MAIN NEWS CHANNEL 2008

MAIN NEWS CHANNEL 2008 Main news channel for the Download Festival 2008 Website http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk en Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:31:38 GMT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:31:38 GMT 5 FOR THE WIN !! Download Community up for prestigioius BT Digital Music Award for the second year running We are delighted to announce that  YOU, the Download Festival Community, have been nominated as 'Best Music Community' in the prestigious BT Digital Music awards 2008.  We have won three consecutive BTDMA awards including last years 'Best Community'. This year we need your help to make it four consecutive awards for Download Festival. Show your support and vote now at <a href="http://www.btdma.com/index.php/dma08/voting">http://www.btdma.com/index.php/dma08/voting</a>. Votes close on 27th September, before that we need as many votes as possible. While you do not have to vote in every category, you can vote every day. Should we win, you can be sure that we will be sure to publish some wild photos of the Download Forum crew at the awards ceremony on this website. FTW - Rock the vote! Sophie Crosby General Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-09-17T00:00:00 693977e5-d844-4fe9-a62f-af9bf068e096 1 PHOTO GALLERIES NOW ONLINE Download photo galleries are now online, check out amazing shots of your favourite bands, crowd pics and more With thousands of images to sort through and upload, we have been working frantically since we got back from Download  to get them ready for you to view. Now we have <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/gallery/index.aspx">over 50 galleries uploaded</a>, we wanted to let you see these fantastic shots, and re-live some of the highlights... Check out the amazing stage show put on by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/gallery/index.aspx?title=KISS">KISS</a>; the Hannibal-Lecter style mask worn by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/gallery/index.aspx?title=Disturbed">Disturbed</a> front man Dave Dramian; or simply swoon to photos of Ville Vallo, our favourite goth heartrocker, in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/gallery/index.aspx?title=Him">HIM's</a> gallery.  Meanwhile, we think our photographer managed to capture some of the incredible energy put out there by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/gallery/index.aspx?title=Bullet%20for%20my%20Valentine">Bullet for My Valentine</a> in their astounding set.  You can see some Rob Halford's amazing costume changes in our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/gallery/index.aspx?title=Judas%20Priest">Judas Priest</a> gallery.  Plus, we have photos for one of our favourite bands of the weekend, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/gallery/index.aspx?title=Biffy%20Clyro">Biffy Clyro</a>... 'Mon the Biffy!  Check out these and many more - so far we have managed to upload photo galleries for nearly half of the bands playing at the festival. Remember to return tomorrow to see even more great photos coming online in time for the weekend. Sophie Crosby General Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-19T00:00:00 7a1e8cc3-e977-4e46-8601-cdca78203551 2 KISS YER FACE OFF Donington face paint extravaganza looks set to make world record... Hundreds of Starchildren, Cats, Spacemen & Demons recorded for posterity... In an attempt to set a world record for the most people made up as Kiss congregated in one place, fans at Download Festival came en masse to Donington, and submitted themselves to the expert artists from FACE, the UK's official face painting organisation. During a 2 hour period, FACE successfully made up 444 willing volunteers, a spectacular feat, meaning that the crowd at the main stage was packed with wannabe New York City Rockers.  We'll be keeping you posted on the official world record application which is being submitted next week. Meanwhile, watch this space for a truly amazing Rogue's Gallery - we intend to publish every participants image right here on the official website very soon... Sophie Crosby General Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-14T00:00:00 f9bb5de2-dc24-48b4-822f-01b3980ab11d 3 CHECK OUT THE LATEST FROM THE FESTIVAL Podcasts from Rhodri, the Lowdown presenter, and the Dogs Blogs, all right here on downloadfestival.co.uk Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/podcast/index.aspx">festival podcasts</a> by our fantastic new presenter and face of Download, Rhodri. We've been watching his work here on site at the festival, and in our eyes, the man is a LEGEND... never afraid to ask a difficult question, and always up for fun... If you couldn't get here, or you want to live it all again, see Download with Rhodri on his podcasts... Meanwhile, the Download Dog has been busy sniffing out all the best performances and the coolest stuff on site. Read more and check out some early pics in our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/dogs-blogs/index.aspx">BLOGS</a>. Sophie Crosby General Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-14T00:00:00 7ddf4284-ca9a-4393-89a2-50c038636f38 4 CRIME PREVENTION - MARK YOUR STUFF / TEXT THE POLICE! Txt msg service at Download 4 u to report crime / plus crime prevention - mark your stuff! We've got together with Leicestershire Police to help you have a safe, happy and crime free time at Download 2008. Following its success last year, the police have re-launched their text messaging and email service aimed at gathering information before, during and after the event.  If you have any information that might help prevent crime during the Festival then please use the text or email service. You can text ‘POLICE' followed by your message to 86688 or email <a href="mailto:downloadfestival.intel@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk">downloadfestival.intel@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk</a> . Have a SAFE DOWNLOAD: • Use the on-site lockers for your personal belongings; don’t leave anything in your tent when you are not in it.  You can either book a locker in advance through your ticket provider or buy one when you arrive for £5.  • If you can’t take your valuables with you when you leave the tent, leave them at home. • Put money, tickets, credit cards and mobile phones in a zipped pocket or use a money belt. • Do not bring large sums of cash. Only bring what you need and keep it on you at all times. • Postcode the property you do bring to Download so that it is identifiable.   • If you arrive by car, don’t leave anything on display in your vehicle including sat navs, car stereos, CDs or mobile phones.  Don’t put items in your glove box or the boot, this is the first place a thief will look.  Take everything with you or leave it at home. Security staff and police officers will be patrolling both the camp sites and the car parks and each campsite will have a ‘hub’ with a ‘hub’ manager where people can go to report problems.   The mobile police station will be on the site which will be used as a reporting centre if anyone needs to report a crime.   Community volunteers will also be working on the site giving out crime prevention leaflets and post coding your property if you have forgotten to do it before you arrive. Sophie Crosby General Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-11T00:00:00 c9f01810-035f-4a1e-bd1a-93d0ccb1f965 1000000 FREE ADVICE ON DRUG & ALCOHOL USE VIA BLUETOOTH Get free advice on sensible drinking, drugs and crime prevention via Bluetooth at Download The police and the Leicestershire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) are using cutting edge technology to get crime prevention and sensible drinking messages through to people at this year’s Download music festival. Workers from the Drug Intervention Programme will be walking around Donington Park using four portable Bluetooth boxes, each with the capability of sending quick-fire messages to mobile phones within a 25m radius. They will be working in a shift pattern from 10am until 2am on each day of the festival. Festival-goers with Bluetooth enabled mobiles will receive a note asking them if they want to receive a message.  