Iron Maiden, Kiss and System Of A Down to headline Download UK 2020

By Scott Munro
last updated

Download festival organisers also reveal Korn, Deftones and another seven artists who’ll play at Donington Park next June

Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden (Image credit: John McMurtrie)

Iron Maiden (opens in new tab), Kiss (opens in new tab) and System Of A Down (opens in new tab) have today been confirmed as Download UK 2020 headliners.

Organisers have also revealed the names of a further nine artists who’ll play at next year’s festival, which will take place on June 12-14 next year.

They are Korn (opens in new tab), Deftones (opens in new tab), The Offspring (opens in new tab), Disturbed (opens in new tab), Gojira (opens in new tab), Alestorm (opens in new tab), Black Veil Brides (opens in new tab), Of Mice & Men (opens in new tab) and Daughtry.

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson says: “Next year we will play a number of countries and cities we have yet to visit on this incredible tour, so it is terrific to be able to accept the invitation to return to Download in 2020 and we will certainly go to town and add a few extra items to the show. 

“This will be our seventh time headlining at Donington Park. It's home turf and we all really enjoy playing this festival. The vibe from the crowd is always fantastic.”

Download 2020 will see Kiss take to the stage in the UK for the very last time – and the band’s Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley can’t wait to get back.

Simmons says: “I’ve said it before, Download festival audiences are the best. They are up for whatever is thrown at them. Kiss is going to come fully prepared to rock their world in 2020 to say thank you for always showing up for us.”

Stanley adds: “Download will be the culmination of 47 years of unapologetic bombast and spectacle. We will make this a fitting farewell to a country and its people whose music remains the blood in our veins.”

System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian adds: “From our appearances to many of my favourite bands, Castle Donington has always had a special place in my heart. We’re proud and excited to continue its legacy.”

Download’s Andy Copping reports he’s already counting down the days to the festival and adds: “Downloaders, your 2020 headliners are here! Rock‘n’roll legends Kiss and System of A Down will both be headlining as UK festival exclusives – and after four years away from Donington, Iron Maiden will return bringing with them mascot Eddie and more fire than we can handle!”

Tickets for Download UK 2020 will go on sale from 2pm on September 25 (opens in new tab).

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers and magazines as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. After initially joining our news desk in the summer of 2014, he moved to the e-commerce team full-time in 2020. He maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott grew up listening to rock and prog, cutting his teeth on bands such as Marillion and Magnum before his focus shifted to alternative and post-punk in the late 80s. His favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Ned's Atomic Dustbin and Drab Majesty, but he also still has a deep love of Rush.