THE FESTIVAL ISSUE Welcome to the special festival edition of The Edge! When putting together Issue 7, we couldn’t fit in all the exciting festival content, so instead of leaving it out altogether, we’ve worked hard to create an extra magazine especially for it! Whether or not you’ve finished your exams and assignments for the year, we hope we can help you plan a super-fun summer, relaxing after years of education or rejuvinating before the new term starts later in the year. The Edge has just elected a brand new committee who will be taking over as of June 1; check out their lovely fresh faces below! We hope you enjoy the festival issue of The Edge, as much as we have loved putting it together for you.
Festival Previews
Interviews
Download Festival 2014 p. 3
Wolf Alice p. 9
Bestival 2014 p. 3 5 acts to see at Camp Bestival 2014 p. 4 5 acts to catch at Glastonbury 2014 p. 5
Megan Downing Editor
Reviews The Great Escape 2014 p. 6 Dot-to-Dot 2014 p. 8 Editor - Megan Downing editor@theedgesusu.co.uk
Film Editor - Barnaby Walter film@theedgesusu.co.uk
Head of Design - Claire Joines design@theedgesusu.co.uk
Deputy Editor - Howell Davies deputy-editor@theedgesusu. co.uk
Culture Editor - Rebecca James culture@theedgesusu.co.uk
Head of Relations - Kirstie Carter relations@theedgesusu.co.uk
Live Editor - Grace Pattle live@theedgesusu.co.uk
Head of Publicity - Bronwyn Scotland publicity@theedgesusu.co.uk
News Editor - Hannah Mylrea news@theedgesusu.co.uk
Editor In Chief - David Martin vpdci@susu.org
Records Editor - Jan Kobal records@theedgesusu.co.uk Features Editor - Cat Olley features@theedgesusu.co.uk
02 |Editorial
Features Top 5 tips to get you through your first festival p. 10 The Edge’s worst festival experiences p. 11 ‘The Home of Heavy Metal’ p. 12 The Modern Festival Spirit p. 14 Which festival should I attend? p. 15 Alternative Festival Guide p. 16
Listings p. 19
CONTACT US
The Edge | editor@theedgesusu.co.uk
Preview: Download Dates: 13-15 July, Location: Donington Park, Tickets: downloadfestival.co.uk, Headline Acts: Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park, Aerosmith onington Park is considered sacred ground in the world of heavy metal, having hosted major rock events since 1980. For the past 11 years it has been the home of Download festival, and has capably held up and expanded upon the rich legacy of the site. The 2014 edition is to be no exception to this, with another cracking line up in store.
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The first day is to be headlined by Avenged Sevenfold, whose meteoric rise is not yet slowing after the huge success of their latest album Hail to the King. The mighty Rob Zombie will be bringing his spectacularly mental stage show along to support, along with the likes of Skindred, Within Temptation, and Rob Zombie’s brother, Powerman 5000 and his recently re-charged band.
Expect a punk party over on the second stage, featuring appearances by Flogging Molly, Bad Religion, and headlined by The Offspring, whereas Prog overlords Opeth will take control of the Pepsi Max tent. Saturday is set to be a special one, with Linkin Park playing their classic debut album Hybrid Theory in its entirety, as well as appearances from pop-punk giants Fall Out Boy and Brit metalcore heroes Bring Me the Horizon. Some old-school awesomeness is in store on the second stage, courtesy of Status Quo and Twisted Sister, alongside stoner-friendly types such as Monster Magnet and Orange Goblin. One of the most anticipated sets of the weekend is the return of Sikth, who will headline the Red Bull studio stage. As if that wasn’t enough greatness
for one weekend, Sunday’s main stage will play host to modern master of blues, Joe Bonamassa, the hilarious Steel Panther, and the mighty Alter Bridge, before hard rock juggernauts Aerosmith arrive to close the festival in style. Meanwhile, Trivium will headline the second stage, which will also feature The Pretty Reckless, and metal legend Philip Anselmo’s solo band, whereas The Dillinger Escape Plan will tear the Pepsi Max stage a new one, after deathcore stalwarts Suicide Silence and Nu metal mob Crazytown make their return to our shores. With all of these and many more, this year’s Download is not one to be missed. Words by Seb Male
Preview: Bestival Dates: 4-7 September, Theme: Desert Island Disco, Location: Robin Hill Park Tickets: bestival.net, Headline Acts: Outkast, Foals, Chic ft. Nile Rogers his year's Bestival is set to be absolutely stunning, with a fantastic line up courtesy of curator Rob da Bank.
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Every year Bestival rivals bigger festivals such as Glastonbury as the festival to attend that year. With legendary headliners and a wealth of up and coming acts, it is the perfect festival for those that want variety.
Not only is it situated in the beautiful Robin Hill Park on the Isle of Wight, every year the team work tirelessly to make the aesthetics of the festival just as brilliant as the line-up. This year brings a 'Desert Island Disco' for festival-goers, so expect totem poles and disco balls in equal measure across the awe-inspiring festival site.
Aside from headliners Outkast, Foals and Chic ft. Nile Rogers, the four day extravaganza will include some of the most exciting names in the music industry this year; acts such as MNEK, Wolf Alice and Fat White Family are not ones to miss.
The Edge | live@theedgesusu.co.uk
Culture || 01 Previews 03
Words by Megan Downing
acts to see at
5 Camp Bestival 1.
MNEK
At only 19 years of age, MNEK's achievements are hugely impressive. In 2009, aged only 14, MNEK was already hotly tipped for success in the music industry. The vocalist and producer has since collaborated with a diverse range of artists including Sub Focus and Frankmusik. Since 2012, MNEK has worked closely with Rudimental, won a Grammy nomination for 'Best Dance Recording', and his collaboration with Gorgon City on 'Ready For Your Love' resulted in a Top 5 UK Chart position. MNEK's incredible success is only set to continue with the release of his highly anticipated debut album, and his performance is not to be missed!
