{"id":64837,"date":"2018-06-21T11:00:52","date_gmt":"2018-06-21T10:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/?p=64837"},"modified":"2023-03-17T14:55:39","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T14:55:39","slug":"live-review-download-festival-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Review: Download Festival 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Photo credit: Matt Eachus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As rock and metal continues to feel increasingly marginalized at major festivals, Download<\/strong>, the legendary Mecca of metal, is becoming the one truly gargantuan focus for heavy music during festival season. With a die-hard and opinionated fan base, it\u2019s a festival that sees its organizers under more pressure than any other to get the lineup just right, creating a perfect storm of scrutiny and expectation for giants of the past to headline year after year.<\/p>\n

Headliners don\u2019t get much bigger, or hail from a prime as long past as two of this year\u2019s marquee acts, so there was plenty of pressure on the array of the old guard and veteran ticket sellers to deliver at rock\u2019s biggest surviving stage in the UK. So would they manage it and would any younger acts step up to stake their claim as future bill toppers? Let’s find out.<\/p>\n

Friday 8th June<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Photo credit: Sarah Koury<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether its dedicated fans or merely curious folk wandering around the field, Boston Manor<\/strong> (4\/5) have the honour of kicking off the main stage of Download 2018. For those witnessing the Blackpool quintet for the first time, this was the perfect introduction. With select cuts from their outstanding debut LP, \u2018Be Nothing.\u2019<\/em> alongside the first single (\u2018Halo\u2019<\/em>) from its follow up, Boston Manor<\/strong>\u2019s energetic style, soaring hooks and frontman Henry\u00a0Cox\u2019s confident presence made for a strong outing as they begin the album cycle for \u2018Welcome To The Neighbourhood\u2019.<\/em> (SR)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Caitlin Mogridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Download<\/strong> day one may still be rumbling into life, but the aggression with which Employed To Serve<\/strong> (4\/5) attack their set gets an impressively busy Avalanche stage pumped up and ready to tear throats out within moments. Relentless waves of precision riffing batter the senses, however, it\u2019s vocalist Justine who makes the strongest impression. She\u2019s a genuine force of nature and owns the occasion effortlessly. (DW)<\/p>\n

Few bands on the planet deliver grandiose metal anthems quite like Dragonforce<\/strong> (3.5\/5) and the Download mainstays were on solid form here. Titanic solos and towering vocals are exactly what a main stage set at this festival is all about and this one delivered all of that. Frontman Marc Hudson’s top-notch showmanship and sublime falsettos proved to be the icing on the cake leaving thousands of metalheads very happy indeed, even with a few technical hitches delaying proceedings. Everything is back on track in time for the always epic \u2018Through The Fire and Flames\u2019<\/em> to bring the set to a dazzling close. (DW)<\/p>\n

Playing major festival stages is quickly becoming second nature for Marmozets<\/strong><\/a> (3.5\/5), and it clearly shows. Having made an impressive comeback with \u2018Knowing What You Know Now<\/a>\u2019<\/em> at the start of the year, Bingley\u2019s finest are on top form with Becca McIntyre\u2019s vocal prowess as impressive as ever. Although the expanse of the main stage lacks the frenzied intimacy of their own shows, with highlights such as \u2018Move, Shake, Hide\u2019,<\/em> and \u2018Captivate You,\u2019<\/em> Marmozets<\/strong> have the songs to leave an impression. (SR)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Caitlin Mogridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stray From The Path<\/strong> (4\/5) were in a typically fiery mood for their appearance on the Avalanche stage. The quartet smashed out a set that was as compelling as it was bruising, with the comparative intimacy of the (still huge) tent keeping the energy of band and crowd contained to create an atmosphere that was charged to say the least.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

