ThunderWeb V1.0
Download Festival - Donington 10th - 12th June 2005
Before I start this review, I’d like to clear up one thing: Castle Donington is not in Derbyshire; it is in Leicestershire. It may have a DErby postcode, but it is in Leicestershire. Look at the OS map if you don’t believe me.
OK. That one is nicely filed under ‘Bite My Shiny Metal Ass!’
Last year, I bitched for around 1800 words about how disappointed I was with the festival, how bad the organisation was, how the band selection was a load of toss, and how the general layout of the site was big, baggy pants. Would I feel the same in this, my 25th anniversary of festival-going exploits at Donington Park? For the first time, I was here to camp and attend all three days of the event. Read on, little pigs, read on…
Now, it has to be said, the price of food and drink is still extortionately expensive, but the quality of the food is, to my astonishment, very good. The general organisation is excellent. Even the toilets weren’t so foul as to cause me to vomit every time I needed to pee. In fact, considering the number of users, they were remarkably well maintained; a far cry from that first year! Indeed, the whole site was very clean, even by day three, and litter patrols deserve an honourable mention. The wristbands were a step up in quality too; fabric, rather than those horrible plastic-paper jobbies that constantly threaten to sever an artery.
OK. That one is nicely filed under ‘Bite My Shiny Metal Ass!’
Last year, I bitched for around 1800 words about how disappointed I was with the festival, how bad the organisation was, how the band selection was a load of toss, and how the general layout of the site was big, baggy pants. Would I feel the same in this, my 25th anniversary of festival-going exploits at Donington Park? For the first time, I was here to camp and attend all three days of the event. Read on, little pigs, read on…
Now, it has to be said, the price of food and drink is still extortionately expensive, but the quality of the food is, to my astonishment, very good. The general organisation is excellent. Even the toilets weren’t so foul as to cause me to vomit every time I needed to pee. In fact, considering the number of users, they were remarkably well maintained; a far cry from that first year! Indeed, the whole site was very clean, even by day three, and litter patrols deserve an honourable mention. The wristbands were a step up in quality too; fabric, rather than those horrible plastic-paper jobbies that constantly threaten to sever an artery.
I still have issues with the line-up of the bands, but at least I can see what the organisers were trying to achieve; they are attempting to recognise the diversity of what constitues heavy metal in the early years of the 21 st century, and I congratulate them on that score. However, how you can justify Dinosaur Jr, Garbage and Feeder taking to the stage after the mighty Megadeth, is beyond me. Come on Clear Channel, employ someone with a brain to schedule bands in ‘06. Also, the headlining bands’ sets were severely stunted and that is, after all, what the majority of people had paid their hard-earned to see. Nevertheless, I don’t suppose that the previous years’ headliners helped much in that respect. Both Iron Maiden and Metallica overran the 11PM curfew. Maiden because they played a long set and Metallica because their drummer is a wanker and left them in the lurch; they came on late and played a truncated set, saved only by the efforts of the amazing Joey Jordison. This year, headliners on the main stage were done by 10:15 and the Snickers stage by 10PM. No chance of late night moans from the local yokels this year.
Still, the atmos was very friendly and everyone was just there to enjoy themselves. Yeah, some tossbags did nick stuff from some tents, but you are warned not to leave valuables in your tents, so what can you expect?
My major gripe is the same as it was twenty five years ago: Why do people throw bottles at festivals? Didn’t understand it when I was 17 and I still don’t. As for the flags. Why do the Scottish and Welsh feel the need to constantly proclaim their patriotism by waving a flag, obscuring the view of anyone behind them? Do you honestly think anyone cares where you are from? By all means, be proud of your heritage, but don’t keep waving it in my face, because I couldn’t give a shit where you’re from.
My major gripe is the same as it was twenty five years ago: Why do people throw bottles at festivals? Didn’t understand it when I was 17 and I still don’t. As for the flags. Why do the Scottish and Welsh feel the need to constantly proclaim their patriotism by waving a flag, obscuring the view of anyone behind them? Do you honestly think anyone cares where you are from? By all means, be proud of your heritage, but don’t keep waving it in my face, because I couldn’t give a shit where you’re from.
So, do I consider the 2005 experience to be a success? Yes, I do, in spite of the hike to and from the car park with the tent, air mattresses and assorted gear. My daughter complained about not being able to see the bands, unless she was at the barrier being crushed like an almond. No-one ever went to an outdoor festival because they would have a better view of the band. Even at the barrier, you will snap your neck looking up at the stage. That’s not why you go. I never really figured out why you do go to festivals, to be honest, given all the cons, but it has something to do with the whole event experience, which amounts to much, much more than its constituent parts. It’s the little things that make it memorable, the ones that would never have happened except for in those bizarre circumstances.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
14th June 2005
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
14th June 2005
