Download Festival 2023 kicks off as Metallica headline first night with 'incredible' set - sending f

Publish date: 2024-04-30

METALLICA fans went wild last night as the band kicked off 2023’s Download Festival. 

The legendary rock band’s set kicked off with a video tribute to their 42 years in music - then launched into an epic 16 song set. 

The band played huge hits Nothing Else Matters and Seek & Destroy, plus songs from new album 72 Seasons - then ended on Master Of Puppets from iconic 1986 album of the same name. 

And rock fans loved it - with one tweeting: “BRILLIANT, MAJESTIC, PERFECT” and another saying “That is one of the best Metallica shows I have seen! The energy was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible”. 

Another said: “Metallica were superb. Can't wait to see them again on Saturday” while a fan tweeted: “Metallica storming the Download festival, incredible set list and performance.”

The band - who formed in 1981 - will appear again at the festival on Saturday for another headlining set. 

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And it wasn’t just ticket-buying rock fans who were treated to a show - locals as far as 14 miles away took to Twitter to thank the festival for getting a free show. 

The festival’s speakers were so good, people as far as Derby and Nottingham could hear Metallica’s set at Donnington Park - and were over the moon. 

“Nice one Metallica, you don’t get much for free these days !! Main stage from the comfort of my bed 11 miles away,” said one local, while another asked: “Some noise coming from Metallica at Download. Stood in my garden 12 miles away listening! Anyone know of any last minute tickets on Saturday let me know.”

Another said: “I can hear Metallica at Download and I live 20 miles away!” while someone else pointed out: “We live about 10 miles away from Donnington park and listened to [it] from the comfort of our own bed! Sounded epic!  Well done everyone at DownloadFestival. Awesome!”

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