By Monk
The worst kept secret in metal is finally out of the envelope… Metallica are to perform not one but TWO headline shows at the newly-expanded 20th anniversary iteration of Download. The other headliners at the now four-day event will be Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot.
Guaranteeing not to repeat any songs over the course of their epic twin sets, which will be on the Thursday and the Saturday, Metallica said:
“We are next-level honoured to once again come back and partake in the Download shenanigans on the hallowed grounds of Castle Donington, which has an unparalleled place in rock history. On top of that, to be able to share our double show format with two completely unique sets with no repeat songs for the first time ever in the ÜK is way fuckin’ cool. Bring it on!!”
Speaking about the Sheffield steelers’ elevation to headline status some 17 years after they first appeared on a Donington stage, Bring Me The Horizon frontman Oli Sykes told us:
“Download Festival was one of the first festivals I ever attended as a punter. It was our first amazing festival experience to play as a band, and now the fact that we are headlining such a prestigious event blows my mind. We can’t wait to bring a whole new sound and show for the Download audience.”
Slipknot turntablist Sid Wilson added:
“Download Festival! So many great memories, one of the most amazing crowds to play in front of, always an honour to share the bill with so many amazing bands, and of course I’ll never miss the opportunity to play my homeland.”
Download’s Andy Copping summed up by saying:
“This year marks a huge milestone for Download, celebrating the incredible 20 years of the festival is no small feat. We really wanted to up the ante for this special anniversary, adding an extra day for the fans to experience the unforgettable lineup, that once again brings together unparalleled talent from the rock music world back to Donington Park!”
Among the other 60-plus bands included in the first Download 2023 announcement are Evanescence, Parkway Drive, Disturbed, Pendulum, Architects, Ghost, The Distillers, Placebo, Alexisonfire, Asking Alexandria, Motionless In White, I Prevail, The Blackout, Fever 333, Stray From The Path, Lorna Shore, Nova Twins, Municipal Waste and many more…
- Download 2023 takes place at Donington Park over the weekend of 8-11 June. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday (10 November).