I took my kids to their first festival on the Saturday this year, and while it didn’t quite match the glory days of Donington—those unforgettable Monsters of Rock events in 1990, ’91, ’92, and ’95—it still had its moments. The weather was kind, with just 20 minutes of rain, and we came prepared. No soggy socks, no drama.
🕶️ Sleep Token: A Headliner Like No Other
The headliner, Sleep Token, was something else entirely. Their sound is 90% not even rock, let alone metal—but that remaining 10%? It’s the most extreme metal imaginable. Somehow, they make it work. It’s a strange alchemy, and it’s remarkable. They’ve earned their place among the headliners I've seen there—Whitesnake, AC/DC, Maiden, Metallica—even if their sudden popularity (they’ve apparently overtaken Maiden in merch sales) might outpace their catalogue of truly standout songs.
🎸 The Rest of the Lineup: A Far Cry from the Titans
The other bands? Honestly, forgettable. Compared to the world-class acts we saw in similar slots—Aerosmith, Poison, Slayer, Motley Crue—they didn’t come close. And it really drives home how consistently brilliant Metallica are at writing and performing mid-tempo rock and metal anthems, the likes of which some of the other bands were performing. No one else seems to do it quite like 'tallica.
To be fair, the kids enjoyed all of them, and the stand-out for them was Poppy.
🤘 The Crowd & Vibe
Inside the venue, everything was spot-on. The crowd was fantastic—friendly, buzzing, and full of energy. My kids joy throughout the day was infectious and made the whole experience feel special.
🚪 Entry Experience: A Frustrating Ordeal
Unfortunately, getting into the festival was a complete mess. Security was slow and disorganised, with one staff member enforcing arbitrary rules—like a one-litre water limit per person—that hadn’t been advertised. This led to confusion and people scrambling to find others to carry extra water for them. Bag checks were handled carelessly, with items repacked haphazardly, forcing attendees to redo the process themselves. When I raised concerns about my wallet and phone being placed on a shared table, I was met with defensiveness and even threats of denied entry. It was a stressful and unnecessary start to the day.
🚗 Getting Out: A Test of Patience
Leaving the car park was equally frustrating. The earlier you arrived, the further you were from the exit—so it took over an hour to get out. A baffling system that punished punctuality.
📸 Download 2025 in Photos
Relive the highs and headbangs through my Flickr album:
