Download Pilot Hailed as Success
Download Pilot serves as the UK’s first real test for the return of live music and an end to social distancing.
Last weekend saw the return of the infamous Download Festival, though not quite as we remember it. Where every year the festival brings over 120 000 metal fans to Donnington race track, this year that number was greatly reduced to mere 10 000. The festival so far has scene two cancellations due to the pandemic, but decided to instead test the waters with a Pilot event.
In an attempt to see whether or not live music can properly return, Download announced a smaller three day festival with only two stages, smaller names and less attendees. These days this is not especially uncommon as lockdown regulations are begin to ease, particularly for sporting events such as the Euros. The UK has put measures in place that sees a selected number of fans attending Euros matches on the condition that face masks must be worn and social distancing regulations are obeyed.
However, Download has taken this a step further. The reason Download Pilot serves as the UK’s first real test is due to the festival allowing it’s fans the choice to enter without face mask regulations or social distancing measures put in place. All attendees where required to complete a covid test before arrival, but aside from that, the festival carried on as it usual would. Fans ate up the opportunity to return to the mosh pits again to see the likes of Frank Carter, Bullet for my Valentine and Enter Shikari. Tickets sold out within days, as for many of these fans Download Pilot served as their first real concert experience in well over a year.
For three days fans enjoyed the roaring sound of live rock n’ roll, and they soaked up every minute. Many videos have circulated online of the Download crowds singing along, moshing, partying and praising live music’s long awaited return. This was a celebration that has been far overdue and the feedback from the both the festival goers and the artists themselves has been overwhelmingly positive. Leading up to one of their first live performances in over a year Matt Tuck of Bullet for my Valentine has stated, “It’s such an amazing thing, such an amazing historical event, honored to be apart of it — We’re over the moon”.
After the festival came to the close it was clear that this was a true success for both the festival and the music industry as a whole. Download promoter Melvin Benn hailed the event as proof that live music can return to the UK. When questioned on whether it was impossible for summer time festivals to return he responded, “It is 100 percent evidence that this is not true. This is a very clear demonstration that you can do it”.
With Download Pilot all said and done, hopefully this will serve as proof that music will return, and that life as we know it is slowly returning to normal after nearly a year and a half of lockdown. With Glastonbury still canceled this year the next test will be the Reading and Leeds festival later this August. This will be the largest festival of the year drawing tens of thousands of fans from all over the country. Only time will tell, but Download Pilot without any doubt proves that Covid-19 cannot silence music for good.