DOWNLOAD XXII – 2025 REVIEWED!

After an anxious couple of weeks constantly checking the weather apps, the time has finally come to bite the bullet and head to the hallowed ground of Donington Park once again – armed with both suncream and a raincoat. It may be the most controversial line-up year in the festival’s 22 year history, but DAMN it feels good to be home regardless.

Having missed out on the Vengaboys fun on Thursday night (though once again it has been proved that the tent-size-for-big-draw-bands is a problem, with crushing and a lot of people left outside) we are rocking up on Friday morning with hopes and dreams of hitting the Megastore first, for some exclusive merch.

FRIDAY

After an extremely painless ride in (no traffic whatsoever, easy parking, great staff) we trudge up the hill towards the box office to grab our wristbands and head through bag check into the bottom of District X. There’s already a sizeable queue for the Megastore and some kind of troll game going on outside of the massive Co-Op, on its very own stage. New life goal unlocked – headline the Co-Op stage.

Inside the Megastore honestly just gets more bougie every single year and I absolutely adore it. There’s an area with custom Download table games like foosball and air hockey, a full-on coffee bar with tables made out of old drums, and neon lights adorning the walls. On my wishlist (the one where I win the lottery, not what I’m actually buying…) from this year’s offerings is;

  • A set of Download bedding depicting the main stage
  • A new version of the Download hot sauce
  • EVERYTHING from Mary Wyatt’s collaboration
  • An evil spawn bath duck, birthed from the back of the giant duck
  • The Parabellum London necklace and ring collaboration
  • The Great Frog Baphomet limited edition necklace

What I actually got? A Download dog plushie with its own tshirt and battle jacket, for the kiddo. The Mary Wyatt collection had clearly been rinsed by campers over the last two days as there wasn’t a lot left sadly, hoping they see the demand and up the numbers for next year!

There is one thing I’d like to note though, there has been so much confusion this time surrounding weekend arena ticket holders and what they can and can’t do. Initially the advice was changed to, no wristbands and one-time entry via QR code only, making things like a trip out to the Megastore or Co-Op during the day impossible. I believe there was some backtracking on this to allow the code to work as a check-in check-out system instead, and randomly some people were given wristbands (which means they existed/were printed anyway?) but it did lead to a lot of frustration and crossed wires over the weekend. It’s also worth noting that a lot of people do collect and display their wristbands, so it’s a bit sad to see that having an attempted phase-out, especially as physical tickets have already been axed.

Having skipped through the guest area to catch a glimpse of a lush green empty arena, we are treated to the delightful views of the first punters bombing it down the hill to be in for a front-barrier spot at the main stage. Let me tell you, these people were going at full tilt with absolutely no self-preservation awareness whatsoever. 10/10 behaviour, and no-one died.

Main changes to the layout this year involved a slightly adapted shop/food van positioning around the access area (which did help with the flow of people quite a bit in peak times) and the HUGE WIN of the weekend – NEW LOOS. I can’t rave enough about this move away from portaloos to these new actual toilet blocks, flushing toilets and real running water sink areas? Revolutionary! As always, it would be nice to have more of them but really, bravo Download.

Our first band of the day Irish lads The Scratch give everyone a morning workout with a rowdy circle pit, and mark the first of the weekend’s open calls for a Free Palestine – which elicits a huge roar of agreement from the crowd. A great set, the mashup of Irish folk and heavy metal works so well, hope to see much more of them in the future. Over on the Apex stage, SiM bring us Japanese metalcore with ruthless riffage over a sun-baked crowd. I am already loving the diversity of acts booked for the weekend, it’s really something to bring all of this together in the heart of England.

In the Dogtooth tent we are treated to some extremely silly fun with Battlesnake – an Australian heavy metal band who are inexplicably dressed as… angels? The clergy? All I know is, I’d probably be up for going to church if it was more like this. Oh wait, no they’re wearing budgie smugglers under their sheets the bogans, heavy blasphemy, heavy metal. Everyone bloody loves it anyway, the “battle” “snake” chants are verging on ferocious as they end, and I’m going away with a giggle and a new favourite song titled ‘I Am The Vomit’.

Up next Gore yell “Y’all ready for some Texas metal?” before homunculus vocalist Hayley Roughton death-screams our ears off. It’s a heady mix of soaring melody alongside brutal rolling riffs and the crowd is truly rammed and wild. “This is our first ever festival, and we’re not even on our own continent” they joke, but what a fantastic first outing it is for them.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Although we didn’t manage to catch much of Boston Manor’s set, they sounded great and pulled up our Palestine mention count shouting “Our government is complicit in this genocide!” to a sea of raised fists in the crowd. After a quick visit to get our Bunnychow fix (iykyk) we pitch ourselves ready for Rise Against in the baking sunshine. Despite the heat there’s a large crowd gathered in front of the stage full of pyrotechnics, and a giant panda plushie bobbing in the pit is in serious danger of getting toasted.

