The final headlining act for next year’s Download Festival was confirmed today (November 18th). Heavy metal legends from yester-year Metallica and Black Sabbath will be joined at the event in June 2012 by electronic group The Prodigy, who will play in the headline slot of the festival’s opening day on Friday 8th June.
At first The Prodigy may seem an odd choice when placed alongside the powerhouses by which they will be followed, but the billing makes sense when you consider that, shockingly, not everyone loves heavy metal, especially from bands considered to be past their best (in Sabbath’s case, way past). Metallica will headline Saturday 9th, before Sabbath close the proceedings on the night of Sunday 10th.
The hardcore dance trio, fronted by eccentric vocalist Keith Flint, are reportedly recording a new album for release next year, and will be playing their last gigs of 2011 in Brazil in December before Download next summer (the next gig officially confirmed for the group at the moment). The Prodigy have previously performed at Download in 2006 and 2009, both times headlining the second stage, so 2012 will mark the first time the band have headlined the main stage at Donington.
Tickets for Download Festival 2012 are now on-sale from the festival website.
