Click onwards for our snappy festival highlights
Download 2010 - day one
Despite the grim weather forecast, the sun is shining and the horns are out as the action kicks off at Donington
It's not raining!
Some bands have outrageous items on their riders, AC/DC are in a different league, insisting on bringing their own stage. It's the one on the left
Their own stage?!
The Red Bull Bedroom Jam tent is bursting at the seams as the Foos man rocks out
Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders
Killswitch guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz pulls a wicked face over on the main stage
Killswitch Engage
Brian Johnson lookalikes check out Them Crooked Vultures while waiting for AC/DC
Life of Brians
The Vultures don't disappoint as Dave Grohl pounds the band through 70 explosive minutes
Them Crooked Vultures
Josh Homme weaving riff magic on his custom Maton electric
Them Crooked Vultures
If there's a better rhythm section on the planet today than John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl, we haven't seen it
Them Crooked Vultures
Multi-instrumentalist Alain Johannes takes a turn on bass...
Them Crooked Vultures
...while John Paul Jones rocks this crazy Manson custom lap steel/Kaoss Pad mash-up
Them Crooked Vultures
Tens of thousands of fans get ready for a lesson in dirty rock 'n' roll from the masters
Time for the headliners
Live on their very own stage
AC/DC
The real Brian Johnson stands up
AC/DC
Angus strips off his school uniform, as is customary
AC/DC
Meet Rosie, there's a whole lotta her
AC/DC
First three Brians, now we're seeing multiple Anguses
AC/DC
The only appropriate hand gesture!
AC/DC
There were fireworks, and then they were gone. One hell of a show though!
AC/DC
More heavy rock action in the sunshine? Yes please!
Download 2010 - day two
Saturday kicks off with some masked Mexican wrestlers hanging out in the press area
Lucha Britannia
Continuing the spandex theme, Finland's Reckless Love play to a packed Pepsi Max tent. These boys could be as big as their hair
Reckless Love
The sun may be shining but Lamb Of God bring darkness to the main stage
Lamb Of God
Willie Adler and signature ESP: evil riffs aplenty
Lamb Of God
Singer Randy Blythe caught in a mosh
Lamb Of God
Prior to their main stage set, Deftones address the media
Deftones press conference
Mustaine celebrates the 20th anniversary of Rust In Peace by treating fans to a selection of classic cuts from the album
Megadeth
David Ellefson looks happy to be back in the saddle after returning to the lineup earlier in 2010
Megadeth
Singer Chino Moreno in fine form and looking lean as Deftones rock through a powerful set of new and old
Deftones
It's time for the headliners, who appear 20 minutes later than advertised but blast through opener Testify with fire and precision
Rage Against The Machine
Tim Commerford showing off his badass tattoos
Rage Against The Machine
We thought Brad Wilk was using four drumsticks for a moment there too
Rage Against The Machine
Tom Morello and his old faithful 'Arm The Homeless' guitar
Rage Against The Machine
Morello is in amazing form, wowing the crowd with his characteristic blend of scratch DJ-aping sonics, blazing lead and pulverising riffs
Rage Against The Machine
Zack de la Rocha urges the crowd to "take care of each other" as People Of The Sun is halted due to the risk of crushing at the front of the crowd
Rage Against The Machine
The band end a triumphant set with a predictably incendiary version of Killing In The Name
Rage Against The Machine
Sunday brings Slash, Aerosmith and rain. Lots and lots of rain...
Download 2010 - day three
Our Sunday begins with the Slash press conference. Crowded enough?
Slash press conference
Check out our video of the Slash press conference to hear what he had to say about Velvet Revolver, Guitar Hero, the stage invasion in Italy and more.
Shortly after, Myles Kennedy shows off his awesome vocal range on the main stage alongside the guitar legend
Slash
The cat in the hat makes good use of his latest Gibson Signature model...
Slash
...and an old tour workhorse in a set that includes GN'R classics Nightrain, Sweet Child O' Mine, Paradise City and Rocket Queen
Slash
Slash gets the Motörhead legend up to sing on solo LP track Doctor Alibi
Lemmy
Mr Idol, looking these days like a cross between David Bowie and Keith Flint, brings the rain. Oh well, at least he plays Rebel Yell. Eventually
Billy Idol
It really is pissing down now...
A welly good time
...and scenes are starting to resemble those at a certain Somerset festival that attracts considerably more hippies than Donington
Glastonbury in disguise?
With most electronic devices (including the camera) safely drying out in the car, we prepare for the bad boys from Boston
Time for Aerosmith!
And they rock. They really do. Tyler's voice and stage presence really are something else. Sadly, it's a bit wet for anything more than a couple of phone camera pictures! A great festival though, roll on 2011...
Aerosmith