Thought I’d tell you all about Download
so this will probably be really long and a lot of gushing over Corey Taylor and Stone Sour. And moaning about rain.
Thursday: We set off before midday and I could barely fit in the back of the car for the amount of stuff
we had Stone Sour playing on the way to get us in the mood and it was only like 15 minutes before we saw the first yellow Download sign. So much squeeing occurred when we saw them. The roads are just so familiar to me now I love it. I nearly jumped through the car roof once I saw both the main stages. ACDC had brought their own stage so there were 2
We got parked up, and then loaded up the wheelbarrow and our backs and headed to the entrance. Which was like 5 mins away. They had the funkiest wristband machines that you put your arm in and it like heat sealed them. So we set off to find a campsite and see Gold and decide we want to camp there because it’s the closest and that we could sing the song Gold by Spandau Ballet
So we sang that most the way til we realised it was on a huge steep hill and went to Orange instead. And I just changed the word gold to orange
We found a nice spot and set up the tents, which wasn’t easy in the wind as Bent Tent Jnr kept trying to fly away
And then we put Bent Tent up to find the pole wasn’t just bent thanks to that fat bitch last year but it was completely snapped. So we managed to fix it with a tent peg and tied it together with a guide rope. It only took us another trip to the car to get all our stuff to the tent which was lucky as we had predicted 4 trips
We started having a few drinks and then later headed off to the village where they have 2 big tents for entertainment and then loads of shops and food stalls. I bought a lion hat which was later named Corey <3 and we just went round shopping for a bit. Dave went off to meet Josh and me and Haz stayed at the camp drinking.
After a while some Scottish bloke in a kilt came over and started talking to us. He was then on about how he had been lazily stalking us and was pissed off that someone had put there tent in the way so he could no longer stare at my arse whilst I went into the tent. Yes I attracted another creepy guy, go me. He made a lot of not so subtle sexual jokes and we just wanted rid of him. He said his camp were trying to work out if Dave was a man or woman
and he was coming to see if we were both legal. Ugh. He was just really creepy. Like seriously I don’t understand why I attract such creepy blokes. What is wrong with me? He called over this really drunk bloke who really didn’t seem entertained by him, a lot like us. Thankfully he eventually fucked off and me and Haz were left in peace to chat a lot of shit
Friday: I always forget how evil the sun is in the morning and so you always get boiled out of the tent. After getting ready I went on the butter run for the crumpets to the newsagents which was like 1 minute from our tent. Which was really useful as it’s always been the opposite side to where we camped before. The Scottish stalker came over and we barely spoke to him so he fucked off. The bands didn’t start til 3 and 36 Crazyfists weren’t on til 4 so we just sat around drinking til 3pm. Then we headed off for –the walk-. Since the Download site had to be moved off Donington race track in 2008 the walk has always been a proper trek. So it was a 3.7 mile walk from Orange which took us 30 minutes. In the heat it really is a killer. I think Unearth started a bit late as I still saw a bit of them. I didn’t take any notice of them though. Then I went to find Wez for 36 Crazyfists but couldn’t find him so I just went into the crowd on my own. I got about middle of the main crowd as you have to go through a barrier to get into the main crowd. They opened with a new song which confused me as I was like hang on a minute I don’t know this song! They bought Howard from Killwitch Engage on for Elysium which was fucking amazing! I had thought about how good it would be if they bought him on and they did. I love Howard
and they work well together. I went mental for Bloodwork, even more so for Kay
and then the moment I had been waiting for, Slit Wrist Theory. My god did I scream those lyrics. I had wanted that moment again for over a year. It was amazing. Then I think they were told they had extra time because they played The All Night Lights after which left us all very confused. The crowd around me were all really into it though which made it all the more enjoyable. I tried to ring Wez and Haz and Dave after but as I found out I could not get signal in the arena at all and ended up the whole of Friday on my lonesome
I walked around trying to find Haz and Dave but no luck so I moved back to watch Killwitch Engage. I saw them last year and they were really good. Oh yeah it was my 6th time seeing 36 too
