sunday @ sonisphere - metallica
topshop duster coat metallica tshirt vagabond boots* american apparel hat urban outfitters backpack*
I’d ummed and ached about going to Sonisphere before somehow managing to score a pass. I don’t know why I was so sceptical about it at first but it turned out to be one of the best festivals I’ve ever been to and one of the best gigs I’ve had the pleasure of being at. So in a huge contrast to the Urban festival I’d been at the previous two days we went up to Knebworth to see what it’s all about.
Despite what you might think I’m actually quite a big heavy music fan. Im really into post hardcore and punk music - even more so at the moment. While I’m a soppy emo kid some days I can’t resist a bit of guitar driven thrash.The main reason I wanted to go to was to see Metallica. Metallica are one of those bands I grew up with. I remember listening to them when I was 13/14 and just being in awe of them. I’ve never caught them over the years so I knew I had to do everything in my power to see them at some point.
After driving up early we managed to catch Protest the Hero who are a totally underrated metal band and one of my personal favourites.They played 6 songs and did their thing - a mixture of thrash tech metal and post hardcore. I listened to Kezia to death back 06 so it was a pleasure to catch ‘em finally. In a weird half hour we saw Reel Big Fish - I haven’t seen these guys for SO long but they are always a good chuckle. None the less we all took it in our stride and had a dance. It’s impossible not to be happy when you watch a Ska band. They are just so fun.Im so happy we caught The Bronx too - they are one of my top bands from back in the day and I couldn’t help myself singing along to White Tar. Super heavy hardcore punk straight outta LA. It was beautiful, scattered and so perfect. The lead singer also came into the crowd to sing with everyone and that has gone up there with one of the most punk things I’ve ever experienced.
Metallica. Even though everyone was so up in arms about them playing at Glasto - Like it or not Metallica are such an iconic band. I appreciate it might not be everyones cup of tea but you can’t deny they are big enough to headline something like that. At Sonisphere it felt like all their fans had come out to see them put on an awesome show. I found myself throwing up the rock hand thing \m/ with the rest of them. I don’t know the atmosphere was infectious. My highlight was obviously Fade to Black which was incredible and Whisky in the Jar which James claimed was his favourite song. There was this awesome moment when he said “Now… I’ve got something to tell you guys (serious pause) GIVE ME FUEL GIMMIE FIRE GIVE ME THAT WHICH I DESIRE”. I had a mini heart attack as I had visions of them saying this was their last shows in the UK. It was the perfect entry to a song. So good. Just so good. It’s hands down one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to. You know when you leave a show and you’re so pumped about what you just saw? Thats how I felt. I was so excited happy, tired and emotional. I also wanted to join a hardcore punk band and start my life again. I haven’t felt so pumped about seeing something for so long.
It’s funny because I enjoyed Sonisphere so much more than I’d imagined. It felt like going back to my roots and remembering what I really love. It’s one of the best festivals I’ve been to this year. I made a joke on Twitter about getting judged from what I wore by metallers (In fact I was more judged by people on my Instagram - Yes I wore a coat, no it wasn’t hot). Like at school I was always taken the piss out of me for being “alternative” so to go to a Metal/Alt festival it was funny to not be the person wearing stuff like that. However my friend Stu did wear a suit so he did get a smirk or two. It was a joke but so many people were like OH GOD HOW COULD THEY. Obviously don’t get my humour.
Despite what people think rock guys and gal’s are super friendly and honestly - I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Yet I’ve been to other festivals and felt really judged by others. I got tons of high fives and the vibe was just fun and chill. Everyone there was wearing a band tshirt, literally everyone. I ended up getting a Metallica tshirt because I was sold on seeing other people wear them.
There was a really sweet moment with the little boy you can see in some of the photos above. He was on his Dad’s shoulders not missing a beat and really rocking out. At the end of Metallica’s set they pass out all these huge Metallica balloons and all this guys who were obviously huge fans kept passing him the balloons so he could have one. It was just really sweet and he was having the time of his life. Melted my heart to see other people so caring towards young people rather than being grabby and snatchy. It was super touching.
More posts from Lily Melrose
