We’ve heard the rumours, listened to the gossip and seen the speculation regarding the headliners for this year’s Download Festival, now we can reveal the truth. Confirmation has finally arrived from organisers that the planet’s biggest rock band AC/DC will be one of the headliners at the festival!
Taking place at Donington Park over a total of five days, with live music throughout the weekend of 11th to 13th June, is there any band better than AC/DC to help commemorate 30 years of rock at Donington. The band will no doubt perform with all guns - and possibly bells - blazing during what will be their fourth appearance at the venue where the rock icons previously gigged at the second Monsters of Rock concert back in 1981, and then again in 1984 and 1991. What makes this headliner extra special is that it will mark three decades of AC/DC at Donington Park, and their debut performance at Download festival.
With more bands still to be announced, already confirmed to join the party will be super group trio Them Crooked Vultures, the most talked about band of 2009 and fresh from touring a hugely anticipated debut album. The trio of rock legends Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones have incredibly never played at Donington before either, making this Download performance even more special. Also confirmed are reformed grunge rockers Stone Temple Pilots, playing their first show since regrouping for a massive North American tour in 2008. No strangers to the venue, metal giants Megadeth and Motorhead will be back, having already three previous appearances under their studded belts at Monsters of Rock and Download festivals.
With last year’s event selling out with 85,000 fans packed into the arena each day, organisers have announced that they will be increasing the capacity this year to accommodate the huge demand. John Probyn, of Live Nation explained, “The Donington site and its continuing flexibility should take some of the credit for the longevity and success of both Monsters of Rock and Download Festival. We are thrilled that our 30-year association with the site will be marked not only with a superb line-up, but also by the expansion of Download 2010 to accommodate more festival-goers than ever.” The increase in arena size will mean that Download 2010 will be the biggest UK music festival after Glastonbury.
Festival promoter Andy Copping has commented on this year’s extravaganza, “Download 2010 will be one for the history books. It will see the return of the world’s greatest rock band to the most legendary and spiritual home of rock. We have been pushing for this moment for many years, but for this to become reality alongside the likes of Them Crooked Vultures, Motörhead and Megadeth is the best 30th Anniversary of the site we could have dreamed of, it’s also going to be a fantastic tribute to Maurice Jones who started this all off back in 1980.”
Other artists also confirmed for the bill are heavy rockers Deftones, welsh metallers Bullet For My Valentine, Danish rockabillies Volbeat and – already confirmed for London’s Hard Rock Calling – Wolfmother will be bringing their Aussie rock show to the Download stage for their second time.
Download Festival is the UK’s premier Rock Festival. A mammoth 5 day rock event, based at the spiritual home of rock. Previous rock superstars headlining the event have included Slipknot, Faith No More, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, System of a Down, and Black Sabbath with 3 days of incredible live music, across 3 stages and over 100 bands performing. Those who have previously experienced Download festival will tell you that it is far more than just the music – it’s simply not to be missed.
Ticket prices for this year’s festival are:
Weekend Tickets – £145
Standard or Family Camping (3 days) - £25
Standard or Family Camping (5 days) - £35
Campervan supplement - £40
Campsite Lockers – £11
Advance Parking (until 31 May) - £15 / On The Day £20
For all other ticket options, prices and information go to the festivals website.
Weekend tickets for Download 2010 are available to buy from 9am on 29th January.
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