Look at ANY pictures of DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2019 and I bet every one will show people yomping about, knee deep in mud! Yes folks, we’ve had a tremendous amount of rain, yes folks, there is mud and lots of it but you know what, look at the faces of everyone in the photos and they’re still happy, they’re still having fun! Do you know why? it’s because they bought tickets to THE best rock and metal festival on the planet and NO AMOUNT of rain, wind or mud is going to dampen their spirits! Stiff upper lip and all that!

We airlifted Gary and Steve Williams onsite yesterday and after pitching their tent, they made their way to the press tent to chat to some of the bands that make the festival what it is, a kick ass celebration of some of the finest rock and metal from all over the world. Scroll down to see who they have spoken to and then click the link to listen to the interview. I’ll be adding to the feature until the weekend is over so please check back in at the end of each day to see who they’ve been schmoozing with….

In no particular order, here they are;

NESHIIMA are a heavy rock/metal band from Glasgow, Scotland and feature influences of electronica, hip-hop and metal in their music.

We chatted to them about their origins, musical direction and smashing the Takeover stage at Download 2019.

These are 4 great guys who truly have the breath of life, check out the interview below.

THOSE DAMN CROWS are a five piece Rock n Roll band from Bridgend in South Wales.

Steve Williams chatted to the lead singer Shane Greenhall about the amazing feeling of their first ever Download Festival, the origins of their name and his musical influences.

Check out the interview below.

Formed in late 2014, THE FIVE HUNDRED are the latest in technical, melodic metal from the rough streets of Nottingham, UK.

Gary Williams caught up with them after their appearance on the Takeover stage and were stoked at the ‘wall of death’ the crowd created. Click the link below to hear more about touring together, their new album and their climb to appearing at Download 2019.

WOLF JAW are a kick ass rock n’ roll trio from Cannock, UK.

Steve Williams caught up with them and chatted about their excitement of appearance at Download Festival for the very first time, the opportunity to grow their fanbase and found out why they decided to change their name.

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

GOODBYE JUNE are a rock n’ roll trio from Nashville Tennessee.

Gary Williams had a super chat with Landon Milbourn who chatted about their new album, being in a band with family and leaving the fans at the Zippo stage wanting more!

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

HOT MILK are a dual fronted emo powerpop trio from Manchester.

Gary Williams chatted to Han and Jim about stepping out of the music industry and becoming a band, their first Download show and how their music will change the world “cos it needs to”.

Good luck to these fabulous young people. 

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

PALISADES are a New Jersey based rock quintet.

Gary Williams spent some time with the awesome guys from Palisades. They tell us about the power of determination, how important connection with their audience is and how they are getting ready to smash the Avalanche stage at Download Festival 2019!

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

ROAM are an Eastbourne based pop punk quintet.

Steve Williams caught up with the lead singer Alex Costello and chatted about how they planned for and their expectations for their set at Download, their creative process and the differences they notice when touring globally.   

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

REDHOOK are a Sydney based who describe themselves as "‘screaming rap rock electro pop mutants fighting against the forces of darkness inside our own heads’.

Gary Williams spent some time with Craig who told us about breaking through amongst a thriving Sydney scene, touring with big name bands and their hopes and aspirations for 2020.

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

PARTING GIFT are a Manchester based melodic hardcore quintet.

Steve Williams was joined by 3 of the 5 members who were still buzzing from having just performed onstage at Download Festival 2019. We chatted about how the band formed and how anxiety influences their songwriting.  

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

LIKE A STORM are a New Zealand based rock band consisting of brothers Chris Brooks, Matt Brooks, Kent Brooks & Zach Wood (a brother from another mother!)

Gary Williams was lucky enough to catch up with them and chatted about worldwide touring, smashing the Zippo stage earlier today and how to avoid ‘recording camels’ (all will become clear if you check out the interview!)

Click the link below to hear the full interview.

CANE HILL are a 4 piece metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Steve Williams spoke to Witt and James about the pressures of being up first on the Main stage at Download Festival, playing at festivals in front of their idols, why life is not this ‘happy bubble’ and the state of the Rock scene in New Orleans. Oh, and their van being stuck in mud just 20 minutes before they were due to take to the stage….

Click the link below to hear the full interview.