The three headliners for 2019's Download Festival have finally been announced along with seventeen other artists. Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool are topping the bill at the three-day rock festival this summer, with tickets set to go on sale this week.
Download Festival 2019
Def Leppard
Look who's returning to Download for the third time in their only UK appearance of 2019! The 80s metal band from Sheffield will be playing their epic number one 1987 album Hysteria in full, so that's one way to "pour some sugar on" festival season. They've sold 100 million records in their career and last year won the Brick Wall Award at the Planet Rock Awards.
"[Download] has a very special place in our hearts and it's such a great place to play", frontman Joe Elliott said in a statement. "We are going to put on a very special show for our UK fans. Can't wait to see you all there!"
Slipknot
These guys have played Download at least five times, and it will mark their second time co-headlining with Def Leppard. Slipknot's live shows are always unforgettable appearances for their fans, who will no doubt be hoping for renditions of Duality, Psychosocial and Spit It Out.
Tool
Probably the most exciting addition, Tool are back thirteen years after they made their Download debut. In fact, they haven't released another album since 2006's 10,000 Days, so it's a great chance to hear them play again. They insist that a new album is coming next year, though we refuse to get our hopes up after waiting for it for four years already.
"It's not quite been 10,000 Days since we have been able to indulge in one of our favourite alt-rock bands, but after thirteen years I am thrilled to announce Tool are finally making their long-awaited return to Download", said Download's Andy Copping.
Other artists
More big names on the Download 2019 roster include Slash alongside his band Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators who released their third album Living the Dream in September, and Whitesnake who are set to drop their thirteenth studio album Flesh & Blood next year.
Satanic sensation Rob Zombie will also liven up the stage, as well as South African hip hop duo Die Antwoord - Zefside represent! And let us not forget punk supergroup Me First And The Gimme Gimmes featuring Spike Slawson of Swingin' Utters, Lagwagon's Joey Cape and Dave Raun, Chris Shiflett from Foo Fighters and Fat Mike of NOFX.
Also announced are: Reel Big Fish, Trivium, Opeth, Power Trip, Skindred, Starset, Tesla, The Amity Affliction, Underoath, Amon Amarth, Carcass and Delain.
Download 2019 will take place at Donington Park, Leicestershire from June 14 to 16. Tickets will go on sale at 2pm on Thursday (October 25) at a cut price until November 6, so get them while you can!
Tagged in Def Leppard Download Festival Slipknot