Alternative/Rock

Download Festival And Heavy Metal Truants launch Download 20 Auction

Download 20 appears to be the gift that just keeps on giving, and after the event itself, Download 20, alongside the Heavy Metal Truants, will launch the Download 20 Auction.

Published

1 year ago

05/28/2023

Damian FitzGerald

Article Views: 1,392

Download 20 appears to be the gift that just keeps on giving, and after the event itself, Download 20, alongside the Heavy Metal Truants, will launch the Download 20 Auction. The event will see Download headliners from the last 20 years of the festival contribute a selection of unique and rare memorabilia to support four children’s charities.

Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me The Horizon, David Coverdale, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Muse and System Of A Down, among others, have promised special items for the auction that will go live on June 29, 2023, for one week closing on July 6, 2023, at midnight UK time. The winners will be announced the following week, with proceeds going to the Heavy Metal Truants’ four chosen charities: Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, Childline, and Save The Children.

Comments founding Download Festival organiser Andy Copping:

“This is about the rock and metal community coming together to do something that is truly amazing. The response we’ve had from artists and people behind the scenes has been truly phenomenal, and I can’t wait for people to see what we’ve put together.”

The Heavy Metal Truants were co-founded by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and ex-Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas in 2013. Now in their eleventh year, they have so far raised £1.2 million via their annual 150-mile cycle ride from London to Donington Park, the home of Download festival, as well as a host of events, auctions and raffles in addition to virtual challenges which allow walkers, runners, and cyclists to participate no matter where they are in the world.

Says Smallwood:

“The Heavy Metal Truants is a great way for the rock and metal community to come together and help disadvantaged children. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan, if you’re in the industry or in a band: you can make a difference by helping to improve the lives of kids and young people by joining us or supporting these activities, and that counts for a lot!”

“The Download 20 Auction is about history,” adds Milas. “Over 20 years, Andy Copping and all at Download have left an indelible mark on this genre of music. Good luck to the bidders: please bid generously, and often!”