Download Festival 2013
Photo: MLK
The Download Festival is among the best heavy metal festivals in the UK and will take place from June 14th to June 16th at Donington Park. This years line-up is amazing like every year and includes Iron Maiden, Slipknot and Rammstein.
This is Download Festival has over 100 bands performing on 5 stages. Friday hosts headliners Slipknot. Slipknot’s set will mark their fourth appearance at Donington and their second as a headliner. The last time Slipknot played Donington, they’re headline performance became a Donington legacy. The stage was set up with three sets of drums, one of which revolved in circles, rose up in the air and was fitted with empty beer barrels. Other bans performing on Friday are Korn and Bullet for my Valentine among others.
Saturday is all about British metal icons, Iron Maiden. It has been 25 years since their first performance at Donington and the British legends returning to the stage. The band will perform an up-to date version of their “7th Tour of a 7th Tour” concerts. Front man Bruce Dickinson said: “The idea of returning exactly 25 years later with a show inspired by that same tour was too good an opportunity to be missed. We will be bringing a huge new lightshow, stage set, various incarnations of Eddie, plenty of pyro and all kinds of other exciting stuff.’’ This will be Iron Maiden’s fifth time at the festival. Other bands performing on Saturday are Queens of the Stone Ages, Motorhead and the Young Guns.
Sunday will be headlined by German metal legends Rammstein. The German rockers are known for their outlandish and dramatic stage shows, including pyrotechnics, and crazy costumes. During their “Reise” Tour, they wore Lederhosen, corsets and vague military uniforms. Richard Z. Kruspe says : “You have to understand that 99 per cent of the people don’t understand the lyrics, so you have to come up with something to keep the drama in the show.’’ This is the first time the band will perform at the Download Festival. Other bands performing on the final day of the festival are 30 Seconds to Mars. Mars have been rumoured to split after their 2011 Leeds and Reading Festival. However, they are back and they are kicking off 2013 by performing at Download.
This weekend is a must for any metal fan. Tickets are on sale now with camping packages also being available.