“We came a long way to have a good fucking time! This is our sixth time at Download, we always have a blast come rain or shine. We come to you tonight as citizens of a country in the throes of tyranny and fascism” is the lead into the 2006 but oh-so-currently-relevant ‘Prayer of the Refugee’. We also spot the now very famous little girl crowd-surfing by using her Dad as a surfboard rocking her way to the front, and sing ourselves hoarse to the iconic ‘Saviour’.

Miles Kennedy is playing to a packed-out Opus, which I must once again have a slight whinge about – it really is a too small/bottlenecked area for the calibre of bands they continue to put over there. Especially since off to the walkway side, the sound bleed between the two stages is horrendous and completely untenable if you actually want to be able to hear. Instead of remaining in the fray, we pop off for a bit of Jimmy Eat World and get our spirits uplifted by reliving our pop punk teens with ‘The Middle’.

Up next though, a personal pilgrimage to see a band that I’ve managed somehow to miss since I saw them with my college friends at Birmingham Academy in 2002. I remember being crushed on the barrier absolutely in awe of Weezer, no barrier for me this evening though – this is a wildly enormous crowd for a nerd-punk band.

© James Bridle for Download Festival

The nostalgia button is well and truly pushed as they just play solidly through their iconic catalogue with favourites like ‘Hash Pipe’ and ‘My Name Is Jonas’. They might look a bit like they’re on a day-trip from a residential home, in their khakis and button-up shirts but they sound exactly as good as they always have. ‘The Sweater Song’ has us all screaming along, ‘Island In The Sun’ and ‘Why Bother’ are perfection and there is no shortage of Rivers hitting the tap harmonics, truly just beautiful in the sunshine today. “Is it always like this in England?” they joke, looking out over the sun-bleached bodies, before ripping into ‘You Gave Your Love To Me Softly’ and ‘The Good Life’.

‘Beverley Hills’ gets a new special lyric “…living in Donington Park” and they close with 90’s anthem ‘Buddy Holly’. What a freakin’ epic hit-parade set. Wish I’d crowd surfed.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Onto the main event – tonight’s long-awaited headliner, the mighty Green Day. I ask you, what better a year to hear American Idiot live? The serendipity of this timeline is not lost on me. The arena is packed, we’re all singing along to their Bohemian Rhapsody intro and marvelling at the impressive wall of lighting stacks adorning the stage, as the cameras pan across the crowd to show someone dressed as Trump holding a sign that says “Fuck Trump”. The Green Day ‘drunk bunny’ is careening about the stage in a classing black-shirt red-tie combo, to the Ramones’ ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’.

Rolling right in with ‘American Idiot’ and a cheeky little “I’m not part of Elon’s agenda” lyric change, it’s clear we’re in for a night of classic hijinks as a huge inflatable hand holding the heart grenade is ballooned into centre stage. ‘Holiday’ has everyone dancing around like absolute lunatics, I genuinely think Green Day are a band who have managed to transcend age groups – everyone is up and moving.

Billie Joe is yelling “This administration is a fascist government and it’s our job to fight back!”, and while we do know that he means the USA… he’s not wrong here either, so we join in on the screaming. Calling out for someone to join him on stage, Billie selects a girl dressed as a cheerleader who is frankly frothing with excitement, and proceeds to let her join in singing… except she’s clearly been screaming herself hoarse for the last 30 minutes and sounds like she chain smokes tree bark. Bless.

Tre Cool’s sparkly zebra drum kit is magnificently blazing under the cascading light boxes for ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, which is truly the singalong song for all of us, but if you’ve ever heard the Green Day/Oasis/Travis mash-up it’s REALLY HARD not to sing that instead. Classics ‘Longview’ and ‘Welcome To Paradise’ have us oldies fizzing, but as a Nimrod album fan I can’t help but go wild for ‘Hitchin’ A Ride’, in which we take a pause for a little more Trump trolling;

“You know, we’ve been playing festivals here for thirty years. Back in the nineties people used to shout ‘You fat bastard’. I think I need a taste of that now for Donald Trump… I want everyone to sing ‘You fat bastard’… oh I love it hahaha”.