2.
SINEAD o'connor
With a hugely successful career spanning 27 years, Sinead O'Connor is renowned for her strong vocals and sensational performances. Following her appearance at Bestival last year, the singer will perform at Camp Bestival. Described by the festival organisers as 'one of the greatest singer songwriters and performers that has ever lived', her performance at the festival is highly anticipated.
3.
nick mulvey
Mercury Nominated musician Nick will bring his unique brand of folk music to this year's festival. His single 'Cucurucu', which is his interpretation of DH Lawrence's 'Piano', is a perfect summer track. Described by the festival's organisers as 'world music with a quintessentially English edge', Mulvey's music will be the perfect complement to a (hopefully!) sunny day at the festival.
4.
laura mvula
Shortlisted for the prestigious Brits Critics’ Choice award, Laura Mvula has gone from strength to strength this year. The young singer released her critically acclaimed debut album Sing to the Moon last year which topped the UK R&B charts. Mvula was also nominated for a Mercury Award. Speaking about Sing to the Moon, the festival's organisers say: 'It’s a record that manages to sound effortlessly retro and completely original all at the same time, shot through with that magical and uplifting edge that begs you to smile, dance, live and love, it’s the soundtrack to a better life, where the sun shines and happiness prevails.' Laura is well known for engaging with her audiences, and her performance at Camp Bestival is definitely one to look forward to.
5.
basement jaxx
Responsible for some of the most catchy songs of the noughties ('Where's your head at'?!) the electronic music duo will bring their brand of 'glistening pop'music to the grounds of Lulworth Castle on the Sunday evening of the festival. In 2005, the duo headlined Glastonbury, becoming one of the first dance acts to do so. With over 15 years and six albums to their name, this is certainly set to be an exciting end to the festival. Words by Laura Cox
04 | Previews
The Edge | live@theedgesusu.co.uk
acts to see at
5 glastonbury When Michael Eavis announced that the final mystery headliner for Glastonbury 2014 would be Metallica, I’m pretty sure I was not the only one who thought “Metallica? Really?”. While there is no denying that this indeed is a bold choice, it is an odd one at best. Glastonbury, known across the world as the original hippy festival, does not seem a fitting place for Metallica. The beauty of Glastonbury is that it is not just about the headline acts. If Metallica, Kasabian or Arcade Fire don’t take your fancy then these are the bands that we strongly recommend you check out.
1.
royal blood
This duo from Brighton have been hyped up no end this year, and not without reason. They are the musical equivalent of the biggest, juiciest, meatiest burger you could imagine. The bass and drum duo dazzle with how much noise they can create.
2.
hozier
Hozier is an Irish musician who has been steadily gaining more and more recognition over the year for his music. His voice is dripping with passion, and his soul and blues influenced folk songs are refreshingly beautiful. He is sure to raise the hairs on the back of your neck with his stunning vocal ability. Glastonbury may be your only chance to see him for a while as most of his shows are sold out, so make the most of your chance while you can.
3.
jungle
Jungle have had some almighty hype surrounding them for about a year now. Each time they release a new video it goes viral, which is a testimony to their talent. These guys are exciting and intriguing, as they have managed to shroud themselves in secrecy. Not much is known about them other than that they are a duo. Their sound is deeply rooted in soul funk and is sure to get you dancing.
4.
warpaint
If you haven’t managed to see these girls yet then where have you been? They know how to write psychedelic and hypnotic tracks; their music carries you away to a Los Angeles beach. Warpaint are perfect to see at the point in the festival when you need a moment of calm and refection. Their ethereal sound will soothe the aching hangovers, and prepare you for the crazy nights ahead of you.
5.
seun kuti & egypt 80
Seun Kuti is the son of Fela Kuti, who was the founder of afrobeat. Stepping into his father’s shoes, Seun has fronted Egypt 80 since the age of 14. Some of the members of Egypt 80 performed with Fela himself. These guys are not ones to be missed, will bring the sounds of Africa to Glastonbury and definitely put on a show to remember. Not only is their music insanely exciting but it is also backed by a powerful political message. I can guarantee you will not see an act like Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 anywhere else for a long time. Words by Grace Pattle
The Edge | live@theedgesusu.co.uk
Previews | 05
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urope’s leading new music festival The Great Escape took place in Brighton from 8th10th May, attracting more than 18,000 music lovers down to the seafront to explore the delights of the city’s thriving music scene. Providing an unrivalled musical experience with cutting-edge artists, The Great Escape is a festival packed with the musicians of the future, showcasing talent from around the world. We checked out some of the artists who will be gracing the stages of festivals in the UK and abroad throughout the summer… 06 | Reviews
Courtney Barnett, Komedia
Fyfe, Digital
Although each song wove a web of witty lyrics, her singing was charmingly monotone without lacking in expression. It would seem that first and foremost, Barnett is a storyteller and because of this she managed to get a real rapport going with the audience. Her set was humble and entertaining and provided a little insight into her life.
There is no denying it, Fyfe’s set was utterly captivating, with ambient guitar arrangements perfectly pitched against jaunty drum beats. In stand out track, ‘St Tropez’, Fyfe built up to an intense crescendo, reflected not only in his singing but in his slightly agitated yet sincere stage movement.