If you accept, you'll be sent the FREE animated message, containing information on crime prevention, plus advice on alcohol and drug use.   Nick Jones, an Alcohol Strategy Officer with Leicestershire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said; "All partners involved believe the use of Bluetooth technology is a really exciting opportunity to get key personal safety, as well as drug and alcohol harm reduction messages, to the revellers throughout the duration of the festival. The messages will be quirky; they will raise a laugh in the spirit of the festival, but will also contain some useful tips to ensure that festival goers have a perfect Download." There will also be team of Drug and Alcohol Advice workers on site to provide specialist advice on substance misuse and harm reduction to anyone who requires support during the event. Sophie Crosby General Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-11T00:00:00 29ae5951-57e4-47be-9626-bb498939e815 1000000 THE DOG IS READY TO ROCK! So you're packed and ready to roll? - If you're heading to Download on Wednesday then I'll see you in the BIG TOP! WOOF! So you're packed and ready to roll? - If you're heading to Download on Wednesday then I'll see you in the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=1">BIG TOP</a>! The fun kicks off with <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=5">GUITAR HERO</a> from 8-10pm, followed by a few laughs as we catch some great <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=2">COMEDY</a> acts. At the end of the night, there's the chance to unwind with our Big Top ROCK CLUB - finishing up, I am sure, with a refreshing bowl of water (or maybe something stronger) outside my tent at the end of the day. You can check out the full line-up of happenings in the BIG TOP, including <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=3">BURLESQUE</a> on Thursday night and the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=4">SILENT DISCO</a> (weird - but cool!) on Friday night - <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=1">HERE</a>. The Big Top is not the only spot for late night action - the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=6">MONSTER ARMY CAMP</a> will be cranking out tunes from 10.30pm and the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=7">DURACELL POWERHOUSE</a> in the campsite has DJs each night until the early hours. During the day there's even more great stuff to squeeze into your schedule. Once you’ve planned your schedule catching all your favourite bands, make sure you leave time for the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=9">MONSTER BATTLEFIELD</a> with daredevil stunts on bikes, boards and more - total respect - these guys are amazing to watch. Remember, you can also try out all the latest games in the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=10">EA HUB</a>; and you'd be crazy to miss the opportunity to win a signed Jackson Demmelition King V Guitar in the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=11">JACKSON TENT</a>. I always make it my mission to suss out the full range of <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=8">FOOD & DRINK</a> stalls on offer when I arrive - I'm always hungry… New this year, a wood-fired pizza oven place in The Village, plus old favourites Smoky Tentacles, Le Grand Boeuf, Moccachino, Metfield’s organic bakery and much, much more… If you haven't figured out your ultimate festival hair-do yet, fear not, the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=12">POWDER ROOM</a> is in the main arena. As are the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/the-village/story.aspx?aid=13">GRAVEYARD ANGELS</a> whom I will certainly visit - no more getting back on the train, post-festival, with aching legs and paws this year… See you at the front! The Download Dog Amy Morrison General Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-10T00:00:00 1268d3a9-337c-4260-a8c6-fca62bb16ea3 1000000 ABOUT OUR AREA - DE74 RESIDENTS WELCOME YOU! Check out info on local businesses and services in DE74, courtesy of "About My Area"! We've been asked by local community website "About My Area" for DE74 (Castle Donington's postcode) to let you know about the Download Festival Visitors Guide that they have thoughtfully added to their site. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Derbyshire/Derby/DE74/DOWNLOAD-Festival-Visitors-Guide">Check it out here </a> As we type this story, on the morning of Monday 9th June, Download signs are being put up all around the village and local residents and businesses are gearing up for the inevitable disruption to their village lives.   Lots of extra facilities are being laid on - the Farmers’ Market will be available for fresh, economically priced produce; a Download Café will be open in the Church Hall; Derby City Council are providing a substantial number of taxis to ferry visitors too/from the village and lots more local information is available. The community website is full of information and is run/sponsored by local members of the community. <a title="http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/de74 blocked::http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/de74" href="http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/de74">www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/de74</a> Sophie Crosby General Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-09T00:00:00 75618eb6-1c8a-4c93-9e57-b183a15bf8cc 1000000 ARE YOU DEMON, STAR CHILD, CAT OR SPACEMAN? World Record attempt for the Most People Made Up As KISS - taking place at Download on Friday! Join us for our World Record attempt for the Most People Made Up As KISS - taking place at Download on Friday!  - Only you can help make it happen... We have joined forces with FACE, the official body of face-painters who are providing at least of 20 professional face-painters in order to achieve our goal!  - We hope to be able to set a record for over 400 faces painted within 3 hours.   Face painting by our accredited painters is FREE, please don't do your own make up - remember - in order to break the record, we can only accept faces painted by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facepaint.co.uk/">FACE</a> members. Expert face paint makers, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mehron.com/retail/">Mehron</a>, are very kindly sponsoring the attempt by providing all the necessary paint... The attempt will take place on Friday 13 June with face painting starting at 13:00 and finishing at 16:00.  - The face painters stations will be based in and on the edge of ‘Kidney Wood' which is the kidney shaped green area close to the day ticket entrance in the Main Arena. The stations will be split into four sections concentrating on each of the faces – The Demon, Star Child, The Cat and The Spaceman. Once you've had your face painted, you'll given details of where to congregate to be part of our mass KISS award-winning photograph! Sophie Crosby General Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-09T00:00:00 0ea731a1-469b-4df0-a7ad-7bbe592c837e 1000000 Gibson Guitar and Olympus LS-10 "Unsigned" contest WINNERS! Verra Cruz to play as first band on the Gibson stage Saturday 14th at 11:00am! Verra Cruz wins the Gibson Guitar and Olympus LS-10 "Unsigned" contest to open on the Gibson Stage at Download Festival 2008. Gibson Guitar, the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology announced that three-piece British rock band Verra Cruz was named as the winning band of the Gibson Guitar and Olympus LS-10 Unsigned contest. Verra Cruz will now open on the Gibson Stage at the Download Festival on Saturday 14th June. The band was chosen by a distinguished panel of music industry insiders: Kerrang's Katie Parsons, BBC Radio 1's Dan Carter and industry A & R specialist Olivier Behzadi. Verra Cruz was chosen to perform on the Gibson stage at Download from over 350 unsigned bands that entered this unique online contest. A & R specialist Olivier Behzadi said “The Verra Cruz clip had all of the judges on the edge of their seats. A superb 3 piece and a great performance….they were HUGE! All the judges were unanimous, ‘‘we've found our winner''. Marc James lead singer of Verra Cruz said of his bands win “We are honoured (and a bit shocked) to be given the opportunity to rock at the Download Festival on Saturday 14th. In the video that we posted, I was playing my 1950's Gibson Lap Steel, it will be coming home to grace the Gibson stage, bring it on” Verra Cruz also wins VIP passes for the day, van hire with a tank of petrol, hotel accommodation and an Olympus LS-10. For more info on Verra Cruz please visit the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?aid=082f569a-e33c-47bb-a80f-b3c3f0b443b5">artist page</a>. