Latest News

25th May
Glade offer to Golden Down Festival ticket holders
anyone who had a ticket can now go to Glade for free
25th May
WOMAD add Femi Kuti, Khaled, Gurrumul, Hot Water, and Chet Nuneta
Toddla T, DJ Yoda, Balkan Beat Box, The Correspondents, and more
24th May
Shambala adds Beth Rowley, Bison, Gabby Young, and more
Spiro, The Boxettes, Roy Bailey & Tony Benn, Yes Sir Boss
24th May
next month's Golden Down Festival is cancelled
organisers realise they are unable to stage the festival
24th May
Lou Reed announced for Antony Hegarty's Meltdown
tickets go on sale next Thursday
  rss | more news arrow
home » festivals » Download » Download Festival 2008

Sunday overview

Download 2008

Thursday 19th June 2008


After being let down yesterday, I was looking for a pick me up and found it in the form of Rose Tattoo, those of you old enough to remember will know the lead singer Angry Anderson was behind Scott and Charlene's wedding song in Neighbours, but no sign of Kylie today. Feeling the love of down under I felt that I must go and give some of the new bands a listen and give them a fair hearing. So looking down the schedule I decided to catch fellow Australians 'Airbourne'.

Airbourne (1)


Upon arriving at the Turborg stage, it was clear to see that Airbourne had got a huge following. So maybe I would be in for some enjoyable music for a change. They didn't disappoint me! To give you an idea, imagine a young energetic version of AC/DC and you wont go far wrong. The vocalist even grabbed an Austrailian flag from the audience and climbed up the rafters and attached to the top of the stage. If it had have gone wrong he more than likely would have died. That's old school rock n roll!!!

Then from that point on I just wondered aimlessly from stage to stage catching bands that I may not have usually wanted to see. Apocalyptica were very talented, and even impressed the crowd, but I'm sorry that sort of classical music sound doesn't do anything for me, but I have to admit that they were worthy of playing on the main stage.

Within Temptation were also a pleasant enough band to watch and listen to. They are a more epic version of Evanescence. Vocalist Sharon den Adel was captivating to watch, and would be worth seeing in the near future.

The Wildhearts

Then it was a long trek over to the Turborg stage once again to catch another nostalgic band called The Wildhearts, who again know how to please a crowd songs like 'Caffeine Bomb' made an instant impact. Ginger may have lost his long hair but definitely not his charisma as he keep the crowd entertained whilst waiting for a new guitar, however he did encourage people to throw bottles and at one point some nutter threw a sharp object into the pit, at which point the band were pulled off stage and the set cut short.

Back on the main stage the stage was all set for the Lostprophets arrival, the crowd let out an eardrum shattering cheer, and even though I'm not a big fan of Lostprophets they certainly deserved to be headlining. They were the complete opposite to KISS in many ways, firstly there was a lack of gimmicks, no backdrop unlike KISS with all their stage props. And in comparison to KISS, Lostprophets are relatively new comers to the live circuit. But give them their dos, they clearly are able to rely purely on the music to win over the crowd, and at the end of the day if a band is able to do that, then that is their job properly done.

Lostprophets

So in all fairness, despite all of the comments good or bad since the line up was announced. It would be fair to say that Download catered for a wide range of musical tastes, from the nostalgic old school rocker (me) to the young emo/ new rock fans. The only real disappointment was The Offspring, but even then the Download festival had a million and one other things for people to be doing. I think that's why it had been such a peaceful festival.

So another year gone, did I enjoy it? Hell yeah!! So now there is only one question left, will AC/DC play next year?? (Get the rumours circulating now).

review by Julie Weston
photos by Luke Seagrave





the eFestivals Camping Store
Festival search Ticket search

search future festivals only   advanced search

Download,
related articles:

2008 Line-ups & rumours

Forum

more on Download Festival 08

Download home
News:
1st May 12
three more for Download
Download Festival 12

12th April 12
Download honours Jim Marshall
Download Festival 12

4th April 12
Refused, Kids in Glass Houses, Gallows, & more for Download
Download Festival 12

20th March 12
Download bossed announce first charity Long Walk
Download Festival 12

19th March 12
Europe lead the latest dozen new acts for Download
Download Festival 12

Reviews:
Some unexpected gems elevate day one of Download 2011
Download Festival 11

System of a Down greatest hits package leaves Download mesmerised on day two
Download Festival 11

Linkin Park dodge the rain to provide a slick finish to Download 2011
Download Festival 11

small stage magic helps ignite opening day of Download
Download Festival 11

the best line-up is unleashed on Saturday at Download
Download Festival 11

Interviews:
The King Blues:
Download Festival 11

Michael Monroe talks to eFestivals
Download Festival 10

Burn after reading
Download Festival 09

Anthony Giannaccini from None The Less interview
Download Festival 09

Myke Gray from Skin interview
Download Festival 09

Photos:
around the festival site
Download Festival 11

Alice Cooper
Download Festival 11

Alter Bridge
Download Festival 11

Anti Flag
Download Festival 11

Avenged Sevenfold
Download Festival 11

Listed Events:
Download Festival 12

Download Festival 11

Download Festival 10

Download Festival 09

Download Festival 08


puddlezrainponchos.co.uk
Funky Rain Ponchos
If it is raining then you have come to the right place, our rainwear will keep the elements at bay
carbon neutral logoeFestivals is
carbon neutral
more »
WaterAid
eFestivals supports WaterAid, more »
sign up for the
festivals newsletter
more »
© Copyright 1998 - 2012 eFestivals.co.uk | disclaimer | Privacy Policy | site map