The Edge | live@theedgesusu.co.uk
Thursday
friday
RHODES, Unitarian Church
Marika Hackman, The East Wing
In the revered silence of the Unitarian Church you could hear a pin drop as RHODES was about to step on stage; a setting perfectly suited to his intricate and reflective music. His vocals were pure, tinged with pangs of longing and a healthy dose of melancholy, contributing to a set which was simplistic yet effective. He put on a performance which was drenched in emotion, and absolutely stunning.
SATURDAY Future Islands, Digital Attracting possibly the biggest and most energetic crowd of the entire festival, their stage presence was electric and engaging and was truly fun to watch; these guys know how to work a crowd. Future Islands have a real sense of 80s nostalgia, putting on a set full of passion and energy. True performers.
Although perhaps a little timid on stage, once she began singing her stage presence began to take shape. Closing track ‘Cinnamon’ held a refreshing rawness which added an extra quality to her set, which was full of infectious melodies. Sombre, dark, and melodious, Hackman was a joy to watch.
Jess Glynne, Brighthelm Channeling the stage presence of Jessie J made her instantly abhorred, but things went from bad to worse as she threw bottles on the floor like a wannabe diva. Not only was her attitude disenchanting, but her vocals were also second-rate, hiding behind loud backing vocalists on ‘Home’. Her performance suggests that she has a lot of work to do if she wants to pursue a career beyond ‘feat.’ slots.
East India Youth, Above Audio For any electronic artist, an early afternoon slot can prove challenging in capturing the imagination of a (reasonably) sober and tired audience. In the cramped capacity of Above Audio, East India Youth did well to get a positive reaction to his few extended tracks of heavy EDM beats, but his set failed to provide anything particularly refreshing. While the length of tracks meant there was more time to build up towards climactic moments, there weren’t nearly enough to thrill a crowd of electronic music fans.
Ella Eyre, The Warren Bouncing around the stage and whipping the crowd up into an excited frenzy, her cover of Basement Jaxx’s ‘Good Luck’ added energy to the already quick-paced set featuring ‘Deeper’ and ‘Waiting All Night’. New track ‘Home’ seemed overly predictable and formulaic, but her excellent forthcoming single ‘If I Go’ exposed her huge potential for future success.
years and years, Corn Exchange
Suvi, Unitarian Church
Clean Bandit, The East Wing
Years & Years proved themselves to be one of the most under-rated young bands of the moment, with throbbing, electronic R&B jams which are thoughtfully constructed and well executed. On stage, frontman Olly Alexander’s excitable charm won the audience over, and performing recent singles including ‘Real’ and a cover of Sean Paul’s ‘Breathe’, he exhibited an impressive vocal range, which paired with intelligent song-writing and production worked towards a prize winning combination.
Blending orchestral elements with classic pop beats and synths, her set was beautiful and ethereal. The use of the violin gave real sophistication and a sense of the orchestral to her sound. At points, she became slightly lost amongst the crowd, with the violin and hard hitting beats taking centre stage. There were really beautiful moments, but it was a shame that at times she became a bit of a wallflower.
As was to be expected, their set was packed full of catchy pop with undertones of classical strings, modernised by house beats. Never before has there been such furious violin playing at The Great Escape. There really is no stopping these guys and I’m sure it won’t be long until they are dominating the charts all over the world. Words by Howell Davies and Grace Pattle
The Edge | live@theedgesusu.co.uk
Reviews | 07
REVIEW
1
Dot to Dot
5 hours of music across 16 venues is a challenge to be embraced, and despite the treacherous conditions outside, Bristol’s venues condoled the moistened punters with almost 150 promising artists. Predominantly focussing on indie music with hints of pop and rock thrown in for good measure, as a new music festival, Dot to Dot does neglect other genres, but what it does do, it does brilliantly. From the buoyant Canadian indie-pop of The Elwins in vintage bijou café The Birdcage, to RHODES who stunned the audience with the power of his voice in Thekla, the afternoon was the calm before the metaphorical evening storm. Fyfe soothed with smooth, slightly bluesy vocals on Thekla’s top deck, while Port Isla demonstrated an upbeat sound, pitched somewhere between Mumford & Sons and Bastille. Having travelled across town, the decision to go to The Fleece for rising star Lauren Aquilina proved to be an excellent one. “What did you say? Yeah, I did make this shit up myself ” the 18-year-old retorted to a crowd member after dazzling first track ‘Sinners’. The emotion invested in her music was visible when she fought back tears in ‘Broke’, and hit impressive notes in ‘Talk To Me’. Her knack for a melody and amiable stage presence is unrivalled in the bustling singer-songwriter market, and means that with her already expansive online following, it won’t be long before she is sailing towards the top of the charts. Indisputably, the band many had bought
08 | Reviews
tickets to Dot to Dot solely to see were the headliners Peace, who exhibited an unmistakably rock n roll presence at the O2 Academy. Strutting around the stage like Jagger, frontman Harrison Koisser had the packed venue in the palm of his hand as they went utterly ballistic for perfectly executed second track ‘Follow Me’. New track ‘Lost On Me’ didn’t get quite the same reaction, but festival favourites like ‘Lovesick’ and ‘Wraith’ showcased their aptitude for indelible riffs and inventive melodies, and validated their position as headliner. For those who battled the Thekla queues, a delectable treat awaited in the gloriously ridiculous set from Macaulay Culkin’s Velvet Underground parody band, The Pizza Underground. Shaking a maraca alongside bandmates who played tambourines and used a pizza box as a drum, Mack was unfazed by the constant heckles of “KEVIN!” and the band played their tracks such as ‘Pizza Gal’ and ‘Take a Bite of the Wild Slice’. The whole affair was made a whole lot more peculiar with interludes from ‘Pussy Joel’ (Billy Joel parody about cats) and ‘Kurt Cobained’ (Nirvana songs performed in the past tense). Their set was the biggest trip anyone could possibly hope to have. Mixed reactions galore were aired in the cold darkness of a Bristol bus stop following the set, but this writer couldn’t have felt more sure. Dot to Dot Festival was more than worth the £20 ticket, even if just to see Macaulay Culkin and his team of pizzaobsessed friends. Words by Howell Davies
The Edge | live@theedgesusu.co.uk
Interview: Wolf Alice
o your latest EP, Creature Songs, is out on the 26th May; could you tell us a little about it?
