June 13, 2008 11:03

Madina Lake play secret Download Festival warm-up

Fans camp outside to catch a glimpse of band in London

Chicago band Madina Lake played a secret gig at London's Water Rats last night (June 12).

The pre-Download festival warm-up show, put on by Atticusclothing.com, saw fans queuing up from the early hours to get into the intimate gig.

Playing to one of their smallest UK crowds in a while the foursome launched into tracks from their album 'From Them, Through Us, To You'.

Surrounded by excited fans, who invaded the stage twice only to be removed by bouncers, the band were energetic as ever jumping from speakers and crowd surfing throughout the gig.

After the first stage invasion lead singer Nathan Leone showed the group's glee at the crowd's support by exclaiming: "Fucking brilliant."

The tiny show saw gathered gig-goers moshing and chanting back lyrics word-for-word.

Just before the gig ended the band told the gathered throng they'd be out later to chat to everyone there, which received a unanimous cheer.

NME.COM caught up with the band post-set to chat about the gig, and what they're going to get up to when they play Download Festival.

Leone revealed the group were used to stage invasions, saying: "It's not the first time we've had a stage invasion – we love it!"

He also added it was essential to them as a group to carry on playing these small shows.

He explained: "It's important to have a good relationship with our fans and this is just one of the mechanisms I suppose so it's great and then we hang out with them all night."

The band, who are playing Download Festival on Saturday (June 14), said they were most looking forward to seeing headliners The Offspring and Kiss.

Nathan said: "Kiss I'm definitely looking forward to seeing – they'll be awesome."

Madina Lake played:

'Adalia'
'One Last Kiss'
'Now Or Never'
'House Of Cards'
'Me Vs. The World'
'Stars
'Da Limp!'
'Here I Stand'
'True Love'
'Pandora'

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.