© Toddow Young for Download Festival

‘St. Jimmy’ features a huge red ribbon confetti blast and a lot of pyro, ‘Dilemma’ comes with a quick Tom Petty ‘Free Fallin’ intro and ‘21 Guns’ is absolutely flawless. This really feels like Download have hit the nail on the head finally bringing them in as a headliner.

‘Basket Case’ and ‘When I Come Around’ are just brilliant, no notes. The Bad Year blimp being slowly walked through the middle of the crowd is a fun touch for Dookie fans, and we are assured that the fates have decided Green Day deserve a headline set that goes down in history, when it starts to rain immediately following the lyric “here comes the rain again” during ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’. I couldn’t have written it better myself.

‘Jesus of Suburbia’ gets a “from Ukraine to [the] Middle East” lyric change, and they finish up with ‘Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)’ as Billie Joe shouts “You ain’t getting me off this stage! England, you’re in my heart you’ll never get rid of me!” and a firework display as the rain dies off. I could gush about Green Day, this set, and the choice to book them, forever. Oh and I still love Billie Joe, even if he does look a bit like Michael Sheen in Good Omens these days.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

SATURDAY

Today is a day for scuttling, there’s a lot of wonderful things to see and do! We check out some skateboarders going full send at the little half-pipe near the main stage before traipsing up the hill to visit Mysticum Luna and have a go at their lucky-dip, then heading over to the Opus stage for the musical whirlwind that is Kim Dracula.

Jazz infused mech-metal with screaming and riffs off the chart, and a little hip-hop/rapping for good measure. It’s a clusterfuck of sounds but I can’t help loving it. The crowd is 90% goth girlies enjoying the weirdness so I guess I’m in good company. Oh and I fully dig the Lady Gaga ‘Paparazzi’ cover, niche.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Zetra over in the Dogtooth tent are sporting a very interesting magic portal in their stage set and are barefoot, daubed in corpse-paint like they’re auditioning for extra Hellraiser Cenobite status. They’re very melodic and quite interesting, but there seems to be something a bit off with the sound.

Hatebreed bring the energy with their signature giant inflatable ball of death and a thrashy circle pit or two. The dust being kicked up can probably be seen from space. Poppy is bopping about in a red and white lace fringed mini-dress, looking a lot less robotic than she does online, and screaming like she’s about to excise a whole host of demons. There’s more than a touch of Babymetal about this that I can’t ignore, but everyone seems to be having a fun time.

© Carolina Faruolo for Download Festival

Awolnation give stoner rock vibes in the sun, ‘Kill Your Heroes’ and ‘Sail’ are perfect summer listening material (and I really rate the Paula Abdul tshirt). Traversing the gap down into the Avalanche stage area we take a moment to have a look around the various stalls around that area before heading in to see the ethereal Mothica. Dressed like the Corpse Bride and bathed in blue light she jokes with the crowd about it being her ‘New haira, new era’ before crushing a cover of Bring Me The Horizon’s ‘Can You Feel My Heart’.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Australian band Polaris, returning to Download after a couple of years are providing solid heavy metal riffage and getting the crowd to sing Happy Birthday to Lance the lighting guy. Having played in 2023 with a fill-in guitarist owing to the ill health of Ryan Siew, who sadly then passed two weeks following the event – this return holds a special significance, and they truly smashed it.

Speaking of smashing, up next on the Avalanche stage are Swedish melodic electro-metal band Smash Into Pieces, with their LED-masked drummer APOC. There’s a hell of a lot of pyro on this small-ish stage, but the band are absolutely bombing about and enjoying themselves to a very full tent. Sure, ‘Heroes Are Calling’ could easily be the theme-tune to 90’s kids cartoon, but they are undeniably catchy and I like the unusual mix of styles. Singer Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye has an almost country lilt to his vocals and ‘All Eyes On You’ has a very Wild West/gospel feel about it, and ‘Six Feet Under’ is the closer – before APOC heads into the crowd to take selfies with fans, a really nice touch.

Don Broco are taking a simple but loud approach to the main stage, and there’s a huge amount of energy for ‘Gumshield’, but we are back at Avalanche for Scots Twin Atlantic. The lads lead with ‘Salvation’ in to ‘No Sleep’ before the anticipated rain finally arrives and the space in the tent gets rapidly tighter. It’s a stellar set from them though! A very quick run from there to the Dogtooth tent to settle ourselves in for Kittie as the rain turns from mild to ferocious, has us worrying about the state of the rest of the weekend.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

I have to bring up the fact that the entire front row for Kittie appears to be female – almost unheard of at Download festival, and something we truly love to see. Coming in hot with ‘Fire’ it is immediately the angsty emo youth extravaganza I wanted it to be. “We are Kittie from London Ontario, Canada! We haven’t been here for fifteen years, a lot of you probably weren’t even born then!” they yell out as the (mostly) women crowd surfers fly at them. ‘Spit’ and ‘Brackish’ are pure teenage-memory fuel and I’m so grateful to be here. This may be my set of the weekend, for pure brutal energy and fun.

