The organisers of the Download Festival are facing a backlash from fans who complained that the much vaunted and compulsory cashless payments system (which failed on the opening day) could be used to track them around the site, that personal details the system gathered were being released to 'targeted marketing companies' and that festivals goer's faces were being scanned by "strategically placed cameras"at the Download festival site in Donington by the Leicstershire Police "before comparing [them] with a database of custody images from across Europe”.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/12/download-festival-heavy-punters-the-man-police?CMP=share_btn_fb
Early arrivals at the Download Festival have experienced problems with the festival's new cashless payment system. However, Live Nation have told Gigwise that the situation is under control. Download's new system allows festival-goers pay for drink, food and items at the various stalls with a barcode on wristbands pre-loaded with money. However Festival-goers have been complaining of longer queues than ever, with many finding that their wristbands do not contain the money they loaded on. With no failsafe, back-up or cash alternative, hundreds have been left frustrated.
The Download Festival at Donington Park sees Muse headline alongside Slipknot, Kiss, Marilyn Manson, Judas Priest, The Darkness, Slash and many more.
Live Nation's Download Festival is going cashless, having revealed plans to exclusively use RFID-chipped wristbands for taking payments for food, drinks and merchandise on site this year. Download Festival's cashless service will be powered by German firm YouChip, with the chipped wristbands called Dog Tags.
