So how was 2014 people?

[t8yman]

In time honoured fashion, I caved in and went for the Sunday. Even though I said I wasn't going this year due to the lineup. I really wanted to see Dillinger again, the weather was OK, and despite having to wake up at 4:10am today to drive home and go to work, I'm really glad I went.

Sunday was obviously the poorest day weather-wise, but at least it wasnt windy at all. I watched Sepultura, Volbeat, bits of other stuff including 2 bands on the acoustic stage and one in the Red Bull tent, and the mighty Dillinger Escape Plan, who "tore the tent a new arsehole" tbh.

My mates said that their bands of the weekend were Royal Blood and Twisted Sister.

It was noticably quieter than previous years, which was quite nice actually - you could get fairly near the front for most stuff without being stood on or jostled, and movement between stages was dead easy. Props to Copping for his "book a shit lineup" method of crowd reduction.

I'm knackered, I'm aching, and I want to lay down for a bit, but my fleeting Download 2014 visit was a good one.

[cornucopia]

3 outstanding highlights for me were

Royal Blood

The Graveltones

Twisted Sister.

I've seen TS a few times before but they were unbelievably good this time round.

[atomised]

Royal blood were a highlight for me. Was nice that it was a bit less hectic, enjoyed it on the whole

[5co77ie]

the photos I've seen look like numbers were down and the arena shrunk - is that right?

Also were half the campsites closed?

Edited June 16, 2014 by 5co77ie

[eFestivals]

It was noticably quieter than previous years,

i heard a report via a roundabout route that there was only around 35,000 there.

Is that about right, or is it wrong?

Edited June 16, 2014 by eFestivals

[t8yman]

We camped offsite so I don't know, the arena didn't seem any smaller to me tbh, but the sparser crowds were refreshing.

[t8yman]

i heard a report via a roundabout route that there was only around 35,000 there.

Is that about right, or is it wrong?

[rivalschools.price]

Had a brilliant time, great weekend.

Lying on my sofa in shreds now.

It was great to have plenty of room at the festival.Rubbish at predicting numbers so not going to argue but 35,000 does sound low, there seemed more than that.

Lets face it, Avenged, Linkin Park and Aerosmith were never going to pull in big numbers.

[lightning1000]

i heard a report via a roundabout route that there was only around 35,000 there.

Is that about right, or is it wrong?

[lightning1000]

Oh and I queued for a piss with Richie sambora.

[eFestivals]

Oh and I queued for a piss with Richie sambora.

So go on then, we all know you looked. Big or small?

[lightning1000]

So go on then, we all know you looked. Big or small?

[tohellweride]

My friends and I had an awesome time, I would say that approx. 50,000 sounds and looked about right, with a big chunk of day tickets shifted for the Linkin Park day, what with it being a Saturday and all. As usual, it was a really good friendly crowd, which you don't get at a lot of other festivals.

The arena didn't seem any smaller than normal but it was really easy to get from place to place as it wasn't so rammed. I hardly queued for anything the whole weekend.

In terms of the line up, we were running all over the place trying to watch all the bands we wanted to see, there was plenty of quality on offer. Rob Zombie was a bit of a let down as there was zero stage show when compared to 2011, maybe only Avenged were allowed pyro etc. that day so their headline set wasn't compromised.

The supposed 'don't encourage circle pits, crowd surfing and moshing' by live nation was a bit lame so was good to see people still going for it and 'dancing responsibly'. Just live nation passing the blame buck if anything did happen I guess.

One last point, without going into the politics of it, why book Steel Panther and then refuse to show boobs on the screens?

[Andre91]

How were Avenged for those of you who went and saw them? A couple of my friends were working at Download and said they were very, very good. I've also read several glowing reviews about their set too, so I'm just wondering how you guys found them. Bona fide headliners now?

[lightning1000]

How were Avenged for those of you who went and saw them? A couple of my friends were working at Download and said they were very, very good. I've also read several glowing reviews about their set too, so I'm just wondering how you guys found them. Bona fide headliners now?

[kipper64]

Think BBC newsbeat did an article on it and quoted 50k per day, so if accurate camping must have been less than 50k as I'm assuming that'd be including day ticketers.

[binkz]

Hi guys, Newbie here.

Was supposed to go foe the weekend but on account of my mates being the worst didnt end up going this year!

But I live by 2 rules 1) No flavoured syrups in coffee 2) never miss an Aerosmith gig. So naturally I made a last minute journey to Donnington.

Didnt get there till 3pm so didnt get to see too much. firstly it definatley seemed quieter thiis year. not sure how it was the first two days, but Classic Rock reported more tickets sold on Sunday out of the weekend?? although its hardly surprising giving the lineup this year!

Caught Crazy Town (who I didnt know execpt that one song) but quite enjoyed them. BSC smashed it. Steel panther were great. Alter Bridge went down OK. Aerosmith were worth the journey.

Are we expecting a DVD maybe? what with all the cameras and ST telling us their recording the whole show?

