Download Festival announces first 12 bands

The first bands for Download Festival 2020 have been announced!

The season of announcements for next year’s summer festival season is well and truly underway and Download Festival, the UK’s biggest festival for all things rock and metal, have announced the first bands for 2020’s event!

Headlining next year’s festival are IRON MAIDEN, KISS and SYSTEM OF A DOWN whilst THE OFFSPRING, KORN, DISTURBED, GOJIRA, ALESTORM, BLACK VEIL BRIDES, DAUGHTRY and OF MICE & MEN will all perform sets across the festival weekend.

Speaking about headlining next year’s festival, IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson says, “next year we will play a number of countries and cities we have yet to visit on this incredible tour, so it is terrific to be able to accept the invitation to return to Download in 2020 and we will certainly go to town and add a few extra items to the show. This will be our seventh time headlining at Donington Park. It’s home turf and we all really enjoy playing this Festival, the vibe from the crowd is always fantastic.”

After an epic and well documented 45-year career that launched an era of rock’n roll, the legendary KISS will perform in the UK at Download Festival 2020, in a UK Exclusive. They embarked on their final ever tour earlier this year under the appropriately named END OF THE ROAD. Gene Simmons from the band says, “I’ve said it before, Download Festival audiences are the best. They are up for whatever is thrown at them. KISS is going to come fully prepared to rock their world in 2020 to say Thank You for always showing up for us.” Paul Stanley adds, “Download will be the culmination of 47 years of unapologetic bombast and spectacle. We will make this a fitting farewell to a country and its people whose music remains the blood in our veins.”

And Shavo Odadjian of SYSTEM OF A DOWN adds, “from our appearances to many of my favorite bands’, Castle Donington has always had a special place in my heart. We’re proud and excited to continue its legacy.”

Download Festival takes place at Donington Park, Castle Donington from June 12th-14th 2020. Tickets will be on sale at 2pm on Wednesday September 25th via downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

For more information on Download Festival like their official page on Facebook.