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Joff: There are four tracks, two are out already: ‘Storms’ and ‘Mona Lisa Smile’. There are two more, which are a little more quiet and introspective. I’ve adopted that word this tour. Joel: If only we knew what it meant. [laughs] Joff: I feel like I need to eat something, really introspective. What can we expect from your live shows? Ellie: I think we try to keep it energetic. We try to make it more performative with a cover and new songs that no one has heard before, as well as old songs. Favourite track to perform live, or cover? Theo: I love playing ‘Fluffy’, because it’s at the point in the set where if things have gone well it’s a real let loose thing and you can always see there’s a shift, and you can see people going a bit nuts. So I enjoy that. What kind of process do you go through to write lyrics?
Ellie: I think it’s different all the time, but the process where the lyrics always seem the best is where I write them before I’ve written the music or the bulk of the song, and I’ve really decided in my head what it’s about. Sometimes you write lyrics as you go along, not really knowing what you’re talking about, and I always dislike those songs the most. Any advice for student bands? I’m part of a university magazine and we have a lot of bands around the area! Ellie: Drop out, do it full time. Theo: Play as many gigs as humanely possible. Ellie: If it’s what you want to do, don’t go to uni. Joff: Honestly don’t go to uni if it’s what you want to do! Ellie: You’re just wasting time. Any guilty music pleasures between you? Joel: I’m not guilty of any music I like. Theo: Hundreds and hundreds of things that are deemed not cool. Any Taylor Swift fans? Joel: There was one song that I quite liked, but I can’t remember what it’s called. Theo: Taylor Swift? She’s boring. Fuck her. Fuck Taylor Swift. Give me Miley, all day every day.Taylor Swift is really boring, I’m really pissed off about Taylor Swift. Ellie: I like anything bad. Joel: I spent so long being a fucking grunger, like deliberately hating on all pop music, that it’s only now that I realise why it’s massive. Joff: I haven’t listened to them in ages, but I was always really guilty about Los Campesinos! Joel: Really? Joff: I kind of really like them, but I don’t really remember listening to them very much. What do you guys think about the whole Spotify debate? Bigger bands are complaining about royalties.
Joel: It’s weird that the bigger bands are always complaining about it. It’s not like they don’t have enough cash anyway. Ellie: I think it’s terrible, I think it’s bad. I think it’s making people not buy music. But I’m a hypocrite because I love it. Joff: As a product, it’s great. Joel: It’s too good to be true, it doesn’t help us, and I use it all the time. I found bands through it and I love it. I think it’s hypocritical for someone to bring out a rival version to it like someone is doing. Ellie: The premium Spotify should not exist. Joel: You can get albums for free. I’ve got loads of bands for free. It is bad, it’s like legalised piracy. Joff: It’s going to happen anyway, it’s always going to happen. If there’s a way to regulate it then... maybe it hasn’t been regulated quite right yet. Theo: It hasn’t been regulated at all. From my perspective, lots of bands just want to be heard at the beginning, and not to cheapen your music but you will just do anything to get people to listen to it when you start out. But then you get millions and you’re like... I want to keep them. Joel: I think there are bigger problems with the record industry than just Spotify. So what do you see happening in the future for Wolf Alice? Is there an album coming out? Joel: Yeah, in September we’re going to go record our album in Brussels with the same guy that did the EP. And then it looks like it’s slated for release early next year. It’s going to be a fun one! Words by Annabelle Asker Photo by Carolina Furuolo
The Edge | features@theedgesusu.co.uk
Interviews | 09
5 Tips for your
first festival T
here is no denying it, festival season is upon us. It is fair to say us Brits know how to put on a festival or two. This year is no exception, with a stellar lineup of acts across the board there really is something for everyone. For those of you out there who feel like dipping your toes into the vast pool of festival fun, then here are a few little handy tips to make the transition into festival chaos a little more smooth.
1.
Be Prepared
I cannot stress this enough. Preparation is king. The essentials i.e. a tent and wellies are just the start my friends. Festivals are often the chance for many young revellers to showcase their latest fashion endeavours. Fancy dress is aplenty and face paint is an absolute must. More importantly though is to make sure you have enough food and drink. Don’t think you can rely on the food stalls and bars provided at the festival because they will see no harm in charging you a fiver for a limp burger that has most probably been dropped on the floor several times. For those of you intending to drink at a festival (let’s face it that is probably all of you) then bring enough to last you the whole weekend. Oh, and a torch will be the single most valuable possession you could have at a festival. No one wants to be caught scrabbling to find the tent zip at five in the morning on the verge of wetting yourself. You will be left cold, ashamed and wishing you had listened to the age old wisdom provided by The Edge.
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2.
4.
choose your Be Prepared for friend wisely when the crowds Festivals and alcohol are like siamese get rough twins; you can very rarely prise the two apart. With that being said, make sure your mates know their limits. No one wants to be stuck at the campsite with the dribbling dickhead, stroking their head when they’re being sick and having to endure endless nonsensical conversations that all seem to end with ‘I just really love you, ya know’. Essentially you need to be with a group of mates who are there for the combination of the music and festival fun, not just a piss up.
