone else made it, once again, unforgettable
Of course all of the other bands Id seen were just brilliant but I couldn't list every single act or Id be here forever!
ROLL ON NEXT YEAR!