On their Download debut Stick To Your Guns<\/strong>\u00a0(4\/5) waste little time in turning the Avalanche stage into a sea of pounding fists and banging heads. Early standout moment \u2018Married to The Noise\u2019 sees the band earn their first major singalong as the bodies writhing in the pit get even more fraught. Like SFTP before them, the band don\u2019t flinch from preaching a fiery anti-BS and politics rhetoric between songs, which is met with a rowdy seal of approval from the crowd.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now it is time for me to play a guitar shaped like a slice of pizza\u201d<\/em> quips Andrew W.K.<\/strong> (3\/5) A statement which in fairness sums up his delightfully off-kilter appearance as well as any other. His brand of hard rock may not be terribly revolutionary but it is a lot of fun and infectiously positive. Much of the crowd gathered at the Zippo Encore stage may be plainly waiting for one song in particular, but the rest of the fare is lapped up happily enough. One amusingly long countdown later and said song drops queuing all present to \u2018Party Hard\u2019<\/em> indeed.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Sarah Koury<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Future thrash punk icons Cancer Bats<\/strong> (3.5\/5) return to Download after five years away. It\u2019s clear they\u2019ve not been forgotten about as the Avalanche stage tent is bursting at the seams with people. The Canadian quartet thoroughly delivers what\u2019s expected of them and then some. Heavy, frantic, occasionally sludgy, riffs with Liam Cormier\u2019s screams and shouts adding to the ferocity of what Cancer Bats<\/strong> have to offer. A glorious return to Donington. (SR)<\/p>\n

As Bullet For My Valentine blasts out hit after hit of modern metal, Hell Is For Heroes<\/strong> (2.5\/5) are over on the second stage playing to a sparse crowd. Nevertheless, they soldier on with highlights from their influential ‘The Neon Handshake\u2019<\/em> (‘Five Kids Go,’<\/em> \u2018Night Vision,\u2019<\/em> and \u2018You Drove Me To It.\u2019<\/em>) While their cover of The Cure’s \u2018Boys Don\u2019t Cry’<\/em> is admirable. Maybe it\u2019s their billing? Maybe it\u2019s the stage they\u2019ve been put on? Either way, today isn\u2019t one for Hell Is For Heroes<\/strong> to remember. (SR)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s down to veteran punks Bad Religion<\/strong> (4.5\/5) to close out day one on the Avalanche stage and they do so in slick, seasoned fashion. Rarely these days is classic punk delivered with this level of aplomb and articulacy. Greg Griffin may look a shade like a school teacher dad dancing about the stage in his shirt and jeans, but there\u2019s no doubting the power, passion and irresistible melody of his delivery. The band power through swathes of their hits with the likes of \u2018American Jesus\u2019<\/em> and \u2018You\u2019<\/em> still sounding as essential and life-affirming as ever.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

It seems Tesseract<\/strong> (3.5\/5) being the only alternative option to A7X proves to be beneficial. Whether it\u2019s through curiosity or genuine fans showing their support, they more than fill the relatively intimate confines of the Dogtooth stage. On stage, Dan Tompkins\u2019 harmonious voice soars above and beyond as his bandmates supply a rumbling blend of atmospheric prog and tech metal. As proficient as ever, they showcase their latest album ‘Sonder’<\/em> alongside heavier older cuts such as \u2018Concealing Fate\u2019<\/em> (parts 1 – 3) in a positive light. (SR)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Matt Eachus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Avenged Sevenfold<\/strong> (3\/5) brought heavy quantities of flames and sentiment to their Friday night headline slot. Relatively youthful they may be compared to the headliners due to follow them, the band are still a safe bet when it comes to big crowd-pleasing metal. Here they provide the requisite touches of drama and immaculate musicianship, while M Shadows soaring, gravel-laden vocal and undeniable charisma has even viewers to whom he is a speck in the distance well in his sway. \u2018Bat Country\u2019<\/em> in particular provides an adrenaline-fueled moment to remember.<\/p>\n

Shadows and his band are plainly in reflective mood, he makes a plaintive plea for fans to reach out for help fighting their demons, while earlier in the set the stage went dark apart from a solitary video screen displaying a tribute to The Rev. Moving though all of the poignancy becomes, there is a sense that the band at times coast through the performance without hitting their top gear all that often. It\u2019s frequently left to the excessively utilized fire cannons to add spectacle while presumably also lightly crisping various low flying local wildlife.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