3.
don’t just see the big names For first time festival goers, it’s tempting to try as see as many big names as possible at a festival - these are probably the bands that attracted you there in the first place. While it is great to see your favourite band performing, don’t just stick to what you know. Music is available literally all day and there are a plethora of acts old and new for you to explore. Take a chance on a band you’ve never heard of and you never know, you might find your new favourite artist. The Edge | features@theedgesusu.co.uk
This all depends on the festival you go to and the type of bands you see but sometimes crowds can get pretty rough. I have clear memories of being crushed at Reading 2010 after Dizzee Rascal performed. As I gulped for air I remember thinking ‘this is it, I’m going to die to the soundtrack of ‘Bonkers’. Not exactly an edifying experience. While I’m sure this won’t happen to you, people can get pretty lairy so be prepared to stand your ground. Being at the front is not essential for having a good time.
5.
have fun!
Festivals are possibly the most fun things in the history of the world. It may rain (let’s face it, it most probably will), you may get cold and muddy but once the festival spirit takes hold none of that will matter. The first time at a festival is always the best, so pack up your tent, grab a beer and have a bloody good time. Words by Grace Pattle
YOUR WORST FESTIVAL EXPERIENCES "Through a mixture of festival inexperience and laziness my friends and I pitched up downhill from the main toilet block in our zone at Bestival 2011. Torrential rain poured throughout the weekend, and returning to our tent on the second day, we found that the toilets had burst, flooding our zone in a tidal wave of crap. A barrier made of discarded rubbish five feet from our tent was all that separated us from raw sewage for the rest of the festival." Sally Carmel Moore, Reader
“Beachbreak 2012. Broke. Ate raw rice 4 days running.” BINZ FOULDS, READER “A crowd surfer fell on me during Madness at Reading 2011” lucy dyer, reader
"At Beach Break 2012 it was THE worst weather I have ever seen. After the first night I got back to my tent and found it blown up against the railings. It resembled a limp carrier bag filled with water and all my belongings. Luckily I had my car, and that is where I slept for five nights."
"My friend had sex in my sleeping bag with a random man that looked like Jesus and she left the condom in the bag!" Grace Pattle, Live Editor
Megan Downing, The Edge Editor
The Edge | features@theedgesusu.co.uk
Features | 11
T
hese days, Donington Park is not only known as the home of British motorsport, but the home of heavy metal. It’s been 34 years since the Monsters of Rock festival was first held here, just as the genre was becoming a real force to be reckoned with. Since then, it has turned into a weekend-long event, operating under the Download moniker since 2003. Let’s take a look back at ten noteworthy Donington appearances from different bands over the years. Touch at Monsters of Rock (1980) Although Touch never achieved the stardom that once seemed within their sights, they have their place in history as the first band to ever take the stage at Donington Park. Their set was well received, but the day didn’t end so well for singer and guitarist Craig Brooks; he was so eager to get backstage immediately after their set and down a beer that he didn’t notice the bee perched on the lid of the can. Until he swallowed it, that is. He spent the rest of the festival in the medical tent. Saxon at Monsters of Rock (1980) Saxon have appeared at Donington many times over the course of its rock festival history, but this performance at the inaugural event was particularly special. The band were riding
12 | Features
high on the new wave of British heavy metal, of which they were pioneers, and had just released their classic second album Wheels Of Steel. The band clearly enjoyed themselves as much as their audience, as they were inspired to write a song ‘And the Bands Played On’ about the experience.
off stage; as AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson was doing a TV interview in the backstage area, Van Halen singer David Lee Roth came along with his boom box and started warming up with aerobics just behind him! To date, this was David’s last performance with the band on UK soil.
Van Halen at Monsters of Rock (1984)
Guns N’ Roses at Monsters of Rock (1988)
1984 was a big year for Van Halen; the imaginatively titled 1984 was the best-selling album of their career, they were all over MTV, and titular guitarist Eddie Van Halen was featured on Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’. They were second on the Monsters of Rock bill, which also featured Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue, and was headlined for the second time by AC/DC. However, it is often said that Van Halen pulled off the impossible task of upstaging the Aussie legends, both on and
1988 saw the highest attendance of the festival up to that point. 107,000 people showed up. This was ‘Guns N’ Roses’ first UK show since the release of their legendary Appetite For Destruction album the previous year. However, massive surges of people trying to get closer to the stage throughout their set caused the band to have to stop playing on several occasions while security intervened, and sadly, two fans lost their lives, trampled and drowned in the
The Edge | features@theedgesusu.co.uk
deep mud. Unaware of this tragedy until after they had left the stage, the band completed the show, and even used footage from this concert in the music video to their hit ‘Paradise City’. Korn at Monsters of Rock (1996) The 1990’s saw a great deal of change in the world of metal: the sudden domination of the rock scene by grunge, and Britpop saw many of the greatest bands of the previous few decades fall by the wayside. Metal had fallen out of the spotlight until Korn came along and gave it the rejuvenation it needed. The slow-burning success of their self-titled debut was at its peak by ’96, and they were voted to be the headliners of the second stage at Monsters of Rock by readers of Kerrang! magazine. This was a foreshadowing of the immense success they would go on to achieve, and the way they would change the face of metal forever. Metallica at Download (2004) Metallica have appeared on the Donington stage more times than any other band. However, in 2004 they had an unexpected problem when drummer Lars Ulrich was rushed to hospital after suffering an anxiety seizure mere hours before their set. This wasn’t enough to stop them from playing though: frontman James Hetfield explained the situation to the crowd, who were growing impatient. In Lars’ absence there had been plenty of volunteers backstage to take his seat for the evening, and the band ended up playing with Slipknot’s Joey Jordison behind the kit for the
