Secret bands confirmed for Download Festival this summer

Metal fans will need to keep their ears to the ground during the festival to avoid missing out

Secret shows will be played by bands at this year's Download Festival, organisers have confirmed.

But the identities of the groups booked for hushed-up acoustic sets will not be revealed until the day of their show.

The unannounced slots will form part of Download's District X fringe programme outside of the main arena.

There will be a programme including DJ sets, acoustic shows, live podcasts, comedy, and a heavy metal band for children, Slay Duggee.

Secret shows have previously been part of the programme of Leicestershire's Download Festival.

Bands who have previously taken to the Castle Donington stages to perform without being promoted include Metallica, Enter Shikari, Creeper, and Black Stone Cherry.

Enter Shikari have played in secret in the past

This year's Download Festival will take place from 14 to 16 June.

Queens of the Stone Age, Avenged Sevenfold, Fall Out Boy, Limp Bizkit, Mr. Bungle, Royal Blood, Tom Morello, Pantera, the Offspring and Sum 41 are among acts due to perform

Organisers this week revealed a new traffic plan will be put in place this summer, following major delays as people arrived last year.