Download Festival teases Australian edition

Image Source: Downloadfestival.co.uk

The rumour mill is churning with claims British rock and heavy metal festival Download is heading to Australia. 

Responding to a fan on Twitter, and picked up by Music Feeds, the festival’s booker Andy Copping has told local heavy music zealots to “watch this space”.

@Markoz27 @DarrenWatkins @prime666 Don’t give up hope, Marky - watch this space

— Andy Copping (@Maverick_AC) February 12, 2016

@Luckyangel56 @Markoz27 @DarrenWatkins @prime666 ...and so they should

— Andy Copping (@Maverick_AC) February 12, 2016

With two sold-out heavy music gatherings, a measured impact on Australia’s metal and hardcore scene and multiple arena tours to its name, Melbourne-based music company Unified is the obvious choice for Download’s local promoter.

Adding fuel to the fire, in May Unified announced its partnership with Live Nation – the promoter giant behind Download Festival UK. TMN reached out to Unified for comment, but its spokesperson declined to confirm anything.

13-year-old Download Festival expanded to France this June. It took place simultaneously with the UK staging and featured a similar bill, including headliners Iron Maiden, Rammstein, Megadeth and Korn. But talk of an Australian jaunt to replace the now defunct Soundwave Festival has been percolating the Twittersphere following Soundwave’s demise last December. 

If Download does join the 2017 Australian summer festival circuit, it may have another two heavy music events to compete with. The troubled Legion Festival promises to take place in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane from January next year, while ex-Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah has added Europe’s Sonisphere to the rumour mill with the below tweet:

Things are heating up. We may have 3 new rock festivals next year! Download, Sonisphere + Legion! #Excitement #Adventure

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) February 15, 2016