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Download Festival: Heavens open as rock fans descend on pilot event

Download pilot: "This will be the highlight of my year"

Rock fans from across the UK have descended on a rainy Donington Park in Leicestershire for a scaled-down Download Festival.

The country's biggest rock and metal event was resurrected after the government gave the go-ahead on 26 May following a number of smaller-scale test events.

A significantly reduced crowd of 10,000 people will attend the three-day festival, headlined by Bullet For My Valentine, Frank Turner, and Creeper.

Revellers at Download Pilot festival 2021
A much reduced crowd of 10,000 has been allowed at the three-day event, which would usually welcome up to 111,000 people
Download Pilot festival 2021
Acts appearing at the festival include Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Enter Shikari
PA Media Revellers at Download Pilot festival 2021PA Media
Festival organisers have told crowds "moshing will be allowed" after minimal Covid-19 cases were recorded at government pilot events like the Brit Awards
PA Media Woman in her tent at Download Pilot festival 2021PA Media
Fans are required to take Covid-19 tests before and after the festival, and have to provide proof of a negative test to gain entry
PA Media Revellers at Download Pilot festival 2021PA Media
One festival goer said: "It's not Download if it's not raining."
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