On the Apex stage Shinedown are a bit of a culture shock after the raw power of Kittie, singing about love and god-blessing us all, and we do not appreciate a second bout of rain (not really their fault though), and there’s no getting anywhere near The Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter – that area is just too damn small for what they put on that stage, they sound pretty good though, and I hope Frank manages to hold onto all his jewellery this year. It’s absolutely hooning it down now so we bug out to see a bit of Sylosis instead.

It’s jammed in the tent as the rain pours, but it’s clearly not just about the weather. Sylosis fans are surfing across the barrier at an incredible rate and it is LOUD – a bit of redemption after their horrific sound tech issues at last year’s Bloodstock festival.

Next up Cradle of Filth with a dramatically gothic graveyard-esque stage set and a lot of pyro, as well as a surprise marriage proposal from Dani Filth to his girlfriend Sofiya Belusova, n’aww. Very cute, very cool. Oh and the ring is suitably gothy, she shared a photo of it on her Instagram story later on.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Finally the rain gives over to dry skies and we make our way down the hill to set ourselves up for tonight’s headliner, the ever controversial and divisive – Sleep Token.

As the sun begins to dip behind the horizon, Sleep Token take to the stage, not with a bang but with an unsettling whisper. Their entrance is shrouded in a near-ritualistic calm: ten long minutes of ambient wind chimes wash over the crowd like a dream on the edge of turning dark. Which sounds very nice when I put it like that, but I don’ t even allow wind chimes in my home, so the fact that I’m tolerating this is a miracle.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

 A huge black sheet masks the stage, but as the melancholy strains of ‘Look To Windward’ begin to leak through, Vessel is already projecting the mysterious ambiance the band have cultivated in the last few years.

Red anemone-like visuals bloomed on the screen, while pulsing purple and blue lights built slowly into a breathtaking visual crescendo. It was immersive from the outset—ticker tape falling like snow, towers strobing in sync, and a huge set made to look like crumbling ruins, complete with staircases and platforms.

Musically, it was heavier live than on record, a common (and welcome) trait among bands with studio polish – and something that was probably a good call to alleviate the “Sleep Token aren’t even metal” naysayers (bro, I saw you rocking out to McFly yesterday shut up).

A moment for the lighting designer because oh my god, what a show. ‘Rain’ saw huge rig squares drop from the ceiling to create tiny slivers of white strand lighting emulating a downpour on stage, and then delicious diffuse warm oranges and reds burned for ‘Caramel’. There is really something to be said for the level of care and production put into a Sleep Token show – which goes a long way to explain why the Download booking team felt so confident in bringing ST to a headline slot.

© Matt Higgs for Download Festival

Vessel himself cuts an interesting profile, with a stunning black and white mask laden with red filigree in his signature Kabuki-esque style, a long hooded duster coat complete with cosplay armour and a feathered back. The theatrics really elevate a headline set in my opinion – I know not everyone feels the same, but some of the most memorable shows have been the ones with spectacular staging (BMTH, Iron Maiden, Kiss, AC/DC to name a few).

A surprise jazz interlude (saxophone, for the second time that day across different acts) and a soft, piano-led ballad added unexpected texture. The crowd was caught between reverence and awe, watching as Vessel ran the stage, hands outstretched—singing “reap what you sow, rain down on me” while bathed in spotlight and mist. It does feel like the kind of time we should all be pulling out our lighters and swaying a bit.

‘The Summoning’ is ethereally gorgeous and I am completely immersed, but it is hard not to notice the definite thinning of the crowd. It’s pretty clear that a lot of people had turned out to give them a chance and were slowly peeling off back to the campsites and District X in search of different entertainments.

I guess that was always going to be the case, but it’s a shame as closing tracks ‘Thread The Needle’ and ‘Take Me Back To Eden’ are heavy with gorgeous emotion. I think you’ve got to acknowledge that it’s okay to have a headliner who evokes whimsy and nostalgia, on the same bill as one who performs for the artistry. Weaving diverse streams together is something I think Download has done really well in the last few years – no easy feat when everyone and their mam has a strong opinion. The verdict? Sleep Token a success, despite the whinge brigade’s pre-determined feelings.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

SUNDAY

We have a quick catch-up with Heavy Metal Hairdresser aka Simon Tuckwell, who works out of Nottingham but has quickly risen to fame cutting very stylish shags and mullets for the alt community and famous bands alike. He’s here this weekend coiffing backstage to make sure everyone looks their best going on stage – culminating today with his second go round with Korn’s Jonathan Davis, how freaking cool is that?

