We woke up Thursday, to get to Manchester, so we could get the Big Green Bus down. To anyone considering festivals, check them out - http://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/ - as they're very useful, and their prices are pretty damn reasonable. When we got there, we headed right up to the top of the hill and set our tents up 30 seconds from the entrance to the arena. We then proceeded to knock back a few beers, and talk nonsense to one another, before going on a few rides, always good fun! It was a good night, mainly pretty chilled.

 

 

On Friday, we spent most of the day chilling in the campsite, as the weather wasn't fantastic, and we were mostly suffering from severe festival lethargy. Had to carry huge bags up the hill again, this was even worse second time round!

After a wander round the festival arena itself, we all shifted ourselves through to watch Metallica. What a set that was! Only complaint I have is that they didn't do 'Nothing Else Matters', but as they did 'Creeping Death', I think I'll let them off! Seeing the Big 4 on stage together was something I don't think I'll ever forget, absolutely breathtaking.

 

 

 

Saturday - Woke with a rather sore head, so decided to have another few drinks to help me along, it helped.

First band of the day was Sylosis who were a real shock. I had high hopes, but they absolutely smashed it on main stage, these are definitely a band to watch out for. My only complaint is that some of their work is a little OTT on guitar wankery for me, but their last 2 tracks were absolute stormers. Here's one of them - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbGNfJM5wyw

 

After that, we crossed the field to watch Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine, who were, despite my initial reservations, one of the acts of the weekend. The man himself is a born entertainer, definitely the funniest band of the weekend. The act did get a little stale towards the end, but he saved it with a performance of 'My Neck, My Back', which is just something you'd never expect to hear in that style! Very enjoyable though.

 

I'm currently unable to remember whether or not I actually watched Architects, but I will update this when I find out!

 

The next band was Gallows, a band I am not a fan of in the slightest, but I'd heard of their live reputation, so thought they were worth a shot. They tore that stage apart, truly insane. Circle pit was sent round the sound booth, turns out it's also one of their final gigs, as they're going their own ways. 'Belly Of A Shark' was fantastic, as Frank brought on friends and family to help sing it, what a site!

 

Next up were Cavalera Conspiracy. I'll admit, I wasn't hugely looking forward to this, as I'm not aware of any of their work, but I am quite a fan of Sepultura & Soulfly. Max & Igor did well, but it was 2 of Max's sons who stole the show from them,  Richie on Vocals and Zyon on drums, both doing an absolutely stellar job. Hearing Max roar 'Roots, Bloody Roots' was something I've been waiting years to hear, and it was greatly enjoyable!

 

At this point, I wandered back to the tent for a bit, only heading back to catch the first 2, and last 2 songs of Sum 41. That is one band whose music has not aged well.

 

Having been told many times how great they are live, next up were You Me At Six, and I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy watching them. Their music may not be my thing, but their style, their cockiness, and the fact you could see they were genuinely having a great time really sold them to me, very enjoyable show. Also, Kerry going absolutely insane was worth quite a laugh. Unfortunately, during these the rain started coming down, and we ended up getting absolutely soaked. Also, as I'm quite a spaz, I'd forgotten to pack my waterproof, meaning that my only hoodie was getting soaked, and I was freezing.

 

This put me into quite a shitty mood for the rest of the night, right up until the last track of Biffy Clyro, when I'd finally warmed up enough to appreciate thousands of people singing along to 'Mountain', along with the fantastic light show and pyro, it was a very enjoyable end to a very bad night otherwise.

 

 

 

Sunday - Now, this is the day I was looking forward to, starting with Volbeat, the band who nobody can actually understand! We only caught the second half of their set, due to them going on early (which was a bit odd). Still, they were very entertaining, and their music was superb.

 

We then decided to quickly check out Black Tide, who were playing 'Hit The Lights' as we arrived. When I queried whether they were being brave or stupid to cover a track that we'd already heard this weekend, it turns out that it is because their music simply isn't good enough to stand up on it's own. I lasted one song, then left, feeling thoroughly cheated at having missed Volbeat, yet seeing these get their full set.

