Download are "continuing to work" on this summer's festival despite Glasto cancellation

Following yesterday's sad and worrying news that Glastonbury has been cancelled (again), Download Festival have been responding to gig-goers via Twitter stating that they are "continuing to work behind the scenes to get ready" for the June event.

The huge rock and metal weekender – which is scheduled to take place between June 4-6, 2021 – is currently still going ahead as planned, though the festival's social media team have been writing to followers that they "hope to have more news for you by March 1".

Of course, while Glastonbury would have taken place after Download in June, at around 200,000 capacity it is significantly bigger in size than Donington Park, which is why they likely had to pull the plug on it earlier.

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Speaking to the BBC in early January, general secretary of the Association of Festival Organisers Steve Heap said that smaller gigs and festivals would have up until April to make the call on their events, while bigger happenings had to be decided this month. "If we get as far as Easter and we still don't know that crowds can gather at festivals, however large or small, then we are in a catastrophic situation with this year's season," he said.

Announcing Glastonbury's cancellation yesterday, organisers Michael and Emily Eavis wrote: "With great regret, we must announce that this year’s Glastonbury Festival will not take place, and that this will be another enforced fallow year for us. In spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the festival happen this year. We are so sorry to let you all down."

They added: "We are very confident we can deliver something really special for us all in 2022!"

KISS, Biffy Clyro and System Of A Down will headline Download Festival 2021. Get your tickets now.

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