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Lostprophets close Download in 'controversial' style

Welsh rockers preview new material at Donington

June 15, 2008 | 7 Comments
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Lostprophets closed Download Festival 2008 tonight (June 15), in a show they themselves admitted was "controversial".

The Welsh hardcore superstars brought the Main Stage proceedings to an explosive climax on the final day of the Donington Festival.

After heavyweight US headliners Kiss and The Offspring, there had been some debate amongst music fans over whether the band could deliver the final night headline performance.

While the band rose to the challenge in style, even frontman Ian Watkins addressed the situation, telling the crowd: "So you've been here all weekend and seen a lot of good bands, and now there's us at the end of it. Controversial! It's controversial, I know. A lot of people have said 'yeah,' a lot of people have said 'fuck no!' But at the end of the day we're here!"

He added: "It's one of the best weekends of the year, there's a lot of bands you won't hear at any other festival in the UK, probably because they're probably scared to put them on!"

Lostprophets also took the opportunity to debut a clutch of new songs set for their fourth album.

Before new track 'End Of The World', Watkins explained: "We've been making a new album. Some people say we're taking too long, but whatever. So we're going to play a new song. I know what it's like when bands play new stuff at festivals, because nobody knows them. So I'm going to try to teach you the chorus. It's like being in school. Think of it as blind karaoke. Live!"

He then led the crowd in the refrain: "It's not the end of the world now baby/ so come on dry those tears".

After a rapturously-received 'Shinobi Versus Dragon Ninja', they closed the festival with 'Burn Burn', complete with a wall of flamethrowers in front of them.

Lostprophets played:

'We Still Kill The Old Way'
'To Hell We Ride'
'New Transmission'
'Can't Catch Tomorrow'
'Town Called Hypocrisy'
'Kobrakai'
'Fake Sound Of Progress'
'Rooftops'
'Atrocity'
'Start Something'
'4AM Forever'
'Last Summer'
'End Of The World'
'Everyday Combat'
'Last Train Home'
'Shinobi Vs Dragonija'
'Burn Burn'

Keep up with this weekend's (June 13-15) festival action as it happens on NME.COM. For news, pictures and blogs keep checking the NME.COM's Isle Of Wight Festival page and NME.COM's Download Festival page for live coverage from both sites.

ring piece

Jun 16, 2008

I tell you what I find more "controversial", it's that this shit excuse for a band even formed. What I find thoroughly offensive is that Download even exists!

cultureslut87

Jun 16, 2008

Lostprophets first album all those years ago was really good in comparisson to so many other 'nu-metal' bands and they always seemed very down to earth and somewhat shy about fame in interviews. But as of the second album they've had an all too generic sound, become thoroughly arrogant and just very bland all round, shame really. I didn't even realise they were still going let alone at a level to be a headlining act.

falcozappa

Jun 16, 2008

ring piece, the only thing offensive here is your ignorant opinion. Just because you don't like metal you think Download shouldn't exist? We should all be one homogenous mass of people with identical taste to yours? I'm no Lostprophets fan, but if a load of people like them enough that they headline a metal festie, so what?

Prockerz

Jun 16, 2008

LP headlining such a massive festival really is the only controversial thing about the band. So safe, formulaic and uninspiring, they must have put the Festival to an early bedtime.

ShinnyAccyStanley

Jun 17, 2008

Actually Prockerz they were fantastic, put on a really good show, everyone in the crowd was dancing around and singing along. It was the perfect way to end the festival.Ian Watkins even said at one point "Right now you aren't cheering for us, you're cheering for every band who played here this weekend. and I want to hear the loudest cheer, for yourselves for coming to this place"They were really really good, and I'm hardly a big LP fan.

iknoweverything

Jun 17, 2008

First of all 'Prockerz'. You total dick. What he meant by controversial is that Download is generally headlined by one of the monsters of rock type bands like Iron Maiden or KISS or Motley Crue. Lostprophets did a fucking amazing job and they put on an incredible show and won over even the people who didn't want them there. They deserved that headline slot as much every other band out there. They are a home grown British rock band and have earnt the right to headline that festival. They closed the weekend amazingly and deserve only praise for their show.Secondly. From the statement you just made I deduce that you were not even there. So how about you shut the fuck up :)

shifty82

Jun 18, 2008

I'm not a LP fan but the way the final acts on Sunday night were structured meant that it made no difference to me whether LP were headliners of not. If you wanted something harder Cavalera Conspiracy were playing. t wuld have been better to end with Kiss as no-one can touch their show but I don't see why putting LP on last is such a big deal. If you want safe and formuliac the Offspring are far safer and uninspiring than LP.