As part of Download Festival’s 20th anniversary this June, a joint effort between the festival and The Heavy Metal Truants will launch the Download 20 Auction on June 29th. The auction will feature rare and unique memorabilia from the past two decades of legendary headliners at Download Festival. All proceeds from this online auction will go towards supporting four children’s charities: Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, Childline, and Save The Children. Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me The Horizon, David Coverdale, Iron Maiden, Metallica Muse and System Of A Down are just some of the artists who have promised special items for this event. Bidding begins on Thursday 29th June 2023 and ends one week later on Thursday 6th July at midnight (UK time). Winners for each item will be announced in the following week after entries close.
“This is about the rock and metal community coming together to do something that is truly amazing,” says founding Download Festival organiser Andy Copping. “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.”
In 2013, Rod Smallwood, the manager of Iron Maiden and Alexander Milas, a former editor of Metal Hammer magazine came together to co-found The Heavy Metal Truants. As they enter their eleventh year, this organization has managed to raise an impressive £1.2 million through various fundraising activities including an annual 150-mile cycle ride from London to Donington Park (the site of Download festival), as well as auctions, raffles and virtual challenges that allow people from all over the world to participate by walking, running or cycling.
“The Heavy Metal Truants is a great way for the rock and metal community to come together and help disadvantaged children,” says Smallwood. “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!”
