Fast approaching thirty years since their memorable performance at Monsters of Rock, Thunder remain the perfect band for a mid-afternoon festival slot when the crowd really needs a shot of energy and enthusiasm to carry them through into the evening. And so it proved to be at Download 2018 this past weekend with Danny Bowes, Luke Morley & Co serving up another superb hour of quality melodic hard rock.
It was fitting that soon after taking the stage and hitting their stride with ‘Wonder Days’ the sun began to peer through the clouds for the first time that day and by the time the main stage was bouncing along to ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ and ‘I Love You More Than Rock ‘n’ Roll’ the audience were basking in full sunshine. Thunder know exactly what is required to satisfy a festival crowd and the set was brilliantly paced, and during the mid-set ballad ‘Low Life In High Places’ Bowes showed that his voice remains as fine as ever. After a powerful and dramatic ‘Love Walked In’ they left everyone wanting more with an extended ‘Dirty Love’ that ensured this performance will be remembered as another glorious moment in Thunder’s long history.
Congratulations must also go to the young couple that got engaged while the band played ‘Love Walked In’.
With plenty of fuel still left in the tank, few would bet against them coming back in a couple of years time to really celebrate that thirtieth anniversary.
Setlist:-
Wonder Days
River of Pain
Higher Ground
Low Life in High Places
Backstreet Symphony
The Devil Made Me Do It
I Love You More Than Rock ‘n’ Roll
Love Walked In
Dirty Love
