Rock giants join line-up as Download to return
DAY tickets for next year’s Download Festival have gone on sale as 17 more bands are announced for June 2021.
These include Megadeth, Descendents, Boston Manor, Northlane, Venom Prison, Salem, The Skints, Renounced, Static Dress and The Injester.
They join the line up announced at the end of July, headlined by KISS, Biffy Clyro and System Of A Down, bringing the total number of acts on the list so far to more than 85.
The three-day festival at Donington Park, Castle Donington, dubbed the “spiritual home of rock”, is scheduled to take place from June 4 to 6 at its usual venue at Donington Park - having been forced to cancel this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Megadeth, one of the Big Four of American thrash metal, will be coming to Donington for the first time since 2016, as second stage headliners
Having recently celebrated their 35th anniversary, the legendary band, led by frontman Dave Mustaine, are set to play a selection of their biggest hits for Download.
And punk rock legends Descendents will be playing Download Festival for the first ever as third stage headliners.
The Californian punk band was formed in 1977, and can count Blink182, The Offspring, Green Day and NOFX in the list of bands who cite them as one of their biggest inspirations.
Download could not be more excited to welcome them as third stage headliners in 2021.
Creeper frontman Will Gould will not only be playing with Creeper at Download 2021, but now also with his new project UK duo Salem.
He said: “Excited and humbled to announce that Salem will be per
forming at this year’s Download Festival. Looking forward to staying out of the sun with you all in 2021.”
And it’s not all US bands as Blackpool pop punk favourites Boston Manor will also be playing.
Other British acts announced include; Welsh death metal outfit Venom Prison, London hardcore five-piece Renounced, exciting new emo outfit Static Dress, Lancaster rock band Massive Wagons, and London reggae punks The Skints.
Previously announced bands also include: Deftones, KORN, Steel Panther and The Distillers and camping tickets went on sale in August.
The appearance of Kiss at the fes
tival will be a UK exclusive. 2020 was due to be their final ever Download appearance, but due to Covid-19, they’ll be bringing their show to 2021 instead.
The final day headliners are System of A Down and bassist Shavo Odadjian said: “We’re disappointed we weren’t able to make it over this year, but we’re looking forward to next.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Mostly, we all just want to make sure everyone is provided with a safe and secure environment, so we were prepared to wait as long as we needed to.”
Download Festival spokesman
Andy Copping said: “2020 has been a tough year for us all, and we were beyond gutted not to be able to experience Download Festival with you all. We gave you Download TV to reflect on memories of the past, and what the festival means to all of us. Download 2021 is going to be something special and go down in the history books as when the Download family reunited.
“We’re going to be working hard behind the scenes to make Download 2021 an unforgettable experience and a celebration of the festival we all love.”
Tickets are on sale at downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets