Well Download Festival 2006 is over, and what a festival it was!
Here is my write up of the band's who performed and the experiences of the crazy from the heat weekend.
My journey began Thursday 8th June - 5:15 pm
I set out from Swansea after a couple of set backs which involved me getting as far as the enterprise zone and then heading back into Swansea. So after pit stops for booze etc, I was finally on my way to Donington park which is a 3.5 hour drive to the Midlands (between Birmingham and Nottingham) It was a boiling hot drive all the way as the temperature was in the high 20's. Tunes of choice for the journey consisted of Guns N' Roses and Metallica!!
8:40 pm Thursday 8th June
On arriving at Donington it didn't take too long for me to park, all be it at least 2 miles from the camp sites. I had a couple of beer's to get me boosted for the long mission ahead to meet up with my Sis and her partner who had already arrived and been supplying me with information from the inside, Very handy!
Feeling ready for my long trek to the site I headed out, on reaching the entrance I was given a wristband and told to head to red camp, upon getting there the sun was quickly setting and I began to realise that pitching a tent was gonna be a nightmare in the dark. To add to the dilemma red camp was situated on a 50 degree slope, (I shit you not) The park security were literally getting people to pitch tents practically on top of each other, due to the 60, 000 plus campers.
Feeling ready for my long trek to the site I headed out, on reaching the entrance I was given a wristband and told to head to red camp, upon getting there the sun was quickly setting and I began to realise that pitching a tent was gonna be a nightmare in the dark. To add to the dilemma red camp was situated on a 50 degree slope, (I shit you not) The park security were literally getting people to pitch tents practically on top of each other, due to the 60, 000 plus campers.
So I ended up finding the Blue-camp site my Sis was in thanks to the miracle of mobile technology. This worked out much better as the site was on flatland with the bogs in walking distance. We also seemed to have a good crowd of rockers around us too!
Day1: Friday 9th June 2006 - Donington/Download Festival 06:
Day1: Friday 9th June 2006 - Donington/Download Festival 06:
I woke at 7:47am (which became my alarm for the next 4 days-due to the arrival/departure of the inbound/outbound plane from next door's airport)
I crawled out and thought I'd take an early morning stroll around the festival to check out what was in store for the weekend of music,skateboarding, bmxing and other fun in the sun shenanigans!
I crawled out and thought I'd take an early morning stroll around the festival to check out what was in store for the weekend of music,skateboarding, bmxing and other fun in the sun shenanigans!
The Calm Before The Storm:
The festival had yet to begin, the gate's were not to open until 1pm.
So until then I checked out some of the stall's on site and got myself some breakfast taking in the vastness of the venue contained within the donington race track.
I joined the queue for the Park which was already busy and lively, venue staff were handing out free snickers bars which became the throwing weapon of choice through the cattle herding gates. (the festival had started as it meant to go on)
I got into the spirit of shouting head's up while Snickers bars began bouncing with force off the crowd's noggin's (seriously you do need eye's in the back of your head at this event) It cracked me up when some tall dude got a snickers right in the head to which he replied, "I don't even like snickers"....."This sucks! I'm allergic to peanut's" said another ducking rock fan!
Once in, I headed straight to the Snickers Skate Bowl. Wow! wot a monstrosity, 10 foot deep kidney bowl with seriously tight transitions and hips with a tombstone added to one side "All skateboarding obstacle jargon" Some of the skaters were warming up, I saw some carving & ripping it up to the obligatory clueless MC getting all the tricks wrong with rock band's cranking out the tunes on the stage - Sintuition and Keiko
The afternoon consisted of wandering around checking out random rock bands, taking it easy with a couple of pear cider's (which became my drink of the afternoon along with Carlsberg export and Jim Beam) In the evening I checked out the crowd and got down to see how Tool were received. I have not really listened to any Tool music prior to the event so I don't have much of a frame of reference to their performance, although their polished sound of thrashing guitar riffs (similar in sound to Alice In Chains) backed by goretastic visuals seemed to please their fans. They closed their set before the sun set around 10pm, we headed back to the camp site where I set up the old camping stove and feasted on hot dogs till I fell asleep happy in the knowledge that the best was yet to come!
