I was under the impression previous capacity was 12,000 but it never sold out - hence the figure of 10k. There was also a conversation there with a couple of locals who voiced their surprise that they had been approved for the increase to 15k.
The Download Pilot bought a different crowd. I don’t want to say bad, because in general they weren’t bad - they just had a different mentality to the usual Trees crowd. So it was like going to your favourite non metal club, only to find out it had been turned into a Metal night for 17-23 yr olds. Don’t get me wrong, it was by far the worst year for dickhead behaviour, obnoxious campers, and people just treating people with a lack of respect. Queue at the toilets? No, let’s all just piss in the bushes. Go to the Forest stage to chill and listen? No, let’s just all pile in and talk over the acoustic acts.
It was evident post festival as well, if anyone raised any issues / concerns with how things were run, it was met by loads of people who joined the groups in the last 2 months telling you to “fuck off if you don’t like it, festivals are all about slam diving, partying, and staying up all night”.
Make of that what you will.