We check out The Great Frog stand in the press area which is overflowing with awesome stuff that I would like to spend a lot of money on, then head out into the arena to catch a little of Power Trip, who sound a bit like every metal band from a movie that you’ve ever seen. They’re good, but feel a bit lost in the vibe this weekend I think.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Fan faves Jinjer from Ukraine are back again, absolutely throwing it down with their signature blend of Tatiana’s soaring vocals and brutal stormy riffs. They really have had a bit of a meteoric rise in the last few years, and it is so deserved.

Unfortunately Alien Ant Farm on the Opus stage aren’t faring so well. Again, the area is too small to handle the numbers who want to be there, and for some maddening reason the sound is catastrophically garbage. Non-existent vocals, meagre drums and just generally muted speakers are definitely to blame today since the winds have completely died down.  Frustrated after barely hearing ‘Movies’ we decide to bail and take ourselves on a little big wheel adventure instead.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Never has there been a better placed ride in the history of festivals than the Download big wheel at the top of the hill, you get a magical view of both stages from the top – so much so that we can see how ridiculously sparse the crowd at Meshuggah is. Now I ask you – where are all the forum warriors who wanted “real metal back at Donington?” because if you’re over there watching Alien Ant Farm instead, after running your mouth – just know we are all judging you hard. On the other hand it is a bit of a shame, cause Meshuggah are actually really good.

Another big pool of people are in the Dogtooth tent awaiting the much-anticipated debut of President, the masked singer being peddled on every front but especially Download organiser Andy Copping’s socials. It’s an interesting opener for sure, I like their sound – but the eagle eyed fans have already spotted some incriminating bracelets, and the family of Charlie Simpson (of Busted/Fightstar fame) standing stage-side throughout. Oh and the fact that a helicopter left site immediately after, presumably for Busted’s London gig that night… so there’s that. Oh and apparently some absolutely mental dude get a President tattoo before they’d even played a show. That’s some wild dedication.

Spiritbox are a stellar main stage grab for Download this year, pulling a huge and messy crowd even in the blazing sunshine on day three. “If you were here in 2022, you were part of one of our favourite memories of our career!” shouts vocalist Courtney LaPlante and it strikes me that Download has been that for a lot of bands, a turning point or a place that has played a massive role in their journey. This is the legacy and the point of bringing fresh blood into the fold – safeguarding music for the following generations of Download goers as well.

Over at the Avalanche it’s a double header of abject silliness, first up – Turbonegro. ‘Get It On’ has everyone in this sweaty tent going berserk, and the band go all out matching the energy. Lipstick and Village People outfits, twirling and jokes, I just love them. “For two years leading up to this show I’ve been in Pre-hab, they gave me warm Carlsberg to prepare me” giggles Duke, and they end yelling “Just a little reminder! Trans women are women, trans men are men, and FREE PALESTINE!” joining the ranks of bands who have used their platforms this weekend to make similar important statements.

Next up, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes hit their palm-tree adorned stage ready for abject joy. Lead singer Spike Slawson is rocking a fully sequinned white jacket, the band are in very fetching purple silk shirts, and the microphone is draped in silver lamé – delightful. Cracking out Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ first was a baller move, everyone loves Dolly – even metalheads. Maybe especially metalheads. ‘Country Roads’ and ‘(Ghost) Riders In The Sky’ also go down a storm with this crowd and I very much enjoyed the attempt to ride a very obviously deflating morose flamingo pool toy.

“You may not know this ladies and gentlemen… but we are a cover band! As such we are fielding requests… if we don’t know it we can learn it, give us seven or eight minutes backstage” they laugh, as people start shouting out progressively funnier options. Chappel Roan, Dua Lipa and Machine Gun Kelly all make it into the wishlist, but ultimately they decide to go with Bruno Mars. Aaaaand then completely don’t play that, instead opting for a little intro of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ into ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’, and the entire crowd singing along. More people should have been here to experience this very fun set.

We do manage to catch a bit of Bullet For My Valentine, who seem to be the ones commandeering the large portion of today’s crowd, curating circle pits and yelling “We’re going to get in trouble with Download and do another one… and we have goals and desires you know… we will headline this stage one day!” which is a bold statement but hey, Sleep Token just did that. “I don’t care if people don’t like that… I don’t give a fuck!” laughs lead singer Matthew Tuck.