majority of their set, which also included appearances by Slayer’s Dave Lombardo and Lars’ drum tech Flemming Larsen. Black Sabbath at Download/Ozzfest (2005) Download was ‘borrowed’ for a day by Ozzfest in 2005, to be headlined by the reunited original line-up of Black Sabbath. Ozzfest had first been brought to Donington in 2002, but was headlined by Ozzy himself, since Sabbath were on hiatus at the time. After such a long time away, it was hardly surprising that it was one of the most anticipated shows in Donington’s history. This was also the first year that the festival ran for three days rather than two. Slipknot at Download (2009) Widely regarded as one of the best performances of Slipknot’s career, the Des Moines mentalists were out in full force for this occasion. This wasn’t the band’s first appearance at Download but it was their first as headliners. As if delivering two hours of modern metal anthems wasn’t enough in its own right, the stage was equipped with levitating, rotating drum sets and pyrotechnics-aplenty. Sadly, this was to be their last UK show with founding bassist Paul Gray, who passed away early the next year. AC/DC at Download (2010) AC/DC had headlined at Donington three times at the Monsters of Rock festival, even releasing their 1991 performance as their ‘Live at Donington’ video. However, they were notoriously disaffected with the idea of
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weekend festivals. Given this information, it was surely by some miracle that Download promoter Andy Copping managed to rope them in for the 2010 edition of the festival. There were conditions, however; they insisted on bringing their own stage for use by them alone (positioned adjacent to the main stage), complete with their full live show, including a ‘rock n’ roll’ train, cannons, hell’s bell, and a giant, inflatable ‘Rosie’! They treated the experience as one of their own shows rather than as one of many bands playing across the weekend, and put on a memorable performance, proving that their legendary status is welldeserved. Iron Maiden at Download (2013) This show was special for a number of reasons. Firstly, it marked the 25th anniversary of their first appearance at Donington (headlining the 1988 Monsters of Rock). Many of the songs performed, including ‘The Prisoner’ and ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’ had not been played by the band in over twenty years. Secondly, various incarnations of band mascot ‘Eddie’ made an appearance on stage, even having a guitar duel with guitarists Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Janick Gers. Most impressively, immediately prior to their arrival on stage, a WWII spitfire made three passes over the stage. No other band in the world could pull off a show like this, and it will remain a classic from here to eternity. Words by Seb Male
Features | 13
Festival spirit
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14 | Features
he height of the festival season is approaching fast, but you don't need me to tell you that. I'm sure many of you have been planning for months in advance a variety of debaucherous weekends of music, art, and whatever your poison may be. In the build up to the summer, a steady stream of festival articles will be released by media outlets all over the world; news, rumours and previews will occasionally be interspersed with a damnation of modern commercialisation and accusations that the festival spirit is being slowly destroyed. But it seems to me that nobody really feels this way. If they did, festival tourism wouldn't be the booming industry that it is. That said, the festival experience is as unique to each individual as their own personality. I do not believe that it is idealistic to say that the freedom festivals represent enables us to express an extension of our personality that is usually restricted by our day-today lives. I for one can only conjure vague recollections of my five years of festival-going experiences but would not have it any other way. To me, it's a holiday; in our modern lives, we are fortunate enough that the wonders of travel are available to us all and so it is just as easy to scoot off to Benicàssim, Sziget or Coachella festival as it is to get to Glastonbury, Reading or Download. The concept of the modern festival emerged in the late 1960s with iconic examples such as Woodstock '69. Since then, participation in festivals has grown as a significant social experience for contemporary young adults shrouded in equal measures of history, mystery and hedonism. The older generations will tell you that festivals have lost their charm; regular attendees will tell you that the cost increases year-on-year, seemingly without any correlation to quality or general improvements – the age old 'toilet situation' springs to mind – and everyone will tell you how much they fucking hate teenagers smashed The Edge | features@theedgesusu.co.uk
off their tits on 'legal highs' (which, thankfully, this year are subject to a greater awareness campaign than ever before). Are these simply the grumblings of an ageing fanbase, hungry for the nostalgic experiences of their youth? Perhaps. Nothing is ever as good as you remember it to be. Does it make any difference? No. Not at all. The fact remains that no matter how hard wannabe-bohemians like myself want to deny it, a majority of festivals would be completely unable to continue without the support of advertising and increased ticket prices. Woodstock was a ticketed event until too many people showed up; kids were doing drugs and facilities were practically non-existent. Not all that much has changed in that respect. We, on the other hand, are blessed with a wealth and variety of choice. I for one had two major festivals planned but cancelled them both in favour of four smaller ones at which I will still be seeing the same bands for virtually the same price. If you're so infuriated the favourite festival of your teenage years is overflowing with underage drinkers (edit: 2+2 anybody?) then there are plenty of other options - you just need to find them. That's not to say we shouldn't be critical. Constructive criticism and feedback are the cornerstone of customer-orientated business. We can argue that music promoters and big businesses milk the festival cash cow for all it's worth with little regard for the attendee beyond the mandatory health and safety concerns. So maybe our generation doesn't wear flowers in their hair or express the great optimism of the 60s. In fact, quite the opposite: we're largely apathetic. We'd rather #NekNominate or Keep Calm and use Clichés. But, at the end of the day – the people make the party. Maybe it would hush the festivalbashers if we all showed a little love this summer. Words by Andrew Ovenden
The Edge’s Guide to Festival-goers I
n the run-up to the festival season this year, those braving the soggy tents, suspicious food stands, and horrifying toilets will greatly benefit from being prepared. Though the facilities may appear a frightening prospect, perhaps the most dangerous threat to any festival-goer is… other festival-goers. In order to make sure our readers survive this summer’s exploits, here is a guide to the most common types of festival-goer you’ll be likely to encounter and how to approach them.
