Dubstep Remixes

Dubstep. To some it’s just some random offshoot of drum and bass, but to others it’s a great example of modern music. I personally fall into the latter section. After being introduced to it about a year or so ago my music collection has become inundated with various white label vinyls of some fantastic music. Of course it’s not just all white labels, some of the bigger dubstep artists have their albums on nice and shiny CDs in your local HMV (go buy them now).

Review: Download Festival 2009 – Saturday

Walking into the new layout of Download at 10am was an interesting sight, watching all the eager ones run toward the front whilst the more aged fans setting up their chairs toward the back with a cup of Tuborg in hand. Opening the main stage was Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (***) who brought some great rock ‘n’ roll to Donington with his wailing voice and very impressive  backing band. However it was obvious not enough people knew the songs to make the experience more worthwhile.

The Glasto Verdict

It’s finally here then, the full and complete lineup of this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Full of countless big names and even more obscurities that will probably put on a much better show. So here is Music On The Mind’s official verdict of the Glastonbury lineup – yay!

Thursday

Not really much going on on the Thursday, but three stages are open which seem to be showcased a few good artists. Sub-headlining the Queen’s Head Stage are Metronomy who are a great example of what an indie band with a melodica can do. Having seen them live once before, I can recommend catching them again. Sadly the rest of the stage seems a little unknown to me, with the exception of Maximo Park. The boys from Newcastle were announced last week as the official openers of the Queen’s Head Stage and are guaranteed to put on a great show.

Download Festival: First Announcement

For those of you who listen to metal or alternative music in general, Download Festival may be on your calendar this year…it’s definitley on mine this year! After last year’s abysmal attempt at a good rock lineup, I’ve got every confidence that LiveNation will this year sort out Download Festival. So here’s my opinion on the first announced bands…

Slipknot: The only headliner act announced so far is the Iowan masked nine-piece, and I couldn’t be happier. For those of you who read my review of Slipknot’s Sheffield gig you’ll know how much I love this band. Slipknot are surely going to deliver at Donington this year, after a two year absence. Announced during the Sheffield show Slipknot will be performing the whole of their debut album during shows this year to commemorate its 10th anniversary. This is going to be one of those ‘I was there’ moments.

The Prodigy: Having caught one of their songs at Download ’06 (before rushing to see Guns ‘n’ Roses) I will catch them this time if it kills me. With their fusion of dance and rock, Prodigy are welcomed by everyone at Donington whether you’re an ageing metalhead or a teenie-bopper. I’ll be there though screaming along to Their Law, bring it on!

Korn: I saw these at Download ’07 and ’06 (despite Davies not being there) and they were a true highlight of the weekend. Korn always put on a fantastic show and I’m sure this year will be no different, I just hope they’re put on the main stage this year after the 2007 fiasco.

Pendulum: Much like Prodigy, Pendulum are a welcomed addition to Donington – but not by everyone. Drum & bass has divided both fans of rock and dance music, so undoubtedly it has divided Download. I’ll be there though, as long as they don’t neglect the first album.

Dragonforce: Not a band I’d have hoped for to be honest, I saw them at Download in ’06 and thought they were awful. They were on the main stage and the sound didn’t travel well at all, the constant random guitar-tapping was inaudible and I was left feeling a bit disappointed. I doubt I’ll watch them this year.

Motley Crue: I caught the last part of their set in ’07 and thought it was awesome, despite the fact they’re now older than their glory days and Vince has piled on the pounds. If they don’t clash with someone I haven’t seen before I shall be there showing my ‘wild side’.

Devil Driver: Famously attempting the Guinness world record for largest mosh/circle pit during their last Download appearance, the metal titans are back and this time I will try to see them. The past times I’ve been at Donington I’ve missed them, but I will definitley catch them this year…hopefully.

Anyone else going to Download this year? What’s your opinion?