Download Festival 2018: Highlights, Reviews, and Photos from the Legendary Lineup
- saromaxnalisme
- Aug 3, 2023
- 12 min read
Download Festival 2018: A Rocking Recap
If you are a fan of rock and metal music, you probably know about Download Festival, the UK's most iconic and popular festival of the genre. But if you missed out on the 2018 edition, or if you want to relive some of the best moments, this article is for you. Here, we will give you a comprehensive overview of what happened at Download Festival 2018, who performed, what else was going on, and why you should definitely consider going next year.
What is Download Festival?
Download Festival is a British-created rock festival that has been held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England since 2003. It is considered as the successor of the Monsters of Rock festivals that took place at the same location between 1980 and 1996. Download Festival showcases some of the biggest names and acts in rock, metal, punk, and pop music, as well as some of the emerging talents and underground scenes. It also features other attractions and activities, such as extreme sports, wrestling, comedy, gaming, and more. Download Festival attracts over 100,000 fans every year, who come to enjoy three days of non-stop music and entertainment.
download festival 2018
The history and evolution of Download Festival
The first Download Festival was created by Stuart Galbraith and co-booked by Andy Copping in 2003, with the aim of bringing back the spirit and legacy of Monsters of Rock for the 21st century. The name Download was chosen to reflect the rebellious nature of rock music and the internet connectivity with its audience. The festival tickets had a code that allowed fans to download tracks from bands that had played. The festival also nurtured an online community through its forums, where fans could interact with each other and with the festival organisers.
Download Festival started as a two-day event, but expanded to three days in 2005. It also moved its location within the Donington Park circuit several times, due to developments for Formula One and other factors. The current location is the "Sunday Markets" site to the west of the circuit, which offers more space and convenience for both fans and performers. Download Festival has also branched out to other countries, such as France, Australia, and Germany.
The highlights and features of Download Festival 2018
Download Festival 2018 took place on June 8-10, with over 100 bands performing across four stages: The Main Stage, The Zippo Encore Stage, The Avalanche Stage, and The Dogtooth Stage. The festival also introduced a new attraction called The SINDROME, which featured extreme stunts and spectacles, such as fire shows, aerial acts, sword swallowing, and more. Another highlight was the return of WWE NXT Live!, which presented action-packed matches between some of the best wrestlers in the world.
Download Festival 2018 also had some memorable moments that made it stand out from previous editions. For instance, it was the first and last time that Ozzy Osbourne performed at the festival as a solo artist, as part of his farewell tour. It was also the first time that Guns N' Roses played at Download since their reunion in 2016.. Who performed at Download Festival 2018?
Download Festival 2018 had a stellar lineup of rock and metal bands, from the legendary to the fresh. The festival featured three headliners, who each closed one night of the festival on the Main Stage, as well as dozens of other acts, who played on the other stages throughout the day. Here are some of the highlights and details of who performed at Download Festival 2018.
The headliners: Avenged Sevenfold, Guns N' Roses, and Ozzy Osbourne
The three headliners of Download Festival 2018 were Avenged Sevenfold, Guns N' Roses, and Ozzy Osbourne, who each delivered a spectacular and unforgettable show for the fans.
Avenged Sevenfold: A fiery and fan-pleasing show
Avenged Sevenfold were the first headliners of Download Festival 2018, playing on Friday night. The American metal band, who have been active since 1999, have a loyal and passionate fan base, who were eager to see them perform. Avenged Sevenfold did not disappoint, as they played a setlist that spanned their entire career, from their early hits like "Bat Country" and "Beast and the Harlot", to their latest songs like "The Stage" and "God Damn". The band also brought a lot of energy and pyrotechnics to their show, creating a fiery and explosive atmosphere. Avenged Sevenfold proved that they are one of the best live bands in the world, and that they deserve to headline Download Festival.
