55,000 people all getting on at Download
I really wanted to see some old favourites, and get to see some new bands - but what would it be like?
I shouldn't have been worried-Download at Donnington Park was superb! Not only was the music great, but the atmosphere was really good, the weather was great, nothing got nicked and the beer was cold! Not only that, but the mix was eclectic, every age, style, interest (Apart from people who wear pastel colours - Black, grey brown tee-shirts were the uniform worn by all)
The day did start with a "Bit of a challenge". What makes Donnington such a great venue for concerts is that it is situated on rolling hills - put the stages at the bottom of dips, and everyone can see. The downside of this arrangement is that when you are dragging all the food, booze, water, tents, cooking stuff that is needed for a 3 day sojourn, 2 miles from the car park to the campsite up and down dale, it bloody hurts!
Stage 2 - showing the angle of the terrain
I met up with Peter 2/3 rds of the way to the campsite. The temperature by this time was in the mid 80's, and we both looked more dead than alive, but we finally found the campsite("Turn left just after the toilets", "Where are the toilets?", "You'll know when you get there!")
Chris, James and Peter at the Campsite
James and Chris had already put up our tents, but it still took a couple of hours to get our life organised. At last - time to go look at some bands on the 3 stages!
The sound systems were superb, lighting great, and most of the bands were superb.
The band that first attracted me to part with a weekend ticket was an ol' favourite ZZ Top, and they, of course did their Southern cool brilliantly. But there were other bands that I didn't "Get" such as Slipknot, that did such a good job, that I'm a convert.
ZZ Top doing what they do best - being Cool
I guess if I had to call out my favourites, Marilyn Manson, Dragonforce, ZZ Top, Slipknot and Faith no more have to be at the top of the list. I found Whitesnake a bit formulaic, but what do I know!
The weather was superb, and I failed to put on enough sun block, so rather than coming backed bronzed, I came back bright red and peeling - more Rock lobster than Rockjunky!
The Campsite at dusk
And will we be going next year - Oh yes, but this time with some other method of dragging my Food and Booze from the car park,
Many Thanks to Chris and James for setting up the campsite and looking after us, as well as thanks to Peter for being a good mate as we both felt like dying as we dragged our life up yet another hill.
