Friday at Download Festival 2019
Follow Planet Rock's blog for all the action from the opening day at Download Festival 2019 headlined by the mighty Def Leppard.
Last updated 12th Mar 2020
Download Festival 2019 is official go, and despite the biblical rain over recent days, a mysterious golden orb made a (fleeting) appearance right on time as the gates opened at midday!
Last In Line were bestowed with the prestigious honour of opening the Main Stage - the same stage guitarist Vivian Campbell will close tonight with headliners Def Leppard:
And moments after stepping off stage, Viv and Phil Soussan joined Planet Rock's Paul Anthony for a wide-ranging chat backstage:
Over on the Zippo Encore Stage, bona-fide New Jersey rock royalty, Skid Row, pulled out the Big Guns for their ever-entertaining early afternoon slot:
Not quite bringing the Georgian sunshine with them, Blackberry Smoke delved into their own distinguished back catalogue and also played covers of The Beatles' 'Come Together' and blues classic 'When the Levee Breaks':
Two Download Festival revellers have come up with an innovative banana-shaped floating beer holder, should the weather take a turn for the worse:
With queues at least 40 people deep, it's safe to say that no one digs merchandise quite like the Download Festival faithful:
Fresh from announcing their December 2019 tour, Clutch play a blistering set on the Main Stage:
You're never too young to rock at Download Festival:
The one and only Phil Collen caught with Paul Anthony in his exquisite Moroccan themed trailer where he told us that Def Leppard have started work on their new album:
David Coverdale during Whitesnake's imperious Main Stage slot:
Skid Row with Wyatt backstage after their Zippo Encore Stage set
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators moments before the heavens opened:
Backstage with Deadland Ritual:
Playing their 'Hysteria' album in its entirety, Def Leppard brought the opening night of Download Festival 2019 to a rousing close.
Download Festival 2019 - Friday in photos:
Watch our interviews with Skid Row, Deadland Ritual, Blackberry Smoke, Clutch, Tesla, Those Damn Crows, and Def Leppard's Phil Collen right here:
You can see more day-by-day photos and videos from Download Festival by clicking the links below:
Saturday at Download Festival 2019
Sunday at Download Festival 2019
All photos (except where noted): Darren Griffiths