So Download Festival is just under 2 weeks away and we know it’s always so hard to pick who you go to see. There’s always so many news bands to check out along side some of your favourites at Download Festival and we figure if we give you a bit of a preview of each and let them introduce themselves to you, it may make your planning easier.
Oxygen Thief is the alias of Bristol’s Barry Dolan which turned into a bit of a band and then back again. It’s been a crazy ride already, but either way it’s all go for Download Festival.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Barry – I play guitar, sing, and stomp on effects pedals.
How did you get started?
Oxygen Thief started as a solo acoustic act when previous bands split up and I decided to carry on playing heavy, loud stuff despite losing the rest of the band. I gained a band recently, but still love playing solo.
What stage and day are you playing at Download Festival?
Sunday 15th June, 6.30pm on the Jagermeister Acoustic Stage.Â
What’s the best thing about playing Download Festival?
I’m an acoustic act playing songs based around drop-D tuned metal riffs – it feels like coming home.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing play at Download?
Dillinger Escape Plan – hands down. I’ve seen them a couple of times before and they’re just spectacular. Hoping I can catch fellow Xtra Mile band Against Me! too, but they finish pretty much as my set starts, so that might be a bit optimistic.
Have you got any surprises in store for you Download set?
Most acoustic acts tend to sit on stools and play gentler versions of their stuff; I’ll be rocking out and trying to start circle pits.
What’s your best festival memory either personally attending as a fan or in the band? And what’s your advice to all the festival goers?
Playing-wise it has to be last year at 2000 Trees on the Xtra Mile takeover stage – a beautiful sunny weekend, a rammed tent to play too and a lineup full of my favourite bands and people.
Advice to festival goers would be to prepare for all eventualities as this is the UK after all: wellies, suncream, plenty of beer, plenty of water; all your bases covered!
The band are on the 5th stage, The Jagermeister Stage on Sunday at 6.30pm.
