In one month’s time from this writing, Download 2013 will
have come and gone. It really has come round quite fast this time. Everything
seems to have happened earlier than usual this year. This was confirmed by the
release of the stage times in the last week (something normally reserved for
the last week before the festival). I’ve looked at my various guesses of times
and I did alright in some areas but in some I didn’t even come close. This blog
will look at those times and look at my plan for Download 2013. I guess this
makes this blog my Download 2013 preview.
As with any festival that runs Friday to Sunday, it is appropriate
to start on the Friday and that is what will happen here. The Friday at
Download historically is the shorter day. I’m not entirely sure why that is but
if I were to take a guess, I would say it is to allow as many people as
possible time to arrive before starting the music. Friday was a pretty straight
forward day for me in terms of choosing what to see. I will be starting off the
day at 1pm with Rise to Remain on main stage. I really enjoyed their set on the
second stage in 2011 and am interested to see how they do on the biggest stage.
They were due to open the main stage in 2012 on the Friday but the weather
cancelled that plan. Of course, weather could quite easily do that again, but I
really hope it doesn’t! Moving over to the second stage for the first of many
moves between the two big stages this day to watch Skin and Uriah Heep. There
is nothing wrong with a bit of classic rock and it is certainly (in my view)
better than the other options at that time (I actually quite like Architects
but I have seen them before). After UH, it is back to the main stage to watch
Papa Roach. This is the first real clash of the festival for me as their set
somewhat overlaps with Dragonforce’s set. I’ve yet to see Papa Roach live and I
think I’d like to. I listened to them at Sonisphere and didn’t enjoy them but I
attribute that to being at a different stage and having my back to them. Time
for another clash, and while it would be easier to just stay at main stage to
watch Down, my intention is to actually stroll back to the second stage and
watch Europe. Down were absolutely stunning at Download 2011, and Europe were
the same at Sonisphere 2010. This decision has been made because I’ve seen
both, but it has been longer since I’ve seen Europe (plus the sing along to
Final Countdown will be ace).
I saw the stage times for the next clash and swore quite
loudly. It has been decreed that Volbeat will clash with Korn (they also clash
with Turisas, which just isn’t nice). Two of my must see bands at the festival
and they are clashing. I have opted to see Korn as I was supposed to see them
in 2006 but Jonathan Davis was rushed to hospital and I saw Korn + special
guests. Don’t get me wrong, that was ace but I’d have rather seen Korn. Since
then, Korn have toured a few times but they seem to charge a fairly high price
to see them and I’m not willing to pay over the odds to see them. Volbeat on
the other hand are one of my favourite bands and I am gutted to be missing
them. However, they are touring in October so I will make sure I am at that.
The next band for me is another band I’m surprised I haven’t seen live
considering they have played a lot of festivals/gigs since I became aware of
them and that is Bullet For My Valentine. They clash with 3 Doors Down. I’d
have loved to be able to see both but I can’t – and I’ve not seen BFMV so that
is my justification there. Quite nicely, they have arranged it so I can see
Gogol Bordello on second stage in the changeover between main stage
sub-headliner and headliner which is nice. My plan is to then walk to the back
of the main stage crowd, watch 15-20 minutes of Slipknot and then head back
over to the second stage to watch Black Stone Cherry. I love both BSC and
Slipknot, but for me this was a no-brainer. I’d like to see Slipknot again once
they release a new album and mix the set up a bit. They will likely play a very
similar show to Sonisphere 2011 and while that was immense, I’d rather see BSC
than see that set again. I’d also rather see BSC because it’s cool for me to
see a band I first saw at the Wedgewood Rooms headline an open air stage at
Download. They have really become a big band who may headline the main stage
one day, but even if they don’t. It will be cool to be there to see them
headline the second stage. On top of all of that, I should still be able to
watch the Slipknot encore before heading back to Burton for the night. All in
all, I would call that a result!
