Download Festival - help!

[MOBB]

Up until 2022 I had never been to a gig :-0 And I'm 51 lol. Rest assured I have made up for that since then!

My genre is mainly metal and rock, and Download has hit my radar, loads of acts I'd like to watch. And it starts on my birthday.

So my question is - camping is a no-no for me, I'd hate it. Is it feasible to go home each night? I live 70 miles away. What time to the acts start and finish generally?

Or is this a stupid plan?

[SydneyBridge]

No reason why not, do they do day tickets or do you have to get a full ticket? Will not finish late, will be according to local regs

I have been to Glastonbury for the day, also hate camping

[MOBB]

Just a weekend ticket I think, which is fine as there are acts each day I'd like.

Looks like they have a shuttle bus from the nearest train station so I might look at that option

[V8 Stang]

Be aware if you try leaving just after the headliner finishes, it will be VERY busy - especially on the Sunday . However going by the poor headliners this year it may not be such an issue....

first usually starts at 11am, headliner has to finish by 11pm.

Oh and don't worry about your age, there are loads of old guys rocking at download! (most prob still been going since monsters of rock!)

[the-norseman]

Friday and Sunday look ok id probably skip Saturday.

[Tyrell Corp]

MOBB said:

Up until 2022 I had never been to a gig :-0 And I'm 51 lol. Rest assured I have made up for that since then!

My genre is mainly metal and rock, and Download has hit my radar, loads of acts I'd like to watch. And it starts on my birthday.

So my question is - camping is a no-no for me, I'd hate it. Is it feasible to go home each night? I live 70 miles away. What time to the acts start and finish generally?

Or is this a stupid plan?

A really stupid plan. Three day Festivals are tiring even for the kids, let alone 420 miles driving...oh, and loooong traffic jams driving in and out.

Download has very little shelter from sun or rain and loads of walking and queuing.

Better idea would be try to reserve a room at local hotel, do it now as they get block booked ahead.

Even better do Bloodstock Festival instead, smaller, less kids and more hard edged metal. Much more civilized and relaxed, Download seems more for the kids,

[ChrisH79]

Tyrell Corp said:

A really stupid plan. Three day Festivals are tiring even for the kids, let alone 420 miles driving...oh, and loooong traffic jams driving in and out.

Download has very little shelter from sun or rain and loads of walking and queuing.

Better idea would be try to reserve a room at local hotel, do it now as they get block booked ahead.

I'd second this unless you're really fit the festival will be exhausting. I did my first last year (I'm 44) and it was a much smaller affair, I had a very good campsite and was still wiped out each day. As for getting in and out daily I wouldn't wish that on anyone

[nuyorican]

V8 Stang said:

Oh and don't worry about your age, there are loads of old guys rocking at download! (most prob still been going since monsters of rock!)

Do you know, I only just found out that they are the same festival. Why the hell did they change the name from the awesome MONSTERS OF ROCK to the utterly bland and nerdy 'download festival'? Doesn't make any sense!

OP, know what you mean. I love festivals, love camping, hate camping AT festivals...

Wouldn't a nearby hotel make more sense? Best of both worlds.

[Terry Tibbs]

I did one day at Download last year and I was absolutely knackered. No way I could have driven home and then back again the next day - and I’m only an hour away.

Atmittedly it was the Saturday, and it was horrendously busy. And it was hot, really hot.

[Tyrell Corp]

Seems the whole point of doing a three dayer is actually staying there, they even have 'quiet camping' if you don't like Angel of Death at 4 am.

There are upgrade packages available including hotel and coach shuttle but they aren't cheap. Did that a couple of times before.

Bloodstock is the place for metal.