Festival Republic have announced Download Pilot, a 10,000-capacity camping test event taking place at Donington Park between 18th – 20th June 2021.
As part of the second phase of the Government’s scientific events research programme, attendees at the three-day event will be expected to camp for the duration and no day tickets will be available. As a Government scientific Events Research Programme event, no social distancing or masks will be required, however festivalgoers will need to consent to take part and must be over 16.
“Following the huge success of our Sefton Park event, we are delighted to contribute to Phase II of the Government’s Events Research Programme with the creation of the first three-day camping festival which will be the Download Pilot at Donington Park. This massive next step will help us understand and study the safe return of large-scale festivals with no social distancing or facemasks over a full weekend… the return of the full festival experience we have all been waiting for and a much needed return to work for musicians, backstage crew, caterers and many more that form part of the UK’s exemplary live music industry,” says head of Festival Republic Melvin Benn.
In a statement from Download they have provided further information about the conditions of entry: “Whilst festivalgoers will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings once inside the festival, they will be required to follow existing Government guidance when travelling to and from Donington Park and adhere to rules set out by the festival organisers. Attendees must have proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the festival. As part of the wider scientific research on the trial events, the Download Pilot attendees will also be asked to take a PCR test before and after the event to gather further evidence on the safety of the festival camping experience, reduced social distancing and the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions like face coverings. They will also have to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace to ensure everyone can be traced in the event of an audience member receiving a positive test after the event.”
The full line-up will be announced this Friday (28th May) with tickets priced at £120 plus booking fee and on-sale next week. Existing Download Festival 2022 ticket holders will be able to purchase their tickets on Tuesday 1st June 2021 with general sale following on Thursday 3rd June.
