Slipknot
The UK’s premier rock festival, Download Festival, spanning 5 days giving you more ‘bang for your buck’ has revealed the first set of bands confirmed to play at this year’s event: Headlining one of the days will be Iowa metal titans Slipknot, who will bring their legendary masked 9-strong circus to Download for the third time.
Off the back of their critically acclaimed new album Invaders Must Die, dance-crossover kings The Prodigy will be making their second Download appearance, injecting a dose of fierce electronica and rock-rave beats – a live performance not to be missed. The Download Festival takes place 12-14 June 2009.
Other acts confirmed to play over the weekend are L.A. wildcats Motley Crue, who last time they came to Download played to a ram-packed tent to screaming fans, throwing out hits such as ‘Girls Girls Girls’ and ‘Dr. Feelgood’. Nu-metal stalwarts Korn will be returning to Donington for the fifth time, young power metallers Dragonforce will be inhumanly rampaging at this year’s Download too, as will circle-pit extraordinaires Devildriver. Finally, 2008’s heroes of drum ‘n’ bass / metal mash ups Penudlum will join the fray after a welcoming reception last year from the Download crowd.
The Download Festival continues to take place at Donington Park, which has established itself as the original and ‘spiritual’ home of all things rock since the first Monsters of Rock festival in 1980. The benefit of Download Festival at Donington Park in its seventh year is that it has enabled festival organisers to confirm some changes to the site layout, improving the festival experience of everyone attending this year.
Following one of the regular Fan Forums, in which Download fans get to speak directly to organisers with suggestions and improvements, it has been confirmed that the campsites will be closer to the main arena, and the design of this year’s site will enable a more integrated festival experience with one main expanded arena incorporating all three stages.
Organisers have also announced that gas cylinders will not be permitted in the campsite, campers are advised to use disposable BBQ’s or Hexi Stoves. With the Download Festival renowned worldwide for its excellent on site facilities and 24hour entertainment, this year’s event will more than ever reflect the recommendations from its fan base to make the festival bigger and better than ever.
‘We have gone to great lengths to communicate with our core fan base and listen to what they want at Download in relation to facilities, activities and the bands. This years festival is going to be better than ever with a brand new arena designed by our fans and a great line up of music!’ commented Live Nation COO and Festival Director John Probyn.
Live Nation VP of Promotions and Download Festival Promoter Andy Copping added, ‘This year more than ever before, Download Festival celebrates the history of Donington and all that is ‘rock’. With acts such as Slipknot, The Prodigy and Mötley Crüe already confirmed to play, this just shows how varied and diverse the rock genre can be and we are delighted to reflect this with our 2009 line up.’
Tickets for the Download Festival 2009 go on sale at 9am on Friday 13 February from the multi award winning Download Festival website www.downloadfestival.co.uk. Over the five day period, including three incredible days of music across three stages, Download festival-goers will be guaranteed ‘more metal for their moolah’.
A range of “RIP” packages will once again be available for those seeking a truly unique festival experience.
From ‘Corpse Corner’, ‘Sin City’ and ‘Lucifer’s Lair’ in RIP Park Farm Camping, for those in need of some peace and quiet after a hard day’s rocking, to RIP Pod City which hosts double pod pads with fitted carpet and groundsheets, to Kip ‘n’ Kit Boulevard, with tents already put up plus airbed, sleeping bag and torch, Download Festival caters for both first time festival goers and those hardened festival revellers who simply want to put their head down in comfort at the end of each day.
It doesn’t stop there – RIP Tipis in the Skeletal Reserve mean the Download Festival experience is reminiscent of the Sioux Indians’ traditional habitation, Tomb-Town Myhabs are the creative new innovation for camping at festivals and for doing your bit for the environment, with tents made entirely out of recycled plastic and waterproof cardboard and finally Yurtels, for those who are truly after an indulgent and comfortable stay, with twin, double or king sized beds, crisp white linen sheets, fresh flowers and even chocolate on the pillows!
Download Festival 2009 Ticket Information
Weekend Tickets - £135
Car Park – £10 advance / £20 on day
Camping – £25
Campervans - £40
Lockers – £11
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison
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