Download Festival is '100 per cent evidence' that big music events can take place safely says organiser after 10,000 rock fans enjoyed three-day party

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The organiser of Download Festival said it is '100 per cent evidence' that big music events can take place safely amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Melvin Benn, managing director of the Festival Republic group, said the level of compliance he saw during the Covid test event was 'extraordinary', adding that the festival was proof music events could be Covid secure.

Around 10,000 eager fans flocked to Donington Park, East Midlands, to enjoy the three-day version of Download Festival, called Download Pilot, which kicked off on Friday before coming to a close on Sunday night. 

Speaking as the festival drew to a close, Mr Benn said: 'It's extraordinary really. It's really fantastic. I am very heart-warmed by it all.

Melvin Benn, managing director of the Festival Republic group, said the level of compliance he saw during the Covid test event was 'extraordinary'. Pictured: Crowds as Skindred performed during the Download Pilot festival on Sunday

Mr Benn, the organiser of Download Festival, said this year's three-day music event (pictured) was '100 per cent evidence' that big music events can take place safely amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Around 10,000 fans flocked to Donington Park, East Midlands, to enjoy the three-day version of Download Festival, called Download Pilot, which kicked off on Friday before coming to a close on Sunday night. Pictured: Festival goers on Sunday 

'What is extraordinary about it is the level of compliance around the testing and requirements we have is absolutely extraordinary.

'In a way that you would expect when you are in the middle or towards the tail end of a pandemic, that level of compliance is extraordinary.

'It is coupled with a level of normality that is equally extraordinary when you have been out of it for so long.'

Despite heavy rain and showers, fans danced to the likes of Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari, who played on Friday and Saturday, while Bullet For My Valentine and Frank Turner graced the stage on Sunday. 

Asked about if it remains impossible for large-scale music events to be Covid-secure, Mr Benn said: 'It is evidence that this is not true. It is 100% evidence that it is not true. This is a very clear demonstration that you can do it.'

The festival took part as a Government test event to see how Covid transmission takes place in crowds, which gave people a taste of normality as fans did not have to wear masks or socially distance.

Crowds, who had to provide a negative PCR test before arrival, were allowed to mosh and hug at the camping-only festival as they were freed from strict Covid regulations while onsite. 

But the rock and metal event's capacity was reduced by 90 per cent from 111,000 to around 10,000 as it was allowed to run as a smaller pilot event rather than being cancelled for the second year running.

Despite heavy rain and showers, fans danced to the likes of Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari, who played on Friday and Saturday, while Jimmy Wizard of Higher Power (pictured) and Frank Turner graced the stage on Sunday

The festival took part as a Government test event to see how Covid transmission takes place in crowds, which meant fans did not have to wear masks or socially distance. Pictured: Fan dressed as Jesus crowd surfed during the festival

Crowds, who had to provide a negative PCR test before arrival, were allowed to mosh at the camping-only festival as they were freed from Covid rules while onsite. Pictured: Jamie Lenman performs on day three of the Download Pilot festival

Mr Benn predicted that the data being gathered by the Government at the festival would prove that similar events can take place amid the pandemic.

He continued: 'In fairness, the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) are on board with the message which is that these things can happen and they can happen safely.

'What we want from Download is data that scientists can analyse that will effectively reinforce that position, and that data is being gathered and I am certain it will do just that.'

Festival organisers announced in March that they were cancelling the event due to the pandemic, but the event was given the green light in May as a Government test event. 

The event comes after a series of smaller pilots events run as part of the Events Research Programme, which aims to examine the risk of transmission of Covid-19 from attendance at events and explore ways to enable people to attend a range of venues safely.

The Download Pilot Festival was quickly arranged in around a month and featured 40 bands across two stages after kicking off on June 18. 

Fans were only able to buy weekend tickets and leaving the festival site in between music acts was strongly discouraged by organisers. 

Away from the festival, people were still required to follow the Government's current guidelines on social distancing and mask-wearing.

Latitude, which is also run by Festival Republic, announced on Friday it would be going ahead between July 22 and July 25 in Suffolk.

The rock event's capacity was reduced by 90 per cent from 111,000 to around 10,000 as it was allowed to run as a smaller pilot event rather than being cancelled for the second year running. Pictured: Kadeem France of Loathe performs on Sunday

Festival organisers announced in March that they were cancelling the event due to the pandemic, but the event was given the green light in May as a Government test event. Pictured: Festival goers enjoy the third and final day of the music event

Mr Benn predicted that the data being gathered by the Government at the festival would prove that similar events can take place amid the pandemic. Pictured: Festival goers on day three of the Download Pilot Festival

The Download Pilot Festival was quickly arranged in around a month and featured 40 bands across two stages after kicking off on June 18. Pictured: Kadeem France of Loathe performs during the rock and metal event on Sunday

Mr Benn said that after talks with the DCMS over the last week, he felt 'sufficiently encouraged' to push ahead with the music, comedy and arts festival.

He also suggested that the Government has plans to launch a limited coronavirus insurance scheme.

He explained: 'I believe, and again there is no guarantee, but I believe the Government will come forward with a limited Government-backed insurance scheme.

'It wouldn't be everything that we want by any means but it would certainly be enough to encourage us to all get going again.'

A DCMS spokesman said: 'We are continuing to work flat out to support festivals and live events including through our ongoing events research programme.

'Festival organisers have received more than £34 million from our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, with more financial support on the way after a £300 million boost at budget.

'We are aware of the wider concerns about securing indemnity cover and are exploring what further support may be required when the sector is able to reopen.'