Download 2015 is coming up (Photo: Andrew Witton Download 2014)
So Download 2015 is fast approaching and if you haven’t decided about going yet, listen up.
The legendary Donnington festival is a Midlands key event and it’s a yearly pilgrimage for thousands of music lovers.
1 – Amazing Aesthetics
Avenged Sevenfold at Download 2014 (Photo: Danny North Download 2014)
With 4 stages scattered across the site, Download never fail to make their arena look amazing. With the towering main stage greeting you as you walk in to the gorgeous blue big top of the Pepsi Max Stage, it all fits into a picture that most will famously recognize. As well as the staging, the themed entrances, posters and of course the giant Download sign adds to the views as you walk through the grounds.
But not only are the organisers to blame for the eye candy, the bands are just as bad. With headliners that have to alert the nearby airports of their presence due to towering infernos of fire from the stage and tanks bursting onto the stage, bands are very well known for bringing spectacles to Donnington.
2 – Birmingham Bands
Thousands of fans attend Donnington each year (Photo: Tom Martin Download 2014)
With the West Midlands being the heart of Heavy Metal, Download is usually a homecoming show for a few bands. Namely this year two stand out. Evil Scarecrow, the West Midlands based Heavy Metal group, are well known for their unique songs and performances. With their most well known song ‘Robototron’, they are one most Brummie metal heads have heard of. But the main boys back in town are Judas Priest. The 40 year strong band are back in their birth place on their ‘Redeemer of Souls’ tour and it should rock Donnington to it’s foundations.
As well as bands from Birmingham, there are tons that have visited the Metal birthplace before and hail it as a haven for rock. With Thunder, Black Star Riders, Billy Idol and many more having visited in the past 12 months, they all know Birmingham for it’s amazing crowds and atmosphere.
3 – Camping Community
Download festival brings everyone together (Photo: Justine Trickett Download 2014)
Be it on your own or with a group of over 20, the camping at Download is always a fun occasion. Turn up, pitch your tent, sit in your chair and within 5 minutes, you’ll have 10 new friends around you with a shared love in the music and atmosphere of the weekend. As the weekend goes on, the recommendations spread between yourselves and you find new bands, music and drinks you’d have never even considered.
Not only that, but you’re never far from a friendly face in the arena or campsite. With many running round with Free Hug signs or trying to get high fives, the friendliness of the crowd is a exhilarating experience.
4 – Distinguished Donnington
Download has a long history of being a haven of Rock and Metal (Photo: Tom Martin Download 2014)
Legendary. Famous. Dream-worthy. These and so many more are words that have been used to describe the landmark weekend that occurs every year at Donnington. Be it rain, in the case of 2012 where the stage sunk but the weekend and music carried on, to clear skies, every year produces a festival that will be remembered. For many it with be their first, whether they are on stage or in the crowd, and for more it will be their return to the hallowed ground, but everyone realises the importance of Donnington.
From it’s creation of Monsters Of Rock, where countless legends have performed, from Black Sabbath to Alice Cooper, Iron Madien to Metallica, to the decade old Download festival where Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold and Rammstein have performed, the site has hosted globally known bands, old and new.
5 – Endless Eateries
Burgers Galore! (Photo: Danny North Download 2014)
Where would the world be without the walk-home kebab? The chip shop visit after the gig? Well even Download recognises the need for sustenance. With food trucks and marquees serving good old Fish and Chips, to Chinese, Tacos, Steaks and Ice Creams, there is no end of choice to keep the belly satisfied during the weekend.
Not only that, but the multitude of shops scattered around the site. Want a T-Shirt? Got it covered. Loaf of bread? You got it. Forgot the tent at home? Don’t worry, buy one here. There is very little you can’t get from a wonder through the village. Just make sure you don’t spend all your money on the fun fair and cotton candy…
Download 2015 is at Donnington Park from the 12th to the 14th of June.
For ticket information click here.
For the full line up click here.