|
Rise
To Remain (Main)
|
13.00
- 13.30
|
|
Skin
(2nd)
|
13.50
- 14.20
|
|
Uriah
Heep (2nd)
|
14.45
- 15.25
|
|
Papa
Roach (Main)
|
15.35
- 16.20
|
|
Europe
(2nd)
|
16.55
- 17.35
|
|
Korn
(Main)
|
17.55
- 18.55
|
|
BFMV
(Main)
|
19.20
- 20.20
|
|
Gogol
Bordello (2nd)
|
20.10
- 20.55
|
|
Slipknot
(Main)
|
21.00
- 21.20
|
|
Black
Stone Cherry (2nd)
|
21.25
- 22.35
|
|
Slipknot
(Main)
|
22.40
- 22.50
|
When Friday concludes, it ushers in Saturday and that is the
next step for this preview. There was a bit of controversy online when it was
first announced that the second stage headliners on this day wouldn’t clash
with Iron Maiden. From what I was reading, people thought it was a completely
ridiculous demand by Iron Maiden to insist that no-one was playing on the
second stage when they were on. Personally, I don’t think it is that
unreasonable (especially as they are planning to film a DVD at Download) and
considering AC/DCs demands, it is very reasonable! Anyway, Saturday is much
like Friday for me in that I am not standing in front of one stage all day. It
differs in that I intend to pay a few visits to the 3rd stage over
the course of the day. The day for me kicks off with a bit of classic rock on
the main stage in the form of U.F.O. I’ll be honest, this set should be good
but I am mostly looking forward to hearing “Doctor Doctor” live. Following
U.F.O, it is a trip over to the second stage to watch Red, White and Blues and
Heaven’s Basement. I consider seeing both of those bands a better use of my
time than watching Young Guns (who I’m not crazy about) and the bands on the 3rd
stage at that time aren’t exactly to my liking either. Back to main after that
for a bit of Buckcherry. They were superb at the Wedgewood Rooms last December
so I’ll give them another go.
My first visit to the 3rd stage is up after
Buckcherry to watch a band I really should have watched at Sonisphere 2010 but
decided instead to watch Motley Crue in what turned out to be a mediocre set. That
band is Earthtone9. I am really looking forward to seeing them, so much so that
they win the clash with Hardcore Superstar for me. On the main stage just after
Earthtone9 finish is Mastodon. They do nothing for me so I will head over to
the second stage to watch Katatonia. I had it in my mind that I’d seen them but
apparently not. After them, I am heading to main stage to watch a band who
bored me to tears in 2006, and that is Alice In Chains. I am going to give them
another chance as I missed them at both Sonisphere 2010 and 2011 (as well as
the fact they are the best thing on at the time). I suspect I will be leaving
their set slightly early to get a spot in front of the second stage for Lit.
Lit are another one of those bands that I am seeing mostly for one song (My Own
Worst Enemy) but I’m sure the rest of their set won’t be dire. I’ll remain at
second stage for a short while to watch Thunder. Thunder clash with Motorhead
though so I may change my mind on the day. I’ve actually just checked out Bury
Tomorrow who is also on during that time, and they seem quite good. I may go
and watch them. Argh, now I have a 3 way clash out of nowhere! Anyway, after
whatever band I decide to see then will be a trip to the 3rd stage
to watch Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats. Don’t know a lot by this band, but I
need something to do in the changeover on main stage between Motorhead and the
band I’ll watch after Uncle Acid, Queens Of The Stone Age. I am really looking
forward to QOTSA! After them, another trip to the 3rd stage calls to
watch Kvelertak before watching the day’s headliner, Iron Maiden. I really wanted
to see The Hives but they are clashing with Maiden, and that is a clash they
would lose 99 times out of 100.