Saturday 9th June<\/h2>\n

What a difference almost a year and a freshly inked deal with one of pop-punk\u2019s most respected labels can make. Last festival season WSTR<\/strong> (2.5\/5) played to a only a modestly full Pit stage at Leeds Fest. Roll the clock forward and a large and enthusiastic crowd flocked to their appearance in the Avalanche stage, with most present knowing almost every word of their New Found Glory lite pop-punk. It\u2019s certainly peppy and enthusing if not memorable stuff. Although they show signs of becoming a polished live act, the band have a way to go yet to step out of the shadow of their more prominent UK pop-punk mates. Current single \u2018Bad To The Bone\u2019<\/em> at least suggests they\u2019re heading in the right direction. (DW)<\/p>\n

Leeds\u2019 Higher Power<\/strong> (4\/5) pack out the Dogtooth tent and immediately tear it up, walls of sludgy guitars whipping up a sizable pit that never rests of closes at any point throughout the set. Frontman Jimmy Wizard’s snarl has just enough melody to it to prove accessible without detracting from the urgency of his delivery. This lot are possibly THE band to watch out for on the UK hardcore scene at present. (DW)<\/p>\n

The Struts<\/strong> (3\/5) are as about as close as it gets to Download hometown boys as it gets. Although vocalist Luke Spiller\u2019s Steven Tyler meets Noel Fielding stage presence may be a bit cliche, he\u2019s exactly what a crowd gathered primarily to see Guns and Roses need to get them warmed up. Ditto for the fact that musically his band crank out one classic rock trope after another. If they can continue to craft hooks as irresistible as \u2018Could Have Been Me\u2019<\/em> this will be far from their last Donington main stage appearance.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Paulo Gon\u00e7alves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Due to Corrosion of Conformity\u2019s never-ending riffing (or delayed start,) Bury Tomorrow<\/strong> (4.5\/5) are late on. Nevertheless, that doesn\u2019t stop the Southampton metallers delivering a ferocious set. Longtime favourites \u2018Earthbound\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Cemetery\u2019<\/em> thrive with Daniel Winter-Bates commanding the thousands watching. While recent single \u2018Knife of Gold\u2018<\/em> is introduced as \u2018Black Flame<\/em>\u2019\u2019s heaviest cut, sending dedicated fans into a spin in the pit. Once again,\u00a0Bury Tomorrow<\/strong> prove to be a live force that can’t be ignored. (SR)<\/p>\n

Having released one of the stand out records of the year so far in \u2018Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It\u2019,<\/em> Rolo Tomassi<\/strong> (3\/5) return to Download on a wave of momentum. Opening with \u2018Time Wide Die\u2026\u2019 highlight, \u2018Rituals\u2019<\/em> sets the tone for a fierce and lively set. As the sibling duo of Eve and James Barlow bounce across the stage, Rolo Tomassi<\/strong>\u2019s twist and turns of hardcore blasts and harmonious interludes prove to be compelling. (SR)<\/p>\n

Pop-rock is something in typically short supply at Download. So it\u2019s a good job that it was one of the scene\u2019s most dependable acts, Arizona\u2019s The Maine<\/strong> (3.5\/5) flying the flag for it. The likes of \u2018Girls Do What They Want<\/em>\u2019 soon gets the hardy souls tempted away from the attractions of Parkway Drive and Black Stone Cherry dancing. Odd though some of his stage quips maybe be, John O\u2019Callaghan is as charming as ever with his smooth vocals the antidote to the throat-shredding going on elsewhere.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Kyle Mcloughlin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Essentially the main warm-up before GNR\u2019s three hour plus show, Parkway Drive<\/strong> (5\/5) are here to steal the show and make their claim to headline the main stage. While the beaming early evening sun might deter the use of fireworks and flames Parkway<\/strong> bring, that doesn\u2019t hinder them from delivering a compelling, even momentous, show. Add to that a spinning drum kit, stellar riffs from Jeff Ling and Winston McCall\u2019s domineering vocals, and you’re left a show that set the bar high for the rest of the weekend. Future headliners? It\u2019s only a matter of when, not if! (SR)<\/p>\n

As Mayday Parade<\/strong> (4\/5) gear up to drop their sixth studio album, they use their spot as the penultimate band on the Avalanche stage to take an emotive romp through their back catalogue. Perhaps wisely the mostly visited release was their beloved debut \u2018A Lesson In Romantics\u2019,<\/em>\u00a0as airings of \u2018Jamie All Over\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Jersey\u2019 that bookend the set are roared emphatically word for word back at the stage. Often recently released singles can be met with polite indifference at festivals, but the reaction to \u2018Its Hard To Be Religious\u2026\u2019<\/em> underpins it as one of the band\u2019s most potent singles in years.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Sarah Koury<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They said it would never happen in this lifetime, but never say never. Yet Axl, Duff, Slash and company returned to Donington together. With a full stadium show expected and thousands upon thousands pitching up, Guns n\u2019 Roses<\/strong>\u2019 (3\/5) return to Download as the<\/i> most anticipated set of the weekend.<\/p>\n

With over three hours allocated, it\u2019s somewhat expected that Slash\u2019s everlasting solos (and Axl\u2019s outfit changes) along with a handful covers means the momentum they have early on, through classics such as ‘Its So Easy’<\/em> and ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’<\/em> soon disappears. Although ‘You Could Be Mine’<\/em> and stand out covers ‘Live and Let Die’<\/em> and ‘Slither,’<\/em> ignite some life into the show, a deep mid-set lull ultimately hinders the lengthy set. Was it worth all the hype? Unfortunately not. (SR)<\/p>\n

Sunday 10th June<\/h2>\n

Emerging Welsh wonders Dream State<\/strong> (3.5\/5) open the final day with enough urgency to wake up the weary heads. Fresh off releasing their impressive \u2018Recovery’<\/em> EP, CJ Gilpin\u2018s raspy voice compliments the band\u2019s melodic post-hardcore. While CJ\u2018s positive message of channelling issues into music comes off as sincere before launching into ‘White Lies’<\/em> to round off a short but impressionable set.\u00a0<\/span>(SR)<\/p>\n

Over on the Dogtooth stage, Essex newbies Sun Arcana<\/strong> (2\/5) are making their Download debut. Their steady, impassioned brand of rock draws in a reasonable crowd, and while they’re far from the band of the weekend, they showcase their ‘As I Take a Breath\u2026’<\/em> EP admirably. (SR)<\/p>\n

Longtime AH favourites Puppy<\/strong>\u00a0(3\/5) play to one of their biggest festival crowds yet on the Avalanche stage, and their pop-tinged crunching rock hooks provide a much-needed boost of life to an afternoon flagging in the heat of the final day. That the happily nodding heads number in the thousands is an indication of just how far the band\u2019s organic, hype-free growth is taking them.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Kyle Mcloughlin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milk Teeth<\/strong>\u00a0(4\/5) celebrate their 5th birthday as a band by providing a rare moment of peppy, feel-good punk jams to the final day\u2019s rather poe-faced lineup. Becky Bloomfeld and her bandmates have been putting in the miles on the festival circuit for years now and it really shows, their set is excellently delivered, engaging and most importantly a genuine blast from start to finish. \u2018Brain Freeze\u2019<\/em> provides an abrasive early highlight, but it\u2019s \u2018Owning Your Okayness\u2019<\/em> that really hammers home what a joy this lot are to experience.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

To the surprise of nobody Black Veil Brides<\/strong>\u00a0(3.5\/5) draw a huge crowd to the main stage and quickly heat a blazing afternoon even further with a tonne of pyro and a scorching performance. Andy Biersack has established himself as one of the few new bonafide metal superstars of recent years, his showy and infinitely watchable command of the stage makes this feel like it could be mistaken for a headline set.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Matt Eachus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s something so satisfying watching Thrice<\/strong> (3.5\/5) in the boiling hot sun on a Sunday afternoon. As we learned when speaking to Dustin and Teppei beforehand, they\u2019re not quite ready to spill the beans on their new album. Yet to their advantage, they\u2019ve got a whole load of fan favourites in their pocket. From old classics \u2018<\/em>Silhouette\u2019<\/em> and \u2018The Artist in the Ambulance<\/span><\/em><\/span>\u2019<\/em> to more recent cuts such as \u2018Hurricane\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Black Honey,\u2019<\/em> Thrice<\/strong> provide a short and sharp reminder of their alt-rock greatness. (SR)<\/p>\n

