Iron Maiden will headline Download in 2016.
Bruce Dickinson
The band will perform on the final day of the rock festival on Sunday 12 June at Donington Park, Leicestershire, their only UK show in 2016.
The band will fly in to East Midlands Airport on their Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet Ed Force One, piloted by Bruce Dickinson and carrying band, crew, stage production and equipment over 55,000 miles around the world, visiting 35 countries on 'The Book Of Souls World Tour'.
Bruce said: "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!
"The crowd is always fiercely passionate and the whole band feeds off that famous Donington energy. We aim to deliver a really memorable show for our fans to close the 2016 Festival. Although this is our sixth time headlining at Castle Donington, it's the first time we've been able to land Ed Force One right on the doorstep of the Festival site!"
And he insisted that fans are in for a treat with a mix of new songs and classics.
He added: "We haven't decided on the set list as yet and won't until we start rehearsing but we really look forward to playing a number of new songs live, especially as the recording was so much live. However, as it's been a while since we saw you all, I am sure we will include plenty of older songs 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. "
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