Download 2010

Finally the waiting is over - yes indeed, the first section of the Download line-up has been announced and what a ferociously loud little beauty this is going to be. There have been 30 years of impressive turn-outs (give or take the odd break) and the names below will surely tempt you to rock up to Donington in June. Right, enough of the blathering and onto the bands - running order TBC, by the way.

AC/DC are the heavyweights on the bill and no mistake. This will be their 4th visit to Donington but their inaugural Download appearance. The 'Back In Black' rockers played the venue for the first time way back in 1981 at the Monsters Of Rock Festival as well as huge sets played in 1984 and 1991. Lately there has been a surge of interest in Messrs Johnson, Young and co, culminating in the rather nifty 'Backtracks' box set released at the tail-end of last year as well as several of their influential albums being re-visited time and time again. You won't want to miss one of the greatest all-time rock and roll bands will you?

Them Crooked Vultures

Joining the fray are the decade's ultimate rock super-group, Them Crooked Vultures. After spending six months or so whetting the proverbial with teasers of songs, Grohl, Jones and Homme unveiled a riff-tastic album in the Autumn (which I got rather damp about). After several exciting shows, TCV finally play in the auditorium of dreams so you can finally hear and see what all the fuss has been about.

Deftones

Add to these two, Deftones (their 4th appearance and a new album in tow), Stone Temple Pilots (reformed grungers making their virgin Doni appearance), Motorhead (Lemmy brings his 'Ace of Spades' back for a 4th time), Megadeth (legendary thrash-rockers headed up by Dave Mustaine for a 4th visit), Bullet For My Valentine (sneaking up the bill for a fourth time), Wolfmother and Volbeat (both dirty little two-timers) and you have pretty sound opening gambit from the festival named as 'Event Of The Year 2009' by Classic Rock and 'Best Community 2008' by BT Digital. There were well over 100 bands here last year across four stages - surely you're gonna rock your arse off at some point then!?!

Early Bird tickets have all sold out so now the second batch of weekend standard tickets will go on sale from 9am on Friday 29th January and, as a reminder, here are the prices. They are all slightly more than the EBs in Dec although the locker and parking prices remain the same.

Firstly, there are a range of weekend tickets without camping. Basic weekend arena tickets cost £145 for the 3 days entertainment - you can add £11 for a locker pass and £10 for car parking for Friday to Sunday inclusive.

If you want to camp onsite, the 3 Day Camping ticket costs £170 - this covers the right to pitch from the Friday until Monday morning. The 3 Day Family Camping ticket also costs £170. The 5 Day versions of the above cost £10 more than the 3-Day prices and will cover from Wednesday to Monday camping.

If you don't trust the trains to get there (nah, me neither) then there is a Coach package for 3 Day Camping and 5 Day Camping as well, starting from £194/£204 and rising to £231/£241, depending on where you want to travel from. Select your zone from the list provided on the links.

Check the "Tickets" button below (from Friday 29th-onwards) in order to view the full list of tickets available to you.