1. The ‘wolf-pack’ Where there is potential for contained chaos, there will be those who push its limits. Festivals inevitably become the land of opportunity for misbehaviour, and nine times out of ten, these misdemeanours will have been committed by large groups of raucous drunkards or such-like. These ‘wolf-packs’ can consist of either sex, and usually come to festivals specifically to drink and cause trouble. Now, there’s nothing wrong with having a bit of a jolly, but when you’re woken up at six am by the shouts of ‘stage fright’ by the wall behind your tent, your patience begins to wear thin. Where? Like the youths, the ‘wolfpack’ will flock to large festivals; prepare for Isle of Wight and Reading & Leeds. Approach: AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Danger level: High. 2. The golden oldies When you get to a certain age, at least when my parents did, it seems that your awareness of music only exists in the realm of the pre-90’s era, as if people just gave-up on music past the 80’s. This makes me sad, because music is actually still quite good, believe it or not. That’s why, when I spot over 40’s head-banging to Deap
Vally et cetera, I feel an intense spark of hope for the world. Granted, a lot of these older festival-goers stick to line-ups with bands from the ‘olden days’, and yet, there are those who do grace the current scene. And these people are awesome. Where? Think iconic rock festivals, like Glastonbury. Approach: Why not? My experiences with these guys is that they’re very nice - even the ones with spikes through their ears. Danger level: Minimum. 3. The youths (underagers) Now, my mother didn’t even dream of letting me go to my first gig until I was 16, let alone festivals. But when you’re camped next to a group of ‘kids’ who are clearly under the legal limit, and yet, are knocking it back like there’s no tomorrow, you begin to wonder if you were just a tad babied. At the same time, observing the louts isn’t an entirely pleasurable experience, what with the constant jeers and sometimes hazardous flying objects. This isn’t helped by the fact that, from my experiences, the tykes don’t even leave their beer-sodden tents throughout the entire festival! What is the point of having mummy and daddy cough-up £200 just so you can pass out in a tent for three days?!
Where? Large ones with big name acts; think V Festival. Approach: Best to keep a fair distance, just in case security come for routine checks and they stumble across your tent of ‘goodies’ by mistake. Danger: Medium: could go either way. 4. The hipsters Now, I fully confess to be a half-breed kind of hipster myself, alternative enough to avoid ‘pop’ music but not indie enough to listen exclusively to vinyl. However, I can fully understand some peoples’ aversion to those hipsters who scathingly look down on the mass-populace for their shameless pandering to chart-tripe. Getting into conversation with the worst of these people is torture, and even I sometimes feel patronised for enjoying bands like Biffy Clyro and Kasabian. You can usually spot these guys from their hats, scarves and somewhat demure expressions. Where?: Small, alternative festivals, such as 2000 Trees or Blissfields. Approach: Gauge the situation, can you handle the alternativeness? Danger level: Medium; some indie guys are actually really nice, others not so much. Words by Alex Meehan
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Features | 15
The Edge's Alternative Festivals Guide ooking for something alternative to do this summer? Look no further, The Edge runs down some of the festivals taking place over the summer which go beyond musical entertainment, and offer something for alternative tastes.
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Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival This festival runs from the 17th July - 20th July in Harrogate, and has much on offer for those who are interested in the literary world, particularly crime writers. One of the highlights of the weekend will be the presence of renowned writer, J K Rowling, who will be in conversation with Val McDermid as her pseudonym Robert Galbraith, discussing crime writing, and her new book, The Silkworm. The weekend will also play host to a collection of other writers, including John Harvey, Mark Billingham, Laura Lipman and Belinda Bauer. A murder mystery dinner and talks about technological crime, and new wave forensics will also take place. Weekend Rover tickets are available at £215 per person.
Latitude Latitude has plenty of entertainment for all, with some big musical acts across the weekend. However, the festival has so much more to offer in the way of comedians, poetry and literary stars. The festival runs from the 17th - 20th July, in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk. Some of the comedians include Dara O’Briain, Josh Widdicombe, Kevin Bridges, Milton Jones, Seann Walsh, Henning Wehn and plenty more big and small names. This is the perfect chance to see some big name comedians, or discover someone new. The Royal Shakespeare Company will also be there, as well as plenty of other theatre companies. Latitude is certainly full of things for culture lovers, the challenge will surely be to fit it all in! Weekend tickets are £195.50, or you can buy a single day ticket for £84.50.
Voewood Festival This one runs from 15th - 17th August, and is set in Voewood House in Holt, Norfolk. On the festival’s website it is described as “a cultural jukebox loaded with writers and thinkers, talkers, drinkers and musicians who have no need of words.” Artists include New Order and Joy Division star Peter Hook, Midge Ure, Martin Parr, Alison Moore, Los Pacaminos, singer Paul Young, and literary stars DBC Pierre, Iain Sinclair, Louisa Young, Owen Sheers and Tim Lott. There will also be food and drink from the local area, and book and record stalls. What also makes this festival unique is that it is raising money for local Kelling Hospital. Weekend tickets are £125, although if you are under 30 that drops to £95. 16 | Features
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Port Elliot Festival This literary festival runs from the 24th - 27th July in St German’s, Cornwall, and offers food, literature and fashion. The festival has been running for over a decade, and includes writers like Rosie Boycott, Alex Bellos and Luke Wright, also featuring entertainment from Count Arthur Strong, The James Hunter Six, and John Shuttleworth. Port Eliot also boasts the only festival based flower show in the UK, and food from Russell Norman and the Hemsley sisters. Weekend tickets are £172.50, with family tickets at £430 for the weekend.
