Ask me which music festival I enjoyed covering most in 2004 and I’ll answer Download at Donington. Great weather, a formidable heavy rock line-up, good organisation and a massive crowd – all combined to make this a fabulous fest, and one I can heartily recommend.

So what’s happening in 2005?

Well, more. Lots more. The festival kicks off on Friday 11th June and finishes on Sunday 12th June – that’s three instead of the previous two days. Three days means more acts and while the list is being added to daily, the main headline acts are pretty well in place.

In addition to the maniacs throwing themselves around and above the Snickers arena, this year’s Download goes for some of the softer rock acts like Feeder and Garbage – both great live acts – to lead off proceedings on Friday. However, one name should chivvy things up just a tad on Friday, and that’s Billy Idol. With a new album out soon and therefore new songs, Idol could well turn out as the day’s highlight. We’ll see…

Saturday’s line-up is headed by Black Sabbath so watch out for Sharon in the wings (and probably on stage as M.C.) and of course hubby showing us all how it’s done. It’s a welcome Download return for HIM and the opportunity to catch a band I’ve wanted to see for a while, Velvet Revolver.

Sunday is looking like a screamer with headliners System Of A Down, and Slipknot making a welcome return after fabulous Download 2004 showing. Slayer is also returning to repeat the dose after providing one of the best performances of the fest last year.

AND THAT’S JUST FOR STARTERS!

Add to the above more and better camping facilities with some reasonable all-in ticket prices and Download 2005 will undoubtedly break attendance records again. To keep abreast of the line-up, latest news and ticket availability check out the fest web site at www.downloadfestival.co.uk.

And just to give you a reminder of last year’s amazing event we’ve reprised our extensive 2004 Download fest report.

ENJOY!