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=1a4c50fd-1520-4b13-880b-4ffc3c84564e Alexander Woodward General Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:30:00 GMT 2008-06-06T17:30:00 1a4c50fd-1520-4b13-880b-4ffc3c84564e 1000000 CAR SHARE & WIN VIP UPGRADES! Arrive at Download with 4 or more people in your vehicle be in with a chance to win VIP passes for the entire car! If you are driving to Download this year make sure you car share!  Have four or more people in your vehicle and go into a draw to win upgrades to VIP passes for the entire car.  As you arrive on site full cars will be given an entrance form, simply put your contact details on the form and hand it in to your campsite hub before Friday 13th at 5pm. We will then draw entries out and contact the winners to get instant VIP Ticket upgrades, winners will also be announced on the main stage screens. N.B. Vehicles should not exceed their legal passenger capacity and any that do will not be entered into the prize draw. Sophie Crosby General Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-04T00:00:00 e62963ad-cb74-474b-b3d5-bfe2be4e5075 1000000 FULL LINE-UP NOW COMPLETE Firewind, Rolo Tomassi, Lovvers, Rise to Remain, Ted Maul and Devil Sold His Soul The full Download line-up is now in place with over 100 bands performing across the Main, Tuborg and Gibson Guitar stages across the weekend. Recently added are Greek melodic metallers Firewind, crazy punkers Rolo Tomassi, Nottingham grungers Lovvers, energetic thrashers Rise to Remain, hardcore death metallers Ted Maul and atmospheric shriekers Devil Sold His Soul. It has been confirmed that joining Apocalyptica on stage on Sunday will be one of the more glamorous attendees of previous Download Festivals; Lacuna Coil's Christina Scabbia. She will guest on the track 'SOS (Anything But Love)'. In other rock news, fans of Valient Thorr will be pleased to hear that Valient Himself's operation to donate a kidney to his father three weeks ago went very well and he is looking forward to performing at Download. Much of the usual on-site activity across the arena will remain the same as previous years; the 'Mister' that was introduced last year to cool down hot festival goers makes a welcome return. With the new site layout there are increased shaded areas from the trees, plus more benches providing seating in the arena. Plus market stalls, a fairground, a 5-a-side football pitch and a hair salon to cater for every whim and need! http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=1a0b2724-339b-4dba-a4c9-f6376e3b1449 Amy Morrison General Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:15:00 GMT 2008-06-02T07:15:00 1a0b2724-339b-4dba-a4c9-f6376e3b1449 1000000 MONSTER FUN AT DOWNLOAD Check out our balls of steel at this years premier UK rock festival... In the spirit of offering its fans more than the music, the Download Festival will this year be featuring some of the best in FMX, BMX and skate talent courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="http://In the spirit of offering its fans more than the music, the Download Festival will this year be featuring some of the best in FMX, BMX and skate talent courtesy of Monster Energy.">Monster Energy</a>. Some of the world’s best action sports athletes will be firing on all cylinders in the Monster Battlefield, which will include the terrifying Ball Of Steel, and the Monster Army Camp. The Monster Battlefield will be situated in the Main Arena and be displaying non-stop action stunts throughout the weekend, with the Ball Of Steel providing not-to-be-missed daredevil stunts involving three motorbike riders defying gravity.  For those seeking after-hour entertainment, the Monster Army Camp in the campsite will be pumping out rockin’ tunes until the early hours! Athletes due to appear include Czech champion Libor Podmol, who two years ago was crowned Vice Champion at the FIM Freestyle MX World Championships, Remi Bouzard from France, currently in the top 3 FMX World Champions, and Willian Van de Putte from Belgium. Also set to appear are pro-skater Pete King, BMX stars Jerry Galley and Phil Aller and one of the UK’s biggest rising skateboard talents Trevor Johnson. Monster man, Jamal Benmiloud, said: “It’s going to be an action sport feast during the day at the Monster Battlefield. Then in the evening, the Monster Army Camp will be the driving force behind the after-party, cranking out tunes with top DJs from 10.30pm until the early hours in the campsite.” http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=16585ce6-f08e-40c4-aa7c-6877c7a4deb3 Sophie Crosby General Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-06-02T00:00:00 16585ce6-f08e-40c4-aa7c-6877c7a4deb3 1000000 DOWNLOAD RADIO TO TOTALLY ROCK! This year's Download Radio, which broadcasts across the site, will be powered by TotalRock Radio! This year's Download Radio, which broadcasts across the site from the Wednesday straight through to the Monday, will be powered by TotalRock Radio! By tuning into 87.7FM once you reach the surrounding area at Donington, festival-goers can catch all the latest festival news as well as a fantastic selection of new and classic rock tracks. Listeners can also visit <a href="http://www.totalrock.com">www.totalrock.com</a>. TotalRock Programme Controller, Tony Wilson, says "We'll celebrate this massive rock and metal event and salute the awesome community which comes together every year at Download with new, original and exciting radio content. This will be way more than just another Music Radio station!  We're lining up radio shows fronted by some very special, exciting guests which will complement those presented by our top line-up of TotalRock DJs and expect to announce the full line-up very soon. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=c886b9f1-6f03-444e-9022-c84d52be212d Amy Morrison General Tue, 20 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-21T00:00:00 c886b9f1-6f03-444e-9022-c84d52be212d 1000000 UNSIGNED BAND COMPETITION LAUNCHED A once in a lifetime opportunity to open the Gibson stage and win great prizes! Gibson Guitar, who this year sponsor the third stage, have announced details of an unsigned band competition, teaming up with Olympus LS-10 to offer one unsigned band the chance to open the Gibson stage at Download! Entry is simple, to be in with a change to win this incredible once in a lifetime opportunity visit <a href="http://www.myspace.com/gibsonolympus">www.myspace.com/gibsonolympus</a> and upload your best performance onto You Tube and post a link on the dedicated My Space page. Judging the videos are several respected music industry insiders such as Kerrang's Katie Parsons, BBC Radio 1's Dan Carter and industry A& R specialist Olivier Behzadi. On top of opening on the Gibson Stage on Saturday 14 June, the winning band will be given VIP passes for the day, van hire with a tank of petrol, hotel accommodation and an Olympus LS-10 camera. Closing date is Friday 6 June 2008. Winners will be notified on Monday 9 June. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=8d28df10-bb4b-4fe9-be05-e3ac5934bcb5 Amy Morrison General Tue, 20 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-21T00:00:00 8d28df10-bb4b-4fe9-be05-e3ac5934bcb5 1000000 LAUGHS GALORE IN THE CAMPSITE TENT Alongside the three stages of non-stop music, the Download Festival will be offering a fantastic selection of comedy acts. This year, alongside the three stages of non-stop music, the Download Festival will be offering a fantastic selection of comedy acts, organised by Download and in association with Funhouse Comedy Club! Set to take to the stage in the Campsite Entertainment Tent from 10pm Wednesday 11 June and running up to Saturday night will be the satirical Ivan Brackenbury's 'Hospital Radio' Roadshow, with Chris Lynam, Duncan Oakley (pictured), Jason John Whitehead, plus Gary Delaney, Rob And Skatz, Jason Rouse, Andrew O'Neill, Ian Cognito, Greg Cook, Sully O'Sullivan, and Lou Saffire. The Campsite Entertainment Tent will be used later during the evenings to host burlesque performers, Guitar Hero, and new for 2008 – Silent Discos! http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=3d10681f-61c6-45bd-8ca8-b15e778c921d Amy Morrison General Tue, 20 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-21T00:00:00 3d10681f-61c6-45bd-8ca8-b15e778c921d 1000000 AN UTTERLY UNIQUE AND SILENT DOWNLOAD EXPERIENCE Experience the UK's largest alternative silent disco at Download. Thousands of Download festival-goers will be able to experience the phenomenon that is the Silent Disco at this year's event, courtesy of SilentArena (<a href="http://www.silentarena.com">www.silentarena.com</a>).  