Back in 2019, we left the hallowed grounds of Donington Park fully expecting to return for another epic weekend of high voltage rock n roll the following June. Little did we know that less than a year later, the whole world would be hit by the disaster that was Covid-19. We all know what happened next!
The two subsequent years took its toll on all live music events, leaving us all devoid of what we really craved. Download was no exception. Albeit being treated to a very stripped back ‘Pilot’ event last year, 2022 finally gave us the first full-scale Download Festival since 2019. Despite battling through all the trials and tribulations of the last couple of years, Download managed to not only return, but came back better and stronger than ever.
Friday Night – 10th June
The journey to Download was, thankfully, fairly uneventful. None of the usual heavy traffic on approach to the venue. The signage to RIP (VIP) Campsite was clear and simple. We pitched our tent in the aptly named “Sleepy Hollow,” the overflow campsite for Park Farm.
The actual RIP areas are nicely set up. It was easy to find your way around and collect your wristbands and goody bags, etc. The toilet and shower blocks were as good as any you’d find at a large festival, and they were kept clean and well stocked throughout the weekend.
From my previous visit, it was apparent from the get go that the main site had been changed around. There was a completely new layout, which despite a site map, wasn’t the easiest to interpret or navigate. There is a possibility it may have worked better if the hired staff (and volunteers) were more educated in their respective areas. Yet, typically no one seemed to know where anything was. Eventually we managed to collar a security supervisor, who kindly walked us to the box office where we finally picked up our “Weekend Guest” wristbands.
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Now hot and sweaty but fully kitted out, we headed to the guest area for a well-earned beer or three. Fortunately for us, the guest area was very near to the main stage, so we managed to hear the bands quite well without leaving the relative comfort of our picnic table in the sun.
To be fair, it was mainly Kiss we wanted to see on that Friday night, and that’s when we finally tore ourselves away from the bar and headed to the main stage. They didn’t disappoint. With Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock N Roll’ blasting over the PA system, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer ascended like Rock Gods to the stage on individual platforms, accompanied by all the fizzes, pops, and bangs we expect from a Kiss show. This is a band who has been at it for 50 years, and the amount of respect for them is immeasurable.
They filled their set filled with hits upon hits. Musically, this band is still a well-oiled machine – despite rumours of some ‘assistance,’ but then again they are rumours, and these guys are still rocking into their 70s. So after a few more beverages in the guest area, it was off to bed for a few hours kip before taking on Day Two with gusto.
Saturday Night – 11th June
So, after a reasonably comfortable night (except for the extremely noisy transport planes flying overhead) we were ready for another fun packed day. Obviously it was headliners Iron Maiden we were excited to see, but at least this time, we did explore some of the other stages and bands during the afternoon and early evening. It was still the calling of the bar though that occupied our attention for the bulk of the afternoon.
For a lot of people, tonight’s headliner, Iron Maiden, was what they had really been waiting for. After vocalist Bruce Dickinson’s health scares, side projects, their cancelled tour, and everything else wrong with the past two years – this was a welcome return. With UFO’s ‘Doctor, Doctor’ blaring over the PA we just knew we were going to be treated to a classic Maiden headline slot. Fun fact: Iron Maiden have headlined Download, and Donington overall, more than anyone else. A band that headlined the first-ever Download, and who will, no doubt, return many more times.
Maiden took to the stage under an impressive Japanese pagoda backdrop. Celebrating the ancient Japanese themes of Maiden’s latest album, Senjetsu. There had been some rumours that Maiden’s set may have been bogged down in new material and wouldn’t explore their extensive back catalogue. However, this was Download, with Iron Maiden headlining, so who cares? Bruce sounds even better than before, and looks 10 years younger. This undoubtedly made everyone in the audience happy.
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Getting through the new stuff fairly swiftly, Samurai Eddie in tow, we move on to the classics. Of course, hitting some live favourites like ‘Fear of the Dark’ and ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’ makes this a very special night. Their first encore consists of ‘The Trooper’ and ‘Run to the Hills’ leaving the crowd wanting even more. Returning again for ‘Aces High’ this appealed to both hardcore and casual fans of the metal gods at Download.
There were a few obvious omissions (‘Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter’ and ‘Can I Play With Madness?’ weren’t on this set list) but still, an amazing show kicking Kiss out the water for true showmanship, musicianship and overall entertainment. Some amazing headliners this year, and after everything we’ve all been through these past couple of years, we needed it!
Sunday 13th June
To be fair, after the previous day’s antics, and copious amounts of alcohol consumption, Sunday was all a bit of a blur. I think by this point we were ready to call it a day. So a decision was made to grab some breaky, take a last stroll around, then head back home.
We really did have a blast, and I would definitely like to go back next year. Download Festival really came back with a bang, and is well deserving of its reputation as the UK’s premier Rock Festival, and long may it continue.
Written by Hells Bells
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