Backed by just a drummer, Jamie Lenman<\/strong> (4\/5) prospers on the Avalanche stage with a frantic display. While on record he can occasionally experiment, Lenman<\/strong> knows this crowd wants the heavy stuff. Straight out the gate he delivers a raucous set with \u2018Hell in a Fast Car,\u2019<\/em> \u2018One of my Eyes Is a Clock,\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Waterloo Teeth\u2019<\/em> setting the tone early on. While the addition of Reuben favourite \u2018Every Time a Teenager Listens to Drum & Bass a Rockstar Dies<\/span>\u2019<\/em> and new single \u2018Long Gone,\u2019<\/em> merely adds to the intensity that Lenman<\/strong> stirs up. Considerably one of the weekend\u2019s hidden gems. (SR)<\/p>\n

US alt-rock radio mainstays Shinedown<\/strong>\u00a0(3\/5) get plenty of fists waiving during a businesslike spell on the main stage. They\u2019re watchable enough, but as is common with the genre everything on offer is fairly formulaic.\u00a0 It is however undeniably cool to hear former Raw theme \u2018Enemies\u2019<\/em> live as thousands of people jump in unison, before sentimental flag waver \u2018Second Chance\u2019<\/em> gets a major singalong.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

Reunited and revitalized pop-rockers A<\/strong>\u00a0(4\/5) make for an ideal hit of nostalgia to lift sagging energy levels as afternoon becomes evening. Years of pulling the strings in the studio has dulled none of Jason Perry\u2019s stage banter, his interactions with McFly\u2019s Dougie Poynter on Bass, as well as an array of self-depreciating gags make them one of the few bands of the day to actually be amusing. Perry prepared for his life writing and producing pop hits crafting big accessible choruses for A<\/strong>, so this was half an hour or so of one majorly catchy hook after another. \u2018Nothing\u2019<\/em> may close the set on a major high, but the uber potent ear-worm \u2018Starbucks\u2019<\/em> goes down just as well.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

Canadian hardcore quintet Alexisonfire<\/strong>\u00a0(4.5\/5) don\u2019t play often, so it\u2019s no surprise the masses soak in their Zippo Encore stage set as much as they soak up the beaming sun. They bring it hard and fast with George Pettit\u2019s ferocious shouting and Dallas Green\u2019s melodies being an instant reminder of AOF<\/strong>\u2019s greatness. Over the course of 40 minutes, they show everyone why they\u2019re so missed and respected. Pettit leads the crowd on ‘We Are The Sound’<\/em> while \u2018This Could Be Anywhere in the World<\/span>\u2019<\/em> is sung in unison by the masses. It might be an all too brief return, but it\u2019s certainly welcomed. (SR)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo credit: Matt Eachus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In another “how is this not a headline set”<\/em> moment, Marilyn Manson<\/strong> (4\/5) brought every bit of the gothic pomp and spectacle that has long been his calling card to the main stage. In what was probably the most iconic image of the entire weekend, Manson literally preached to the devoted masses (and we really do mean masses) from an actual pulpit on the stage. Add to that the likes of \u2018Mobscene\u2019<\/em>, \u2018This Is The New Shit\u2019<\/em> and \u2018The Dope Show\u2019<\/em> sounding at their most gloriously soul infecting, and this set basically blew the two previous night\u2019s headliners clean out of the water. And that\u2019s before we even consider the riot that \u2018Beautiful People\u2019<\/em> featuring a guest spot from Dani Filth was live.\u00a0(DW)<\/p>\n

