Festival is ‘evidence’ big gigs can go ahead

THE organiser of the Download Festival says it is “100 per cent evidence” that large-scale music events can take place safely amid the pandemic.

Melvin Benn, managing director of the Festival Republic group, said he had seen an “extraordinary” level of compliance on the Donington Park site across the three-day festival in Leicestershire, which faced heavy rain and showers.

The rock and metal event, which concluded last night, took place as part of a Government live events pilot, meaning fans did not have to wear masks or socially distance -– although the capacity was significantly reduced from 111,000 to around 10,000.

Speaking as the festival drew to a close, Mr Benn said: “It’s extraordinary really. It’s really fantastic. I am very heart-warmed by it all. What is extraordinary about it is the level of compliance around the testing and requirements we have is absolutely extraordinary.”

Headliners Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Enter Shikari were among the acts that performed, along with Bullet For My Valentine and Frank Turner.

Mr Benn predicted the data being gathered at the festival would prove similar events can take place.