Time to grab some food and get ourselves nicely positioned to watch 2025’s epic final headliner. Oh boy has this been a long time coming.

© Andrew Whitton for Download Festival

It’s an enormous crowd gathered this Sunday night, with so many clad in souped up Adidas sportswear turned gothy (myself included obviously) in deference to the mighty Korn. Having played the bridesmaid never the bride for a loooong-ass time, I’m beyond excited to see what they can pull out of the bag here.

As the black curtain drops, revealing Jonathan Davis in his signature dreads and a black kilt, the band launch headfirst into ‘Blind’. I have no words, the sound is on point, the stage is once again stunning with clever lighting and the band are truly on top form. “Download, make some motherfucking noise!” is the war-cry they have so rightly earnt as a band on this stage, and the crowd response is nothing short of deafening.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

A huge whoop from the guy in the middle of the crowd waving a giant Scottish flag, when Davis brings out the bagpipes for ‘Shoots and Ladders’ and in another moment of serendipity, the rain starts up again out of nowhere. Extremely Scottish coded I must say. Luckily it’s just a small squall and we’re back on our bouncy way.

“Download, are you having a good time?” Davis shrieks, “We’ve been a band for 31 years… We’ve played every stage at this festival – back when it was still called Donington – and after 30 years, FINALLY, we’re headlining.” Which is honestly nearly enough to bring a tear to my eye. It’s true, it shoulda coulda woulda happened way before now but I’m sure there are ‘reasons’.

Anyway, we all join in with our middle fingers in the air to yell the iconic “Fuck that” refrain of ‘Y’all Want A Single’ before the band exit the stage calling out “Thank you so much guys you’re incredible, hope you have a great night!”.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Encore tracks ‘4 U’, ‘Falling Away From Me’ and ‘Divine’ are delivered with explosive energy, dreadlocks flying, and Davis’ iconic mic-jamming madness. Just when we thought it was over, the sky erupts in red and white ticker tape confetti ribbons for ‘Freak On A Leash’. There’s nothing like watching an entire crowd share an experience like this, absolutely everyone is moving.

Crowd surfers fling themselves over the barrier, in a last-ditch attempt to get up close and as it comes to an end, as sadly all the best things do… I am left in awe that a band I have seen many times before can so powerfully become one of the best headliners I’ve ever seen at Download. It might have been a 30+ year journey to get here but my god was it worth it. Bathing in the warm white ‘go-fucking-home’ lights and Richard Cheese’s lounge version of Freak, we are blinking in the realisation that DLXXII is all over in what feels like a mere moment.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Before we crawl into bed to rest for a couple of weeks, some final thoughts about Download Festival 2025…

One of the standout aspects of the weekend was the incredible welfare support available. Lost property was handled efficiently (a rare feat at any major event), and outreach services — including drug and spiking advice — were easy to find near the Megastore. The Safe Concerts For Women and Metal Therapy spaces added an extra layer of wellbeing, and we love to see the Sensory Tent and the incredible BSL interpreters doing their thing at as many bands as they could get to.

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Unfortunately, the weekend wasn’t without its low points — namely, the wave of thefts that hit both the arena and the camping areas hard. Numerous reports of bag snatches, pickpocketing, and tent raiding dampened what was otherwise a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

On a much lighter (and cleaner) note as I said before, the toilets were actually good. Yes, you read that right. With real handwashing facilities and improved cleanliness across the board, the bathroom experience was a massive upgrade. While queues still formed during peak times, the quality more than made up for it — a rare festival win.

As for the Opus stage, its layout remains a logistical puzzle. For its current size and popularity, the positioning in that particular field just doesn’t work well — bottlenecks around both exits made access a real headache. A redesign is clearly needed, though how that can be done without major restructuring remains a mystery. I know there’s no obvious solution but it really is quite problematic year on year.

This has been a big year of change and some turmoil I suppose, but I have to hand it to the DL team – I think a lot of good has been done to secure the future of this festival, and lots of site improvement feedback has certainly been taken on board from last year too. Moving with the times has to be a hard balancing act when you’re standing on the shoulders of giants (or, Monsters) but I am relieved to see it pay off. Roll on 2026!

