Last night heavy metal legends Iron Maiden took to social media to announce that they will be headlining both versions of the Download festival next year, with the first ever French Download festival in Paris and then the more traditional Donington Download festival in UK.
Double DOWNLOAD action! Paris on Friday June 10 then jetting across the channel for Donington on Sunday June 12. #DL2016
— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) October 19, 2015
This is not the first time Iron Maiden have headlined the heavy metal festival; they have previously headlined Download on six separate occasions. However as it is the inaugural French Download festival it is of course their first time headlining in Paris.
Tickets will be available for the UK Download festival will be available this Friday (23rd October) going on sale at 9am here.
Lead singer Bruce Dickinson had this to say on the announcement when speaking to nme:
“Download is a very special place for us. Not just because it’s always great to play on home turf but because there’s a truly unique vibe there, it’s the very heart of England and of Metal, so a fitting place for Iron Maiden!”
“However, as it’s been a while since we saw you all, I am sure we will include plenty of older fan favourites too. I think the fans will be delighted by what we have in mind. We are also in the middle of creating the new show and rest assured we are working hard to bring you all something spectacular, something with a lot of heart!!! You certainly deserve it for your patience.”
Incidentally this also counts as part of Iron Maiden’s ‘Book of Souls World Tour’ however it is their only UK date in the entire tour. Find all dates and locations below:
24th February – Ft Lauderdale, USA – BB&T Center
26th February – Tulsa, USA – BOK Center
28th February – Las Vegas, USA – Mandalay Bay Events Center
1st March – Monterrey, Mexico – Teatro Banamex
3rd March – Mexico City, Mexico – Sports Palace
6th March – San Salvador, El Salvador – Estadio Jorge Magico Gonzalez
8th March – San Jose, Costa Rica – Estadio Ricardo Saprissa
11th March – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Nacional
13th March – Cordoba, Argentina – Estadio Mario Kempes
15th March – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Estadio Velez Sarsfield
17th March – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – HSBC Arena
19th March – Belo Horizonte, Brazil – Esplanada Do Mineirao
22nd March – Brasilia, Brazil – Nilson Nelson Arena
24th March – Fortaleza, Brazil – Ginasio Olimpico
26th March – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Allianz Parque
30th March – New York, USA – Madison Square Garden
1st April – Montreal, Canada – Bell Centre
3rd April – Toronto, Canada – Air Canada Centre
5th April – Detroit, USA – Palace of Auburn Hills
6th April – Chicago, USA – United Centre
8th April – Edmonton, Canada – Rexall Place
10th April – Vancouver, Canada – Rogers Arena
11th April – Tacoma, USA – Tacoma Dome
13th April – Denver, USA – Pepsi Center
15th April – Los Angeles, USA – The Forum
16th April – Los Angeles, USA – The Forum
29th April – Christchurch, New Zealand – Horncastle Arena
1st May – Auckland, New Zealand – Vector Arena
4th May – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
6th May – Sydney, Australia – Allphones Arena
9th May – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
12th May – Adelaide, Australia – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
14th May – Perth, Australia – Perth Arena
18th May – Cape Town, South Africa – Grand Arena
21st May – Johannesburg, South Africa – Carnival City Festival Lawns
26th – 28th May – Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Rock Im Revier Festival
27th – 29th May – Munich, Germany – Rockavaria Festival
8th June – Arnhem, The Netherlands – Gelredome
10th June – Paris, France – Download Festival
12th June – Donington, UK – Download Festival
17th June – Gothenburg, Sweden – Ullevi Stadium
19th June – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting
4th August – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Open Air
