Saturday 15/06/08 Day Two, Download Festival @ Donington Park, Leicestershire

Day two starts early for us at Gigwise, as we’re in desperate need of some sustenance after a heavy night before. We manage to catch hardcore (screamo) inspired band, Alesana, who, despite looking as scenecore as we suspect is humanly possible, scream down the Turborg stage. Despite having two albums under their studded belts, they don’t appear to be very well known over here. For no good reason as far as we can tell! The guitars screech and there’s enough shredding to fill your cereal bowl up. Great stuff!

Straight after that, we head off to catch 36 Crazyfists on the main stage, who, despite playing to a very unenthused crowd, manage to make us lot rock out like crazy folk. It is Saturday lunchtime; some peoples’ hangovers obviously haven’t subsided just yet. Lead singer, Brock Lindow asks if anyone has heard of their little EP ‘A Snow Capped Romance’. Well, you should do it’s wonderful, filled with dirty, heavy, enthralling, pounding guitars plugging away at your soul. They’re the fucking business. Their set today is no exception.

Not long later, we’re watching the little Madina Lake twins run round the main stage. They play ‘House of Cards’ to a very enthusiastic crowd. We still cannot get over the Rod Stewart hair – bless them. Later, we spot Tim from Ash outside the Gibson tent having a natter with some fans. He gives us his biggest winning smile because he’s nice like that.

Biffy Clyro play the most amazing set including a whole host of songs from their extensive back catalogue including the harrowing ‘Just Boy’ (from debut ‘Blackened Sky’) alongside newer songs like Fugazi inspired ‘Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies’, and the angry but awesome ‘Get Fucked Stud’. Final song from ‘Puzzle’ titled ‘Machines’ is played late in the set and it’s beautifully timed – they make us want to cry (because we’re big emoes like that!). As always, Simon Neil is on top form (topless mind) singing his heart out whilst he plugs away at very complicated chord formations (this man is God. No really.). Gigwise are stood at the front with our mouths open. They’re quite literally band of the festival in our eyes. As un-metal as they might be! We are yet to see a bad performance from Biffy mind.

Incubus take to the main stage shortly after, check shirted indie rock God Brandon Boyd sets the stage on fire with his electric performance, progressively losing more and more clothes as the set wears on. With Incubus you’re either a fan, or you’re not. But there’s no denying the sheer force of their sound, especially when you’re right at the front having a good ganders. The Offspring take to the main stage next with three new tracks, ‘Hammerhead’, ‘You’re Gonna Kill Far Kid’ and ‘Half Truism’ from their forthcoming album alongside much loved tracks like ‘Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)’, ‘Staring at the Sun’ and the ‘Kids are Alright’. It’s pretty obvious from the noise coming from the crowd, that they are having one heck of a good time. Offspring rule!

Biffy Clyro in live action at Download: