Download Festival 2008: Day 3

Today we see the first rain of the weekend. But contrary to what we’ve all been anticipating this rain doesn’t come from the clouds above, it rains from the crowds lined up below the Tubord stage and it’s not water, but water bottles that rain down on Lethal Bizzle and company. But that’s just the start. Once supplies start running low the crowd turn their attention to the pots of Muller Rice that some marketing exec thought it would be a good idea to give away for free. Now ‘the Bizzle’ is flicking rice pudding from his hands with the words “You ruined my fuckin’ outfit an’ shit!”

Yet somehow this East London grime rapper rnanages to turn it around. Somewhere between the Snoop Dogg and Cyprus Hill covers the crowd start to get into it and by the end of the set “Bizzle! Bizzle! Bizzle!” fills the air. Whether it’s through sympathy or genuine admiration the crowd coax Lethal Bizzle back on stage and provide the only accompaniment to his encore- a one man version of ‘Staring At The Rude Boys’. Now that is bravery!

It’s cock-rock heaven when Airbourne take to the Tuborg stage. Classic rock fans are in their element as this Melbourne based quartet start pumping out tunes about girls, women, girls and their “diamonds in the rough”. From a distance you’d be forgiven for thinking this band are another classic 80s outfit reformed to take advantage of the fresh interest in rock and metal. But get up close and you soon notice these guys are young, one of the new breed of retro rock bands making cock-rock cool all over again.

From now on there’s nowhere else to be but in front of the Main Stage. Limited to a 50 minute set Coheed And Cambria deliver a punchy hit-packed set, free from the guitar-diddling that can sometimes blight their headline performances. Sing along classics like ‘In keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3’ and ‘The Crowing’ are interspersed with the tracks from the more recent ‘Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV’ albums to keep even the most fickle fans happy.

Following on the theme, Jimmy Eat World are up next. They deliver an even more established battery of favourites. As the sun begins to go down behind the stage the audience show their appreciation for feel-good classics like ‘A Praise Chorus’ and ‘The Middle’ either by moving their feet or flashing their boobs, dependent on gender and inclination.

The sun is beginning to set as Lostprophets strut confidently onto the stage, none of the traditional overblown Download headliners theatrics for them, instead they rely on lighting, rock poses and the opening bars of ‘We Still Kill the Old Way’ to make an entrance. The lyrics possibly more appropriate than ever.

Since it was announced Lostprophets would be not only playing Download but closing the entire festival doubts have been raised, and it’s been a regular topic of conversation throughout the weekend; should Kiss have played Sunday? Are Lostprophets ‘big enough’? But whatever the question, these home-grown rock stars answer decisively. There is no doubt the crowd are loving every second. Whether or not some of the older/heavier music fans have headed home already the arena is now packed with fans, arms waving singing back every word.

All the old favourites are there, but chances are also taken. Two new tracks are showcased; ‘Get In The Car’ is already familiar with hardcore fans having made repeated appearances at live shows over the past year, but ‘Not The End Of The World’ is brand shiny new. Ever fearless frontman, Ian Watkins takes the time to teach the chorus to the crowd first, ensuring an instant hit.

The lasers and pyrotechnics start to heat things up in ‘Everyday Combat’ and ‘Shinobi vs Dragonninja’ building into a crescendo of explosions and flames for ‘Burn Burn’. But all in all this is not a special effects laden show. Lostprophets do what they do and they to it to perfection, no stunts, no encore and surprisingly little banter, just 90 minutes of back-to-back crowd-pleasing British rock music. And who can argue with that?