The secret band wow us all
Anticipation had been growing all weekend as to who the secret band are, so there was a mixed response when a Funeral For a Friend banner goes up. I wasn't too happy about it, and it didn't take me long to start despairing. I wasn't not the only person either, however, as others started filing out. The majority of people, though, were more than happy that they were getting a dose of Funeral for a Friend.
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They played a heavy set - a crowd pleaser in other words - and it was a pleasure to watch. Admittedly, at first I thought they weren't very good but, with Matt's sheer happiness at being there and a tremendous set, I ended up being truly converted.
As Matt is on form, his enthusiasm is contagious. After they open with an older song, 'This Year's Most Open Heartbreak', he starts joking about their being the secret band - 'I was told we were going to Alton Towers, but Donington is much fucking cooler!' From that moment onwards we don't need any encouragement to join in.
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The laughs continue too, when Matt comments on Kris's newly shaved look. There are cheers all around when we're asked to "give it up for Kris, as this is the first time he's been clean-shaven in three years! This is dedicated to Kris's chin - it's 'Red is the New Black'!"
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And so, the banter continues, as one of the songs is introduced as "a bit like a tribute to Van Halen". He has a point, but it's still great. By the time they play what Matt calls "a little thrash metal, as fast as you like", meaning 'The Art of American Football' everybody is singing along, and clapping happily.
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So when he apologises for them not being Motley Crue, not many people really care. We're having too much fun. It's during the last song of the set, which is 'Escape Artists Never Die', I'm suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude for being there. Funeral For A Friend play it with so much passion, and we sing along with so much passion, it's an awesome feeling.
Never again will I judge a book by its cover - consider me a convert.
To view all photos taken during this set click here. There are 15 available.