It was about this time last year that Download had released
all 3 of their headliners for the 2012 festival and I was frothing at the
mouth. Ok, I didn’t actually froth but I was very happy with the announcement
of Prodigy, Metallica and Black Sabbath. Roll on a year later and Download has
not only announced their 3 headliners for the 2013 installment but has also
announced a further batch of bands. For me the announcement was quite mixed in
terms of personal enjoyment. Following the initial announcement, another band has
been added (although I think that was due to a self confirmation). This is the
announcement for Download 2013, plus my thoughts on the whole thing.
30 Seconds To Mars – I caught the second half of their set
at Reading 2011 after watching Noah and the Whale. I did not like what I saw. I
thought it was really quite boring. I just listened back now to studio
recordings of them, I find them dull. I appreciate why they have been booked
for Download and cannot argue with their stage positioning (although I’d have
been much happier with them being 2nd stage headliners) but I’m not
a fan. 30 Seconds To Mars being on before Rammstein puts me in a tough spot as
I’d like a decent spot for Rammstein but I really could do without seeing them
again.
A Day To Remember – I had never listened to this band before
they were announced for Download despite them being recommended to me. I have
listened to some of their material now and I like what I hear. It almost
appears to be a blend of a variety of genres which works quite well. Again, me
seeing them depends on a clash but as I’ve not seen them before, and I like
what I hear, it could well happen.
Alice In Chains – Saw them unknowingly at Download 2006.
Walked round from Devildriver and saw the last song or two of Arch Enemy (I
think) and they were on before Stone Sour. On reflection, I wish I’d stayed at
the second stage after Devildriver as according to the poster, Henry Rollins
was up next (although I have a vague recollection Wicked Wisdom did another set
– maybe seeing AiC was better for all involved). Anyway, I found AiC to be a
little boring. Some stuff I enjoyed, but the set felt like it dragged. I could
have seen them at Sonisphere 2010 and 2011 but opted not to. I will give them
another chance this time around if they are not clashing with anyone.
HIM – I used to detest this band. Then again I used to
detest a lot of bands that I now like. However, HIM is not a band I like. They
are ok. I could go on about them but I really don’t need to. They are
headlining the 3rd stage on the Friday, which means they clash with
Slipknot. Sorry HIM, you lose.
Motorhead – A safe, predictable announcement but one that I
am fine with. Saw them on the 2012 installment of the inevitable November tour
and they were really good. They are better indoors than at festivals, but it is
always good to hear the big songs like Overkill and Ace of Spades live. Not
sure if they’ll have a new album out then, but if not, a 40 minute set packed
with classics works well with me.
Queens of the Stone Age – I think I saw maybe 3 or 4 songs
of QOTSA when I saw them at Rock AM Ring. I can’t remember if it was because
they were on late (as in late in the day) or they were the last band of a very
tiring weekend (really long walks every day to the festival site, which in itself
was not small). Anyway, they were good live from what I remember and I look
forward to seeing them again. As I understand it (from Andy Copping’s Twitter),
the top 4 on the Saturday are Iron Maiden, QOTSA, Motorhead and AiC. With that
in mind, I will hopefully grab a good spot for all the bands and stick with
main stage. Short of announcing Kiss (a rumour, not just a random band), to
headline second stage prior to Iron Maiden starting, I can’t see me missing
QOTSA.
The Gaslight Anthem – Gaslight are another band that I never
listened to before their announcement. I frequent the Download Festival Forums
where there is a lot of love for Gaslight. I can’t claim to share the love for
them, but I do like what I’ve heard. I originally thought they were a tad dull
but I am enjoying them with more and more listens. Definition of a grower right
there! Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing them. I suspect they would win a
clash with another band I want to see (subject to it not being an absolute
favourite band, and I can’t see that happening). According to Andy Copping on
Twitter, the top 3 for Sunday is Rammstein, 30STM and Gaslight.
Volbeat – I am so very happy with this announcement. They
only did one European date in 2012 and that was Wacken (which I was at, and it
was awesome). They are superb live and have fast become one of my favourite
bands. I am still hoping for a full UK tour (with a Portsmouth date, seeing as
the last one got cancelled!) but a Download appearance is something I am very
happy with. I suspect they’ll have a new album out by then (they played a new
song at Wacken which sounded good). They are on the second stage on Friday,
which means the other bands that clash with them lose. Simple as that really!
So that is the announcement for Download 2013 and we now
know a little more about how the festival is shaping up. Is it as good as last
years? At the moment I would say no, but it is still early days and there will
be more announcements to help make that decision. They are some great bands
lined up for next year, along with some bands I will probably watch. And also
30 Seconds To Mars, which goes to show you can’t win them all.
What do I want to see added for Download 2013 now? Well, I
seem to recall some discussion with Ginger saying if The Wildhearts were
offered the 2nd stage headline slot at Download, they would reform.
I’d love to see that (against Slipknot would be my preference). I’d quite like
to see Henry Rollins added for another spoken word set. He is always fun live.
Looking at other festivals around the same time, I am expecting to see the
following bands get announced:
Airbourne, Amon Amarth, Bad Religion, Bring Me The Horizon, Coal
Chamber, Five Finger Death Punch, Korn, Simple Plan, Stone Sour, Within
Temptation. I am also wondering if there is any truth to this rumour about Kiss
headlining the second stage. They’re in Europe that weekend after all....
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