|
UFO
(Main)
|
11.00
- 11.40
|
|
Red,
White & Blues (2nd)
|
11.45
- 12.10
|
|
Heaven's
Basement (2nd)
|
12.30
- 12.55
|
|
Buckcherry
(Main)
|
13.20
- 14.00
|
|
Earthtone9
(3rd)
|
13.55
- 14.25
|
|
Katatonia
(2nd)
|
14.50
- 15.20
|
|
Alice
In Chains (Main)
|
15.50
- 16.40
|
|
Lit
(2nd)
|
16.30
- 17.00
|
|
Thunder
(2nd)
|
17.20
- 18.00
|
|
Uncle
Acid & The Deadbeats (3rd)
|
18.05
- 18.35
|
|
QOTSA
(Main)
|
18.40
- 19.50
|
|
Kvelertak
(3rd)
|
20.05
- 20.45
|
|
Iron
Maiden (Main)
|
20.50
- 22.50
|
With the first two days discussed, it only seems appropriate
to then talk about the final day, Sunday. Sunday is the only day where I am
standing in front of one stage for more than 2 bands. The day starts off at
main stage for the first 3 bands. Sacred Mother Tongue were superb in 2011 and
are a must watch for me again. Cancer Bats are always superb live and it will
be nice to see them get their full set on main stage this year (another victim
of the 2012 weather). Coal Chamber should be an interesting one. It will be odd
for me seeing Dez Farara with another band as I’ve only known him with
Devildriver, but I’m sure I’ll get over it. After those 3 bands, I’m heading
over to the second stage to watch the next 3 there. Graveyard will likely
already be playing by the time I arrive. After them it is Masters of Reality
(don’t really know a lot by them but of the stuff I listened to, I really
enjoyed it). Following them it is Amon Amarth who are just excellent live. They
were one of my Wacken 2012 highlights so I am looking forward to seeing them
again.
After them, I head back to the main stage for a set I’ve
been looking forward to for ages and that is Stone Sour. Haven’t seen them live
since 2010 and I am quite excited by the prospect of them playing. After Stone
Sour, I am heading over to the 3rd stage to watch 3 bands in a row.
The first is Red Fang. I had originally planned to see Ghost but the way I see
it, Red Fang will be good and it’s easier to just head to 3rd stage
early. After Red Fang it is Newsted. I have heard nothing from this band, but
it is Jason Newsted’s new band, and I am curious to see what they are like.
Following them is P.O.D who is another one of those bands that I know one song,
but I’ll give them a go. After P.O.D, I will stroll off to the second stage to
watch A Day To Remember. Hey, it is better than watching 30 Seconds To Mars!
Then I come to a conundrum. Do I watch all of Rammstein, or watch the Satyricon
set and catch the end of Rammstein? I was gutted I missed Satyricon at Download
2006 and would like to see them, and I’ll be seeing Rammstein at Wacken. I can’t
decide on that one just yet.
|
Sacred
Mother Tongue (Main)
|
11.00
- 11.30
|
|
Cancer
Bats (Main)
|
11.55
- 12.25
|
|
Coal
Chamber (Main)
|
12.50
- 13.30
|
|
Graveyard
(2nd)
|
13.30
- 14.00
|
|
Masters
of Reality (2nd)
|
14.25
- 14.55
|
|
Amon
Amarth (2nd)
|
15.20
- 15.50
|
|
Stone
Sour (Main)
|
16.10
- 17.10
|
|
Red
Fang (3rd)
|
17.15
- 17.45
|
|
Newsted
(3rd)
|
18.05
- 18.35
|
|
P.O.D
(3rd)
|
19.00
- 19.40
|
|
A
Day To Remember (2nd)
|
19.25
- 20.20
|
|
Satyricon
(3rd)
|
21.10
- 22.10
|
|
Rammstein
(Main)
|
21.15
- 22.50
|
Well, that is my plan for Download roughly sorted. I’m sure
I’ll make changes here and there as the time comes but I am pretty pleased with
the bands I have chosen to watch. If I stick to my plan as is, I’ll see 18
bands I’ve not seen live before and 36 in total. Can’t complain about that!
