Download festival to return with 10,000 campers

Download festival, the UK’s biggest British created rock festival, returns this year after last years cancellation.

Download, which expects to attract over 10,000 guests, is part of a Government research programme. This programme is assessing how to best move forward with large public gatherings following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions

The scaled down Download festival, known as Download Pilot, will return to the original venue in Donnington Park. The festival will have a guest capacity of just 10,000. This is just 10% of the normal guest amount of 100,000.

Festival goers can mosh, and will not need to socially distance, but must provide proof of a negative test. The campsite is open for the entire three days of Download Festival, but campers must consent to testing on arrival and departure.

Download Festival Reopening represents “the next step”

The head of The Festival Republic, Melvin Benn, says he is pleased to contribute to the Governments plans to reopen. Following the success of Sefton Park, he believes the next step will help understand large scale events.

By contributing to the second stage of the reopening, Melvin hopes the “large scale festivals” will return. The news is set to be happily received by thousands of crew, caterers and musicians. All those who “form part of the UK’s exemplary live music industry”.

Liverpool Council reports no link to Covid 19 outbreaks following its pilot events. Critics say that the success is to help “bolster” support for the new Covid vaccines.

Following a three day business festival, including Sefton Park gig, only saw seven people having Covid after the event. Identifying room for improvement, approximately 25 – 43% attendees returned their PCR test. The events show lateral flow tests will be a “key part of the jigsaw going forward” between promotors, organisers and local public health teams.

The tickets for Download Festival will go on sale Tuesday 1st June 2021.

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