Cancelled in March, the Download in the United Kingdom will have a "test edition" in June of this year, before the event has its official edition in 2022 – with Deftones, Korn, Kiss and Iron Maiden among the attractions.
The event is part of the Event Research Programme , a pilot project by the British government to test the holding of large gatherings after the pandemic. With a capacity of 10,000 people, the event, which usually receives 110,000, will allow people to walk around without masks, camp, and even mosh during the sets – provided that all fans have tested negative for COVID-19.
All those who purchase tickets will have to take a home test and a PCR test before heading to the venue. At the entrance, they will have to present the official test results. Five days after the festival, the organizers will ask everyone to take the PCR test again to assess the degree of risk and transmission at controlled events.
The Download Pilot will take place between June 18th and 20th, with Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari , and Bullet for My Valentine as headliners, respectively.