The festival had yet to begin, the gate's were not to open until 1pm.
So until then I checked out some of the stall's on site and got myself some breakfast taking in the vastness of the venue contained within the donington race track.
I joined the queue for the Park which was already busy and lively, venue staff were handing out free snickers bars which became the throwing weapon of choice through the cattle herding gates. (the festival had started as it meant to go on)
I got into the spirit of shouting head's up while Snickers bars began bouncing with force off the crowd's noggin's (seriously you do need eye's in the back of your head at this event) It cracked me up when some tall dude got a snickers right in the head to which he replied, "I don't even like snickers"....."This sucks! I'm allergic to peanut's" said another ducking rock fan!
Once in, I headed straight to the Snickers Skate Bowl. Wow! wot a monstrosity, 10 foot deep kidney bowl with seriously tight transitions and hips with a tombstone added to one side "All skateboarding obstacle jargon" Some of the skaters were warming up, I saw some carving & ripping it up to the obligatory clueless MC getting all the tricks wrong with rock band's cranking out the tunes on the stage - Sintuition and Keiko
The afternoon consisted of wandering around checking out random rock bands, taking it easy with a couple of pear cider's (which became my drink of the afternoon along with Carlsberg export and Jim Beam) In the evening I checked out the crowd and got down to see how Tool were received. I have not really listened to any Tool music prior to the event so I don't have much of a frame of reference to their performance, although their polished sound of thrashing guitar riffs (similar in sound to Alice In Chains) backed by goretastic visuals seemed to please their fans. They closed their set before the sun set around 10pm, we headed back to the camp site where I set up the old camping stove and feasted on hot dogs till I fell asleep happy in the knowledge that the best was yet to come!
Day 2: Saturday 10th June 2006 Donington/Download Festival 06:
I woke up to another scorching hot camp site around 7:47am, Once I got my head into gear I realised it was Metallica day, Oh Yeah!!
The camp site was buzzing with rockers going about their morning duties, which inevitably included a visit to the sess pit, which was kicking up a right stink. I was laughing my ass off (no pun intended) when I heard two teenager's in the cubicle's next to me struggling to get through their shit process - from wot I heard - by not touching the bog seat with their ass and squatting with their faces flat against the door's complaining how rank it was....."awww....nooo......aw.....thii..thiss...is...is....rank..aww!!"
I'm sure one of them started crying! : )
I woke up to another scorching hot camp site around 7:47am, Once I got my head into gear I realised it was Metallica day, Oh Yeah!!
The camp site was buzzing with rockers going about their morning duties, which inevitably included a visit to the sess pit, which was kicking up a right stink. I was laughing my ass off (no pun intended) when I heard two teenager's in the cubicle's next to me struggling to get through their shit process - from wot I heard - by not touching the bog seat with their ass and squatting with their faces flat against the door's complaining how rank it was....."awww....nooo......aw.....thii..thiss...is...is....rank..aww!!"
I'm sure one of them started crying! : )
Once I got sorted and entered the park for day 2's festivities, I decided it would be a perfect day to get some footage of the festival. There were plenty of band's rocking out the park so I just wandered around the site with my Panasonic picking up the vibe of the day, this was also the day of the England v Paraguay world cup game which was being broadcast on the cinema screen next to the snickers bowl. The atmosphere was going off due to the game and definitely the anticipation of the nights performances of Korn and especially headliners Metallica.
I watched some stand-up with Henry Rollins, which was well funny - that dude's still well gnarly - until some over zealous security guard tried to confiscate my camera. Hope he liked the random scenic photo's that he got from my memory card.
This pissed me off as much as Rollins was pissed at the American government so I headed back to the main stage to see Alice In Chains!! which rocked.
After their 30min set finished (wtf?) 30mins for Alice In Chains yet I hear Wicked Wisdom - (Jada Pinkett Smith's - new style of the week band, which I didn't bother checking out!!) got to play two 30min Set's on the main stage and duet with some other band who's name escapes me.
