Review: Download Festival Day One

The first official day at Download got the festival off to an excellent start

Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes on the Opus Stage

So after three years of waiting, Download finally came back in full force and it was great to be back to see some fantastic bands take to the stage over the next few days. The Friday would see the legendary rock band KISS take to the main stage for one final time as they call time on the band after nearly fifty years in the music business. As well as this, there were some other bands across the day to look forward to as well.

As Everything Unfolds

The first band that we see in the main arena and got the weekend kicked off in style, As Everything Unfolds took to the Avalanche Stage after touring all over the place and ready to play to one of the biggest crowds they have played to in their career so far. the band blasted through a short yet brilliant set which brought the energy to the download crowd which was needed to get them in the mood for the weekend. if that did not wake up the crowd then Charlie Rolfe's vocal delivery would have been the wake-up call they needed with songs such as 'Wallow' and 'One the Inside' displaying her vocal range. As I said in my previous blog about the Friday at Download, this would be guitarist Owen Hills' last gig with the band and he went out with a bang. While one chapter for the band has closed, The future for AEU looks very bright as I feel that this won't be the last time we see this band at Download.

Dead Poet Society

A band that in my personal opinion does not get the credit they deserve, Dead Poet Society came back to the UK after a great set at last year's Reading Festival. The LA-based band have a real old-school rock and roll feel to them but they still present something fresh and different. They certainly know how to get a crowd going with hits such as'.intoodeep.' which would get the crowd bouncing. Lead singer Jack Underkofler has a fantastic voice which gave me chills with his range and blues rock style. It was great fun to see this band again and hope they return to the UK soon.

Meet Me @ The Altar

Next up was another band from America who I was very excited to see. Meet Me @ The Altar have been making waves recently with their pop-punk sound and come to Download off the back of their performance at Slam Dunk Festival the weekend prior. The band only had a seven-song setlist but did very well to fill it with all their hit such as 'Garden' and 'Now or Never' as well as do a cover Melodie which included 'Sweetness' by Jimmy Eats World and 'Brake Stuff' by Limp Bizkit which won over anyone who did not know who they were before the set began. Meet Me @ The Alter's aim has always been to prove that anyone can be part of the rock and alternative scene no matter your race or gender and I think they did an amazing job of that at download and I can't wait to see what the future holds for this band.

Skindred

It was off to the newly named Apex Stage where the sun was out for reggae metal legends Skindred. The band are very popular at Download and always puts on a great show and today was no different. Lead Singer Benji Webbe was on fire with his unique vocal delivery and humour which give Skindred that make Skindred so good. He is just perfect in getting a crowd jumping. Just before the band went into 'Kill The Power' Benji would be telling the crowd to raise their first and chant 'Kill the Power' to which Benji responded "That was fucking rubbish" and after taunting the crowd some more he would say "now I've got your attention". He is such a charismatic frontman who will keep you entertained for hours. The highlight would have to be the Newport Helicopter at the end of their song 'Warning' in which the whole crowd would get their shirts in the air and swing them around their heads. to see around 90,000 people do this all at the same time was a sight to behold. On the Thursday of the festival, Sophie K was doing a recording with Yasmin Summan for the podcast On Wednesday We Wear Black at the Dogtooth Stage and said that Skindred had never been on the front cover of any rock or metal magazine. My question is how is this even possible!? This band are an insane live band and should be considered to headline this festival in the future.

Sleep Token

Back at the Avalanche Stage, it was time for worship as Sleep Token to the stage. The band played a similar set to what they played earlier in the year while on tour with Architects with a few changes such as the electronically changed 'Dark Signs' while the band also played their fan favourites such as 'Jaws'. Lead singer Vessel I vocals were as amazing as ever and were able to captivate the pack-out tent. This didn't stop the mosh pit from opening for tracks such as "Higher", 'Alkaline' and their finale 'The Offering' which capped off another fantastic outing for this masked group. I met someone at our campsite who would not stop telling me about how much he loves this band and to be honest, I do not blame him. They are one of the most intriguing live bands around and no one compares to them. With lead booker of Download Andy Copping saying that we could be seeing this band headline Download one day, It's safe to say that this set could down in history as an "I was there" moment for when Sleep Token played the Avalanche Stage.

Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes

While everyone was waiting for the headliner on the Apex Stage, my sights were on the Opus Stage where Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes were ready to cause some chaos as they headline the traditional second stage at Download. I remember being seventeen at Reading Festival and watching Frank Carter running around staring circle pits around the whole main stage area at one in the afternoon while playing 'Fangs'. This time Frank kept to the stage and allowed the crowd to do the circle pits as they once again played 'Fangs' but this time at eight in the evening and headlining a stage. It shows how far Frank and the rest of the band have come with this project and how they really can be considered to headline festivals in the future.

In terms of their show at Download, It was everything I would expect from Frank and the guys. A blistering set layered with their classic punk rock sound with new songs such as 'Go Get a Tattoo', 'Rat Race' and more being great additions to the setlist. Frank was also able to have a moment of calm in the middle of the set with 'Angle Wings' on the setlist which I feel shows the band's maturity that they have gained over the years.

The band also paid tribute to the band that should have been headlining the Opus Stage. The Distillers had to pull out a few months before the festival so Frank and the gang cover The Distillers' song 'Drain the Blood' which for any Distillers fan would be at least appreciative of the band paying tribute to the band that should have been there.

You have to give it to Frank in terms of The Rattlesnake's ambition. When getting the pits going for the drop in 'Juggernaut', he proclaims that "My job is to upstage KISS and you going to help us do it" this is one hell of a bold statement from the band but to be fair to them they certainly gave it they're all with the band ability to get everyone off their feet moshing and dancing along and also their sing-alongs with songs such as 'I Hate You' in which the confetti was set off the signal the end of the show. However, the band had one more trick up their sleeves with them playing 'Crowbar' as the last song which once again got the mosh pit opened one more time and ended the show on a majestic high. It's clear that at some point Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes are destined to be headlining main stages soon and this performance was proof that they can put on a show and attract a big crowd.

KISS

As Frank Cater's crew started packing up the Opus stage. You could hear the sound of 'Detriot Rock City'. This only meant one thing. KISS was in town and ready to give their all in what was their last show in the UK as part of their 'End of the Road' Tour. I will be honest, I am not a massive fan of KISS and only liked other than a handful of songs so I was interested to see how I feel about this show afterwards. In fairness to the band, the fact the band are in their 60s and 70s and is still able to perform to a high standard, Paul Stanley is able to zipline to the control tower in front of the main stage and Gene Simmons breathes fire is incredible and you have to give them the credit where its due. It was certainly entertaining and never a dull moment.

In terms of songs I enjoyed, 'Love Gun' was certainly the highlight of the night for me but with the band diving into their back catalogue of songs which would have pleased all KISS fans from any era. It seems that the band wanted to make sure everyone got to hear their favourites one last time before the band calls it a day and I respect that.

The band ended the show with confetti, fireworks and pyro going off which giant inflatable balls being thrown about all over the place with the band performing 'Rock and Roll All Nite' which for any KISS fan was probably enjoy. for me, it's probably one of my least favourite songs however the sheer showmanship of the band has to be respected and the display that the band put on was quite spectacular.

While this was not the headliner I would be most excited for this weekend (more to come on them soon), It's fair to say that KISS does know how to put on an incredible live show and can keep a crowd easily entertained. what they can do at their age is incredible and it has to be respected.

On Wednesday We Wear Black (DJ set)

We ended our night down in the Doghouse for the rest of the evening watching Sophie K and Yasmin Summan on the decks for the We Wear Black DJ set which saw them play a mix of nu metal songs and some which would get the crowd singing along. highlights included getting Benji Webbe coming out for when they played 'Warning' to once again get Download to do the Newport helicopter and the duo ending their set which playing 'Spit it out' by Slipknot with a mix of the studio version and the live performance form download in 2009. They got The Doghouse to get on the ground before getting everyone to "Jump the fuck up" as they would at a Slipknot show and it was a joy to be part of. It was a great way to finish the day and it was so great to see a group Like We Wear Black have massive presents at a major festival which is totally deserved.