The past two Days of Download Festival 2015 announcements have brought us some great quality bands topped off by Slipknot and Muse. Now the final night of 2015’s annual Donington shenanigans is set to be headlined by none other than the costumed masters of rock n’roll KISS. Gene Simmons “accidentally” let the cat out of the bag last week by tweeting a picture of Sunday’s announcement which was hastily denied by the Download organisers but, like many others, we smelt something of a rat and low and behold, Gene was telling the truth! This will be KISS’s second headline appearance at Download after 2008 where they were joined by fellow Download 2015 performers Judas Priest. KISS’s Paul Stanley had this to say about coming back to Download:
Download has become a tradition of stature that separates the pretenders from the contenders and the champs from the chimps. It will be an honour to take our turf and leave no doubt why we wear the crown.
Appearing as KISS’s special guests are none other than Motley Crue in what is scheduled to be their final EVER UK festival appearance. The Crue’s impending retirement has long been discussed and Download 2015 will see Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars and Vince Neil hang up the leather in terms of UK festival appearances, in all likelihood forever. The band that literally defined the term “Sleaze Rock” in the 80’s, make sure you don’t miss Motley Crue at Download 2015 for the likes of Girls Girls Girls and Dr Feelgood.
No stranger to Donington and Download in particular, Slash along with his trusty singer Myles Kennedy and backing band The Conspirators will make a most welcome return to Download in 2015. Having most recently appeared in 2012 when they headlined the second stage, Slash and co will take up their biggest slot yet on the main stage under KISS and Motley Crue. With yet another well received album in the shape of World On Fire, Slash’s career with Myles and The Conspirators continues to rocket from strength to strength. Good time rock and roll is guaranteed with this one.
Not interested in KISS’s return to Donington? Well you couldn’t get too much more different in terms of Sunday night’s second stage headliners Enter Shikari. Having fulfilled the same slot up against Iron Maiden back in 2013, The St Albans quartet are currently in the build up to their fourth album The Mindsweep which is scheduled to drop at the start of next year. Get the finger lights and glowsticks out, as if you’re not interested in KISS Enter Shikari will give you one hell of a party to finish off Download 2015 with. Shikari’s vocalist Rou Reynolds is quite excited:
The thing I love more than anything is playing outside, at night. We thank Download for the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the great outdoors and engulf and deluge festival-goers with our noise. It is an honour to be closing the night and because of this we will bring with us illuminations. Do attend.
If you missed the announcements from the last two days here are some links for your convenience:
Download 2015 Friday announcement with headliners Slipknot & Judas Priest
Download 2015 Saturday announcement with headliners Muse & Faith No More
And there we have it, the headliners for Download are revealed for another year. Tickets go back on sale tomorrow (Thursday 19th of November) via all the usual websites including the official Download Festival website www.downloadfestival.co.uk. Download 2015 takes place from the 10th – 14th of June 2015 (bands the 12th – 14th). Further acts will be revealed in the weeks so come so please keep checking back with Rock Sins for the latest news!