My Life, My Soundtrack

Download 2010 – showcasing 4 bands that plan to rule the world June 14, 2010

So I think it’s pretty obvious I’ve not been inspired to write in a while!  I’ve spent my time reviewing CD’s for www.roomthirteen.com but not much else.  It’s all been quiet on the gig front too.

But that changed this weekend, it was Download 2010, and while the line up was not as epically good as Download 2009, it was still a spectacular weekend.

This year, a slew of bands that I’ve been following for the past couple of years took giant leaps forward with more awareness and more fans, mainly gained by new albums and constant touring.

This year saw the Download debut of Starseed, in acoustic form, on the Jager stage.  This is a band with a massive sound and somehow, they brought that into an acoustic format.  The energy that just flows from these guys is intense and from the sheer exuberance of drummer Andy through to the smooth, deep vocals of Russell – the band wowed the crowd.

My Passion graduated this year to the Ronnie James Dio (second) stage and put on a damn good show, showing they can take their energetic sound out of the small venues and onto a large open stage.  There’s a bit of work to be done still, but they did a fine job and clearly attracted new fans with the crowd growing by the second.  A slight wardrobe malfunction saw singer Laurence Rene’s pants turn to tatters by the end, and there were some near mishaps with cables, mic stands and band members throwing themselves in all direction.  All in all a great fun set as you would expect from the foursome.

The Blackout, always the showmen, brought forth two giant inflatable hands showing the middle finger… a massive backdrop that proclaimed “Fuck The Blackout” and 2… that’s right 2 drumkits.  Joined by Kids In Glass Houses drummer Philip Jenkins, The Blackout rocked the socks off all and sundry.  Each gig, each festival, they draw more and more to their show and convert crowds into fans with their light hearted banter, enormous presence and sheer joy with what they do.  Earlier in the day they played an acoustic set, clearly still a bit uncomfortable in holding a crowd for it – they shouldn’t be.  Over the last year their vocals and music has just got better and better, and when you think they’re at their peak – they just get better again!  Quite possibly my favourite band of the day.

Bullet For My Valentine show they’re a force to be reckoned with as they brought flames, fireworks and pure metal rock to headline the Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturday.  Another band with a huge sound and a presence that commands you to watch, they played a mix of old and new and had a large crowd’s attention from start to end.

These four bands, all at slightly different stages in their career, have something quite obvious in common.  A love of music that drives them and a passion that attracts people to them, feeding their ability to constantly improve, constantly surprise and constantly entertain.  Four bands with very different styles – all on the path to greatness.

A few photos of some are online here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennikate/sets/72157624272674424/