DOWNLOAD ANNOUNCE LINE UP FOR TEST EVENT NEXT MONTH

Today, Festival republic have announced the line up for the Download test event which will happen next month.

The 10,000 capacity, camping only festival will take place on 18-20 June 2021 on the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, as part of the Government’s scientific Events Research Programme.

Testament to the depth of talent and strength of the UK’s world-leading rock scene, 40 acts all of whom are UK based have been revealed with headliners Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine as well as a host of the hottest names in rock, including Skindred, Neck Deep, While She Sleeps, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Sleep Token, Creeper and many more across two stages.

Download booker Andy Copping said: “We’re incredibly excited to safely welcome back fans to Donington Park and honoured to play a vital part in the return of live music to the UK. Putting together a line-up of 40 outstanding bands including headliners like Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine, is something the Download brand is uniquely able to do and made possible by a thriving UK rock scene and deep pool of in-demand talent. With moshing back on the cards, this is going to be a true celebration of festival spirit and something special to be a part of.”

Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine said: “We’re beyond honoured to be part of this historic music event to kick start the live music industry and bringing back live music to people lives. The world has been quiet for too long, time to bring the noise!”

The very first major camping event of its kind, the specially created Download Pilot event will form part of the second phase of the Government’s scientific Events Research Programme. This ground-breaking study will look to build on the evidence base gathered from the successful first phase and apply findings on a greater scale with greater crowd numbers than before. The attendance at the Download Pilot will provide additional evidence for government, event organisers, and consumers on the logistical and practical considerations of reopening events safely, including multi-day events.

Working closely with the Government to adhere to safety guidelines, this Download Pilot, as the first 10,000 capacity camping festival event, will play an important role in paving the way for the return of large-scale music events and festivals as the UK emerges from the past year’s restrictions. As a Government scientific Events Research Programme event, festivalgoers will need to consent to take part and must be over 16. There will be no day tickets available with all festivalgoers expected to camp on-site for the duration of the event.  Full details will be available via www.downloadfestival.co.uk/download-pilot. 

Moshing will be allowed

With tickets priced at just £120 (plus booking fee) for the full three-day festival and initially being offered as a thank you to existing Download Festival 2022 ticket holders, we are delighted to announce that this loyal community of rock fans will also be rewarded with the closest to a festival experience possible, with no social distancing, no masks, camping and the return of moshing. Whilst this is not Download Festival and will be a much smaller scale, Festival Republic are proud to continue their Gold standard (Attitude Is Everything) accessibility and inclusion services, with dedicated accessibility campsite and facilities.

Whilst festival goers will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings once inside the festival, they will be required to follow existing Government guidance when travelling to and from Donington Park and adhere to rules set out by the festival organisers. Attendees must take a lateral flow test on the morning of the event and receive a negative result to enter the festival. As part of the wider scientific research on the trial events, the Download Pilot attendees will also be asked to take a PCR test before and after the event to gather further evidence on the safety of the festival camping experience, reduced social distancing and the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions like face coverings. They will also have to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace to ensure everyone can be traced in the event of an audience member receiving a positive test after the event.

Big Green Coach is providing safe coach travel to the event from Birmingham, Birkenhead, Bradford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Victoria), Manchester and Sheffield, straight to the heart of Donington Park. Visit https://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/events/download-pilot-test-event-coach-travel for more details.

Full line up of bands announced:

Friday: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Neck Deep, Sleep Token, Boston Manor, Holding Absence, Hot milk, Malevolence, Death Blooms.

Saturday: Enter Shikari, While She Sleeps, Creeper, Stone Broken, Twin Atlantic, Yonaka, Those Damn Crows, “A”, Vukovi, Tigercub, Wargasm, The Hara, Bleed From Within, As Everything Unfolds, Conjurer, Lotus Eater.

Sunday: Bullet For My Valentine, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Skindred, The Wildhearts, Trash Boat, Massive Wagons, Elvana, Jamie Lenman, Lonely The Brave, Higher Power, Loathe, Chubby and The Gang, Employed To Serve, Cassyette, Saint Agnes, Static Dress.