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Guns N' Roses: A legendary and epic performance
Guns N' Roses were the second headliners of Download Festival 2018, playing on Saturday night. The American rock band, who have been active since 1985, are one of the most influential and successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. They are also known for their turbulent history and lineup changes, which made their reunion in 2016 a huge event for rock fans. Guns N' Roses played at Download Festival for the first time since their reunion, with the original members Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan, as well as newer members Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer, and Melissa Reese. The band played a massive three-hour setlist that covered their entire discography, from their classic albums Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion, to their latest album Chinese Democracy. The band also played some covers of songs by AC/DC, Bob Dylan, The Who, and Pink Floyd. Guns N' Roses delivered a legendary and epic performance that left the fans in awe.
Ozzy Osbourne: A farewell and a celebration
Ozzy Osbourne was the third and final headliner of Download Festival 2018, playing on Sunday night. The British singer, who has been active since 1967, is one of the most iconic and influential figures in rock and metal music, both as a solo artist and as the lead singer of Black Sabbath. He is also known for his eccentric and controversial personality, which earned him the nickname "The Prince of Darkness". Ozzy Osbourne played at Download Festival as part of his farewell tour, called "No More Tours 2", which he announced in 2018. He was joined by his longtime collaborators Zakk Wylde on guitar, Rob "Blasko" Nicholson on bass, Tommy Clufetos on drums, and Adam Wakeman on keyboards. The band played a setlist that included some of Ozzy's solo hits like "Crazy Train", "Mr. Crowley", "Bark at the Moon", and "No More Tears", as well as some Black Sabbath classics like "War Pigs", "Iron Man", and "Paranoid". Ozzy Osbourne gave a farewell and a celebration to his fans at Download Festival, showing that he is still the king of rock and metal. The other acts: A diverse and impressive lineup
Besides the three headliners, Download Festival 2018 also had a diverse and impressive lineup of other rock and metal acts, who played on the other stages throughout the day. The festival featured some of the best bands from around the world, some of the rising stars and newcomers of the genre, and some of the surprises and special guests of the festival. Here are some of the highlights and details of who else performed at Download Festival 2018.
Some of the best rock and metal bands from around the world
Download Festival 2018 had a variety of rock and metal bands from different countries and regions, who brought their own styles and sounds to the festival. Some of the notable bands were:
Bullet for My Valentine: The Welsh metalcore band, who have been active since 1998, played on the Main Stage on Friday, showcasing their new album Gravity, as well as some of their older hits like "Tears Don't Fall" and "Your Betrayal".
Marilyn Manson: The American industrial metal band, who have been active since 1989, played on the Zippo Encore Stage on Saturday, delivering a dark and theatrical show that included songs like "The Beautiful People", "The Dope Show", and "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)".
Parkway Drive: The Australian metalcore band, who have been active since 2003, played on the Zippo Encore Stage on Sunday, bringing their intense and energetic performance that featured songs like "Vice Grip", "Wild Eyes", and "Bottom Feeder".
Babymetal: The Japanese kawaii metal band, who have been active since 2010, played on the Main Stage on Sunday, surprising and delighting the fans with their unique blend of heavy metal and J-pop, as well as their cute and charismatic stage presence. They played songs like "Gimme Chocolate!!", "Megitsune", and "KARATE".
Some of the rising stars and newcomers of the genre
Download Festival 2018 also had a lot of rising stars and newcomers of rock and metal music, who showcased their talent and potential to the fans. Some of the notable bands were:
Greta Van Fleet: The American hard rock band, who have been active since 2012, played on the Zippo Encore Stage on Friday, impressing the fans with their retro and classic sound that was influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. They played songs like "Highway Tune", "Black Smoke Rising", and "Safari Song".
Marmozets: The British alternative rock band, who have been active since 2007, played on the Main Stage on Saturday, demonstrating their versatility and creativity with their mix of punk, math rock, and pop. They played songs like "Play", "Major System Error", and "Why Do You Hate Me?".
