Music fans are braving the torrential rain as the Download Festival pilot kicked off today.

Things got off to a very, very wet start as 10,000 people rocked up to Donington Park, in Leicestershire.

They were seen donning waterproofs and raincoats as they set up their tents in the downpour, ready to spend the weekend partying away.

Bullet For My Valentine, Enter Shikari and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are headlining the pilot scheme, with Skindred, Twin Atlantic and While She Sleeps also on the line-up.

However, it seems like it’s going to be a wet weekend for all revellers, with the Met Office warning of heavy rain and possible thunder across the UK.

Bosses confirmed that the capacity for the festival has been significantly reduced from the usual 111,000 – but those lucky ticker-holders will not have to socially distance or wear face masks around the park.

Organisers initially called Download off for 2021 due to the pandemic, but the Government later gave them the green light as a test, which will help other events taking place later in the year.

Confirming the news in a statement, they said: ‘Downloaders, we couldn’t be more hyped to announce that we will be running a pilot event as part of the second phase of the Government’s Event Research Programme. It’s gonna be a 10,000 capacity camping festival in Donington Park!

‘Everybody on site will have taken a lateral flow test before entry and received a negative result and will have taken a PCR test too. That means you’ll be able to mosh, dance, hug your fellow Downloaders, and rock out without a mask or social distancing.

‘Frankly, we can’t think of anything that sounds more awesome after 15 months away from our hallowed ground.

‘To say thank you for sticking with us through these tough times, Download 2022 ticket holders will be given first dibs for 48 hours on tickets for the pilot event.’

Festival-goers had to present a negative Lateral Flow Test and a PCR test before heading to the site, with a second PCR test five days after the event.

Aside from this, Download will be making a full return in 2022, with Kiss and Biffy Clyro remaining as headliners, and Iron Maiden added to the bill.

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