Download Festival UK 2020 officially cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak

Download Festival, one of the major rock, and metal music events in the UK, has been officially cancelled in wake of coronavirus pandemic.

Kiss, System of a Down and Iron Maiden were set to headline Download Festival UK 2020

This year’s edition was set to take place at Donington Park, Castle Donington, from June 12 to 14, with a lineup stacked with metal and rock veterans like Kiss, System of a Down or Iron Maiden.

Other acts that were set to perform were Deftones, Alter Bridge, Gojira, Korn, The Offspring, Disturbed, Volbeat, Mastodon, The Darkness, Babymetal, Killswitch Engage, Airbourne, Lacuna Coil or The Distillers.

Download Festival’s organizers have released a statement today stating that the event will be postponed to 2021.

The statement reads: “Download Festival will no longer be taking place this year.

We’ve been closing monitoring this unprecedented situation and it’s become clear that it just isn’t possible for the 2020 festival to go ahead. This decision hasn’t been taken lightly and we’re beyond disappointed, we extend our heartfelt apology to all of you – we really did try to make this work.

Please rest assured we will be back next year. Now, more than ever, we need the Download spirit to thrive and offer support to those that need it most. We’ll do out best to put together an amazing line up for you in 2021 and can’t wait to see you all then. Thank you, as ever, for your continued support.”

Concertgoers who have purchased tickets for the three-day festival can get a full refund within days or retain their tickets for next year’s edition.

Download Festival Australia cancelled earlier this month after My Chemical Romance were forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 crisis

A couple of weeks ago, Download Festival Australia also cancelled this year’s event amid coronavirus fears, and right after one of its headliners, My Chemical Romance, announced their withdrawal due to “the current global situation.”

The emo rock band comprised by Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Frank Iero and Mikey Way were set to play in Download Festival Australia as part of a reunion tour, which was set to come after a six-years hiatus.

The foursome has also postponed its reunion shows in New Zealand and Japan.

Other international music events recently called off due to coronavirus include Glastonbury Isle of Wight , Coachella, Firefly and Stagecoach festivals.

Artists like The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Madonna, The Who, Miley Cirus, Stormzy, Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne, BTS, Green Day, Slipknot or Liam Gallagher have cancelled or delayed some shows in the interest of public safety.