Chaplaincy at this year's Download festival
 

'I recognise that Download is one of those places where, as a Christian, I live my life like I should. It's one of my places.

'Where are yours?'

A reflection by Baptist minister Ken Franklin 

 

As I reflect on and celebrate another year of serving at the Download Music Festival, I am reminded of the words of Saint Fred, of Durst: “When the good comes to bad, the bad comes to good. But I'm a live my life like I should.” (from Limp Bizkit's Take a Look Around)
 
There was a significant amount of excitement and obsessiveness about this year’s festival, particularly focused on Saturday’s masked headliners, Sleep Token. I’ll get to them shortly. Castle Donington has, willingly or otherwise, become the stable centre around which 75,000+ metal, rock, and alternative music fans gather for worship and wonder. It’s wonderful to be part of this event, and I praise God for the dedication of the churches in Castle Donington, who work tirelessly in building relationships and managing logistics, allowing us little chaplains to rock up and meet the crowds.
 
This year, we witnessed a substantial turnout of first-time attendees, which is another nod to the refreshing lineup of bands. An unofficial motto of Download, which I experienced frequently, was that this festival is a place where everyone is welcomed, where all who love this music could belong. Truthfully I think, with both McFly and the Vengaboys on the bill, both pulling colossal audiences, the Download festival-goers offer a warm, genuine welcome that many need and crave in our ever more ‘connected’, yet increasingly more isolated world.

In fact, you could go to Download and not like the scene at all, and you’d be hard pressed in general to go home having not been shown love, kindness and welcome. Andy Copping, who signs the bands for the festival, declares that his team are the caretakers and Download belongs to us fans. It’s nice to hear his non-conformity, at least as a Baptist pastor.



This year, I served three shifts; last year, it was four. For the first time, I had the opportunity to lead a team. This involved enabling the Chaplains to go out in pairs, checking in on their well-being as they returned for a brief pause. It also meant maintaining open communication between us and the festival.
 
Additionally, I was able to facilitate formal medical attention for a festival-goer. I received two individuals who wanted to talk and requested prayer. Many Chaplains rejoiced at being asked to pray for and bless people. I suspect a metal-themed wedding booth could be quite profitable, as we were collectively asked to officiate a fair number of weddings for engaged couples.

What brings me greater praise to God is not just that we were asked for prayer—though that is an incredible privilege—but that we offered much prayer, and it was received with gratitude. Many festival-goers recognise the needs and gaps in their lives, and there is nothing better to fill that thirsty place than the reviving water of life.
 
These gaps and needs bring me to think about Sleep Token. More Marmite than Marmite in many music circles. As we sat waiting for the much-hyped/dreaded experience of Sleep Token, a rainbow came from the main stage and arced beautifully across the sky to Opus stage. It is fascinating, whatever the attribution the rainbow brings.

Consider just how many people respond to this sign. Even when we may know science, the rainbow is transcendent. Whatever we seek as people, we are most certainly seeking. We seek meaning, purpose, something to worship, something transcendent that makes us feel connected past where we are, to where we can be, what we may be if we can achieve ‘lift off’.
 
All this, I believe, is innate to us. The rainbow is one of the creator’s clues, an Easter egg into the very fabric of existence.

From this fan’s perspective, once their set was complete, I found Sleep Token intriguing. Wonderfully creative. Their mood reflects the need in pockets of our world. Their fans are borderline fanatical, in awe, reverent, which honestly amazes me when they never ever get spoken to between any of the thoughtful, intriguing songs that demand explanation we’re never going to get.

They, in my view, have impacted this music scene in a similar manner to what ‘Faithless’ did to the dance scene.
 
Still, my festival as a ‘metalhead’ was complete when I saw Korn close Download on Sunday night. They were superlative. Over a week later, I’m lost for words. If you know me, you know that’s pretty rare (as the length of this reflection shows).

However, this is a reflection of my experience. Being a small piece of this festival is incredibly precious to me. What I write, I do to honour it and to honour God. Gene knows, God gave rock and roll to you. Remember, this is not the greatest song in the world. No, no, this is just a tribute.
 
Why are Saint Fred’s words ringing in my ears? Maybe I got tinnitus last year when he played. More likely, I recognise that Download is one of those places where, as a Christian, I live my life like I should. The Chaplaincy team was much larger this year than before. It was also ‘rebooted’, much like Hawaii Five-O. I note this as it was lovely to go from one of the youngest, at 49, to ‘old enough to be a few of the chaplain’s Dads’.

While the age range changed, our heart was constant and consistent with 2024’s Drownload mud-fest team. We were there because we loved Jesus deeply and we loved the Download crowds. Some of us are also blessed, because we wanna rock (throw horns here, if you do). 

The response, I believe, a festival like this calls us to is that we are all called by Jesus himself to live our lives like we should. Chances are, if you’re reading this article to this point, you’re an activist. You have some sense of who your people are.

I’m testifying here how wonderful it is to be the blessed feet that bring Good News to all my brothers and sisters at Download. They are my people. They sit in one of the circles I love. I’m not out seeking to minister the love of Jesus to a place that I’m scared of. Sure, wherever we share the love of God, we must be listening to the Holy Spirit, seeking God to discern for us, guide us in our words and actions.



However, and this is the win-win truth here, we must bring our faith alive in the places, the circles of our life. 
 
You hate rock music? In the 80s, growing up in church, I often heard it said you should be careful to talk about places you hate, or God might send you there. That’s a Scrooge philosophy in my view. I believe in Jesus, who knows you, because he’s drawn you with loving kindness. He’s made you for [insert: garden centre/community football team/fitness community/book club/those places you know you gather, and you find you have a communal sense of belonging].

You’re one of the few in the world able to bring the meaningful love of Jesus to that Pilates class, that Cubs group. You already see who your people in the world are, and Jesus put you there, because the Holy Spirit wants to have you work in harmony with God to bring them into the Master’s happiness.

Jumping out of the metal music scene and thinking back to the influential Faithless - Maxi Jazz, their late lead singer, called God a DJ, and the dance floor, his church. All those arenas out there are such places for the people in them.

Again in the 80s I remember the sign, ‘Ch- -Ch. Authentic, disciplined Christians, active and abroad in all those circles of influence.'

Now that’s music to my ears. What’s missing? Maybe UR. 
 

Ken Franklin is the pastor of Morden Park Baptist Church in Surrey

 

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