Well Killswitch were good but I’m not really that big a fan of them and Adam D is just such a dickhead. He’s not funny at all and Howard looks embarrassed of him. They played Holy Diver last and of course there was a tribute to Dio. I went off to get food from Deli Kate who is a legend at Bloodstock. She does amazing baguettes with loads of salad and it was so nice to eat something decent. I also caught a bit of Coheed and Cambria who I also saw in 08 and I heard the known songs, which I don’t actually know the names of
Then it was Them Crooked Vultures who I wasn’t bothered about and I didn’t really get into them but I guess it was pretty cool to see Dave Grohl play. At some point I went to buy a new Download Dog toy who was later named Brock. So I have Brock and Brink. It makes me laugh that Brock is pink. Well when I went to buy it some guy asked me were the toilets were then kept talking to me telling me he was from New Zealand and tried to get my number, After that failed he asked for a kiss and I told him to fuck off. Then time for ACDC. I didn’t think I’d enjoy them too much as I only know a few songs but my god were they amazing. I have never seen anything like it. They bought there own stage for one, had flashing caps with devil horns, had fireworks, a big train whith Rosie the gigantic blow up doll sitting on it. Angus stripped down to his boxers which has ACDC on them and he was running round the stage flashing
They were so energetic despite being old and the singers voice is amazing. I cant put into words how captivating that show was. Just amazing. Everyone was up dancing the whole time and everyone was just loving it. They had loads of fireworks at the end too
As I was walking back I got like 20 texts off Haz and Wez asking where I was and telling me where they were which really wasn’t fucking useful. The reception at the arena just didn’t work at all, all weekend. As I was walking back the Scottish stalker walked right beside me so I slowed all the way down and luckily he didn’t see me at all. Had to wait a while for Haz and Dave to get back as they had gone to look in the village. Then we got to more drinking. The random neighbour from the night before had been wandering round for about an hour and then came over and said that he remembered my silly hat and so had now found his tent. He ended up talking to us for like 2 hours and he was completely mashed. Completely off his face. He said how much he hated the Scottish stalker and if he came over to us again he’d beat the shit out of him
Which was much appreciated and we never actually saw the Scottish bloke again despite him being 3 tents away. He said he kept thinking my tent was his and then later said something about losing his lighter and it only clicked later to me that I came back Friday to find some lighter on my pillow so I have a feeling he might have passed out in my tent or something
never mind. Was a fun night though.
Saturday: We finally worked out the best way to cook crumpets at a festival. We used the frying pan and fried them in butter and then put loads more butter on. They were really nice and a bit of luxury away from home. As the hexi tablets dropped out of my bag we used firelighters to cook which gave off horrible thick black smoke and my lungs are still dying now from it. Then we started drinking. Now I know this is starting to sound bad but at festivals people don’t ever stop drinking and no one bats an eyelid at someone wasted at 8am. It’s a whole other world where no rules apply. And it was nice to just sit having a few drinks in the sun before a day of bands. Well I went off to the portaloo slightly tipsy and forgot to lock it so some poor bloke opened the door to me squatting over a portaloo
Oh it was the funniest thing ever
He didn’t get sight of anything but the poor blokes face
He just said sorry and quickly closed the door but he looked mortified
Luckily I have no shame so I find it hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing for half an hour. God it was funny
Just the guys face
. Just as we were about to leave for Atreyu, Wez text me saying they were playing right now and so I got really pissed off because I really wanted to see them. They were an hour early and it took half an hour to get to the arena so there was no way I would have got there to see them. Fucking Flyleaf were late or something so Atreyu had to go on. Ugh I just hate them more now. I wish they’d put a message around the campsites if there’s changes because it’s really not fair on us. I went into a mass panic trying to find out if the time for 5 Finger Death Punch had changed. Seriously how can everyone else manage to get there on time and they cant. East Midlands airport is not even 5 minutes away!