 

Next up were Arch Enemy, who were simply fantastic. Angela explained that they hadn't actually slept from the day before, and from looking at them, you could see this. However, their music didn't slip, and their crushingly heavy riffs were just the thing to clear the head on a Sunday. Superb from start to finish.

 

House Of Pain were next. I lasted 10 minutes of tedium before leaving, utter tosh.

 

Parkway Drive were to be the next band, so James, Charlie and I spent a few minutes getting ourselves into a decent spot. This band is getting bigger by the minute, so if you get a chance, see them soon, because I think their stock will continue to rise, and so will their ticket prices. I did a solid bit of pitting to these, but after being repeatedly booted by (and having to catch) crowdsurfers, I found that I wasn't getting as much time to enjoy the music as I should have done. Luckily, they were about to kick into one of their bigger tracks, so I pushed myself back into the pit, just in time for 'Carrion'. Wow. Absolutely fecking fantastic end to a fantastic set.

 

Having limped away from them, it was time for the 2 minute silence, which with the exception of 2 foreign lads who didn't seem to understand. was observed spectacularly well. A really fantastic tribute.

 

The next band for me was Mastodon, whom I only caught half of. Now, I'm appreciative of what they do, and Crack the Skye is one of my favourite albums for background listening, I just don't feel it translates well to being in the foreground.

 

However, as I say, I left them early to see Jason Rouse, who was crude as ever, but gave me side splitting laughter, and gave me a massive grin on my face for the rest of the day.

 

Next up were Airbourne, who were incredible, and I'm not sure what other words I have to describe this. So, I hope this video can help - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-7PGJPzrE0. He was so high up there it was making me a little nervous, as if he'd fallen, he'd have gone splat. He was fine though, and the set passed without a hitch. Magnificent!

 

I caught the first 3 songs of Motorhead, and they sounded great, but unfortunately I had to leave early due to losing my inhaler (what a tool!).

 

Next up, Kerry, Paul and I headed to Limp Bizkit, who opened with a couple of crowd favourites, before announcing they had no set list whatsoever, and that we were to pick their tracks for them. Pretty much a greatest hits setlist, absolutely brilliant!

 

Next up was Bill Bailey, who was enjoyable, but unfortunately sound issues prevented this from being as good as it could have been.

 

And, for the final band of the night, we had Slipknot. I was dragged to the front for this, which was always going to be an emotional performance. Their set was astounding, from the pyro, to Sid diving off the sound tent, even the rain helped to increase the atmosphere. Seeing them bring out Paul Gray's suit at the end was quite emotional, but a wonderful end to the festival.

 

So, there we have it!

 

Highlights of the festival - 'Jurassic Park', seeing 'Am I Evil?' by the Big 4, watching the massive circle pit for Gallows, finally seeing Limp Bizkit, Kevin is 'Alan Partridge', Jason Rouse and many others.

 

Now, the downsides, of which there aren't many, but several are significant. The rain was a pain in the arse, but that can't be helped. My asthma attack was minor, but enough to teach me a lesson, although the ambulance staff were fantastic. The angry little Scottish prick who thought he was Russian should really understand that no-one actually likes him, and as for the absolute prick who sat on mine and Kerry's heads this morning, followed by relieving himself on the tent? I hope he dies.

 

And, to finish off -

Dear rioters. Do you really think you're funny? Congratulations, you tipped the toilets over, ripped tents up, stole from people, smashed up others property, and caused significant upset to quite a number of people, yet I would place money on the fact that you are those who will complain about the prices rising next year. Want to know why?

A lot of it is your fault. That's right, yours. Businesses can feel they need to knock things up a little, so they can recoup for any damage done. Extra security is required, and where do you think that money comes from?

 

Think it through.

Yours,

The sensible people of Sonisphere.