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home » festivals » Download » Download Festival 2010
Rage Against The Machine unite Download with a politically raging fireDownload 2010 reviewFriday 18th June 2010 With their recent victory show at Finsbury Park only a week behind us, Rage Against The Machine provide the perfect answer to headline the Saturday night at Download 2010.  The crowd is at it's most jam packed all weekend, already suffering from surging and collapse before the music even begins. A long wait is quickly ended with a siren bellowing over the PA system, and the simple yet iconic red star banner is raised at the stage rear. Rage emerge to overwhelming screams and cheer and fire into the unmistakable drum roll and guitar wail of 'Testify'. The crowd turn absolutely insane. A sea of people jump up and down in unison for a band many of us thought would never see again live. It starts perfectly, every note from vocals to bass sounding exactly right. Front man Zack De La Rocha is clearly engaged, passionate and most importantly enjoying the madness that is ensuing. A madness which then causes third track 'People Of The Sun' to stop! "Our brothers and sisters down the front here need some room. So please everybody, if you just take a couple of steps back, thank you so much." It's comforting to know how concerned the band are about their fans, with the front rows becoming dangerously crushed down front. Rocha remains vigilant and pleads the crowd to take care of one another throughout the set. It's not a hostile crowd, just a supercharged one with too little space. After another truly inspiring speech of change. Of how "If we stand united and with focus, we can achieve anything." Rocha introduces 'Know Your Enemy' which he further declares "This isn't about Simon Cowell – it's about what he represents."  Rage continue to dominate the evening with stand out tracks such as 'Wake Up', 'Bullet In The Head', and 'Township Rebellion'. A cover of The Clash's 'White Riot' provides more fuel for the politically raging fire. Then conclude their set with a performance of perhaps their most pertinent track of modern times, 'Killing In The Name'. With a roar of the audience screaming at the top of their lungs to each and every word of the chorus. They complete their performance to a deafening cheer and the picture on the big screen of Tom Morello's fist held high in the air. Rage Against The Machine are a band that has a live show with a power which is unrivalled. Yes they're not the same scale as AC/DC or Aerosmith, but it's not stature which makes a band. It's the passionate music with that political charge which truly sets them apart. The show feels intimate and complex. Moving and personal. To see Rage live is to see rock music in it's purest form. With members of a band which haven't lost sight of their ideals set out during their inception in 1991. It's a truly eye opening show, which leaves the viewer with a new found feeling of inspiration and desire. Rage will continue to pioneer with a message and attitude which remains constantly relevant; and with a following which stands receptive yet most importantly, United.  review by Phil Davies photos by Danielle Millea
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