Will Smith was standing off stage, and when he was called on by the bored crowd he got a much better response than Jada and her band (obviously) bet he got some stick from the missus back stage too.
I'd headed back to camp through a dust storm that had kicked up all over the site due to the wind that did nothing to curb the scorching heat.
I watched some stand-up with Henry Rollins, which was well funny - that dude's still well gnarly - until some over zealous security guard tried to confiscate my camera. Hope he liked the random scenic photo's that he got from my memory card.
This pissed me off as much as Rollins was pissed at the American government so I headed back to the main stage to see Alice In Chains!! which rocked.
After their 30min set finished (wtf?) 30mins for Alice In Chains yet I hear Wicked Wisdom - (Jada Pinkett Smith's - new style of the week band, which I didn't bother checking out!!) got to play two 30min Set's on the main stage and duet with some other band who's name escapes me.
Will Smith was standing off stage, and when he was called on by the bored crowd he got a much better response than Jada and her band (obviously) bet he got some stick from the missus back stage too.
I'd headed back to camp through a dust storm that had kicked up all over the site due to the wind that did nothing to curb the scorching heat.
The build up to the main event of the evening was on!
I had a few swigs of Jim Beam to get my head in the right place for the Metallica show.
I had a few swigs of Jim Beam to get my head in the right place for the Metallica show.
Heading back to the main stage, which was already heaving with fans watching the Korn Jam (Lead singer Jonathon Davies had been taken ill with a life threatening blood count problem) going off with front men from other bands taking the mic and filling in on the set.
Respect to Korn and all the other performers who put on a show with heart dedicated to Donington and the missing front man.
We appreciated the show and were amped ready for Metallica.
Respect to Korn and all the other performers who put on a show with heart dedicated to Donington and the missing front man.
We appreciated the show and were amped ready for Metallica.
The Symphonic chords of Ecstasy Of Gold form the movie the Good The Bad and The Ugly,rang out around us to the roar of the expectant crowd!! The movie displayed on the screen. It was euphoric.
Lars ran out to his drum set with a massive smile on his face and began beating the crap out of em as the other members of Metallica arrived on stage to kick start the 2.5 hour set including classics such as The Unforgiven, Sad But True, Enter Sandman, Seek And Destroy, One and my personal favourite - The Thing That Should Not Be. For a monumental show, they played Master Of Puppets in order and its entirety for the 20th anniversary of the release of the album. A truly polished and inspired set that proved that Metallica are still the best Metal act on the planet, Awesome!!
I got moshing it up with some dude in the audience who wanted to know if the pit was going off so we pushed our way through metaler's to get as close as we could to the action which was going off by the stage.
Once the encore of Seek and Destroy and Enter Sandman were over I headed out through the deliriously satisfied crowd of 75,000 rockers with my head feeling like it had been in a blender for 2 hours after all the head banging and aggressive facial jibs.
Day 3: Sunday 11th June 2006 Donington/Download Festival 06:
I woke up bright and early (as usual) due to the sun blazing on my tent feeling a little worse for wear due to the previous night's rock out fest and booze consumed. Still I had to smile as this was the final day, Guns N' Roses day!! To me the main event, however - Metallica were going to be a tough act to follow!!!
I headed out around the park, walking through the crowds in the searing heat.
I ran into a familiar face from Swansea (Punk Jay) and talked about the festival and the highlights, our gig viewing clashed as he rocked the Killing Joke gig instead of Metallica claiming that Killing Joke are far superior. I'd previously checked them out when they supported Motley Crue last Summer in the CIA, so no loss there.
I got back to my car for a change of clothes and ended up sitting down, propped up against my rear bumber. I couldn't be bothered to wander round the park all afternoon so I decided to continue drinking the Carlsberg export's out of my boot, a bold move in that afternoon heat!
I invited my Sis and partner to join me in the export fest, we sat there for a good couple of hours knocking them warm beer's back.
