Download Preview – 12-14 June 2015
Preview: Download Festival 2015
Rock and metal’s biggest party is almost ready to roll; with just over a month until this year’s Download Festival takes over Donington Park, we take a closer loom at what’s on offer for the 2015 vintage.
The Music
Let’s start with Download’s reason for being; the bands. As is always the way with this fabulous festival, the lineup of bands making their way to the East Midlands next month is mightily impressive – from the headliners to the openers and pretty much everyone in between.
Take a look at the three main headliners first – Slipknot, Muse and the legendary KISS. Not bad, is it? Then add in the other big names from the main stage – whether that’s Judas Priest on the Friday, Faith No More as the sunsets on Saturday or Motley Crue’s (likely) final UK show on the Sunday – and it’s already exciting.
But Download isn’t just about one stage, oh no. There’s a second stage that will play host to headline sets from Black Stone Cherry, Marilyn Manson and Enter Shikari – ably supported by Thunder, Black Veil Brides and Lamb of God – while Fightstar, Andrew WK and Yellowcard get to top the third stage.
Want more? How about a fourth stage headlined by A, Hey Hello and Suicidal Tendancies? And this list barely scratches the surface of a phenomenal list of great bands playing across all four stages over the weekend.
Don’t just take our word for it – check the lineup for yourself.
After Hours
If all that live music isn’t enough and you fancy rocking all night as well as partying every day at Download, well, you can by visiting the Doghouse.
The Doghouse, located in the campsite village, will bring together some of the hottest rock clubs from around the UK to keep pumping out more great music until 3am, starting on the Wednesday evening and going right through to the small hours of the Monday morning.
Among the Doghouse lineup, you’ll find Uprawr, Ultimate Power and a special set from fast-food themed tribute band Mac Sabbath. See the full list right here.
Love is in the air – and other goodies
There’s also loads to more Download than just the music, including a couple of of interesting options for all the lovers…
Firstly, there will be a giant inflatable Church in the Village that will feature Download’s first ever wedding chapel. In the chapel, you’ll be able to unofficially marry anything you like – beer, beards, donuts or even your significant other.
If you’re in need of someone to marry in the chapel, you could always the Download speed dating a go, with the introduction of Heavy Metal Dating – more info about this will follow closer to the festival time.
As well as all of the soppy stuff, there’s plenty more extra-curricular activities at Download to get excited about, including a beer and real ale house, Laser tag, circus skills workshops, Progress Wrestling, a cinema, a silent disco and even a mask making workshop.
On top of that, there’s also the chance for you to take the stage…sort of; with the Dog’s Bed Stage, the festival will provide you with a range of instruments and you can pick one up and play to a crowd – kind of like an open mic event, but at Download! More details about how to sign up for the Dog’s Bed Stage will be released nearer the time.
Are you ready to rock?
Camping is a big part of the festival experience, but the whole lugging your equipment round and trying to put up your tent bit can be a bit of a pain. Well, Download have thought of a solution for you…Ready to Rock camping upgrades.
With these upgrades, you just have to turn up and there will be a pre-pitched tent waiting for you. You can even pay a little extra and buy airbeds and sleeping bags too, which you can then take home. Not only that, but the Ready to Rock campsite will be nearer to the Village and will have specially reserved showers and toilets.
To upgrade to Ready to Rock campaign, click here.
And finally…leave the money at home
One final piece of news that our preview wouldn’t be complete without – Download will this year become the first major UK festival to go cashless, with the introduction of Dog Tags. How will it work? Well, something like this…
When you receive your Download tickets you will be pointed to this webpage (link to www.downloadfestival.co.uk/rfid-dogtags) where you will be able to register your profile & link your ticket. Once that’s done, you will be good to start loading money onto the Dog Tag.
Then, once you arrive at Donington this will happen:
Download staff will exchange your physical ticket for your personal Dog Tag wristband (exactly in the same way as you normally would)
Your Dog Tag will be pre-loaded with the funds you’ve added in advance
Throughout the weekend, you’ll pay for food, merch and drinks with Dog Tag and you can check your balance at all times during payment and at balance check points. (Receipts will be issued as normal on request)
If you run out of credit, there will be loads of points on-site which you can top up using your debit or credit card and with cash (notes only), or via the website or Download app
And if you’ve got credit leftover, you’ll automatically be refunded after Download has finished to the first card you used to top up online, or to the bank account details you supply if you’ve topped up on site.
Can’t wait? Neither can we!
Well, we don’t know about you but we’re now even more excited for Download 2015 – check back with us in a few weeks for our selection of bands we’re most excited to see and then we’ll hopefully see you down the front!
Download 2015 runs from Wednesday 10 – Sunday 14 June. For more information about the festival, or to buy tickets, visit www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
Words – Dave Musson