So yeah we got there for Five Finger Death Punch who I missed last year due to being too lazy to get into the arena. They were like the first band on last year and this year they moved up to 5th on which is a big achievement. They have so much energy and put on such a good show. The song before last they got everyone to crowd surf and some people stormed the stage which resulted in their set being cut, except it was the last song anyway and so they played The Bleeding which I love
I was really glad I finally got to see them. Also I had never seen so much crowd participation and see so many people jump up so far back at 3pm. Next up was Lamb Of God who I saw back in 2007 and went in their circle pits back then but I’m too old now for pits. I like to stand back and dance or go mental instead now. They put on a great show as usual, not so into them now but they really get the crowd going. I love being able to stand back at festival and see people going crazy for a band. Just seeing seas of hands clapping and waving and throwing the horns is amazing. Such a great sight. Me and Haz left Dave to watch Volbeat as we really weren’t bothered about Megadeth. They were really good, I saw them last year as well but I was really disappointed they didn’t play I Only Wanna Be With You because that’s pretty much the reason I went to see them. I’m glad I did though because they have a lot of good songs. Then we caught the end of Megadeth who really didn’t do anything for me but Dave enjoyed them. I kind of think of them as a boy’s band if you get what I mean. We got food and ended up seeing some of The Blackout who are fucking awful. I really hate them. They were sexist and cocky and I have no idea how they have female fans after calling them all liars. Also their guitarist hadn’t gone to the festival because he was watching the world cup at home. What the fuck? Lots of fan loyalty there dickheads. Then it was time for HIM
Now Deftones were on at the same time and I would have liked to see them but I love HIM and Finns so there was no contest. Even if it was my 3rd time seeing them this year and 3rd and half time of seeing them. I left half way through their set back in 08 to see The Offspring. It was a bit of a strange set and they could have played some better songs but it was amazing all the same. Right Here In My Arms is one of my favourites so I love hearing that. They seem to always play Kiss Of Dawn now and I’m not too keen on that. Something I have noticed with HIM though is that they barely speak to the crowd. I don’t think he addressed us once actually. They just talk amongst themselves. I don’t know if it’s a Finnish thing or his just shy but seeing as they have been to Download more times than any band (not Monsters Of Rock but when it was changed to Download in 03) you’d think they could say ‘How are you doing Donington’ or something. The place is fucking legendary and it’s the 30th anniversary. Well yeah still they played amazingly even if I am biased and they ended with Rebel Yell which really got the crowd going because Billy Idol was playing the next day. And then it was time for Rage Against The Machine. And fuck me was that an amazing performance. We were in the front part of the crowd, behind all the barriers but still in a main crowd. Everyone was just going mental for Rage and they are so aggressive and have so much energy. It’s all quite bass heavy too and I love bass so I was loving them even if I didn’t know too many of their songs. I don’t know if all of you know but here in England there was a campaign to get Rage’s Killing In The Name Of to Christmas number 1 instead of X-Factor and it did become number 1
so when they played that at the end of the set just everyone went crazy. I’ve never seen a crowd go so mental. It was just a great moment to be a part of that.
Luckily I had managed to stay with Haz and Dave all day thanks to our meeting spot of a giant Ozzy sign. I did see Wez and Alex for about 20 mins after Five Finger Death Punch but couldn’t find them again after. So I didn’t have to walk back on my lonesome this time. We sat round drinking and our other neighbours, 4 lads came and talked with us for a few hours. They kept offering us beer but we had enough of our own to get through. One of them kept falling off his chair which was hilarious and they were all really nice lads. Despite one saying Corey Taylor was a bit of a twat. How the hell is he? They were funny though and I always love talking to the neighbours and talking about everyone’s Download experience. People are just so friendly.
