Download Festival in 2019 will go down in history for many reasons, not just the fact that it was particularly wet and muddy but that it was the last festival before two years of postponement in 2020 and a trial event last year due to Covid. That year's event saw more than 48 hours of relentless rain which caused paths and campsites into mud.
Many decided the weather was too much for them and packed up for an early exit whilst others stayed on to embrace the terrible conditions as best as they could. Some were able to take it all in their stride and one fan was nicknamed the Mud King after marching around the festival covered head to toe in dirt.
There were yellow weather warnings in place from Tuesday to Thursday as heavy rain battered the site and the rest of the East Midlands. It made the ground super wet for those arriving at the weekend.
Read more: Live Download Festival updates as fans continue to arrive ready for headliners including Biffy Clyro
The sun did make an appearance over the five day event and the crowd even cheered at the arrival of much needed sunshine. The 2019 festival was headlined by Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool.
In hindsight, maybe the torrential weather of 2019 wasn't so bad after all. The 2020 line up promised Kiss, Iron Maiden and System of a Down to take over the stages but was not meant to be.
Covid put a stop to a whole summer of festival line ups across the world. Download was able to make a return last June as a smaller, pilot event. 2021 saw rock music lovers return to Donington Park from 18-20 June to see Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari and Bullet for My Valentine among others bring back live music.
This year is set to be the big return of Download with people who were waiting since 2019 to attend. It will be the first time festival goers return to the site for a full five day music celebration in two years. Festival goers this year will be pleased to hear there are no signs of rain this weekend.
Friday 10 June is set to be sunny turning to cloudy by the afternoon with highs of 20 degrees. The fine weather continues into Saturday and Sunday where there will be highs of 19 and 18 degrees.