We stumbled back through the park feeling quite boozy planning the evening ahead, needing a kip as afternoon drinking tends to bring on the sleep!
After a snooze at the camp site, we got ready for the final night of Download 06'
I donned my kilt and red bandanna and slugged a few hits of Jim Beam.
We headed to the main stage.
The crowd was pretty busy but nothing like I had expected, obviously due to a lot of the crowd heading over to the Snickers tent to watch Prodigy who were clashing with the Guns N' Roses time slot. The fans were divided as they pretty much were all weekend with the friction going on between Emo's and Metaler's. There seems to be a lot of Chav mentality in the metal camp, especially from the old timers! Can't say I support either camp as I was just there to rock the fuck out! Live and let live or is that Live And Let Die!!
The bottle fight had kicked off again with the west bank relentlessly chucking the usual bombs of litre full bottles with the caps on for maximum damage as well as pebbles and rocks sealed in bottles. The onslaught from the elevated position saw that a lot of the pit and surrounding area got nailed. Some tits were shown on the screens from the girlie's in the crowd which seemed to calm the trench warfare.
More Tits = less bottles!
dang, dang, dang..dang..dang....dang, dang, dang..dang..dang
rang out the intro chords for "Welcome to the jungle" unexpectedly early!!
Donington, you know where the fuck you are? cried out W. Axl Rose
You're in the jungle baby, time to dieeeeeeeeee........boom, boom boom, boom,....
The final act kicked off! But how would it go?
After a snooze at the camp site, we got ready for the final night of Download 06'
I donned my kilt and red bandanna and slugged a few hits of Jim Beam.
We headed to the main stage.
The crowd was pretty busy but nothing like I had expected, obviously due to a lot of the crowd heading over to the Snickers tent to watch Prodigy who were clashing with the Guns N' Roses time slot. The fans were divided as they pretty much were all weekend with the friction going on between Emo's and Metaler's. There seems to be a lot of Chav mentality in the metal camp, especially from the old timers! Can't say I support either camp as I was just there to rock the fuck out! Live and let live or is that Live And Let Die!!
The bottle fight had kicked off again with the west bank relentlessly chucking the usual bombs of litre full bottles with the caps on for maximum damage as well as pebbles and rocks sealed in bottles. The onslaught from the elevated position saw that a lot of the pit and surrounding area got nailed. Some tits were shown on the screens from the girlie's in the crowd which seemed to calm the trench warfare.
More Tits = less bottles!
dang, dang, dang..dang..dang....dang, dang, dang..dang..dang
rang out the intro chords for "Welcome to the jungle" unexpectedly early!!
Donington, you know where the fuck you are? cried out W. Axl Rose
You're in the jungle baby, time to dieeeeeeeeee........boom, boom boom, boom,....
The final act kicked off! But how would it go?
Axl lead the band through classic tracks It's So Easy, Mr Brownstone and Live And Let Die. But on the fifth song Knocking On Heaven's door, Axl began complaining about sound problems "Worst sound ever" I found that remark pretty hilarious! He left the stage before the end of the track. There was a lot of fans around me worrying that he had gone for good, but I was lovin it. "Nah, he'll be back, it ain't a G N' R gig unless Axl walks off" I said reassuringly.
The new guitarist began playing an extended solo for "Don't Cry" which again I found in good spirits. The intro for Sweet Child Of Mine played to the excited audience.
Axl was back!!
The new guitarist began playing an extended solo for "Don't Cry" which again I found in good spirits. The intro for Sweet Child Of Mine played to the excited audience.
Axl was back!!
Axl and his tour da force of three guitarists belted through the next hour like they now meant business. Awesome classic "You could be mine" played, followed by new tracks off the eagerly awaited album (only 10 years in the making) Chinese Democracy.
I'm defo feeling the new tracks, and look forward to the albums release.
"That was good, think we should record it, wot do you reckon" joked Axl to his band members.
I'm defo feeling the new tracks, and look forward to the albums release.
