Download Festival 2008: Day 1

+ Beat Union, Blackhole, In Case Of Fire, High On Fire, Rival Schools, Dillinger Escape Plan

Donington, Derbyshire - 13 Jun 2008

by Louise Howells

Day 1 at the annual rockfest

"What seems like a million miles away, over on the Tuborg Stage, Rival Schools are delivering an equally appreciative audience something altogether different."

The general theme for this year’s Download seems to be walking; walking on grass, walking on tarmac, walking on stones, walking on discarded chips and Muller Rice cartons... With Download 2008 taking place slightly later into the month of June than usual, the powers that be deemed the event to be taking place too close to the motorbike Grand Prix for the music festival to take place in its usual spot of slap bang in the middle of the racing circuit. As a result the whole Download site has this year been moved a quarter of a mile to the west meaning a good long hike from the campsite to the arena.

Despite the trek, arriving to the retro-cool sounds of Beat Union warming up the Main Stage gets the festival off to an up-tempo start. Although it soon becomes obvious not everyone is as enthusiastic about such a poppy start to a supposedly metal festival. But by the time the brummy boys settle into their stride with the super-catchy 'Dancing In Our Sleep', there are feet tapping and Mohawks bobbing all around. Playing the Main Stage at one in the afternoon on the first day was always going to be a challenge for a band who’s influences lean more towards The Police than Pantera but rounding off their set with a Specials-fused version of 'Can’t Stop The Radio', they actually look like they’ve pulled off the impossible.

The Gibson tent is this years’ only indoor stage, quite a risk judging from the weather forecast. Luckily by mid-afternoon, the sun finally breaks though the clouds and it looks hopeful the weekend won’t be spent huddling for cover with 40,000 music fans in one small tent. Unfortunately for Blackhole, it also means that everyone heads outside to enjoy the sunshine just as they take to the stage. Those who stay behind clearly do so for the music. Fists in air, the most responsive crowd of the day so far are patient as the band test out new material. The wait clearly proving worthwhile as Blackhole eventually prove their worth with tried and tested tunes and give their already dedicated fans exactly what they want.

When In Case Of Fire take to the stage shortly afterwards it’s a surprise to find the audience has thinned out further. It’s a shame as the Northern Irish three-piece treat us to an intelligent blend of fast-paced bass-heavy melodies, soaring vocals and catchy lyrics culminating in just the right amount of rock-out intensity to get the small gathering moving.

There’s a complete change of mood by the time, High On Fire stride out onto the same stage. The tent is finally starting to look like more than just a handful of people have noticed it hiding behind the crazy hats and sunglasses stalls. Perhaps it’s because High on Fire have the luxury of being the first really heavy band to play the Gibson tent, whatever it is they are giving the people what they came for. Matt Pike, truly looking like he owns the place, struts around the stage, shirt off, belly out, accompanying the powerful stoner thrash with throaty growls that defy belief.

What seems like a million miles away, over on the Tuborg Stage, Rival Schools are delivering an equally appreciative audience something altogether different. And it’s not just the music that proves a contrast. Stuck way out on a limb of the Donnington site, the Tuborg Stage feels like a completely different event. The crowd don’t look old enough to have heard of Motorhead or Judas Priest who are currently rocking the Main Stage. And over here there isn’t a Kiss-style painted face in sight. This crowd is happily enjoying a self-contained festival of their own as Rival Schools’ set climaxes in a stunning rendition of 'Used For Glue' leaving the throng begging for more and thanking God that Walter Schreifels et al saw fit to reunite.

As Kiss descend from the rafters of the Main Stage, Dillinger Escape Plan take to the stage back in the Gibson tent. Astounding a finally packed crowd with their trademarked combination of mind-warping mathcore complexity and eye-dazzling lighting effects they leave no one regretting the choice to swap cheesy platformed glamour for intellect and precision. Everyone watching the Gibson Stage right now has effectively chosen Carol Vorderman over Jordan and we’re all proud to admit it.
Stewie said on July 22nd 2008 [report abuse]

Cheesy Platformed Glamour?? That's what Kiss are all about and being a Dillinger Escape Plan fan for some time (and seeing them perform live before) I would rather have the pure rock and roll theatre of Kiss than the drudgery of DEP. Yeah Kiss are Jordan to DEP's Vorderman but I want to go to a gig to have fun, not to have my accounts taken care of!

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