[devilman]

Friday was as empty as I've ever seen it. A7X were really good despite the poor numbers. I reckon 85k on saturday. Watched TS and the start of quo but they just weren't doing it for me so I went to see Linkin Park and they were really good. Surprising after last time. TS were awesome. On Sunday Volbeat, Seether, AB and Aerosmith were all brilliant.

Best for me was Volbeat, dunno why and don't even know much of their stuff despite seeing them 3 times now. I shall be checking out a lot of their stuff. Bonamassa was great too. Didn't see any one bad at all.

The emptier arena made it quicker to get around and the weather made the whole experience more pleasant. It was as good for me as any other year over all. Would use again

[devilman]

Saturday was busiest by far. Aerosmith kicked butt and even proved it was really live by fucking up a couple of times . Hope the DVD they were recording shows Tyler messing up at the start of Dream On and giggling about it. People commented about how there were no fireworks or pyro for them but there really was none needed. Pros at the top of their game.

Edited June 16, 2014 by devilman

[Moey]

Great weekend for me.

Friday - saw Tax the Heat, The Answer and The Temperance Movement on the 2nd. All pretty decent (if not heavy enough for some). Got in to the tent for Royal Blood, who I thought were excellent.

Saturday - Skid Row, sadly not as good as Sebastian Bach a couple of years ago. Killswitch Engage we pretty good. Though maybe a poor man's FFDP?

The Wildhearts were great and followed by the surprise of the weekend in Twisted Sister, what a front man!!

I saw Quo, and it was what you'd expect - one big party. I don't think I've ever seen the whole crowd dancing before. Caught the last 45 mins of Linkin Park who were very good, with some good crowd interaction. Though, my mates said the first part of the show (hybrid) was the best bit. Didn't bother with the football, though I heard the atmosphere was pretty good.

Sunday - Kill Devil Hill were better than I expected. Bit of a Pantera reunion at the end?

Buckcherry were good, Richie Sambora was a weird one. Needed a bit more sound I think. Good for a sing along at the end though.

Now, Joe Bonamassa. I must say I was slightly disappointed. I wasn't sure what to expect, but a bit of crowd interaction wouldn't have gone amiss. Undoubtedly a superb guitarist though.

Made it in to the tent for BSC who were the highlight of the weekend for me. The tent was rammed, the anticipation of the crowd was there, and they played hit after hit. I was worried that they would be here to peddle the new album, but they absolutely nailed it.

Steel Panther were better 2 years ago. I agree with what someone else posted, the set was too loaded with new songs that aren't as strong as the stuff from balls out. Not sure what happened to the boobies on screen either.

Aerosmith were excellent. Great close to the festival.

Never seen it as quiet as Friday. Sat and Sun a lot busier tho. Great atmosphere as always. Already looking forward to next year.

[t8yman]

Killswitch Engage we pretty good. Though maybe a poor man's FFDP?

Edited June 17, 2014 by t8yman

[Moey]

Just my opinion there on Killswitch. Nothing meant by it.

As for Panther, I wasn't saying the show was worse for the lack of tits. Just that I thought it was a large part of their show/performance. Makes no odds to me if people decide to get them out or not. I agree with you though, the cameras shouldn't keep going back to someone who is not interested.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Moey

[t8yman]

I think your post pressed my buttons due to my intense dislike of both 5FDP and Steel Panther.

[devilman]

I really hate nanny state and political correctness. It's fucking stupid and what you get is reactive swings the other way. It's one of the reasons that UKIP are on the rise. That's another issue though. We're forever hearing about "drink responsibly" and now dance responsibly yet the idiots in charge can't even get a camera man to act responsibly so the whole festival has to change as a result? The tits on the screens and mosh pits are what gives Download a different identity. Take that away and you'll have a nice festival for nice people with nice music. Just like all the other nice festivals.

If we're going along the nice route then anyone on shoulders should be ejected. It's dangerous and blocks everyone's view. Anybody nearby is then in danger of being struck by missiles, liquid and otherwise. And chairs should be banned too. They're really dangerous especially in the dark. That loud music should be turned down too. Maybe all the food served should be checked for it's halal status and whether it passes certain nutritional requirements and that alcohol is bad. People should be limited to how any units they consume a day. Of course, the attendees will have to pay for all of this extra admin on their tickets but it should make for a well rounded experience for everybody. Smoking should only be allowed in a designated area next to the sexually orientation segregated toilets too. Nothing worse than someone sparking up in the crowd.

There's plenty of girls want to show their paps off so the cameramen never need to pick on anybody unwilling and at the end of the day no one forced that girl up on their shoulders.

T8yman will have a canary now but whilst I agree that 5FDP and KSE are completely different, 5FDP are a far better live band IMHO

[eFestivals]

I really hate nanny state and political correctness. It's fucking stupid and what you get is reactive swings the other way. It's one of the reasons that UKIP are on the rise. That's another issue though. We're forever hearing about "drink responsibly" and now dance responsibly yet the idiots in charge can't even get a camera man to act responsibly so the whole festival has to change as a result? The tits on the screens and mosh pits are what gives Download a different identity. Take that away and you'll have a nice festival for nice people with nice music. Just like all the other nice festivals.

.... and misogynistic is better than nice?