Iron Maiden have been confirmed as the first band to headline next year’s Download festival.
The rock heavyweights will make their fifth appearance and third headline bow at the event on June 15th 2013. “I’m incredibly excited about it,” frontman Bruce Dickinson has told NME.
“It’s been 25 years since we first did Donington and to go back with this setlist, which is very similar to the one we played then, is a joy. I’ve not seen the rest of the bill yet, but I look forward to finding out. It’s the only place in the UK where you can make a proper racket. There might be places in Highlands of Scotland, but at Reading, if the wind blows the wrong you have to go and stand at the other end of the field.”
“And at Hyde Park if you ruffle a crisp packet you can’t hear the music, it’s all gone a bit PC. But not at Donington, where you can make a suitably loud racket.”