Sunday: We were meant to go in for 11am to see Dommin but by the time we’d fried up our lovely crumpets and gotten ready it was past half 10 and it meant walking there, seeing them and walking back again which is an hours journey. We could hear them from the camp anyway. Our camp was probably the closest and if they had just let us walk across another part of the racetrack it would have taken 10 mins if that. I saw Dommin back in March supporting HIM anyway so I wasn’t too bothered. We started on our morning drinking before the bands and it was so fucking hot. We had to make shade out of the tent doors, chairs, poles and blankets. I mean it was boiling until 3pm. I wasn’t bothered about seeing Saxon because I saw them at Bloodstock and I’d never heard anything by Cinderella or nothing that comes to mind. We could hear Slash playing from the tent and then we set off to the arena to see Billy Idol. On the walk to the arena I heard Sweet Child Of Mine, Paradise City and also Slither by Velvet Revolver all played by Slash. I think the singer of Alter Bridge was singing for him. I saw Velvet Revolver in 07 so I had already seen Slash in the flesh so wasn’t bothered about missing him. The fucking second we got in and sat down for Billy Idol the heavens open and it absolutely pissed it down. There’s 100,000+ people dressed for summer and the rain was bloody torrential. So we had to huddle under 1 umbrella which was leaking. I still had a bit of a dance to Billy Idol but I just couldn’t enjoy him with the rain. I had envisioned proper going for it for Rebel Yell in the sun and it was just not as fun in the rain which was a real shame. I’ll moan about the rain now because I was so fucking cold at points I thought I might die. I had never been so cold in my life and you just cant get warm at all when you are soaked through. Even my knickers were soaking wet (for Corey
) but yeah not one part of my was dry. It was horrible. Really ruined part of the day. Dave really wanted to watch Motorhead but me and Haz weren’t bothered because we saw them in 08 and did nothing for us then. So we stood in the rain watching them all the time thinking we were going to die of pneumonia and we were just shivering wishing the time would pass. They bought Slash on for a song so atleast we did get to see him. Dave enjoyed them all so that’s alright. I really wanted to see Steel Panther but I was past caring at that point and we just stood in one of the stalls for an hour because we needed to be able to stay dry. We got a hot chocolate hoping to keep warm but it was fucking horrible and all the mix was at the bottom and not mixed in. it didn’t keep us even when half of it was Jack Daniels. I really cant explain how fucking cold I was. I do wish I could have watched Steel Panther though because they are hilarious. We saw Stone Temple Pilots from under the stall but they weren’t too impressive and I thought it was funny as I thought Slash and Scott Wieldland hated each other. Not sure though.
And now time for Stone Sour. Yes they get there own paragraph because it was spectacular. Whilst walking to the second stage though I thought I might die still as we were frozen and our feet were brown. Haz was wearing flats and here feet were completely brown and soaked through
I just kept saying to Corey that he better be worth it and he better put on the show of his life. Which he did. They opened with a new song and played 3 new song in total. Usually I don’t like bands playing new songs but they sounded amazing and I will be getting the album straight away. I expected nothing less than genius from Stone Sour though. We were in the main crowd and everyone was going mental around me and I just went crazy. For one they were fucking amazing and 2 I needed to stay warm! Made Of Scars is one of my favourite songs and I went crazy for that and they played Silly World which apparently they hadn’t played in the UK for ages. Corey Taylor is quite possibly the best frontman in the world. He’s incredible and really gets the crowd going. He’s wasted in Slipknot. I find them too much of an act and a front and he just cant be himself because he really is charming, funny and genuine. Not some hate machine. He should never have a mask covering that sexy face of his. My faith was restored that I still like men the second he walked on the stage. Oh the things I’d love to do to Corey
He hadn’t played Bother since Paul Grey did and there was a lovely chant for Paul Grey. Corey was nearly crying for most of it and I have no idea how he held it together because I know most people were crying at that point. I’ve never seen such an emotional performance of a song, he was really on the verge of crying. His voice was faltering because of it. It was such a beautiful moment, my favourite of any festival. I love Bother it’s such a gorgeous song and just to have all that meaning and emotion behind it was heartwarming. It was just beautiful. And to have a whole crowd scream along to every word was amazing. Then he played Through Glass as he had played the guitar in both of these songs. Just an incredible performance. So amazing when a whole crowd sings every word with such meaning. I just cant explain to you how amazing Stone Sour are and how amazing Corey Taylor is. He went from such an emotional performance to making us do the stupidest dance to Idle Hands. So fucking funny watching him do it and then watching an entire crowd do it. He just completely changed the mood and it was amazing. He then robbed 2 hats from the crowd, a fluffy Russian kind of one for him and a sombrero for Shawn which was really wet
It was so funny. He really knows how to work a crowd. Then it was time to GET INSIDE! The energy and aggression of that song is incredible and so much fun to scream along with the crowd. I was just screaming every word of the set for over an hour. It was amazing and so good to go mental. The last song was of course 30/30-150 which was also a highlight to go crazy to. I can never ever give Stone Sour’s set justice because it was incredible. My favourite performance of the weekend, even over 36 Crazyfists. If you get the chance SEE THEM! It will blow your mind. I cant think of a better live show. The change of emotion and mood was amazing. To go from such an emotional performance to dancing, you’ll never see that. Corey is truly talented and I do like Slipknot, I really do but his heart is in Stone Sour and you can really see that. Just go see them seriously. Blew my mind for the 4th time. I really had forgotten how amazing they were.
