Music
A brief (animated) history of Download Festival
Before the world’s greatest metal festival kicks off in Donington Park, watch our exclusive film.
3 min
Festival Stories: The History Of Download
How the UK's heavy rock and metal festival turned into one of the world's most famous events.
As far back as we can remember (the early 80s), Donington Park in England's leafy county of Leicestershire has been welcoming the heaviest of metallers to drink, mosh and be merry.
In 2003, the volume was turned up to 11 with the birth of Download Festival, the essential summer destination for the world's hardiest rock bands and their dedicated fans.
Over the years, the festival has evolved into a three-day event of gloriously noisy excess with the likes of Breed 77, Slipknot, Rage Against The Machine, AD/DC, Iron Maiden, Rammstein and countless more gracing the hallowed mud-caked stages.
With the 2014 edition of Download kicking off from June 13-15, we've taken a look back at the historical highlights of the festival that will remain forever hardcore in our exclusive film. Check it out in the player above.
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