Download’s Repeat Business

There were 90,000 per day at this year’s Download Festival and it’s highly likely that at least a quarter of them had been before.

A Ticketmaster survey has apparently shown the Donington Park bash has a higher percentage of returning fans than average.

The survey found that 27 percent of this year’s festivalgoers were returning after attending last year, compared with 20 percent in 2012 and 13 percent in 2011.

“Our findings suggest that metal and rock fans simply can’t resist the lure of their favourite bands: and with a line up including Slipknot, Iron Maiden and Rammstein, who can blame them?” said Sophie Crosby, vice president of insight at Ticketmaster International.

Download’s way of rewarding fan loyalty has been to offer 5,000 tickets for next year’s festival (June 13-15) at £10 less than 2013 tickets cost.

“It’s been an amazing weekend. We’ve had over 150 bands across five stages and a trio of ground breaking, world-class headliners,” said festival promoter Andy Copping. “Having Iron Maiden back 25 years after they first headlined Donington was an incredible moment.”

Apart from Iron Maiden, the rest of the Download bill June 14-16 included Rammstein, Slipknot, Queens of the Stone Age,  Bullet For My Valentine, Motorhead, The Gaslight Anthem, HIM, and 3 Doors Down.