We caught the last 40 mins of Aerosmith and got to hear I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing which was the main song I wanted to see. It was amazing
so happy they left it til the end. We walked back after the encore though as we were so cold and really about to die. So we got back, got changed and wrapped up warm in my pj’s and blanket. We went to bed pretty early as it was pissing it down and we just didn’t feel too great. God we got these chips from the burger van by the tent and because it was so muddy we couldn’t be bothered to go else where and half the things were just black. They were so burnt, I guess it was nearly midnight on the last day but they were so burnt. We were past caring though and just eat them. It was pretty entertaining at the time as we’d gone slightly mental from the cold.
Monday: After some actual sleep and realising we must be getting old and not able to keep up the pace we started packing up and hunting for free booze. We ended up with 3 crates of beer, we’d have took more but we just couldn’t carry anymore. We took everything but the tent and chairs to the car on our first trip, I was still wearing my pj’s and wellies because they were comfy and you just don’t give a shit on the Monday. We come back and the fucking tents were open and some girls near us said some chav lads had opened up the tents and gone through them. Wankers. If I’d seen the pieces of shit they wouldn’t be alive right now. They had even gone into the tent pockets and took out the tent bag to see if there was anything it them. What the fuck? It was a completely empty tent you dicks. But what got me is they opened mine and Haz and Dave’s but didn’t open the tent with chairs, beer and coke in. Dickheads. There are so many tents just left and open so you can easily look in but yet they had to open ours up. If someone’s left it zipped up they are most likely coming back for it you cunts. Go into the open ones. We managed to get a new tent pole for Bent Tent, a new tent bag, 2 more chairs for Dave and Steph, the Download programme and lanyard which cost £10 which someone had left because it was a tiny bit wet. Oh and we got a new nice umbrella. It’s always good to go hunting for the stuff people have left in the morning. You’ll find enough cider and beer and tents to last a year. So alas after the security constantly nagging us because you have to leave at 12pm and we didn’t leave til nearly 1pm we left home
it’s so sad to leave Donington and know it’ll be another year til I’m back in my favourite place on earth. I miss it so much and the weekend went so quick. Well done if you read all this because it’s fucking long
Piccies
Fixing Bent Tent
I'M HOOOOOOOMMMMMEEEE!
The wrist band pic:
Hats!
Corey hat <3
Doing the Lion King:
36 and HOWARD!
ACDC Stage:
Brock <3
I didn't actually do this on purpose
We're too cool (Sat)
Beddy byes
Sunday morning:
My Brocky baby <3
Harriet is pure dirt!
We made shade:
It rained!
Never wear flats
MY DOCS :O
Looking rough on Monday
Bye bye Download
For all pics if anyone cares:
https://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/Miss_K_Bent/Download%2010/?start=0
Wed May 26, 2010 12:51 am
It's even more amazing and crazy in person. 
Cristina is so amazing <8888888888888888888 
And you look gorgeous as always <3
<3
So anyway, stops raining, and it was REALLY nice out, with a nice breeze. So we waited in line until 6:30, until they let us in. We get in there and security decided they want to confiscate my chains O.o...even though other people had them on. So I'm like >.< FINEEEEE. So I followed them in back to check in my chains to pick up later, then called my dad to see where they were. THEY WERE IN FRONT! :O
...literally.
I'm so happy you got to meet them as well. Davey looks so different from Miss Murder 
It was amazing <3
Good times for you, good times! 
I'm so glad you had fun sis