Two separate music channels of music will be available to flip between at the UK's largest alternative silent disco – mere spectators will be treated to the sight of a crowd apparently rocking out in silence! The Silent Discos will take place once the bands have finished in the Campsite Entertainment Tent. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=15aaa0e2-1011-4b39-b3e2-58834b7034cd Amy Morrison General Tue, 20 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-21T00:00:00 15aaa0e2-1011-4b39-b3e2-58834b7034cd 1000000 IMPROVED SITE LAYOUT REVEALED Breaking free of the confines of the Donington racetrack, the Download Festival will now have a new 'home' within Donington Park. Download Festival organisers have revealed a brand new improved site layout for the 2008 festival at Donington Park this June, marking a huge change for the annual event. Breaking free of the confines of the Donington racetrack, the Download Festival will now have a new 'home' within Donington Park for 2008 and subsequent years to come. This was privately announced to a specially invited audience last Friday at a Download Fan Forum, which was attended by a cherry picked selection of members of the Download Festival online community. Due to heavy demand from Download festival-goers, the Second/ Tuborg Stage this year will now be a completely open air stage (rather than the tent), increasing the capacity for even more fans to enjoy the likes of Simple Plan, The Subways, HIM, Ash and Cavalera Conspiracy during the weekend.  The new layout will incorporate more hard standing areas than previous years have allowed, reducing mud and dust significantly. There will be no one-way system, giving quicker and more direct access to the three stages and all car parking will now be within the Donington Park site, which in turn cancels out the need for the footbridge to the site. The new position of the Main Stage is now within a natural amphitheatre, which, with the surrounding trees, really makes the most of the natural environment of Donington Park. Organisers looked carefully at what Donington Park had to offer when they realised that Download 2008 would clash with the build up to the Grand Prix at Donington which will see a new motor cross circuit being built on the old site.  This has given organisers the perfect opportunity to make key changes to benefit all customers and fans of Download. Festival Director John Probyn says "The new site layout will be a much more enjoyable experience for Download fans for 2008 and stretching into the future." Click on the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/info/index.aspx">2008 Site Map Banner</a> Amy Morrison General Sun, 11 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-12T00:00:00 d84f616a-38ab-4013-9437-afda5996dd6e 1000000 21 NEW BANDS ANNOUNCED 21 more bands have also been added to Download’s expansive line up including Finger Eleven, Saxon, Stone Gods and Glamour of the Kill <div>21 more bands have also been added to Download's expansive line up. Finger Eleven, Stone Gods, Saxon, Fall Of Troy, From First To Last, Big Linda, The Haze, Between The Buried And Me, Galvatrons, Last Supper, Beat Union, Blackhole, Rolo Tomassi, Malefice, Fighting With Wire, Mexicolas, Caimbo, Glamour Of The Kill, Cry for Silence, Sons Of Albion and Army Of FreshMEN will all be performing at Download 2008.</div> Amy Morrison General Mon, 05 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-05-06T00:00:00 73c39d9b-ca6f-4f14-b56b-b4297a3bd939 1000000 STAGE SPONSORS UNVEILED Sponsorship of the second and third stages have now been confirmed for 2008. <div>The Second Stage will be sponsored by Carlsberg beer brand Tuborg (who in 2007 took sponsorship of the third stage), to further raise the brand’s profile amongst festival goers. The Third Stage will be sponsored by world famous guitar brand Gibson Guitar, marking the second year of new band/ third stage sponsorship. <img height="157" width="250" align="right" alt="" src="http://media.livenation.co.uk/fido/publishing/news/q/w/x/Image/Gibson_inverted.jpg" /></div> http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=5331e610-6673-467e-862f-6c20fba4b18b Amy Morrison General Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:00:00 GMT 2008-04-30T09:00:00 5331e610-6673-467e-862f-6c20fba4b18b 1000000 DAY TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY A limited amount of Day Tickets go on Sale Friday. <div>Download Festival organisers have announced a limited release of day tickets – these will go on sale Friday 2 May from 9am with prices starting from £60.00 for each day, respectively headlined by KISS, The Offspring and Lostprophets. </div> http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=51afb488-a9d9-42ed-9043-8e8df6d8b9f0 Amy Morrison General Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:00:00 GMT 2008-04-30T09:00:00 51afb488-a9d9-42ed-9043-8e8df6d8b9f0 1000000 RIP AT DOWNLOAD Rock by Day, Rest by night... Limited packages remain - Don't miss out! "Rest in Peace" with a better class of camping, or stay in a hotel. All "RIP" packages come with a weekend ticket and a guest area access pass. Buy the whole package - or, if you have already bought a standard weekend arena ticket, you can simply upgrade by using the "without ticket" option. RIP Camping & Caravans have sold out, but we still have KIP n KIT (singles), TIPIS (6-man available, 4-man sold out), PODS & LOVESHACKS available!! <a href="https://www.live-store.com/products/category.aspx?cat=Download%20RIP%202008&catid=119&relcat=Festivals&relcatid=64">CLICK HERE</a> to buy your package now https://www.live-store.com/products/category.aspx?cat=Download%20RIP%202008&catid=119&relcat=Festivals&relcatid=64 Amy Morrison General Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-04-29T00:00:00 30f10782-28f2-465b-8934-1c0406306157 1000000 NEW ADDITIONS INCLUDING BLACK TIDE ON FRIDAY 13th Black Tide, Rival Schools, The Wildhearts, Amon Amarth, Kids in Glass House plus more added to the bill. <div>Returning for a second year Kids In Glass Houses are moving up a stage to make more room for their energetic live set. Joining them on 13, 14, 15 June are Black Tide, The Wildhearts, Rival Schools, Haunts, Zebrahead, Skindred, Invasion, Canterbury, Twin Method and Amon Amarth. <div>Back by popular demand welsh lads Kids In Glass Houses return to Download for a second year running. With their debut album “Smart Casual” due for release in May their Download performance will be nothing short of amazing. </div> <div> </div> <div>Bringing even more metal to the fold Black Tide hail from Miami and with an average age of 20 years old this year is proving to be their year. 2008 has already been a busy year with the band performing live on Jimmy Kimmel, this year also marks their Download debut.