© Anna Hyams for SFG

Download Festival 2025: Hit List

With just over one month to go, here’s the skinny on 10 things SFG are planning to tick off our DLXXII bucket-list…

  1. See the most divisive Headliner in Download history

Yeah yeah we’ve read all the whinging bros on the forums and comment sections, but let’s face it – Sleep Token ran a sold out tour, are bringing a different sound, and have an actual stage show to offer. I could name a lot of headliners who’ve come before who were boring as fuck, so I’m going in fresh and ready to experience something new. If your sensitive lil temperament can’t take it, go elsewhere – the beauty of Download is, there’s always something else on!

2. Grab a craft beer to drink on the fancy shmancy roof terrace of the Mercian Axe Brewery Bar

Ok, so this is probably a tall order with how many people are also going to be clamouring to do this… but doesn’t a lovely cold bev, in a rooftop beer garden, overlooking one of the 7 wonders of the world, sound absolutely divine? Pray for sunshine everyone.

3. Wear everything Adidas to watch KoRn

No. I didn’t get any of the actual Kornidas collaboration merch. Yes, I do want to live my best 90’s sportluxe life anyway.

4. Extracurricular activities

Apparently Download is the place to revisit the joy of Primary school this year, so catch me at a Live Blacksmithing workshop and then running the Egg-and-Spoon race at the Heavy Metal School Sports event. Jk, I think the Séance is probably more my speed, bring it on demonkind.

5. Get a giant bucket of churros and feel sick for the rest of the night

There is nothing more exciting than receiving your giant bucket of hot fried sugar on a cold festival night… and nothing more humbling than eating two and immediately regretting your decisions. Best shared by a group, friendly warning. I will however, be avoiding the fuck outta the Yorkshire Puddings after last years’ heavily reported Brownload fiasco.

6 .Ooo-weee-oooo with Weezer

Come on, you’ve got to admit this is a class booking. Everyone likes Weezer, even people who pretend not to. If they bring merchandise I’m absolutely cooked.

7. Get brackish with Kittie and try out our MJ moves with Alien Ant Farm

This line-up is the stuff of my teenage emo dreams honestly, but the likelihood of me throwing my back out moshing, or falling flat on my face trying to do ‘the lean’ is feeling quite high.

8. RockFit mornings in The Village

So I read some comments on the FB group from people who are worried that they’ll be missing a few workout days while they’re living at Download. First of all – can’t relate. If you’re out running a circuit of the campsites before 8am, I both salute you, and wish you many hours of therapy. What I will stand by though, is the very silly fun time that RockFit presents. Will I actually drag my tired hungover ass there? TBD.

9. Live the cult Vengaboys experience.

For whom the Vengabus tolls; it tolls for thee. This is the single most brilliant booking Download have ever made, because it is 100% a very silly joke that has reached it’s pinnacle. My applause will be undying, and you must believe me when I say; hey now hey now, hear what I say now, happiness is just around the corner.

10. Finally find out who PRESIDENT are

Look, if it’s a national address from the Cheeto-in-Chief I’m going to be very upset. Please don’t be shit after all this hype, ok?

See you there, fellow field-dwellers – cross your fingers for a dry one!

DLXXII: BEYOND THE BANDS

With less than two months to go until the mighty return of Download Festival, DLXXII has unleashed its ‘Beyond The Bands’ offerings, giving Download-goers an even more exciting experience onsite with brand new food, drink, wellness and sport options. Taking place on 11-15 June 2025 at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, Download will be headlined by Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn. You can buy the last remaining tickets here: www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
 
Brand new for this year’s DLXXII are the Mercian Axe brewery bar where you can find locally brewed beers, the Hair Of The Dog pub complete with roof terrace and beer garden, and brand new arena bar The Iron Harp. Our Low & No bar, Bar Zero returns, as well as the Raven Records’ pop-up vinyl store, which also offers alcohol-free options, coffee and heavy metal talking therapy.
 
For the first time, Download will see live blacksmithing workshops, new immersive experience Darkfield Séance and a Heavy Metal Sports Day. There will also be axe throwing, skate ramps, a new and improved wellness, yoga and talking therapy offering, wrestling, RockFit, live fire cooking demos, daily themed quizzes, and a bigger and better Download MegastoreOld Sarum Tattoo will also be returning to Download this year.
 
This year will see over 160 fantastic food traders across the festival, with returning festival favourites and some brand new ones, with more than ever catering to vegan, vegetarian and gluten free dietary requirements. There will be a huge variety of options on display, from Rock & Roll Toastie to C’est Cheese to Halloumination to late night shawarma at Kebab Kartel to puddings at Custard & Crumble and Yay Churros.
 
Additionally, the Welders Yard food and drink area will be returning to the top of the main arena on an even larger scale, complete with Beer Hall, the aforementioned Bar Zero, and an array of food options, including authentic American smokehouse BBQ, homemade Spanish churros and Bangladeshi / Indian street food.
 
