Download festival 2021 has been cancelled for the second year in a row, despite other festivals, including Reading and Leeds, recently announcing they would be going ahead this year.
A statement was shared on the festival’s Twitter page on Monday, confirming this year’s event will not be doing ahead amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic – with the lifting of restrictions on large gatherings coming into effect after the original festival date of June 4-6.
The annual metal festival is held at Donington Park, Derby, and was set to see Kiss, Biffy Clyro, and System Of A Down take to the stage this year.
Other acts on the line-up included Deftones, KORN, Steel Panther and The Distillers.
Festival organisers insisted the music event will go ahead in 2022 and will see Kiss and Biffy Clyro remain as headliners, with Iron Maiden added to the bill after originally being set to perform in 2020.
A tweet, which accompanied a lengthier message, read: ‘We’re sorry to announce that Download 2021 will no longer be taking place. Please read the full statement below.
‘Download will return stronger than ever 10th – 12th June 2022 with headliners @kiss, @IronMaiden, and @BiffyClyro. 🖤’
A statement read: ‘We never gave up hope of bringing the festival back to Donington this June and had been working so hard behind the scenes to make that happen, but we now know it’s not possible.
‘We’re heartbroken for everyone in the Download family, from artists to suppliers and of course our passionate Download fans.’
It went on to insist the festival would be back June 10-12 next year as the headliners were confirmed.
The statement continued: ‘We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the NHS for their extraordinary efforts in rolling out the vaccine, as well as thanking all of you for your patience and for keeping the spirit of Download alive until we can be together again.’
Those who landed a ticket to the festival will be able to carry it over to 2022, or receive a refund, as punters were encouraged to keep an eye out for an email detailing more about the process.
‘Horns up,’ the statement concluded. ‘We’ll see you in 2022.’
Fans shared their disappointment at the news, seeing as many festivals have insisted they will hold an event in 2021, as the Covid-19 vaccine continues its roll out nation-wide.
Another was calling for different headliners: ‘You’d think you’d wanna make it special next year! F**k them headliners off and go all out with some decent ones! Not the same old sh*t all the time!’
Along the same vein, anothed begged of organisers: ‘Please get Korn on the list!!! And system of a down. They were the best part of this line up. 2 years we waited for this. Please.’
Still, others were understanding of the decision, as another noted: ‘The right decision this year, regardless of restrictions. Personally I wouldn’t feel safe at a festival this year, too soon. Hoping for another virtual Download this year, and hoping to be back with the download family next year, when it’s hopefully safe to be in a crowd.’
One was pretty chuffed with the line-up, despite having to wait another year to witness the performances: ‘The right decision and for me personally the best combination of headliners we’ve had over the 3 options! Roll on 2022.’
