Rhythm at Download: Friday Part Two

Dave grohl

Dave grohl

© RICK NEDERSTIGT/epa/Corbis

18:15 - Anticipation is building as a massed Donington crowd waits for Them Crooked Vultures, featuring - of course - Dave Grohl behind the kit. We get into the mood for some powerhouse drumming by catching Chris Pennie's intricate beats with the simply awesome Coheed and Cambria.

18:40 - A quick dash to the Main Stage sees us grab a decent spot for the Vultures, who ease into a mesmerising set filled with cuts from their sublime debut album.

18:45 - First sight of Dave, and his fetching black gloves, on the big screen results in a huge cheer from the drummers in the jam-packed crowd.

19:00 - Dave and Led Zep legend John Paul Jones breeze through track after track, giving a lesson on just how to keep a rhythm section watertight while still keeping things interesting with all kinds of powerhouse fills. The latter only applies to Dave, obviously.

20:00 - The Vultures head off safe in the knowledge that they absolutely nailed it. Follow that AC/DC.

20:30 - And here they come. Crashing through their own stage with a huge runaway train, Phil Rudd and the boys are off and rockin'.

20:50 - It's hit after hit as 'Hell Aint A Bad Place To Be' and 'Back In Black' get things flying.

21:00 - Phil is into the groove, laying things down as hard and heavy as you'd expect. No flicker of emotion on his face, the only way you can tell he's not a machine is by his relentless chain smoking.

21:50 - Let there be drums, and there were drums! 'Let There Be Rock' rounds of a pulsating set, before the boys return to run through 'Highway To Hell' and 'For Those About To Rock'.

22:30 - Ever the showmen, 'DC's set ends with the sky illuminated with fireworks. What a day!

23:00 - It's back off to the tent for us, see you all tomorrow!

Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).