</div> </div> Amy Morrison General Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:00:00 GMT 2008-04-28T20:00:00 0b910ea7-9c62-4f2e-9da4-0c9e7fd5cb5c 1000000 MORE METAL MAGIC ADDED TO THE BILL Leading the metal charge are Testament, Municipal Waste and Trigger The Bloodshed all who bring a slice of brutality to the weekend. Download Festival has announced a fantastic motley crew of metallers to this year's line up, showing yet again how much the festival represents all walks from the 'rock' way of life! Leading the metal charge are Testament, Municipal Waste and Trigger The Bloodshed all who bring a slice of brutality to the weekend. Joining them are Brigade, Exit Ten, Comeback Kid, Valient Thorr, Chiodos, Animal Alpha, August Burns Red, Rose Tattoo and Hostile. Testament are very much representative of their name, and are the ultimate quintessential modern heavy metal band. Amazingly, 2008 will mark their Download debut. "I've been waiting 20 years to finally play at Download Fest. All the great bands have played this festival, and it's going to be an honor to play it. After a 20 year career, we finally get the opportunity." - Chuck Billy, TESTAMENT Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, blazing thrashers Municipal Waste have been, in their words, 'spreading their shred' across Europe since 2006 with tours alongside Sick Of It All and GWAR and are firm favourites of the Radio 1 Rock Show. This will be the first time they have played Download. Bath based grindcore/death metal exponents Trigger The Bloodshed have only been together for a year but they have impressed the rock magazines already with their brutal, heavy as hell formula. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=c58dcf9c-edcc-44ea-bc47-cf9820dfd0ef Amy Morrison General Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:00:00 GMT 2008-04-21T20:00:00 c58dcf9c-edcc-44ea-bc47-cf9820dfd0ef 1000000 DAY & STAGE SPLITS REVEALED The day & stage splits - so far – have also been revealed. The day & stage splits  - so far – have also been revealed.  Up against the main headliners KISS on Friday 13 will be Simple Plan, with their energetic pop punk rivalling the outrageous glam-rockers. Saturday 14 sees Orange County main headliners The Offspring up against the darker sounds of HIM, and Sunday 15 has Lostprophets – the only Brit headliner this year– rivalling the brutal return of Max and Igor Cavalera with their new incarnation The Cavalera Conspiracy. In addition, Friday presents the rare opportunity to see both Ace Frehley and KISS perform on the same day - a must for any KISS fan. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=257ea963-704c-4214-8b01-46850c8ff572 Amy Morrison General Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:45:00 GMT 2008-04-15T20:45:00 257ea963-704c-4214-8b01-46850c8ff572 1000000 RECYCLE ON SITE - WIN VIP TICKETS AND BEER! Download Dirtbag Recycling Scheme returns for 2008 - win 2009 Weekend VIP Tickets and beer!! Download Dirtbag Recycling Scheme - Win 2009 Weekend VIP Tickets and beer!! Get a Download Dirtbag from your campsite Hub Green Warrior – follow the instructions on the bag, fill it and take it to the Download Dirtbag recycling and rubbish collection point at your nearest campsite Hub for a chance to win a pair of VIP weekend tickets for Download 2009, and get a free can of cold beer!  There will be a pair of 2009 VIP weekend tickets to be won EACH day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Help us to keep the site clean and clear of rubbish, plus make sure your emptys go to a better place. Following the success of last year’s campsite Hubs, they return with a vengeance in 2008. There will be the same 5 Hubs spread across the campsites, but they will be bigger and better, with increased recycling facilities and volunteers on hand to assist you. Along with the Hub Manager and Security point, each Hub will have a Green Warrior or two to assist with the recycling points for cardboard, plastic, glass bottles and cans. Tents and any other useful outdoor gear (wellies, camping stoves, leftover unopened food tins etc) can also be donated to your local campsite Hub throughout the weekend. For a round-up of all the 'green' initiatives we are running at Download Festival this year, go to the Event Info section and look under Green Information. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=e252b41f-e76e-452f-9ebe-6135a26726f5 Fiona Pirie General Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-04-10T00:00:00 e252b41f-e76e-452f-9ebe-6135a26726f5 1000000 DOWNLOAD LIFTSHARE - WIN A FESTIVAL UPGRADE! Save money and save the planet! Turn up in a vehicle with 4 or more & get the chance to win a VIP upgrade for the weekend!! Save money and save the planet! Once again we have teamed up with liftshare.com to make sharing transport to Download a lot easier. Save money by sharing the travelling costs, reduce CO2 emissions and cut congestion resulting in you arriving to Download much earlier! Not only that, but those that turn up with a vehicle of four or more will be given the chance to win a VIP upgrade for the weekend!!  Full vehicles will be given a form to fill in by the car park stewards on arrival.  Once completed, just hand them in at your nearest campsite Hub.  The draw closes at 5pm on Friday and one lucky car-load will see their tickets upgraded to VIP status, allowing them access to the EXCLUSIVE back stage bar! The winner will be announced on the main stage on Friday evening, plus we will contact you on the number you give us (remember to bring ID when you collect your prize). <a href="http://www.liftshare.org/default.asp?sub=115">SAVE THE PLANET - REGISTER NOW!</a> For a round-up of all the 'green' initiatives we are running at Download Festival this year, go to the Event Info section and look under Green Information. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=860bc720-e70b-40b8-b36b-ec29befcf1c0 Fiona Pirie General Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-04-10T00:00:00 860bc720-e70b-40b8-b36b-ec29befcf1c0 1000000 DOWNLOAD EXPRESS Rock on to Download with National Express, cleaner, greener a lot less meaner, plus very reasonable prices! We've teamed up with the UK’s leading coach operator, National Express  - to provide hassle-free admission and travel to and from the festival. Running direct services to the festival from  towns and cities across the UK, National Express has a limited number of their new admission plus travel packages available to buy - so don't delay! Ian McInnes, Director of Sales and Distribution at National Express, said: "We are also really excited to be offering our great value admission plus travel  packages this year - it means fans going to the event don’t need to worry about getting there, and can just concentrate on enjoying themselves! "Added to that, our services will take the hassle out of parking at Download, and will also reduce the sheer volume of traffic travelling to the event. However, it’s not just about convenience - rock fans will also be doing their bit for the environment by leaving the car at home and taking the coach, as it is the most environmentally friendly form of transport." Locations served by a National Express service to the Download Festival are: Aberdeen, Blackpool, Bradford, Bristol, Brighton, Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Victoria, Liverpool, Norwich, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Swansea, Southend, and Wolverhampton. (Prices differ dependant on starting location) For prices and timetable information and to book tickets, please visit <a href="http://www.nationalexpress.com/download">www.nationalexpress.com/download</a>. Rockers should buy early to avoid disappointment! Admission plus travel packages are available for weekends only - not day tickets.  http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=ebb66171-19d4-40e4-8aa6-6835be39bd06 Sophie Crosby General Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:00:00 GMT 2008-03-31T00:00:00 ebb66171-19d4-40e4-8aa6-6835be39bd06 1000000 MORE EXCITING BANDS ADDED TO THE BILL The latest additions are BIFFY CLYRO, MADINA LAKE, and FIGHTSTAR. The latest additions to the rocking line-up are the ever-popular BIFFY CLYRO, Chicago pop punk scamps MADINA LAKE, and post-hardcore Brits FIGHTSTAR. Arguably at the most successful point of their career, with latest album 'Puzzle' going straight in at No 2 and tracks like 'Folding Stars', 'Who's Got A Match' and 'Saturday Superhouse' all being played across mainstream TV and radio, Biffy Clyro are definitely rock hot property. Hailing from Scotland, they have been going since the mid-90s and have become a firm favourite of the rock scene. Tours with The Rolling Stones, Muse, Red Hot Chilli Peppers to name a few have opened their appeal even wider. Madina Lake make their Download Festival debut this year, having enjoyed an amazing year rising from a new unsigned act to 'Best International Newcomer' at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards. Their upbeat pop punk sound might deviate a little from the nom in terms of the Download bill but be assured, the demand is definitely there. From hospitalisations due to participating in the US show Twin Fear Factor, to a debut concept album about a fictional town (Madina Lake) where the mysterious disappearance of Adalia occurs, this band are definitely more than meets the eye. Having played Download one time only to date, Fightstar will be looking forward to returning to Donington having honed their sound into a darker, heavier being. Latest album 'One Day Son This Will All Be Yours' have given them success in the rock and indie charts, and recently performed on the Kerrang! Relentless Energy Tour across the UK earlier in the year. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=c42b3563-62e9-433e-910d-d69d644724be Amy Morrison General Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT 2008-03-25T09:00:00 c42b3563-62e9-433e-910d-d69d644724be 1000000 NEW BANDS FROM NEAR AND AFAR! The latest additions to the bill, just announced are Bridgend metallers Bullet For My Valentine and South African grungers Seether. The latest additions to the bill, just announced are Bridgend metallers Bullet For My Valentine and South African grungers Seether. Championed as the new Iron Maiden, Welsh metal heads Bullet For My Valentine return to Donington after a year off from the festival (they played 2004-2006 but not 2007). New album 'Scream Aim Fire' set a new bar with a more uptempo and aggressive feel, and the album went in the Billboard 200 at No 4 upon release. Tours and support slots with fellow Welsh bands Lostprophets and Funeral For a Friend led to playing with some of the biggest names in metal. Download 2008 will mark the first time that post-grunge band Seether have performed at the festival, and the band will be bringing the sounds of their recent album, 'Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces' with them. Fame came to them in 2002 when they released their recording of 'Broken' featuring Amy Lee from Evanescence on vocals, on the soundtrack to The Punisher. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=e0e62eb9-5fc3-4183-a958-454a7510261b Amy Morrison General Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:00:00 GMT 2008-03-24T19:00:00 e0e62eb9-5fc3-4183-a958-454a7510261b 1000000 'THE LOWDOWN' DEADLINE EXTENDED Due to public demand, the closing date for entries is now Friday 18 April at 5pm. Festival organisers have extended the entry deadline for their exciting talent competition 'The Lowdown' that was launched at the start of the month. Due to public demand, the closing date for entries is now Friday 18 April at 5pm. Entries can be uploaded to <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/thelowdown">www.downloadfestival.co.uk/thelowdown</a> NOW, so get your handi-cam's out, get recording and get uploading! 'The Lowdown', as previously announced, is a nationwide search powered by Download Festival and Wise Buddah Talent for 'the face of Download'. Whether talking, miming, shouting or singing about a favourite band or festival moment or any other related subject, the Download Festival and Wise Buddah Talent are looking for a one-off individual with charisma and energy whose first job will be to report on the Download Festival. Hosted in front of a specially invited audience, the Final will feature special guest judges from the fields of media and entertainment who will choose a winner based on their interview skills, walking and talking to camera and the introduction on stage of the greatest rock bands ever. The live final event will be held early May in central London. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/thelowdown Amy Morrison General Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:00:00 GMT 2008-03-20T17:00:00 d8f7f4af-ed9e-4765-a811-135cdf0b1a73 1000000 LOCKERS NOW COME WITH POWER! We've just confirmed the deal - all our lockers will now come with inbuilt charging facilities! We can now confirm that all our lockers will come with 12v power socket in each one. This means you will be able to charge your mobile (using a car charger) as well as lock up your valuables. Lockers are still the SAME PRICE, and if you have already bouight a locker ticket, you can rest assured you will also get this same great benefit. Don't miss out - book a locker today! And remember to bring a car charger with you to the festival... http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=228147cc-48d0-4716-98d3-b21fdd38ef5f Sophie Crosby General Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2008-03-18T00:00:00 228147cc-48d0-4716-98d3-b21fdd38ef5f 1000000 5 MORE BANDS ADDED TO THIS YEAR'S LINE UP Within Temptation, Cavalera Conspiracy and more, add to this year's entertainment <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?aid=7cb8d148-8787-405b-8c6b-7cc7319edfd8">Within Temptation</a> and <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?aid=c26ec8c2-ede7-46dd-8d75-01cde18c1a49">Simple Plan</a> are the latest bands to have confirmed their appearance at this year's festival. Other bands set to join the bill include <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?aid=c03a4ecd-3685-41c0-94ad-4f37b0c501f5">Cavalera Conspiracy</a>, <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?aid=200cfe5d-4b3b-42ca-913b-008bf874299c">The Dillinger Escape Plan</a> and 'cello-wielding Finns <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?aid=5100e9a3-e2b8-4c4e-981f-6c920c893014">Apocalyptica</a>. "The line-up at Download is always great, and it's something that we always want to be a part of," says Within Temptation vocalist Sharon den Adel. "It's one of those special festivals that you have to treasure when you're a band." For den Adel, it will be a chance to draw a veil over last year's appearance which was fraught with technical difficulties. "So many things didn't go the way that they were supposed to," she explains. "We had some technical problems that meant we started much later than we were supposed to, but even though we only ended up playing for around 15 minutes, there was still thousands of people going out of their minds. The crowd was so enthusiastic and that was really amazing to see." Simple Plan drummer Chuck Comeau says the Montreal pop-punks can't wait to take part in this year's festival, especially when it comes to seeing Judas Priest and Kiss. "It'll be awesome to see those bands at a festival like this," smiles Comeau. "Seeing that sea of people, and all jumping up and down at the same time or pounding their fists or whatever. I love it!" Cavalera Conspiracy - featuring former Sepultura brothers Max and Igor - will make their UK debut at the festival, marking the first show the pair have played together on English soil since their acrimonious split after a show at London's Brixton Academy on December 16, 1996. "I love Download!" says frontman Max Cavalera. "The last one with Soulfly was fucking great, and I think now it's even more exciting because it's me and Igor together in England, because of the last concert we played together in Sepultura. UK fans should be pretty fired up to see the Cavalera Conspiracy!" The Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman can't promise whether vocalist Greg Puciato will repeat antics at Reading 2002, where he defecated onto a towel and threw it into the crowd. "I guess it depends what he eats!" laughs Weinman. "It was a situation that we felt we really needed to take advantage of. We knew there'd be thousands upon thousands of people that had never even heard of us watching that day, and we just wanted to give them something to keep them interested. "We're really looking forward it," he adds. "I'm really looking forward to seeing Judas Priest. If I can stand at the side and watch Halford cruise onstage with his big-ass motorcycle I'll be a very happy guy." http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=9d734439-7818-4903-80af-389d0067aff2 Sophie Crosby General Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT 2008-03-10T20:00:00 9d734439-7818-4903-80af-389d0067aff2 1000000 THE ROAD TO DOWNLOAD Check out some of the festival bands in advance, on this UK tour in early June...   <h3>THE ROAD TO DOWNLOAD</h3>   Just announced, a special tour that will see <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=cc5e8807-05fc-4d80-9197-0637c1e2fcad">A Day To Remember</a>, <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=928768cb-7d35-4770-b42d-742d7f74607a">The Devil Wears Prada</a> and <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=ddc8b020-036d-45d0-b9f8-71651364e676">Alesana</a> perform at eight venues around the UK in the lead up to the Download Festival, ending with a slot each on one of the stages at Donington.  Kicking off at the London Camden Barfly on 5 June and ending on 12 June at Glasgow’s King Tuts, all shows except London will be £9.00 advance tickets, with London priced at £10.00. THE ROAD TO DOWNLOAD 5 June - London Barfly  6 June - Colchester Arts Centre 7 June - Stoke Sugar Mill 8 June - Birmingham Barfly 9 June - Cardiff Barfly 10 June - Manchester Academy 3 11 June - York Fibbers 12 June - Glasgow King Tut’s   <h3>STOP PRESS: EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION</h3> To accompany the tour, an exclusive competition will be set for fans to design a unique tour poster. The winning entrant will see their design made into a limited run of poster art for the tour, with a framed copy of the poster signed by A Day To Remember, The Devil Wears Prada and Alesana. The winner will also receive a pair of VIP tickets to a show of their choice on the tour, plus a goodie bag with CDs, t-shirts, posters and even a pair of A Day to Remember gym shorts!! Perfect for the usual sunny weather that Download enjoys! Five runners up will receive goodie bags.  All information regarding the competition can be found on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/adtr">http://www.myspace.com/adtruk</a> (look under the band's blog on the right hand side) - Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/getArtist/artistId/626141/">tickets for the tour</a> go on sale Friday 7 March.   http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=40a32563-9556-42a1-917c-f67b81d6b2fc Sophie Crosby General Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT 2008-03-05T09:00:00 40a32563-9556-42a1-917c-f67b81d6b2fc 1000000 BECOME THE FACE OF DOWNLOAD Charismatic, energetic rock fan wanted, for official podcast material and a fantastic prize...   <h3>Aspirations to be a TV presenter?   Passionate about rock?   Do you have an opinion?  - Then we need you...</h3> We've teamed up with Wise Buddah Talent in a nationwide search to find the face of Download. The ultimate winner will receive a money can’t buy prize that includes a one year contract with Wise Buddah, £1,000 cash, VIP backstage access to Download Festival and a handicam to record all of your Download reports. All you have to do is complete a form and upload a maximum 30 second clip at <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/thelowdown">www.downloadfestival.co.uk/thelowdown</a> between now and 25th March 2008.   The online Download community will rate each entry as they are uploaded, with 10 finalists emerging from the fray. Next, a panel of experts, led by Wise Buddah Talent’s Chris North, will select a winner at a grand final at the Carling Academy Islington on 8 April. Hosted in front of a specially invited audience, the Final will feature special guest judges from the fields of media and entertainment who will choose a winner based on their interview skills, walking and talking to camera and the introduction on stage of the greatest rock bands ever. The winner will be required to provide a weekly video podcast each Friday for us here at the official website, culminating in daily coverage of the Download Festival itself.  At the festival, the winner will be given press accreditation, and provided with full  editorial support; enabling them to record interviews with bands and fans, and complete video blogs across the weekend. <h3><a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/thelowdown">A once in a lifetime opportunity.</a></h3>   http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=c50e347c-2f66-4385-bd30-a37e72dcc130 Sophie Crosby General Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:00:00 GMT 2008-03-04T11:00:00 c50e347c-2f66-4385-bd30-a37e72dcc130 1000000 KIIDDDDD RAWWWWWKKKKK! More artists added to the bill this week, Kid Rock, Bleeding Through and more... Wooo-hooo!! - Multi million album selling ‘American Bad-Ass’ <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=d65b7fa6-a65c-429f-b7bb-f5de1cc590f7">Kid Rock</a> makes his Download Festival debut this year. Joining him in this week's announcement are Orange County metalcore outfit <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=35a9daab-565e-4678-b545-e0a1bf9bd5a0">Bleeding Through</a> , headbangers <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=4d41624a-8c09-41e1-bc46-9d2fe0b1aa38">Throwdown</a>, indie-scuzzsters <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=dbed36f6-1325-4af1-b5a3-2181a4ba83d2">The Subways</a> and Michigan death metallers <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=4ffeefa1-589f-4d6b-84a8-e267337a5bd2">Black Dahlia Murder</a>. Check out the <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/index.aspx">line-up page</a> and watch this space  for more announcements. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=3ad1aa9e-bb8a-42bb-b3c7-f1dc12db594c Sophie Crosby General Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT 2008-03-03T20:00:00 3ad1aa9e-bb8a-42bb-b3c7-f1dc12db594c 1000000 ROCK HARD, ROCK HEAVY We add even more bands to the ever-growing line up... With festival fever firmly underway, we have added another internationally acclaimed batch of artists to our line-up. With the three headliners already in place - KISS, The Offspring and Lostprophets - You will be thrilled to learn that joining them on the weekend of 13, 14, 15 June in Donington Park will be <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=0321d1d3-69f8-4f97-8bcc-515f4ac58ef9">Chris Cornell</a>, <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=c4b371c6-8304-43a1-b5d5-3e745e06d4af">Jimmy Eat World</a>, <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=ccbf3f3d-cea9-4ec8-82b9-b6338abb86c3">Jonathan Davis</a>, <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=0de5fae3-82bc-49fb-89d7-1cb6de225a4d">36 Crazyfists</a> and <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/artist.aspx?AID=58998376-ce69-4424-9967-85434910bba0">Job For A Cowboy</a>. This raft of US acts add to the Download 2008 bill which also sees Judas Priest, Motörhead, HIM, In Flames, Coheed & Cambria, Incubus, Disturbed, Rise Against, Alter Bridge and Children of Bodom appearing. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=549d35ea-a97b-469a-aebe-da4a69f46904 Sophie Crosby General Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:30:00 GMT 2008-02-26T09:30:00 549d35ea-a97b-469a-aebe-da4a69f46904 1000000 DO DOWNLOAD LIKE A ROCK STAR Check out the all NEW RIP Tour Bus package!! ONSALE NOW! Ever wondered what its like to sleep on a tour bus? Now’s your chance… we have an exclusive opportunity … You and 9 of your mates will get the chance to sleep on your very own tour bus for three nights at RIP Park Farm. This is a fantastic ticket package for a group of friends. And there's only one tour bus available... once it's gone it's gone... so <a href="/tickets">check it out now</a> and get together with your friends to book. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=98672ac4-40c7-494c-8828-b197d74ca952 Sophie Crosby General Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2008-02-15T00:00:00 98672ac4-40c7-494c-8828-b197d74ca952 1000000 MORE BANDS ADDED TO THE BILL... Something for everyone in what promises to be a cracking weekend at Donington We are, quite frankly, delighted to announce that Californian rockers Incubus, Orlando hard rockers Alter Bridge, Finnish mentalists Children Of Bodom, twice US chart topping Disturbed, Swedish death metallers In Flames and the artistic grandeur of Coheed and Cambria will play the festival over the weekend of 13, 14 and 15 June 2008. Only one week since KISS, The Offspring and Lostprophets were announced as headliners for Download 2008, we can confirm that we have registered the festival’s strongest uptake of tickets in our first week ever! With a bill that also includes Judas Priest, HIM, Motörhead and Rise Against it is set to be a record-breaking year for this innovative, award-winning UK festival. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=36a1ba7b-909c-4b9b-b9cc-cfd121c85bca Sophie Crosby General Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:30:00 GMT 2008-02-12T19:30:00 36a1ba7b-909c-4b9b-b9cc-cfd121c85bca 1000000 GO GREEN TO DOWNLOAD Liftshare: Save Money, Save the Planet, Make Friends... We are again working with Liftshare.com the UK’s largest car sharing network. If you’re driving then why not car share – half your travelling costs, cut congestion, save CO2 emissions and meet new people all at the same time! <a target="DOWNLOAD LIFTSHARE" href="http://www.liftshare.org/default.asp?sub=115">Find out who you can share with right here.</a> http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=90f7ec01-7441-4260-b90b-4006527d79b8 Sophie Crosby General Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2008-02-06T00:00:00 90f7ec01-7441-4260-b90b-4006527d79b8 1000000 DOWNLOAD IS BACK! The legendary Donington event returns in 2008 with a stellar line-up The legendary, multiple award-winning Download Festival, crowned Top Festival of 2007 by Billboard, is to return for its sixth year with fire-breathing, blood-spitting legends Kiss, chart-topping Californian skate punks The Offspring and Welsh nu-metal kings Lostprophets set to headline the Donington Park event over the weekend of June 13, 14 and 15. Other bands confirmed to play are UK rock gods Judas Priest and Mötorhead, Finnish sensations HIM and Chicago rockers Rise Against.  More bands will be announced soon. Download 2008 will be the ONLY festival to see these world-renowned acts in one place - but of course, the complete, now fully established Download experience is about far, far more than just the music. Andy Copping , VP Music for Download Festival remarked, "Download Festival 2008 will continue with what was achieved last year: a line-up that caters to the entire rock genre. The variety of bands spread over the three stages means that Download Festival has more options than any other music event. We are delighted that the world's great bands of past and present are already confirmed to continue Download Festival’s reputation as one of the world’s top festivals". http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=8f8ff5a0-3977-49bf-a63f-93f26248dda9 Sophie Crosby General Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:00 GMT 2008-02-05T16:00:00 8f8ff5a0-3977-49bf-a63f-93f26248dda9 1000000 MORE ENTERTAINMENT, MORE AWARDS, MORE EVERYTHING With more entertainment and assortment of activities on site than any of its rivals, Download truly is a new generation of festival. The strength of our impact was emphasised when Download 07 was crowned Top Festival 2007 at the prestigious Billboard Touring Awards. This accolade is just one of many the festival has been awarded since its inception in 2003 - within 12 months it was named Event Of the Year at the Kerrang! Awards. Others we are particularly proud of  include 3 consecutive annual awards from BT Digital Music Awards - including the most recent for Best Music Community. The point is that Download  Festival is famed for it's amazing line-ups, but also for more than that... it is the 'Burning Man' of UK Rock festivals. It's the music, but it's YOU the community that make it  truly rock... To help you all gel together in person, on site, we'll be providing a 360º entertainment experience: from the Village (which will be bigger and better than ever in 2008 - watch this space!) catering for all your festival needs; to the extensive camping facilities - Download continues to provide a service which is bigger than the three days of live music, beginning on Wednesday 11 June at midday until Monday 16 June at noon when the site closes. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=73d23bf6-ee9e-430e-b36b-a84e494df40d Sophie Crosby General Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:00 GMT 2008-02-05T16:00:00 73d23bf6-ee9e-430e-b36b-a84e494df40d 1000000 ROCK BY DAY, REST BY NIGHT From Pod-Pads to Teepees, Lodges to ready-made tents - RIP has it all... Now in its fifth year, the RIP campground has revolutionised the festival camping experience.  After a sell-out year in 2007 this exclusive bespoke campsite will once again provide its loyal RIP community with quiet refuge and luxury facilities. Whether camping in Hangman’s Square, saluting your gnome in Pod City, adventuring with an authentic Tepee, trying out a lodge in Tomb Town or travelling light along Kip & Kit Boulevard, each package comes wrapped up in the same great benefits. The RIP private campground boasts mains toilets, hot showers, a convenience shop, and a breakfast barn/bar.  Drive into the site and park your car next to your tent …then come and go as you wish!  The site also has electric hook-ups for caravans and is a designated quiet zone from midnight.  If that isn’t enough, each package also includes a main arena guest hospitality pass, exclusive RIP merchandise, twenty-four hour security and the services of the RIP concierge desk manned throughout by our ever helpful Angels and Demons.   Rock by day and rest by night. <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets">RIP at Download 2008</a> (only 25% left). http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=4747a4e8-be3c-40f5-aa39-fab36963dbab Sophie Crosby General Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:00 GMT 2008-02-05T16:00:00 4747a4e8-be3c-40f5-aa39-fab36963dbab 1000000 THE LOWDOWN Live Nation are joining up with Wise Buddah Talent to launch a search for a personality to be the face of the 2008 Download Festival. Live Nation are joining up with Wise Buddah Talent to launch a search for a personality to be the face of the 2008 Download Festival. "The Lowdown" will officially launch in January 2008 and will search for one (or, if competition is fierce and entries are good enough, possibly two) talented rock presenters who will take part in covering the run-up to Download online as well as to present on-stage and backstage during the event. The winning presenter will get the chance to be the face of Download online, on radio and TV. Wise Buddah Talent, who represent some of the UK’s most successful radio and TV presenters, will be rewarding the winner a much sought-after talent management contract - helping them to get to grips with the rollercoaster ride that comes with being a presenter! More details about the prizes and process of entering will be announced in January 2008. http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=6c0f8338-d0e1-4c17-b7ed-d2bb74e682c4 Sophie Crosby General Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT 2007-12-20T00:00:00 6c0f8338-d0e1-4c17-b7ed-d2bb74e682c4 1000000 GREEN, GREENER, GREENEST Transport and waste are the focus of our efforts in 2008 to reduce Download's overall carbon footprint. If you were at Download Festival 2007 you may have noticed our efforts to reduce the festival's overall carbon footprint. Statistics show that many of you joined us in our campaign: over 2,100 fans participated in the Liftshare scheme; 17.6 tonnes of drinks cups, and over 60 tonnes of waste were recycled; while 633 pieces of camping equipment were donated to charity... We're busy investigating every avenue to cut our environmental impact at Download 2008 - the main areas we are looking at are transport and waste.  We want to make it easier for people to get to Download without using their car. Plus we want to recycle everything that we use on site. We're scratching our heads a little about all the things you guys bring to the site... If YOU have got some great green ideas for Download, do get involved and post your ideas on the forums. A green thread will be available for you to post on: <a href="http://forums.downloadfestival.co.uk/">http://forums.downloadfestival.co.uk/</a> We'll be announcing  a raft of measures in 2008 - in the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year! http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news/story.aspx?aid=1c3a678c-38ea-4385-b837-e5b6852a553d Sophie Crosby General Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT 2007-12-20T00:00:00 1c3a678c-38ea-4385-b837-e5b6852a553d 1000000