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Entering its fifth successful year, Download has become a festival phenomenon with multiple-day concert and technology emersion events in the UK and North America, drawing an audience uniquely plugged into the latest of everything. This year’s Download Festival aims to take the fan experience to an entirely new level, with many increased opportunities for fan and artist interaction including meet and greets, Q & A sessions, artist master class workshops and autograph activities. The ultimate play day in each city will feature ten hours of continuous music emanating from multiple stages, interspersed with interactive activities and access to world class vendors featuring an eclectic mix of fashion, food and technology items.

“The growth of Download Festival to two additional U.S. cities is indicative of our strategy to expand our festival presence in North America,” said Jason Garner, Live Nation’s President of North American Concerts. “We are thrilled to once again present some of the best alternative music and modern rock acts at this year’s Download Festival.”

“Download has resonated so deeply with music fans around the world because it provides rare opportunities for them to connect with artists and sponsors like no other festival. We are keenly focused on creating engaging fan experiences with the many interactive elements of these shows through our collaboration with key brand partners,” said Christopher Swope, Vice President of National Alliances at Live Nation.

Download 2007 will also be enhanced through the participation of select strategic partners. As the official automotive sponsor for all Download events, Volkswagen will take center stage, using its one-of-a-kind VW Garage to deliver memorable music-oriented moments. Budding musicians who choose to jam on supplied instruments will be digitally recorded, and their riffs spotlighted on vw.com. VW owners will earn rock star treatment, and all festival-goers can pick up cool VW merchandise and chill out in the Garage. “Music is a powerful platform for building community, and a Volkswagen/Download partnership is a natural extension of our long history of supporting pioneering music properties and emerging artists,” said Heidi Korte, Consumer Events Manager. “The Download Festival is innovative in its pairing of music with technology, and speaks directly to the people who buy Volkswagens.”

“Music, design and technology are passions of W Hotels,” said Ross Klein, President of Starwood Luxury Brands Group, another festival sponsor. “Just as W provides a destination for people to connect with one another, the Download Festival has created one of the most innovative and engaging music experiences to foster this connection.” Other sponsors include Now What, who will be onsite providing an interactive booth where concert-goers can stop by to get their free online photo, win great prizes and much more! Additional sponsors to be announced in the coming weeks.

For additional information on Download 2007, please visit www.downloadfestival.com.

  Download 2007 events are as follows:

  August 18th - Boston @ The Tweeter Center of Performing Arts
  August 25th - Washington State @ The Gorge Amphitheatre
  September 1st - Chicago @ Alpine Valley Music Theater
  October 6th - San Francisco @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

  About Live Nation

Live Nation is the world’s largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues(R) music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.” For more information regarding Live Nation and its businesses or concerts near you, please visit our website at www.livenation.com.

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SOURCE: Live Nation