"That was good, think we should record it, wot do you reckon" joked Axl to his band members.
By this point of the show, the atmosphere was rockin, it was now packed out with the crowd getting into the vibe of the performance. It was a lot more raw and unpredictable than Metallica's polished set, everything a true Guns N' Roses concert used to be and should be.
Axl still had a few surprises left.
After the amazing 'Out Ta Get Me" track closed, he took a moment to address the crowd.
"I'm gonna get an old friend to help us out on the next one,
Donington - Mr Izzy Stradlin"
Wtf- this is perfect!! original member and song writer of G N' R's original line up. We go wild!!
Izzy walks on stage and they hug, and perform together for the first time since he split from the band just before 92's Use your Illusion tour (Wembley Stadium - I was there),
"Think About You" one of my personal favourites off Appetite got us in a rock frenzy. It fuckin rocked!!
This concert is on the motorway now in sixth gear, with no exits for 100 miles.
November Rain plays out for the next 13 mins. Proper crowd pleaser, I'm waiting for the raw guitar sound to come back as well as Izzy Stradlin.
However Axl has yet another guest appearance lined up for the next track.
"Sebastian Bach" Former front man of kick ass Eighties/early Nineties rock band - Skid Row
They rock out together on "Appetites" - My Michelle I can't believe how cool this is, bringing out Eighties rock all stars and jamming on Guns classic tracks.
Unbelievably good song - Rocket Queen can't be forgotten, that song is awesome - and live!!
The set continues with Izzy rejoining the band on Patience, Nightrain, Used To Love Her and closing out the show with Paradise City. I could only think that this is a pinnacle moment in my life where I am witnessing my all time favourite rock band playing out Paradise City at the venue where the footage for the video was filmed back in 1988 (with the original line up). Incredible feeling!!
The festival was over, I headed back to the camp amid the chaos of crowds of people in the camp sites getting well rowdy, however I was still in euphoric mood and nothing was gonna bring that high down......well maybe dehydration, a cider, whiskey and an export hangover from hell, toxic bomb fire fumes, exploding canisters, police helicopters and rampaging rioters could. But that's someone Else's story.
Axl still had a few surprises left.
After the amazing 'Out Ta Get Me" track closed, he took a moment to address the crowd.
"I'm gonna get an old friend to help us out on the next one,
Donington - Mr Izzy Stradlin"
Wtf- this is perfect!! original member and song writer of G N' R's original line up. We go wild!!
Izzy walks on stage and they hug, and perform together for the first time since he split from the band just before 92's Use your Illusion tour (Wembley Stadium - I was there),
"Think About You" one of my personal favourites off Appetite got us in a rock frenzy. It fuckin rocked!!
This concert is on the motorway now in sixth gear, with no exits for 100 miles.
November Rain plays out for the next 13 mins. Proper crowd pleaser, I'm waiting for the raw guitar sound to come back as well as Izzy Stradlin.
However Axl has yet another guest appearance lined up for the next track.
"Sebastian Bach" Former front man of kick ass Eighties/early Nineties rock band - Skid Row
They rock out together on "Appetites" - My Michelle I can't believe how cool this is, bringing out Eighties rock all stars and jamming on Guns classic tracks.
Unbelievably good song - Rocket Queen can't be forgotten, that song is awesome - and live!!
The set continues with Izzy rejoining the band on Patience, Nightrain, Used To Love Her and closing out the show with Paradise City. I could only think that this is a pinnacle moment in my life where I am witnessing my all time favourite rock band playing out Paradise City at the venue where the footage for the video was filmed back in 1988 (with the original line up). Incredible feeling!!
The festival was over, I headed back to the camp amid the chaos of crowds of people in the camp sites getting well rowdy, however I was still in euphoric mood and nothing was gonna bring that high down......well maybe dehydration, a cider, whiskey and an export hangover from hell, toxic bomb fire fumes, exploding canisters, police helicopters and rampaging rioters could. But that's someone Else's story.
Originally posted on: red-download06.blogspot.co.uk
Friday, June 16th 2006
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