Music

Download Festival 2015 just got even bigger (featuring laser tag and speed dating)

Download Festival is welcoming a bunch of new on-site action to this year’s event, including an inflatable wedding chapel, silent disco, cinema and laser tag.

Yes. LASER. TAG.

Following the news that Progress Wrestling is to make its Donington debut this June, festival organisers are welcoming a host of new activities to the iconic site.

Download Dog Progress Wrestling

SO, this year’s programme now includes the Dog’s Bed open mic stage, Hair of the Dog beer and real ale house, Download’s Chapel of Love at the inflatable church, Heavy Metal Speed Dating (seriously), The Doghouse Comedy, cinema, silent disco, Demolition Download, pop-up art gallery and KISS face painting.

Did we mention laser tag?

There will also be medieval carnage courtesy of Demolition Download, and the Download Totem.

Prepare yourselves, people. This is going to be big.

Here’s the FULL list of all the goings-on:

Progress Wrestling
In what is set to be a new era of on-site entertainment at Download, Progress Wrestling make their Donington debut this summer with some of the most explosive wrestlers in the country. You’ll find Progress Wrestling in The Village from Wednesday to Sunday, noon – 02:00.

Dog’s Bed Stage
Finally, YOU get the chance to play at the world famous Download Festival. We’ll provide all the instruments you need to play (we’re good like that) to your adoring fans. All you need to do is bring the talent. It’s like open mic but, hey, this is Download!

The Inflatable Church
New to The Village in 2015 and leading the charge, The Inflatable Church will debut Download’s very own wedding chapel! Yes, you heard right. But cut the soppy sh*t, this love-in will allow to (unofficially) marry anything… be it beer, beards, dogs, donuts or even significant others, if you must. Anything goes.

Speed dating
This year we see the introduction of Heavy Metal Dating Presents Speed Dating. Looking for love? Prefer moshing to making out? Want KISS over physical intimacy? Donington has the answer.

Demolition Download
Returning to Download after an epic debut in 2014, Battle Heritage brings all their medieval-might once again to the Main Arena in June. Expect swords, shields and knight-like anti-social behavior. Not too dissimilar to what you might see on one of the stages to be honest.

Doghouse
The Doghouse is back and it is bigger and better than ever. Bringing you a lineup featuring some of the country’s biggest and best club nights, it will keep you rocking out until the small hours up in the Campsite Village. The party doesn’t stop when the Main Arena closes.

Comedy
The Side Splitter Tent is back for two full nights of comedy in The Village on Wednesday and Thursday night, leaving you Rockin’ n Rollin’ on the floor laughing. The perfect warm-up for a weekend of Heavy Metal mayhem!

Silent disco
The Silent Disco takes over the early hours shift in the Side Splitter Tent on Friday, Saturday & Sunday night, playing all your Rock classics as LOUD as you like. It’s like a massive party in your pants. Sorry. Head. Party in your HEAD!

Cinema
The ever-popular Download Cinema makes a welcome return to the Campsite Village once again with a host of films inspired by the festival and fans. Funny business in the back row encouraged. No tugging.

Laser tag
New to 2015, Laser Tag enters the fray for a futuristic showdown in the Campsite Village. Basically run round and shoot people humanely with frickin’ LASERS! It’s a lot less messy.

Performers
Weird and wild performers will be bringing the site to life including Rasputin’s Caravan of Lost Souls who will roam the Main Arena, the walk from The Village and The Doghouse. Don’t be alarmed, they don’t bite. Probably.

KISS face painting
Pretty much what it says on the tin. In homage to our Headliners on Sunday, get your face painted as one of the KISS band members. Potentially the most EPIC face paint you will ever receive.

Pop-up art gallery
Keep your eyes open (probably when sober) and look out for pop-up art galleries and a variety of sculptures around the Download site come June.

Mask workshops
Make a mask like Slipknot or something altogether more random as the Masketeers head to Download giving you the opportunity to join workshops to make… well… masks! For Big Kids & Little Ones alike. In the Main Arena.

Circus workshops
In the Campsite Village from Thursday to Sunday, take part in a Circus Workshop to sharpen up skills you probably never knew you ever had. Just don’t expect to find Slipknot’s Clown anywhere near.

Totem
The infamous carved totem moves from The Village to the Main Arena, where you can leave a personalised padlock. Either bring one or buy one on site.

Seat of Luxury
The Seat of Luxury will change your Download experience – male and female WCs to transport you from muddy field to Mayfair hotel. But don’t worry Rock ‘n Roll fans, we won’t tell anyone.

Bogan Bingo
Bogan Bingo join us for the first time bringing their Aussie take on the much loved British institution. Bingo dabbers at the ready, as two trailer trash bingo callers with a passion for ’80’s rock lead you through a continuous barrage of comedy and chaos, plus a host of classic tunes – all tentatively held together by the great sport of bingo.

Download Festival 2015 takes place between 12 – 14 June, weekend and day tickets are on sale now

Related links:

VIDEO: Fightstar on returning to Download Festival 2015

Five bands not to miss at Download Festival 2015