KISS and Iron Maiden to headline Download 2022 after 2021 cancelation

Ticketholders for Download Festival have been hit with some bad news. Due to England’s new plans to ease out of COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 festival is no longer able to take place.

However, Download organizers have confirmed the festival will be back next year and have already announced the 2022 headliners.

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Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson detailed England’s plans to ease out of coronavirus restrictions. If all goes according to plan, the country could eliminate all restrictions by late June. However, this is all dependent on keeping coronavirus cases low and continuing the rollout of vaccinations.

Following this announcement last week, quite a few music festivals have unveiled their plans for the 2021 event season. Reading & Leeds Festival is still happening this August. In fact, after England’s COVID-19 restriction plans were announced, Reading Festival completely sold out with Leeds Festival not too far behind.

For Slam Dunk, however, a major scheduling change has been made. The 2021 event is no longer able to happen this May. So, organizers have officially moved the festival to this September.

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Now, organizers for Download have confirmed that the 2021 festival is not taking place this year after all. In a new statement, organizers say holding the event this June is no longer realistic.

“We can confirm that Download Festival will no longer be taking place this year, but we do have some exciting news for 2022. 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.”

Download Festival 2022 is happening on June 10-12. As well, KISS, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro are officially headlining next year’s event.

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Organizers go on to say that tickets purchased for the 2021 festival will remain valid in 2022. However, ticketholders will also be able to receive a refund.

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. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/eQ3xb0Djke

— Download Festival (@DownloadFest) March 1, 2021

So far, 2021 hasn’t been entirely positive for the live music industry. Over the past few weeks, both Glastonbury and Coachella confirmed neither festival is happening this year. As well, Epicenter and Sonic Temple have moved their event plans to 2022. Meanwhile, Halsey was forced to cancel her entire Manic North American tour while Dance Gavin Dance have postponed their Afterburner tour to this fall.

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Although some festivals and concerts are already canceled this year, others are still planning to happen. Louder Than Life, Welcome To Rockville and Inkcarceration are all scheduled to take place sometime in 2021.

As well, last year, we learned that Aftershock Festival is happening Oct. 7 – 10, 2021. My Chemical Romance and Metallica are returning as this year’s headliners. As well, Machine Gun Kelly, Rise Against, Parkway Drive and Rancid are also performing at the festival.

Source: altpress.com