This year’s Download festival will definitely go down as one of the best in its 10 year history; it will also go down as the muddiest. Due to the weather conditions the arena opening was delayed for almost 2 hours meaning a hastily rearranged line-up, in fact it meant that the first few bands of the day were dropped apart from Cancer Bats (they must have one hell of a manager).

Friday

First up for the FFA team was The Quireboys, it was just like stepping back to the eighties with their good time rock and roll, Spike strutting around the stage, tossing his microphone stand at every opportunity some things never change and nor should they when it’s a winning formula. Performing in front of a responsive crowd must be very satisfying for a band at a festival and The Quireboys totally deserved their applauds, 7 ‘O Clock was a real highlight to their set, and with the added bonus of getting the chance to see them again on Saturday on the Jagermeister stage, it wasn’t so bad them only getting a 25 minute set.  

Having never seen NOFX before, and seeing as they were given an opportunity to play to a pretty big audience, it seemed only right that I made my way through the mud, sludge and whatever else was rolling down the hill to the main stage. Having got to within a 20 feet of the main stage and standing in 6 inches of mud, I really wish I hadn’t bothered as it seemed the band weren’t really interested in performing, instead going through the motions of a set that could have been so much better. Maybe I missed the point, maybe they play like that all the time but I seriously doubt it, how could they. Oh well maybe another time boys.

Back to the second stage for a bit of eighties rock in the shape of Europe, hoping the walk would be worth it, it quickly turned out not to be the case. The drums, the famous keyboard that spawned those first notes of “The Final Countdown” and even Joey’s microphone all made it to the stage only to be let down by the band and the British transportation system (or whatever excuse was used). Mr Tempest you owe us the Download faithful a performance – see you next year. (Taken from Europe’s Facebook page) “A sincerely heartfelt apology to the people that came to see us at Download and ended up waiting in vain. We tried everything we could to get there in time but in the end it was beyond our control. - In the end we just couldn't make it. We were so close, that’s why the organizers announced things so late from stage. However, the organizers at Download were cool and invited us to next year’s Download.”

The Safety Fire took to the Red Bull stage on Friday evening to a sizeable crowd. Their set had everything you could expect from a band of such a high calibre, they were tight, energetic, heavy and mind blowing. Playing through a number of songs off their latest album "Grind the Ocean" every song was executed with sheer excellence. This band is definitely worth watching, every song is played impeccably and with an energy that many bands cannot provide. Overall a fantastic set which was in no way hindered by the couple of minor technical issues. 

Opeth took to the stage with smoke billowing behind them, not that they need gimmicks or smoke, as the first chords of “The Devil’s Orchard” pound the second stage the crowd know they are in for a pretty good ride tonight. Lead singer Mikael cracks a few jokes between songs and gives the crowd the impression he and the band want to be there. Finishing off with “Deliverance” really delights the crowd, with lengthy solos from each member of the band and there instruments this performance is going to take some beating from their Scandinavian neighbours Nightwish. Nightwish’s new lead singer Anette Olzon delights the crowd with her haunting melodies and with her new band mates behind her they really are making a good job of being tonight’s main support act. With a bit more time on their hands Nightwish play what is arguably a pretty near perfect festival set. Encouraging the crowd to join in at every opportunity Olzon brings the best out of her band and adoring fans. Highlights of the set are a cover of Gary Moore’s “Over the Hills and Far Away” & “Last Ride of the Day” with the later finishing off what is a spectacular show of musicianship. 

Chase and Status had caused great controversy when they were announced to play at this year’s Download, but from the size of the crowd you wouldn't have thought that anyone was bothered that these giants of dubstep and drum and bass we're playing at Donington the "home of rock" itself. They played through a number of tracks from their 2 albums and controlled the crowd from start to finish. There were even some of the usual download type singing along with Plan B (video of him) to hit song "End Credits". Whilst Chase and Status playing at Download was received well it is highly unlikely that more drum n bass/dubstep acts will be cropping up in future unless they have made a strong crossover to rock and metal as the likes of Prodigy, Pendulum and Chase and Status have mastered. 

Slash ft Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators are the chosen ones, the last time Slash played at Download it was a fantastic sunny Sunday afternoon, tonight it's pretty damp and windy, not that the crowd care. Taking to the stage the band quickly find there rhythm and start producing some seriously good songs from the new album 'Apocalyptic Love'. Stand out song from the new album has to be 'Anastasia' closely followed by 'you're a lie'. Mixing up old GnR classics such as Mr Brownstone, VR's 'Slither' and songs from his previous album RnFR makes this one hell of a spectacular show. Getting the encore the band fully deserves means the crowd gets to hear another GnR classic 'Paradise City' before heading back to their tents. 

The Prodigy fully deserve their headline slot on Downloads main stage, and what a crowd they have pulled, giving the crowd what they want the Essex boy’s do their utmost to destroy the arena with their high octane, rock infused dance music. With the light fading the show comes to life with the excellent use of the lasers and white lights. Smashing through their back catalogue The Prodigy give something to everyone ‘Breathe’, ‘Voodoo People’, ‘Firestarter’ the hits keep pounding the crowd and the crowd want more. With the inevitable ‘Diesel Power’ and ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ bringing the set to a rousing finale the band reappear for more, much to the delight of the crowd ‘Take Me to the Hospital’ ‘AWOL’ and ‘Their Law’ finish things off nicely for the band and crowd.

Cancer Bats take to the Red Bull stage after their main stage slot had to be cancelled due to the late opening of the arena and they don’t disappoint, getting a longer set and being able to play at this time of the night seems to suit them. Lead singer Liam gets the crowd going as they launch into ‘Sabotage’ (Beastie Boy’s cover) which is quickly followed by ‘Hail Destroyer’. As the band play their hearts out the crowd give everything and more back especially when ‘Prey for Darkness’ starts, more crowd participation comes with ‘Lucifer’s Rocking Chair’. With only one more Cancer Bats blow the roof of the tent with ‘R.A.T.S.’ for those of us that new about the rescheduled performance it was a great way to end a day that started so badly.