Music and performance art festivals have become a celebrated element of British identity.
Glastonbury (the undisputed king of UK festivals) is now mentioned in the same breath as age-old society institutions like Wimbledon, Royal Ascot and the Henley Regatta – something unthinkable 15 years ago.
With Glastonbury having one of its sporadic fallow years (partly because of the Olympics), thousands of festival-goers are turning their attention to the dozens of other events scheduled to take place across the UK throughout June, July, August and September.
Download Festival held in the grounds of Donnington Park race circuit is one of the UK’s longest established and largest. Now in its 10th year, it has carved out a niche serving a loyal crowd with rock, heavy metal and punk.
This year’s bill features a mix of legendary acts like Metallica, Black Sabbath and Megadeath alongside less hardcore bands such as Tenacious D and Billy Talent.
The average Download fan tends towards a uniform of black T-shirt and baggy jeans, but whether or not you fall into that crowd, the mosh pit always welcomes willing headbangers to get their sweat on.
- Breathe – The Prodigy
- Iron Man – Black Sabbath
- Darkness Within – Machine Head
- Red Flag – Billy Talent
- Bob – NOFX
- Saturday Superhouse – Biffy Clyro
- Wonderboy – Tenacious D
- Black Rain – Soundgarden
- Bring The Noise – Anthrax
- Satellite – Rise Against
- I’m Shipping Up To Boston – Dropkick Murphys
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
