The big one: Download

What, when and where?

Download Festival is a three-day behemoth of metal, rock 'n' roll and punk at the spiritual home of the dirty long hair and ripped leather jackets; Donington Park. This year sees the festival move from its five-year home inside the famous race track and will now occupy the leafier fringes of the site. What's more, the second stage has been transformed into an outdoor arena meaning even more room for Download's infamous circle pits. It kicks off Friday (13 May) and runs through until Sunday, as up to 70,000 head bangers put their heavy-drinkin', heavy partyin' reputation to the test.

Five to watch

Rival Schools - Tuborg Stage, Friday - The post-hardcore super group surprisingly reformed this year and fans who missed out the first time around should thank their lucky stars.

KISS - Main Stage, Friday - A visit to these shores is rarer than a goth with a suntan, expect plenty of cheesy metal, make-up, pyrotechnics and that ridiculously large tongue

Apocalyptica - Main Stage, Sunday - Finnish classical-metallers who started out playing Metallica covers on cellos before expanding their live show. They're a proven Download favourite. Nothing Else Matters.

Amon Amarth - Tuborg Stage, Saturday - Viking-inspired songs worth burning a small village for, grab your ale and your wench and prepare to defend your honour.

Dillinger Escape Plan - Gibson Stage, Friday - Back four years after they first laid waste to Download, the blisteringly heavy schizophrenic, tech-metallers are ready for Round Two.

One to miss

Lost Prophets - Main Stage, Sunday - They are no Guns 'n' Roses, Metallica or Iron Maiden. Don't let your final memories of an historic Download Festival be a chart rocking band who could only manage a mid-afternoon slot at T In The Park last year.

Playing a rare UK festival date

Kid Rock – Main Stage, Friday - The self-proclaimed 'American Bad Ass' will make his first appearance at Download with his staple of rap-rock... No one is quite sure why.

Inside tip

Municipal Waste - Tuborg Stage, Sunday - When the Virginia thrashers dubbed their latest album 'The Art Of Partying' they weren't being ironic. The perfect final day hang-over cure.

Be at Download Festival if you like...

Bands that your work colleagues have never heard of. When the terms and conditions were set out for moshing, crowd surfing and headbanging, they were agreed at Donington.

Avoid if you hate...

VERY LOUD MUSIC, ALL DAY AND NIGHT LONG, FOR THREE DAYS SOLID! Even the softer bands are enough to have indie kids shouting about Satan.

Festival tactics

This year sees the second stage becoming open air for the first time which will avoid crushes suffered during the likes of Korn and The Prodigy in previous years, but fans eager to catch, Dillinger Escape Plan, Testament and Jonathan Davis in the Gibson tent had best get there early enough to book a spot. Otherwise, be aware that the entire lay out has changed for 2008, so get the compass out before the cider or it could be a long and unsuccessful hike back to the tent at night.

The only festival that...

... Brings aging KISS fans shoulder to shoulder with their Simple Plan loving grandchildren. The alternative family day out!

Fashionista or folky?

Neither. Less melody and soul than a cage of spanners and fewer pairs of Armani jeans than your local charity shop.

Alcohol of choice

Choice has little to do with it. "A warm-over priced beer I've never heard of please?"

Take your mum score

If you've ever pinched Judas Priest patches from your old dear's denim jacket... 9.5/10
Every other mum... 1/10

Can I still get tickets?

Yes, a weekend camping ticket is £150, while day tickets will set you back either £60 or £65. Buy HERE.