1980’s pop music icon Kim Wilde has joined grindcore specialists Lawnmower Deth on stage at Download 2016. The singer took to the stage with the Nottingham band during their appearance at the Midlands festival on Saturday (11th June) afternoon.
The paring have long been associated, with Lawnmower Deth covering Wilde’s biggest hit ‘Kids In America’ for a single release in 1991. Wilde has previously stated that the band’s frenetic take on the eighties classic is her favourite version of the enduring track.
Introducing the glamorous miss Wilde, Lawnmower Deth front man Pete Lee said: "I know we’ve promised you special guests before, but this time we mean it". He continued: "I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but it’s Kim Wilde!"
Stepping out to rapturous applause, Wilde stunned the crowd by first performing two Lawnmower Deth tracks with the band – a succinct ‘Egg Sandwich’ and a ferocious ‘Watch Out Grandma’ before belting out her biggest hit with the band.
Speaking exclusively to eonmusic about Wilde’s addition to the line up, Lee revealed that it had been Kim's suggestion to do more than just 'Kids In America'. Said Pete: "She was the one that chose ‘Watch Out Grandma’. The fact that she was so close to me, she’s got her arm around me, she’s doing eye to eye contact and I’m singing into her face, I just thought; ‘Hang on, this is Kim Wilde! This is ridiculous!"
Lawnmower Deth’s appearance came on the second day Download 2016. Other acts appearing during the weekend included The Wildhearts, who paid tribute to both The Queen and Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, and Megadeth, who were joined on stage by former Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx.
Download 2016 also featured headlining sets from with Germanic industrialists Rammstein on Friday night, heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath on Saturday night, and troopers Iron Maiden, who brought proceedings to a close on Sunday night.