FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Download Festival

Located at the not so sunny Donington Park, rock festival Download is back for yet another year this Friday, 10th-12th June! The festival caters for so many fans of the rock and metal genres, mixing it up from classic heavy metal to pop-punk and has gained its name as one of the biggest rock festivals in Europe.

The festival itself derives right from the classic Monsters of Rock, Donington Park being the place for a true rock weekend. Since its beginning in 2003, Download has seen many bands come and go, comebacks and farewells, bands climbing up the stages each year and an army of people feeling as though they are truly at home.

2016 has no reason to be different at all and whilst the line-up can sometimes be moaned about for hours at a time, this one certainly makes all goers remember why this is the ultimate festival to go to. Headline the festival this year is RAMMSTEIN, BLACK SABBATH and IRON MAIDEN, all artists have made their name in the rock and heavy metal genres, the latter two being at the very beginning. This year will see the last festival performance from the Godfathers of heavy metal, BLACK SABBATH as they bid a final farewell to the band that kick started a genre to rule all.

BLACK SABBATH’s Ozzy Osbourne, says on Download, “Download is my absolute favourite summer festival.  It’s always like coming home. See you all there!”

Also joining this year’s line-up is KORN, MEGADETH, SKINDRED, NIGHTWISH, AMON AMARTH, PERIPHERY, NAPALM DEATH, SAXON, NOFX, ALL TIME LOW, JANES ADDICTION, BURY TOMORROW and loads more!

Alongside of the extensive line-up, the main stage will be called ‘The Lemmy Stage’ for one year only after the iconic frontman and bassist of MOTӦRHEAD passed away in December 2015. The band was meant to have been playing beneath KORN and RAMMSTEIN on the Friday but now in its place will now be a 20 minute tribute video to the man who also helped shape an entire genre.

Moving away from the music, don’t forget that WWE’s NXT will also be at Download this year in the arena, so if you’re not feeling watching a band, why not go and watch some men in lycra shorts jumping from the ring ropes and giving a hearty smackdown.

If you’re a happy camper, don’t forget to check out some of the cool events going on such as fancy dress Friday where you have to go as your favourite superheroes and the Doghouse where you can experience club nights from Uprawr and Rawkus before getting your cheese on to some MEATLOAF!

Whatever you do though, be safe, be kind and have fun! If in the event of you needing any help, don’t forget that there are lots of welfare people dotted about and some lovely police officers who just want you to have the best time ever.

If you’re wondering if you’ll have any fun, here is the Editor-In-Chiefs of Distorted Sound James and Jessica and Photo Editor Katie having a whale of a time at the front of this picture! Check out the line-up below this!

Still don’t think Download is going to be fun or want to refresh your memory of a line-up? Here goes!

You can still buy tickets on the Download Festival website