Thousands have descended on Donington Park for Download Festival this year - with the annual event spread across four days for the first time ever. The entertainment at the popular rock festival got going on Thursday, June 8, and featured a headline set from the world-famous band Metallica.
But it seems it wasn't just those who bought a ticket who got to experience the heavy metal band. In fact, residents across west Nottinghamshire - and even some more than 20 miles away - claim to have heard the sound, which is believed to have been amplified by a new sound system with strong winds thought to have carried the noise.
The sound was heard in Long Eaton and led to noise complaints made to Derbyshire Police. The noise was also heard in Stapleford, about 10 miles away from Donington Park, but the noise did not phase some them. "I could hear it until about 10.30pm last night. We wouldn't normally hear it," said one Stapleford resident, who asked not to be named.
"It did come and go which maybe could be to do with the wind, like if it was just noisy I'd expect to hear it all the time. It finished and didn't go on too late but it is a good few miles away."
A rumbling of Metallica's music was reportedly heard through the town. The noise seemed to get louder at points in the set, then quietened down for moments.
Download Festival attracts thousands of rock lovers from across the globe each year, and, this time round, organisers have extended the event to four days from three, giving fans an extra night of fun to mark the 20th anniversary of the festival.
A second resident in Stapleford, who asked not to be named, added: "I could hear it but it did not bother me, especially if it's not every day. I can't complain really - but I do prefer it quiet.
"At first I thought it was someone's radio or someone was having a party." Another Stapleford resident noted how they thought it was quite exciting. They said: "At first I thought it was the pub or something. But it was exciting to hear a world-famous act like Metallica."
However, some didn't hear the noise at all. Donald Burton, 86, said: "We couldn't hear it Couldn't hear anything. Actually it's quite a shame because we're big music lovers."
According to Derbyshire Live, strong winds and a sound system upgrade may have contributed to the distance the noise travelled. Other acts performing at Download Festival this year include Bring Me The Horizon and Architects.
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