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Download Pilot reveal festival lineup

The lineup for this year’s Download Pilot has been revealed!

After sending rock and metal fans into a fever pitch earlier this week with the news that Download Festival would be returning this year as part of an official COVID-19 test event, now, the lineup for this year’s Download Pilot have been revealed!

FRANK CATER & THE RATTLESNAKESENTER SHIKARI and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will headline the 10,000 capacity test event whilst the likes of NECK DEEPSLEEP TOKENHOLDING ABSENCEBLEED FROM WITHINWHILE SHE SLEEPSSKINDRED will perform across the three days in June.

Also confirmed for the pilot event is BOSTON MANORHOT MILKMALEVOLENCEDEATH BLOOMSCREEPERSTONE BROKENTWIN ATLANTICYONAKATHOSE DAMN CROWSAVUKOVITIGERCUBWARGASMTHE HARAAS EVERYTHING UNFOLDSCONJURERLOTUS EATERFRANKER TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULSTHE WILDHEARTSTRASH BOATMASSIVE WAGONSELVANAJAMIE LENMANLONELY THE BRAVEHIGHER POWERLOATHECHUBBY AND THE GANGEMPLOYED TO SERVECASSYETTESAINT AGNES and STATIC DRESS.

Speaking about the lineup, Download booker Andy Copping says, “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.”

Rou Reynolds of ENTER SHIKARI says, “after 18 months trapped inside, we cannot wait to be back in our favourite element; playing music beneath an open sky. Its also fitting, as we have a long history with Download, 2021 being the 15th anniversary of our first time there – which also happened to be our first ever festival show! We’re incredibly proud to be headlining an event that helps to get live music back on its feet in the UK.”

Matt Tuck of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE adds, “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!” And Benji Webb of SKINDRED says, “there is nothing that beats the experience of a live rock n roll show especially after all the lockdowns, it’s something that cannot be downloaded and does not work either as a livestream. So to be involved in this much needed and very special pilot event is an honour. We cannot wait to celebrate and bring the party to Donnington Park SKINDRED style again this June!”

More information on the Download Pilot event can be found here.

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

James Weaver

Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Distorted Sound Magazine; established in 2015. Reporting on riffs since 2012.