Today was definitely an experience, there was a lot of traffic going to Download again as there was still people turning up for camping. We got dropped off near the day ticket entrance, there was lots of people but it didn't take us long to get through once the gates opened. We got Fran's wristband and then did the short walk round to the arena.
I've never been at Download so early before so it was weird to see it so empty before everyone arrived. It was quite nice to pick out a nice spot to see the main stage as we had a while before there was a band we really wanted to see.
I'd selected to get the 20th anniversary packet with the program, lanyard and pin and seeing as I wanted to be able to check the set times without having to keep checking the app, I decided to get in the queue for click and collect. 2 hours later after trying to navigate the fact that there was 3 queues for click and collect, 2 members of staff serving people and my skin burning in the sun shine, I had my pack and I could go back to my poor sister who had been left on her own while I was in the queue.
I found my friends Luna and Carmen in time for us all to go and watch Punk Rock Factory. These girls are my Blind Channel sisters, we have been to a lot of gigs and always have the best time together.
Carmen had the best stood ever! It was a telescopic stool that collapses down into a nice little portable case that's easy to carry. I saw a few people with them, it's a lot easier to carry round with you than a camping chair but the only thing that would put me off is that it doesn't have a back to lean back on.
These guys were amazing! I haven't seen them before and they were so much fun, they started off singing the Power Rangers theme song and they ever had people dressed up as Power Rangers on the stage!! My favourites that they played were "Under The Sea", "You're Welcome", "Mamma Mia", "We Don't Talk About Bruno", "Spongbob" and "Pokemon". I loved the happy party vibe that everyone had for this set, everyone was just having such a good time dancing around and singing at the top of their lungs. One thing I love about this band is the Disney covers they do, even if you have never heard one of their songs, everyone knows the words because we have all seen the films.
I missed the beginning of the set because of seeing Punk Rock Factory and then needing to get something to eat but Halestorm sounded awesome on the main stage. I only know a few songs but they put on an awesome performance. I heard them play "Back From The Dead" and "The Steeple" which were amazing to hear live.
OMG Alter Bridge were amazing!!! I will admit that I didn't know all of the songs that they played as I'm not a die-hard fan but they played 2 of my favourites which are "Black Bird" and "Metalingus" and hearing them live was just out of this world. Myles said at one point that he has been at Download quite a few times now with different projects and he's now at the point that he feels so comfortable playing at the festival because it feels like we are all family. I just love this so much because it is true, everyone is just so lovely to each other, we are all there for the same reasons and that is to listen to our favourite bands. We don't feel the need to fight or be dicks to each other, we dance and sing together. Hearing Myles' golden voice ringing out over the crowd was just out of this world. His voice is one of a kind and
While we were waiting for Metallica to come, a guy goes to walk in front of us but stops, he has 4 pints in one of those cardboard trays and it looks like the tray was going to fall apart. I get up and agree to help him take his drinks to his friends as there was no way the poor lad was going to make it. He took 2 pints, I took 2 and we started making our way through the crowd. He couldn't find his friends so he phones his friend Lee only to find out that his friend had gone off to the toilets. So, to keep the story short, I ended up adopting this lad (his name is Gareth), who came with me to find Fran and Carmen as Metallica started and I ended up having Lee's pints. It was quite good cider so wasn't going to complain haha.
Ok, I'm going to admit something that some of you won't like....... I'm not a fan of Metallica. Yes, yes, how dare I and all that haha. I repect them as a band as there is no doubt that their contribution to the music industry hasn't been huge but I'm just not into them. I like some of their songs obvisiously, there's not a chance that there are many people who don't know the intro and words to "Master Of Puppets" or "Sad But True", "Nothing Else Matters", "For Whom The Bells Tolls" or even "Enter Sandman".
We stayed for about an hour and Metallica hadn't played anything that we knew so we decided to leave. This kicked us in the arse though because as I was getting changed to get into bed, I heard "Master Of Puppets" as clear as day haha. I couldn't believe how clear I could hear it and all from the comfort of my bed.
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