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Friday
My expectation for the first two days of Download was somewhat low in terms of the line-up, given my predeliction for the classic rock era. However the stunning weather went some way to raising the spirits and Blackwater Conspiracy rewarded a sparse crowd on the Zippo Encore Stage with an impressive set of southern rock flavoured tunes.
Amongst the other highlights, Five Finger Death Punch didn’t carry on the brutal opening throughout their set and went a little flat midway through. However I really enjoyed what I saw and they engaged the crowd throughout even coming down off the stage to greet the knuckleheads who had weathered the baking hot weather to see them.
Prophets of Rage, playing their first UK/European show, are quite capable of headlining with the wealth of material they have to pick from with their associated bands, Public Enemey, RATM, and Audioslave. Rap fused with metal has often left me bewildered and politics in music is a potent although sometimes off-putting mix.
Saturday
Tax The Heat were touted as the next big thing a few years ago and I wondered what all the fuss was about. Thankfully I warmed to them after catching them at various indoor and outdoor festivals, today they cemented their reputation as a good honest rock n roll band. Look past the sharp dressed suits and focus on the songs and it becomes clearer why they are one of our brightest bands at the moment.
The same can be said for Raveneye, the recent supports slot with Kiss in Europe have done this power trio a power of good and their songs suit a big stage.
The main stage today was hardly exciting for a hardened classic rock fan and only Creeper showed any real individuality compared with the likes of Pierce The Veil, AFI and A Day To Remember.
Ten years ago Biffy Clyro appeared further down the bill, as headliners this year I found their set mindnumbingly over complicated. More suited to Reading or even Glastonbury and judging by the thinning crowd I wasn’t alone in making my way to the second stage and Rob Zombie.
Compared to much on offer this weekend – with a general lack of impressive stage sets or production values – Zombie and his crew provided real – memorable – entertainment.
The organisers of this year’s event might need reminding that Castle Donington is historically a rock/metal affair. Thankfully normal service would be resumed on the Sunday.
Review and photos by Darren Griffiths
The latest Facebook Live session from Canadian singer-songwriter Josh Taerk was streamed on Sunday 20 December., imbued with a festive flavour to raise the spirits
More about Josh: http://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/?s=%22Josh+Taerk%22
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 BST (GMT+1, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. This show was first broadcast on 20 December 2020 and announces the results of the Popular Poll for Best of 2020.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 ( BST, GMT+1) as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 20 December 2020 and includes Pete’s best of the year selections
Listen in to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio…
Click the appropriate icons at the top of the page.
Featured Albums w/c 11 January 2021 (Mon-Fri)
09:00-12:00 UNRULY CHILD Our Glass House (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 SERGEANT STEEL Truck Tales (Boyz Tyme Records)
14:00-16:00 DAN REED Liftoff (Zero Entertainment)
Power Plays w/c 11 January 2021 (Mon-Fri)
BLACK SPIDERS – Good Times (Dark Riders Records/Cargo Records)
GRAVITY MACHINE Standing Stones (Zyse Records)
EMPIIRES Love Or Hate (TLG Entertainment/INgrooves)
RAY FENWICK Tam Tam (Singsong Music)
DEAD REYNOLDS Voices (The Fort)
LAYLA ZOE Don’t Wanna Help Anyone (indie)
Tweets by Get Ready to ROCK!
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