Rolo Tomassi: The British mathcore band, who have been active since 2005, played on The Dogtooth Stage on Sunday, showcasing their complex and experimental music that combined elements of hardcore, jazz, electronica, and ambient. They played songs like "Aftermath", "Balancing the Dark", and "Rituals".
Bad Wolves: The American heavy metal band, who have been active since 2017, played on The Dogtooth Stage on Sunday, gaining a lot of attention for their cover of The Cranberries' song "Zombie", which they dedicated to the late singer Dolores O'Riordan. They also played songs like "Learn to Live", "Hear Me Now", and "Toast to the Ghost".
Some of the surprises and special guests of the festival
Download Festival 2018 also had some surprises and special guests that added more excitement and variety to the festival. Some of them were:
Alexisonfire: The Canadian post-hardcore band, who have been active since 2001, played a surprise set on The Zippo Encore Stage on Friday, after being announced only a few hours before. They played songs like "This Could Be Anywhere in the World", "Boiled Frogs", and "Young Cardinals".
Andrew W.K.: The American rock singer, who has been active since 1998, played a surprise set on The Avalanche Stage on Saturday, after being announced only a few minutes before. He played songs like "Party Hard", "We Want Fun", and "Ready to Die".
Mike Shinoda: The American rapper and singer, who has been active since 1996 as a member of Linkin Park and Fort Minor, played a solo set on The Zippo Encore Stage on Sunday, after being announced only a few days before. He played songs from his new album Post Traumatic, as well as some Linkin Park and Fort Minor songs. He also paid tribute to his late bandmate Chester Bennington, who died in 2017.
Shinedown: The American rock band, who have been active since 2001, played a special acoustic set on The Avalanche Stage on Sunday, after being announced only a few weeks before. They played songs like "Second Chance", "Cut the Cord", and "Simple Man".
What else happened at Download Festival 2018?
Download Festival 2018 was not only about music, but also about other forms of entertainment and fun. The festival had a lot of other attractions and activities that the fans could enjoy, such as The SINDROME, WWE NXT Live!, and the Download community. Here are some of the highlights and details of what else happened at Download Festival 2018.
The SINDROME: A new and extreme attraction
The SINDROME was a new attraction that debuted at Download Festival 2018, located near the Main Stage. It was a huge circus tent that hosted some of the most extreme and spectacular stunts and shows, such as fire breathing, sword swallowing, aerial acrobatics, and more. The SINDROME was created by the Circus of Horrors, a British troupe that has been performing since 1995. The SINDROME was open throughout the day and night, offering a different and thrilling experience for the fans who wanted to see something more than music.
WWE NXT Live!: A thrilling and entertaining spectacle
WWE NXT Live! was another attraction that returned to Download Festival 2018, located near the Zippo Encore Stage. It was a wrestling ring that hosted some of the best matches between some of the best wrestlers from WWE NXT, the developmental branch of WWE. WWE NXT Live! was open throughout the day and night, offering a thrilling and entertaining spectacle for the fans who wanted to see some action and drama. Some of the wrestlers who performed at WWE NXT Live! were Aleister Black, Ricochet, Shayna Baszler, Adam Cole, Velveteen Dream, and more.
The Download community: A friendly and fun atmosphere
The Download community was another attraction that made Download Festival 2018 special, located all over the festival site. It was the friendly and fun atmosphere that the fans created with each other, sharing their passion and love for rock and metal music. The Download community was also supported by the festival organisers, who provided various facilities and services for the fans, such as camping areas, food stalls, bars, toilets, showers, lockers, medical tents, security staff, and more. The Download community also had some traditions and rituals that made the festival unique, such as the "Download Dog", the festival mascot that appeared on posters and merchandise; the "Download Horns", the hand gesture that fans made to show their appreciation; and the "Download Rain", the inevitable downpour that fans endured with good humor.