The Big Feastival The Big Feastival is presented by Jamie Oliver and Alex James, and takes place on James’ farm in the Cotswolds. The weekend, 29th - 31st August, promises to be full of exciting food, and music, providing entertainment for the whole family. Fatboy Slim, Kelis and Laura Mvula are scheduled to perform on the Saturday, while Sunday plays host to Jamie Cullum and De La Soul. There will also be plenty of chefs present over the weekend, including Gennaro Contaldo, Monica Galetti, Nathan Outlaw and Mark Hix. Weekend tickets are £119.25, and day tickets are available with differing prices for each day.
Stoke Newington Literary Festival This city centre festival will take place on the weekend of the 6th - 8th June in Stoke Newington, London. This festival features a lot of acts and speakers, with still more to be announced. The Friday starts with a gala evening featuring film critic Mark Kermode, and throughout the weekend features talks and exhibitions. Talks include intriguing titles such as ‘The Science of Star Wars’, ‘Hip Hop Shakespeare’ and ‘In Search of London’s Lost Narratives’. Speakers include Laura Bates, Suzanne Moore, Daniel Rachel, Andy Miller and Bob Stanley. This marks the fifth anniversary of the literary festival, and also includes writers workshops, like a course on how to write children’s books, and art instruction. Many of the events over the weekend are free, but a £60 weekend ticket will give you access to all of the paid events.
Edinburgh International Film Festival This film festival is held in the city from 18th - 29th June, and this year’s will be the 68th edition of the annual festival. This year they have partnered with Empire Magazine to present what they call the ‘Hero Hangouts’ where a variety of big names will be interviewed live on stage at the festival. The opening film will be Hyena from director Gerard Johnson and will join eight other films competing for the Michael Powell Award. The festival is set to explore films from all over the world, with screenings including Castles In The Sky, Greyhawk, Hide And Seek, My Accomplice, Set Fire To The Stars, A Practical Guide To Spectacular Suicide, Still Life and We Are Monster. Tickets can be bought for each of the separate events over the course of the festival.
Edinburgh Fringe The Edinburgh Fringe is one of the cultural highlights of the year, with comedians and theatre companies frequently using the festival to test new material before going on tour. This year the festival runs from 1st - 25th August in theatres and venues throughout the city. The Fringe features both established and up and coming acts, and is the perfect opportunity to try something completely new, or catch the comedian you’ve yet to see on tour. The festival also includes drama, dance, musicals and opera - you really are spoilt for choice over the month-long event. You can book tickets for individual shows throughout the whole festival. Words by Rebecca James
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Features | 17
Which festival should I attend this year?
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Listings 31st May Camden Rocks 6th-8th June Stoke Newington Literary Festival 7th-8th June Parklife Weekender 7th-8th June Field Day 12th-15th June Isle of Wight Festival 13th-15th June Download Festival 20th-21st June Camden Crawl 25th-29th June Glastonbury 4th-5th July Blissfields 4th-6th July Sonisphere Festival 4th-6th July Wireless Festival 5th-6th July Hop Farm Festival 10th-12th July 2000 Trees 11th-13th July Mostly Jazz Festival 12th July Let’s Rock Southampton 16th-20th July Larmer Tree Festival 17th-20th July Latitude 17th-20th July
Theakston’s Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival 18th-19th July Lovebox Weekender 18th-19th July Truck Festival 18th-20th July Farr Festival 24th-27th July Port Eliot Festival 24th-27th July Secret Garden Party 24th-27th July WOMAD 25th-26th July Global Gathering 31st July-3rd August Camp Bestival 31st July-3rd August Cambridge Folk Festival 1st-3rd August Standon Calling 1st-8th August Sidmouth Folk Festival 6th-10th August Boardmasters 7th-10th August Beacons Festival 7th-10th August Boomtown Fair 7th-10th August Bloodstock 7th-10th August Wilderness Festival 14th-17th August Green Man Festival
15th-17th August Alt-Fest 15th-17th August Voewood Festival 16th-17th August V Festival 22nd-24th August Creamfields 22nd-24th August Reading Festival 23rd-24th August South West Four 28th-30th August ArcTanGent Festival 29th-30th August In The Woods Festival 29th-31st August End of the Road 29th-31st August The Big Feastival
13th-15th June NorthSide Festival, Denmark 20th-22nd June Hellfest, France 23rd-25th June INmusic Festival, Croatia 27th-29th June Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium 30th June-3rd July Hideout Festival, Croatia 2nd-5th July Open’er Festival, Poland 10th-13th July EXIT Festival, Serbia 11th July Sonisphere Poland, Poland 17th-20th July Benicàssim, Spain
4th-7th September Bestival
17th-21st July Soundwave Croatia, Croatia
5th-7th September Festival No. 6
31st July Woodstock Festival, Poland 11th-18th August Sziget, Hungary
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS 5th-7th June Primavera Sound, Spain 7th-9th June Pinkpop, The Netherlands 13th-15th June Meadows in the Mountains, Bulgaria
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20th-30th August Hamburg Crash Fest, Germany 21st-24th August Tauron Nowa Muzyka Festival, Poland 3rd-7th September Outlook Festival, Croatia 8th-12th September Unknown Festival, Croatia
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