Four days of fun, music, sun and dust courtesy of 20th anniversary of Download Festival.
Gojira 2023
Gojira doing what they do. Shot during their 2023 UK tour dates in Manchester, Nottingham and London.
Ghost 2022
I first saw Ghost perform live in 2013 when they headlined Jägermeister Tour with support from Gojira and The Defiled.
My knowledge of the band was pretty limited back then and I was mostly excited to see Gojira but by the time I exited the venue, Ghost had a new fan. Visually they were stunning, I’m a sucker for painted faces, unusual outfits and pretty lights, and their catchy, melodic riffs felt almost soothing following the savagery that was Gojira.
I have photographed them several times since and I jumped at the opportunity to catch up with them again this year during their UK tour in Manchester for Classic Rock and in Birmingham for Metal Hammer.
Bloodstock 2021
After a two year break, we finally return home.
Download PILOT 2021
I wasn't sure whether to write anything about Download PILOT. I was never particularly good with words especially when it comes to emotional things and boy, was this past weekend at Donington Park filled with emotions.
It's been almost two years since my last music festival and fifteen months since I shot the last live gig. I was used to shooting on average two or three gigs every week so, this felt like death. They say you never really appreciate something until it's gone. I was always very appreciative of every moment I got to spend in the pit but what these past months have shown me is what an important role live music plays in my life and how lost I would feel without it.
Driving to Download was quite surreal and I was strangely anxious but the moment I arrived everything just felt right. The entire weekend was full of positivity, smiling faces, hugs and a huge sense of community spirit. I haven't seen a single average performance, the bands looked overjoyed to be in front of the crowd again doing what they love to do and the crowd was there to support them every step of the way.
I want the music scene to return bigger, better and more inspiring than ever before. I'm also incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of something as special as Download PILOT because I don't think I'll ever get to experience anything quite like it again.
2019 Photo Highlights
The last post of the year (and decade) featuring my personal favourites of 2019.