Conclusion: Why you should go to Download Festival next year
Download Festival 2018 was an amazing and unforgettable experience for any rock and metal fan. It had everything that a fan could ask for: great music, great entertainment, great atmosphere, great facilities, great people. It was a festival that celebrated rock and metal culture in all its forms and expressions. It was a festival that brought together fans from different backgrounds and generations. It was a festival that created memories that will last a lifetime.
If you missed out on Download Festival 2018, or if you want to go again, you should definitely consider going next year. Download Festival 2019 will take place on June 14-16 at Donington Park. The festival has already announced some of the bands that will perform next year, such as Def Leppard, Slipknot, Tool , Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Whitesnake, Rob Zombie, and more. The festival will also have other attractions and activities that will make it worth your while. You can buy your tickets online or at selected outlets. You can also join the Download community online and on social media, where you can get the latest news and updates, as well as interact with other fans and the festival organisers.
Download Festival is more than just a festival. It is a lifestyle. It is a passion. It is a family. If you love rock and metal music, you owe it to yourself to go to Download Festival next year. You will not regret it.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Download Festival 2018:
Q: How much did the tickets cost for Download Festival 2018? A: The tickets for Download Festival 2018 varied depending on the type and duration of the ticket. The standard weekend ticket, which included access to the festival site and camping area for three days, cost 200. The standard day ticket, which included access to the festival site for one day, cost 79.50. There were also other options, such as VIP tickets, disabled access tickets, child tickets, car parking tickets, and locker tickets.
Q: What were the opening and closing times of the festival site and the stages? A: The festival site opened at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, June 6 for campers, and at 10:00 am on Friday, June 8 for day ticket holders. The festival site closed at 12:00 pm on Monday, June 11 for campers, and at 11:00 pm on Sunday, June 10 for day ticket holders. The stages had different opening and closing times depending on the day and the stage. The Main Stage opened at 1:00 pm and closed at 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and opened at 12:00 pm and closed at 10:30 pm on Sunday. The Zippo Encore Stage opened at 11:00 am and closed at 10:45 pm on Friday and Saturday, and opened at 10:30 am and closed at 9:45 pm on Sunday. The Avalanche Stage opened at 11:00 am and closed at 10:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and opened at 10:30 am and closed at 9:30 pm on Sunday. The Dogtooth Stage opened at 11:00 am and closed at 10:15 pm on Friday and Saturday, and opened at 10:30 am and closed at 9:15 pm on Sunday.
Q: What were the weather conditions during Download Festival 2018? A: The weather conditions during Download Festival 2018 were mostly sunny and warm, with some occasional clouds and rain. The average temperature was around 20C (68F), with a high of 24C (75F) on Saturday and a low of 13C (55F) on Sunday. The average precipitation was around 1 mm (0.04 inches), with a high of 3 mm (0.12 inches) on Friday and a low of 0 mm (0 inches) on Sunday.
Q: What were the security measures taken during Download Festival 2018? A: The security measures taken during Download Festival 2018 were aimed at ensuring the safety and comfort of the fans, performers, staff, and organisers. Some of the security measures were:
Bag searches and metal detectors at the entrance of the festival site.
Random searches and patrols inside the festival site.
A strict no drugs policy.
A strict no glass policy.
A strict no weapons policy.
A strict no drones policy.
A strict no fires policy.
A strict no animals policy.
A strict no re-entry policy for day ticket holders.
A dedicated security team that was available to assist with any issues or emergencies.
Q: What were some of the tips and advice given by the festival organisers for Download Festival 2018? A: Some of the tips and advice given by the festival organisers for Download Festival 2018 were:
Plan your travel arrangements in advance.
Check the weather forecast before you go.
Pack light but bring essentials such as sunscreen, water, snacks, cash, phone charger, etc.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are suitable for walking and standing.
Arrive early to avoid queues and crowds.
Follow the signs and directions around the festival site.
Respect the rules and regulations of the festival site.Be aware of your surroundings and look after yourself and your belongings.
Stay hydrated and eat well.
Have fun and enjoy the festival.
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