Thousands are gathering at the spiritual home of rock music for the mammoth Download Festival 2023.
This year’s festival at Donington Park in the Midlands has already seen the likes of Metallica take to the stage in front of thousands of fans.
It’s the first time the festival has been held over four days - usually it’s three - but this year is also the twentieth anniversary of the UK’s biggest rock event.
Other rock heroes performing this year are Bring Me the Horizon and Slipknot. There was huge congestion for many making their way there on Thursday, June 8, but that hasn’t dampened their spirits as you can see in our 29 party shots below.
The award-winning event has come a long way since it launched in 2003 with Iron Maiden headlining. They appeared last year too - along with Kiss and Biffy Clyro.
With the summer weather set to stay until Sunday the rock fans are in for a treat. Here’s our 29 rock-tastic photos from the first two days of Download Festival:
1. Crowds descend on Download Festival in Castle Donnington 8 June 2023
2. Crowds descend on Download Festival in Castle Donnington on 8 June 2023
3. Scorching hot day in the arena at Download Festival in Castle Donnington on 8 June 2023
4. All the fun of the fair at Download Festival 2023 at Donington Park