DOWNLOAD PILOT LINE-UP HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! FIND OUT WHO’S PERFORMING HERE…

Posted on by Oran


With so much unsettled and grim news in the live music industry, the prospect of Download UK hosting a smaller version of their annual behemoth event has raised hopes of things returning to normal sooner rather than later.

Today, DL organisers announced a boat-load of bands that will be taking to the stage on the infamous Donington site in front of a capacity of ten thousand punters between 18th/20th June.

Among the bands performing, headliners Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shakari, and Bullet for My Valentine will be joined by the likes of Sleep Token, Loathe, Skindred, Frank Turner, Yonaka, Neck Deep, While She Sleeps, Stone Broke, The Wildhearts and many more…

The official statement reads: “Downloaders, we couldn’t be more hyped to announce that we will be running a pilot event as part of the second phase of the Government’s Event Research Programme. It’s gonna be a 10,000 capacity camping festival in Donington Park!

Everybody on site will have taken a lateral flow test before entry and received a negative result and will have taken a PCR test too. That means you’ll be able to mosh, dance, hug your fellow Downloaders, and rock out without a mask or social distancing. Frankly, we can’t think of anything that sounds more awesome after 15 months away from our hallowed ground.

Researchers from Public Health England will be overseeing the study. They will be gathering data on transmission risk, the suspension of social distancing and face coverings over several consecutive days. This data will help to ensure that events later this summer can go ahead safely.

There are certain criteria the science bods need you to fulfil for their research (being over 16 is one example). Anyone who wants to attend will need to read and agree to a consent document first to ensure they understand the research process and meet these criteria before they can buy a ticket.

To say thank you for sticking with us through these tough times, Download 2022 ticket holders will be given first dibs for 48 hours on tickets for the pilot event.

You’ll need to take a Lateral Flow Test at home and it has to be negative for you to enter the event. If you test positive, don’t worry – you’ll be refunded. The researchers also need you to take a PCR test and drop it in a Priority Post Box before you get to the event. All you need to show at the gate will be your ticket, matching ID and your negative lateral flow test result (this will be shown as a text or email from the NHS).

Five days after the event, you’ll be asked to take a second PCR test and send it back to the ERP. These post-festival tests are really vital to the research and you must send yours back!

We’ve missed all our Download fam so much and can’t wait to see you all again. This is going to be epic! \m/

For more details on the Events Research Programme and the testing procedure, please see here:

Oran O’Beirne

www.overdrive.ie 2021