Iron Maiden and Kiss to Headline 2022 Download Festival

2021-03-03

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden performing live at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Michigan.

Story by Anne Erickson, photo by Ken Settle

Download Festival in the U.K. is being pushed to 2022, and the festival has already confirmed two headliners: Iron Maiden and Kiss

After several months of rumors, the U.K.’s Download Festival has been canceled for 2021. The festival, which serves as the counterpart to England’s Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds events, was originally scheduled to happen in June. Now, it’s being pushed to 2022.

The Download Festival takes place at Donington Park in Derby, England. The event was also scrapped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“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 sadly, we now know it’s not possible,” Download organizers say in a press release. “We’re heartbroken for everyone in the Download family, from artists to suppliers and of course our passionate Download fans.”

According to the festival, fans are welcome to retain their tickets and carry it over to next year or receive a refund from their ticket agents. “Look out for an email from them very soon and please only contact them if you have not been contacted after five days as they are very busy at this time,” a statement reads.

In more positive news, Download 2022 has already been set for June 10 through 12. KISS and Iron Maiden are schedule to headline the upcoming edition, as well as alternative rock group Biffy Clyro. Download will announce the full lineup will be announced at a later date. Both KISS and Biffy Clyro were scheduled to perform at the 2021 festival, so chances are, some of the 2022 performers will shadow the 2021 lineup. In a statement, the festival asserts that Download will be “as strong as ever” when it returns in 2022.

For more information on the upcoming festival, head to DownloadFestival.co.uk.

Glastonbury was also supposed to take place this June, but that festival has been canceled, too. As for Reading & Leeds, that event is still on track to happen this August.

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based reporter and radio host. She is an award-winning writer and has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne regarding Audio Ink Radio at anne@audioinkradio.com.