Ska punk and Download aren\u2019t two things that should work together, but having witnessed Less Than Jake<\/strong> (4.5\/5) it clearly does. With a jam-packed, upbeat set, Gainesville\u2019s favourite sons provide a party-like atmosphere. Sure their performance isn\u2019t entirely tight and precise, but when they’re busting out songs such as ‘The Ghosts of Me and You,’<\/em> ‘The Science of Selling Yourself Short,’<\/em> and ‘All My Best Friends Are Metalheads,\u2019<\/em> you can\u2019t help but walk away with big smile, wanting more. (SR)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo Credit: Ross Halfin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally, we reach the point where all that’s left is for everyone\u2019s favourite batshit crazy Brummie, the one and only Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne <\/strong>(4.5\/5), to bring down the curtain on <\/span>Download 2018<\/strong> as only he can. That this was somehow simultaneously both Osbourne\u2019s first and last solo Download appearance was pretty staggering in itself, and he truly rolls back the years to make it a night to remember.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here the Black Sabbath icon was as close to the top of his game as it gets nowadays, and genuinely excellent early renditions of \u2018Bark At at The Moon\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Mr Crowley\u2019<\/em> get both Osbourne himself and every soul in Donington Park pumped up and fully invested in the set from the off. That he can count on one of the most remarkable axe-wielders on the planet in Zakk Wylde to take live performances like this to the next level really helps add an extra sense of occasion and wow factor to proceedings (Zakk > Slash by a very, very long way if you were wondering). AH were left to gaze in awe such is the mastery of his riff work and soloing, even to the extent that his obligatory prolonged solo wasn\u2019t as tedious as those ground out by others.<\/p>\n

The wise inclusion of tactically placed Sabbath hits including \u2018War Pigs\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Fairies Wear Boots\u2019<\/em> kept the energy levels up throughout, and as \u2018Paranoid\u2019<\/em> brought the night to a triumphant close there was no doubt we had just witnessed a true legend taking a befitting final Donington bow. As the strains of Ozzy and Kelly\u2019s hit \u2018Changes\u2019<\/em> drifted over the departing hordes, it left a very pertinent question raised by this year’s event lingering in the air.<\/p>\n

Just how much longer can the Download<\/strong> top brass rely on behemoths of the increasingly distant past to be the marquee ticket sellers? More importantly, can they be relied upon to put on a show worthy of the occasion and the ticket price when they\u2019re given the chance to? Based on this year’s event neither question can be answered in a remotely definitive way. (DW)<\/p>\n

3.5\/5<\/p>\n

Words by Dane Wright (DW<\/a>) and S\u00eaan Reid (SR<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\n

View more of\u00a0Already Heard<\/strong>\u2019s\u00a0Download Festival 2018<\/strong>\u00a0coverage\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

