DOWNLOAD ANNOUNCE BRING ME THE HORIZON, METALLICA AND SLIPKNOT FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL NEXT JUNE
Picture by: Matt Eachus
Download Festival turns 20 next year and will celebrate with a four night festival at the hallowed ground of Donnington Park!
Metallica return to Donnington after over a decade away, and the multi-million album-selling phenomenon will be making up for their absence by headlining two nights of the festival, Thursday and Saturday. The two performances will contain absolutely no repeat songs, ensuring that fans are treated to the complete Metallica experience. The perfect celebration of Download’s 20th anniversary with arguably the world’s greatest rock band. Sheffield’s Bring Me The Horizon make their Download headliner debut on the Friday night after wowing fans earlier this year at Reading and Leeds and Slipknot will bring the show to a close on Sunday night.
This year the festival will take place over four days on 8-11 June 2023 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. General tickets are onsale at 10am on Thursday 10 November at www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
Also joining the 20th anniversary party are UK and international heavyweights Evanescence, Parkway Drive, Disturbed, Pendulum, Architects, Ghost, The Distillers, Placebo, Alexisonfire, Asking Alexandria, Motionless In White, I Prevail, The Blackout (reunion), Fever 333, Stray From The Path, Lorna Shore, Nova Twins, Municipal Waste and many more. The headliners and other acts announced today highlight the multi-generational appeal of the festival, which has seen over 2 million rock fans make the pilgrimage to Donington over the last 20 years.
The mighty Metallica say: “We are next-level honoured to once again come back and partake in the Download shenanigans on the hallowed grounds of Castle Donington, which has an unparalleled place in rock history. On top of that, to be able to share our double show format with two completely unique sets with no repeat songs for the first time ever in the U.K is way fuckin’ cool. Bring it on!!”
Bring Me The Horizon frontman Oli Sykes says: “Download Festival was one of the first festivals I ever attended as a punter. It was our first amazing festival experience to play as a band, and now the fact that we are headlining such a prestigious event blows my mind. We can’t wait to bring a whole new sound and show for the Download audience.”
Download’s legacy does not only include the sensational artists who have performed there over the years, but also its unrivalled community, warm atmosphere and amazing afterhours entertainment at The Village, which got even better with the addition of The Crucible in 2022. Once described as “the last sincere festival experience” by VICE, it continually proves just why people keep coming back for more.
Download Festival’s Andy Copping says: “This year marks a huge milestone for Download, celebrating the incredible 20 years of the festival is no small feat. We really wanted to up the ante for this special anniversary, adding an extra day for the fans to experience the unforgettable lineup, that once again brings together unparalleled talent from the rock music world back to Donington Park!”
This is only the beginning for Download Festival 2023, with many more acts and surprises yet to be announced to celebrate its 20 year legacy at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park. Book your tickets now: www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
