Saturday at Download Festival 2022 – Planet Rock roundup

It’s Saturday at Donington Park and once again we're blessed with a glorious sunny day. The only downside of the glowing orb in the sky is it forces many Downloaders out of their furnace-like tents at an ungodly hour as they try to shake off last night’s revelries. Undeterred, thousands of the sunburnt masses pour through the gates when they open at bang on 10am.

On The Avalanche Stage, winners of Kerrang! Radio’s The Deal ANIIMALIA got things off to a strong start at 11am in front of a sizable crowd and they tore through songs including ‘Claustrophobia’ and new single ‘Silver Linings.’

The Raven Age, featuring Iron Maiden legend Steve Harris’ son George on guitars, are charged with opening The Apex Stage and although they’re late on stage by a good 20 minutes, they impress with their riff-heavy melodic metalcore.

Bridgend's beloved sons Those Damn Crows treated The Apex Stage crowd to a rock masterclass, with Shane Greenhall prowling the stage like a headliner.

Backstage, Wyatt caught up with fearsome guitarist and one of the nicest blokes in rock music, Mr Zakk Wylde:

During Monster Truck's rip-roaring, riff-heavy set on The Apex Stage, the unthinkable happens - it actually started raining momentarily:

The sun swiftly returned after the momentary raincloud, and three Santas graced Donington Park for a visit.

The youngest Iron Maiden fan at Download Festival 2022. Parenting done right:

With Dave Musatine firmly rooted to the spot, Megadeth rolled out the classics on The Opus Stage including a transcendental 'Sweating Bullets', a blistering 'Symphony of Destruction' and euphoric closer 'Holy Wars... The Punishment Due.'

The ever-genial Brent Smith and Eric Bass from Shinedown backstage with Wyatt:

Following the trademark airing of UFO's 'Doctor Doctor' through the soundsystem, headliners Iron Maiden were greeted by a thunderous reception as soon as they stepped out on The Apex Stage and launched into 'Senjutsu.' It didn't take long for the all-new Samurai Eddie to fearsomely stalk the stage:

The sun sets during Iron Maiden's set:

The man. The Legend. Steve Harris:

Iron Maiden's brought out their Spitfire for set closer 'Aces High'. The perfect end to an incredible Saturday.

Saturday at Download Festival 2022 in photos:

Listen to Planet Rock on DAB nationwide, on our Rayo app, online or via your smart speaker (“Play Planet Rock”).

• Download Festival