\n

If you have enjoyed reading this article and would like to help us produce more content and promote more great new music, please consider donating to our Patreon page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As rock and metal continues to feel increasingly marginalized at major festivals, Download, the legendary Mecca of metal, is becoming the one truly gargantuan focus for heavy music during festival season. With a die-hard and opinionated fan base, it\u2019s a festival that sees its organizers under more pressure than any other to get the lineup […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15420,10],"tags":[53,2710,14692,2314,3564,327,1113,1838,4072,5866,15172,1715,4359,586,3528,50,573,123,1574,5881,824,11,1010,588,4229,3150,706,1379,12398,4267,475,972,15004,3005,1002,3655,2473,1111],"class_list":["post-64837","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-download-festival-2018","category-live-reviews","tag-a","tag-alexisonfire","tag-andrew-w-k","tag-avenged-sevenfold","tag-bad-religion","tag-black-veil-brides","tag-boston-manor","tag-bury-tomorrow","tag-cancer-bats","tag-dane-wright","tag-download-festival-2018","tag-dragonforce","tag-dream-state","tag-employed-to-serve","tag-guns-n-roses","tag-hell-is-for-heroes","tag-higher-power","tag-jamie-lenman","tag-less-than-jake","tag-live-reviews","tag-marilyn-manson","tag-marmozets","tag-mayday-parade","tag-milk-teeth","tag-ozzy-osbourne","tag-parkway-drive","tag-puppy","tag-rolo-tomassi","tag-sean-reid","tag-shinedown","tag-stick-to-your-guns","tag-stray-from-the-path","tag-sun-arcana","tag-tesseract","tag-the-maine","tag-the-struts","tag-thrice","tag-wstr"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLive Review: Download Festival 2018 - Already Heard Staging<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As rock and metal continues to feel increasingly marginalized at major festivals, Download, the legendary Mecca of metal, is becoming the one truly\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Live Review: Download Festival 2018 - Already Heard Staging\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As rock and metal continues to feel increasingly marginalized at major festivals, Download, the legendary Mecca of metal, is becoming the one truly\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Already Heard Staging\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AlreadyHeard\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-06-21T10:00:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-17T14:55:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/parkway_drive64_website_image_pjbq_standard.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1066\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@alreadyhearduk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@alreadyhearduk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"19 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Live Review: Download Festival 2018 - Already Heard Staging","description":"As rock and metal continues to feel increasingly marginalized at major festivals, Download, the legendary Mecca of metal, is becoming the one truly","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Live Review: Download Festival 2018 - Already Heard Staging","og_description":"As rock and metal continues to feel increasingly marginalized at major festivals, Download, the legendary Mecca of metal, is becoming the one truly","og_url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/","og_site_name":"Already Heard Staging","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AlreadyHeard\/","article_published_time":"2018-06-21T10:00:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-03-17T14:55:39+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":1066,"url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/parkway_drive64_website_image_pjbq_standard.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@alreadyhearduk","twitter_site":"@alreadyhearduk","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Estimated reading time":"19 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/508ed29771f8c5b56fdcf4695f22a2a3"},"headline":"Live Review: Download Festival 2018","datePublished":"2018-06-21T10:00:52+00:00","dateModified":"2023-03-17T14:55:39+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/"},"wordCount":3759,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/parkway_drive64_website_image_pjbq_standard.jpg","keywords":["A","Alexisonfire","Andrew W.K.","Avenged Sevenfold","Bad Religion","Black Veil Brides","Boston Manor","Bury Tomorrow","Cancer Bats","Dane Wright","Download Festival 2018","DragonForce","Dream State","Employed to Serve","Guns N' Roses","Hell Is For Heroes","Higher Power","Jamie Lenman","Less Than Jake","Live Reviews","Marilyn Manson","Marmozets","Mayday Parade","Milk Teeth","Ozzy Osbourne","Parkway Drive","Puppy","Rolo Tomassi","Sean Reid","Shinedown","Stick To Your Guns","Stray From The Path","Sun Arcana","TesseracT","The Maine","The Struts","Thrice","WSTR"],"articleSection":["Download Festival 2018","Live Reviews"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/","url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/","name":"Live Review: Download Festival 2018 - Already Heard Staging","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/parkway_drive64_website_image_pjbq_standard.jpg","datePublished":"2018-06-21T10:00:52+00:00","dateModified":"2023-03-17T14:55:39+00:00","description":"As rock and metal continues to feel increasingly marginalized at major festivals, Download, the legendary Mecca of metal, is becoming the one truly","inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/live-review-download-festival-2018\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/parkway_drive64_website_image_pjbq_standard.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/parkway_drive64_website_image_pjbq_standard.jpg","width":1600,"height":1066,"caption":"Photo credit: Kyle Mcloughlin"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#website","url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/","name":"Already Heard Staging","description":"Covering the best in alternative music as best as we can","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#organization","name":"Already Heard","url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/AH-relaunch-logo-white-bg.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/AH-relaunch-logo-white-bg.jpg","width":500,"height":500,"caption":"Already Heard"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AlreadyHeard\/","https:\/\/x.com\/alreadyhearduk","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/alreadyheard\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/already-heard\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/AlreadyHeardMusic","https:\/\/tiktok.com\/@alreadyhearduk","https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@alreadyheard"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/508ed29771f8c5b56fdcf4695f22a2a3","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bcf4d491c971b5225a3e3c450225c0ae6ba0217be8f6ecb776a9506d4aa5595f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bcf4d491c971b5225a3e3c450225c0ae6ba0217be8f6ecb776a9506d4aa5595f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bcf4d491c971b5225a3e3c450225c0ae6ba0217be8f6ecb776a9506d4aa5595f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"},"url":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/author\/admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64837","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64837"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64837\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":92793,"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64837\/revisions\/92793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64837"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64837"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64837"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}