Due to the rainy weather at Donington Park, Download Festival has issued a warning to festivalgoers about the muddy conditions that await them. The weather has caused some traffic issues for those arriving at the festival, but traffic is still moving steadily. The festival has advised attendees to prepare with drinks, snacks, and medication, and to turn on their hazard lights if they need assistance. Despite the adverse conditions, festivalgoers have remained upbeat, and even metal band Pantera referenced the muddy fields in a tweet showing a snippet of their set.
Last year’s festival experienced “unprecedented” congestion, causing major delays on surrounding roads and leading to 600 people missing flights at the nearby East Midlands Airport. This year, the festival expects 75,000 attendees over its three-day duration. Despite the difficult conditions, Download’s booker, Andy Copping, teased a surprise performance from a “big band.”
While the festival has managed to keep excitement levels high, it has also faced controversy. A number of bands boycotted this year’s edition due to the festival’s former ties with Barclays Bank and its role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Pest Control was the first band to drop out, stating that they would not “take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide.” Other bands followed suit, leading to Barclays pulling out of a number of festivals, including Download.
Despite the challenges, some festival performers used their platform to draw attention to global issues. Bambie Thug dedicated their cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” to those in Palestine, making a political statement amid the mud and chaos of the festival. Despite the weather conditions and controversies, Download Festival has remained a source of excitement and energy for metal music fans
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