Download Festival 2024 is officially sold out

On the week Donington Park opens its gates

The crowd at Download Festival 2023
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 11th Jun 2024

Download Festival organisers have announced that the 2024 event is officially sold out.

It’s the second consecutive year Download Festival has sold out in advance of the Donington Park rock extravaganza opening its gates.

Last year’s 20th anniversary event, which was headlined by Metallica (twice), Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot, sold out more than a month before the event.

“For the second year running, we are thrilled to announce that Liquid Death presents Download Festival is officially SOLD OUT!,” Download said.

Download Festival 2024 sold out

“With the gates of Donington Park opening this week to our incredible community of fans, for what is set to be another remarkable year, we can now reveal that all weekend, day and camping tickets are sold out. A limited number of RIP camping options remain.”

Takin place from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June, Download Festival 2024 is headlined by Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold.

Other bands performing across the weekend include Black Stone Cherry, Pantera, The Struts, Tom Morello, Those Damn Crows, Royal Blood, Kerry King, Mr. Bungle, Corey Taylor, Limp Bizkit, Florence Black, and many more.

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The very first Download Festival in photos:

The Main Stage at Download Festival 2003

The very first Download Festival took place on the hallowed turf of Donington Park – home of the legendary Monsters of Rock – on Saturday 31st May to Sunday 1st June 2003.

Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003

Two-times Monsters of Rock headliners Iron Maiden topped the bill on the opening night of Download 2003.

Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003

Iron Maiden's performance at the inaugural Download Festival was part of their Give Me Ed... 'til I'm Dead Tour.

Deftones at Download Festival 2003

Other main stage performers on the Saturday were Marilyn Manson, Deftones (pictured), Ministry, InMe, Murderdolls, Amen, Funeral for a Friend, Stampin' Ground, Shadows Fall and Murder One.

Download Festival 2003 crowd

Years before the advent smartphones, the Download Festival 2003 faithful attended the event armed with disposable cameras.

Ministry at Download Festival 2003

Ministry's All Jourgenson sings into his understated microphone stand on the Saturday at Download Festival 2003.

HIM at Download Festival 2003

Ville Valo of Finnish gothic rockers HIM during the band's Saturday set on the Scuzz Stage. The second stage also boasted performances from A, Reel Big Fish, Taproot, Sepultura, Reef, SOiL, The Hellacopters, SikTh, 3 Colours Red, From Autumn To Ashes, Queen Adreena, Violent Delight, Arch Enemy, and Chimaria.

Download Festival 2003 crowd

Download Festival's name has a two meanings. The word 'Download' was a murky word at the time thanks to Napster and illegal downloading. Download was also seen as a Monsters of Rock for the 21st century and the internet would provide connectivity with its audience. Tickets had a download code on them so fans could get tracks by some of the bands performing.

Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003

Late rock legend Chris Cornell on stage with Audioslave during the band's main stage headline set on Sunday night at Download Festival 2003. It was Audioslave's only appearance at Download, however Chris Cornell would return with Soundgarden and as a solo artist.

Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003

Audioslave replaced original headliners Limp Bizkit on the line-up after Fred Durst and co. cancelled.

Keith Flint at Download Festival 2003

The late-great Keith Flint on stage with his fleeting solo band Flint on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003. The Prodigy headlined the second stage at Download Festival 2006 and 2009 before stepping up as main stage headliners in 2012.

Stone Sour's Corey Taylor at Download Festival 2003

Wearing a Union Jacket emblazoned with the words 'Donington' in marker pen, Corey Taylor played the very first Download Festival with Stone Sour. Slipknot have headlined Download five times since the festival's inception, and Corey has also performed as a solo artist over the past 21 years.

Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003

A truly landmark Download Festival moment, Metallica played a secret set on The Scuzz Stage on the Sunday afternoon.

Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003

Metallica performed a 10-song set on the rammed-to-the-rafters stage, including a clutch of tracks from their soon-to-be-released album 'St Anger'.

Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003

Also on The Scuzz Stage bill alongside Metallica on Sunday were NOFX, Boysetsfire, The Bouncing Souls, Strung Out, Thrice, Spunge, TSOL, The Real McKenzies, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Brand New, Instruction, Beatsteaks, Randy and Fabulous Disaster.

The Darkness' Justin Hawkins at Download Festival 2003

Justin Hawkins backstage before The Darkness' performance on The Main Stage. Audioslave, Zwan, Flint, Apocalyptica, Less Than Jake, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Evanescence, Mudvayne, Spineshank, One Minute Silence, Raging Speedhorn and Instruction also played on the second day.

Billy Corgan at Download Festival 2003

Billy Corgan on stage with Zwan on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003

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