Slipknot will be the headline act at Download festival 2015
Slipknot are to make their fifth appearance at Download festival at the 2015 event. The Grammy award-winning metal group will headline the main stage in support of their latest release, 5: The Gray Chapter, their first since the death of bassist Paul Gray and the departure of drummer Joey Jordison.
The group will top the bill on the Friday of the event, with a temporary new lineup. While the identities of the band’s current bassist and drummer have not been officially revealed, they are rumoured to be drummer Jay Weinberg and bassist Alessandro “Vman” Venturella.
Slipknot last headlined Download in June 2013, a set which was stopped twice so staff could make repairs to the front barricade, which had split under crowd pressure. Frontman Corey Taylor said the gig “feels like coming home”.
“Headlining Download, for the third time, feels like the culmination of a life’s dream. It’s an honour, a privilege and we’re all looking forward to it.”
As part of their 40th anniversary world tour, Judas Priest will be main support for Slipknot at the Donington festival. They first played Monsters of Rock in 1980 and this will be their second Download, after previously appearing in 2008.
Five Finger Death Punch have also been confirmed, and the second stage will be headlined by Kentucky group Black Stone Cherry – who were last year’s secret band. BSC’s guitarist Ben Wells said: “After the recent tour we just finished in the UK, we didn’t know how to come back in a badass way, and thanks to our friends at Download and the fans who keep us going, we’ll be back to rock your ass and give you the best show we can!”
Download has expanded over the years, and is now the second-biggest festival in Europe. Tickets are available from 9am on 20 November.
Source: The Guardian
