Download Festival 2021 cancelled; KISS, Iron Maiden, Biffy Clyro to headline next year
KISS, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro have been announced as headliners for Download 2022, while this year's edition of the festival has unfortunately been scrapped again.
While this year's Download has sadly been cancelled and now joins the growing list of events that are still being affected by coronavirus, the festival has unveiled the headliners for next year's long-awaited event.
Topping the 2022 Download Festival bill are KISS, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro, with the festival team confirming that the rock and metal weekender will be happening at Donington Park from June 10 – 12 next year (tickets go on sale this Friday, March 5 via downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets).
"Downloaders, your 2022 headliners are here!" announces festival boss Andy Copping. "Rock'n'roll legends KISS will be kicking off Friday in style, Iron Maiden will return bringing with them mascot Eddie and more fire than we can handle, and what better way to end the festival than with Biffy who will leave us awestruck with their energy. I’m counting down the days already!"
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"Like everyone, we were all hugely disappointed when the global pandemic forced the cancellation of Download 2020 which would have been Maiden’s seventh time headlining here," says Bruce Dickinson. "So we are delighted to be invited back and fulfil our ambition of playing Donington Park in every decade since the 1980s!
"As most people know, this festival is hallowed ground for us – and Eddie! – and our fans’ vocal support and enthusiasm is always phenomenal and much appreciated. We can’t wait to see everyone again, and are determined to make the show one hell of a party and the greatest homecoming ever!"
"I’ve said it before, Download Festival audiences are the best," adds KISS' Gene Simmons. "They are up for whatever is thrown at them. KISS is going to come fully prepared to rock their world in 2022 to say thank you for always showing up for us."
"Download will be the culmination of 47 years of unapologetic bombast and spectacle," continues Paul Stanley. "We will make this a fitting farewell to a country and its people whose music remains the blood in our veins."
Many, many more bands and artists will, of course, be announced in the run-up to Download Festival 2022.