Following on from the recent District X announcement featuring live sets from the likes of Vengaboys, DJ sets, comedy and live podcasts, the DLXXII’s Beyond The Bands offerings prove that Download is much more than just its stellar band line-up, with truly something for everyone to enjoy across the five days. More information and tickets at www.downloadfestival.co.uk

Download 2025: Headliners and 90+ bands revealed

Download Festival, the greatest rock and metal festival of all time, returns for its 22nd edition, reborn and recharged in 2025 as DLXXII. Announced today are three first-time headlinersGreen Day, Sleep Token and Korn—alongside over 90 more colossal names spanning the full spectrum of rock, metal, punk, emo, hardcore, alternative and classic rock.

This year’s festival will take place on 13-15 June 2025 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire.

 General tickets are onsale at 9pm on Thursday 14 November at www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
 
For the first time in Download Festival’s history, next year’s edition will showcase a trio of headliners who are entirely new to topping the main stage. This exciting milestone underscores Download’s unwavering commitment to delivering a fresh, groundbreaking lineup year after year, giving fans even more reasons to be part of this unmissable experience.
 
Also announced today are UK and international heavyweights Weezer, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Jimmy Eat World, Within Temptation, Eagles Of Death Metal, The Darkness, Poppy, Loathe, Spiritbox, Meshuggah, Steel Panther, Airbourne, Jerry Cantrell, Cradle Of Filth, Alien Ant Farm, CKY, McFly, Don Broco, Mallory Knox, The Ghost Inside, Turbonegro, Sylosis, Whitechapel, Fit For An Autopsy, Lorna Shore, Kittie, Jinjer and so many more.
 
Punk-rock royalty Green Day are set to make their long-awaited debut at Download Festival, headlining for the first time in their 37-year career. Known for their high-energy performances and a career that’s shaped the landscape of rock, Green Day has built a legacy of unforgettable live shows that will electrify the crowd on Friday night. The band are fresh off celebrating two major milestones—the 30th anniversary of their trailblazing album Dookie and the 20th anniversary of the culture-shaping American Idiot—Green Day continues to prove why they’re one of the most iconic and influential bands in the world.
 
The mysterious Sleep Token have skyrocketed since their inception in 2016, and the anonymous masked collective have gone from strength to strength, headlining arenas this month and now about to embark on their very first Download headline set. Clocking up millions of monthly listeners, the alternative rock outfit are set to play the performance of their life at the hallowed grounds of Donington on Saturday.
 
The festival’s grand finale will come at the hands of nu-metal legends Korn, who will also be headlining Download for the very first time. The Californian five-piece formed in 1993 but have never been more relevant, and their recent shows have caused a huge buzz in the rock community. Having inspired the likes of Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Machine Head and Sepultura during their 31 years of being a band, Korn are well and truly ready to finally headline Download.
 
Download Festival’s Andy Copping says: “Following on from last year’s sold out 21st edition, Download’s legacy not only includes the incredible artists who have performed at the hallowed grounds over the years, but also our unrivalled community, safe and warm atmosphere, and fantastic afterhours entertainment at District X, with something for truly everyone.”
 
The DLXXII line up was announced at a very special Metal Gala launch event at One Marylebone this evening, where the rock and metal elite gathered under one roof. The one and only Paddy Considine (House Of The Dragon, Peaky Blinders), who will be playing at this year’s Download with his band Riding The Low, stars in this year’s announcement video, alongside other Humans Of Download. Like he says in the short film titled ‘Est Momentum’, Download is “a place where legends are born. This is where you belong.”
 
This is only the beginning for DLXXII, with many more acts and surprises yet to be announced. Book your tickets now: www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
 

Download Festival 2021 announce headliners and more

Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced KISSBIFFY CLYRO and SYSTEM OF A DOWN as its 2021 headliners, plus many more of the world’s most exciting bands in rock, punk, hardcore and metal including Deftones, KORNSteel Panther and The Distillers will return for Download 2021, with even more yet to be announced. The three-day festival takes place on 4-6 June 2021 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 7 August via downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

After an epic and well documented 45-year career that launched an era of rock’n’roll, the legendary KISS will perform in the UK at Download Festival 2021, in a UK Exclusive. They embarked on their final ever tour in 2019 under the appropriately named END OF THE ROADand known for their trademark larger-than-life blistering performances, KISS have proven for decades why they are hands down the most iconic live show in rock’n’roll, and one of the best headliners Donington has ever seen. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, 2020 was due to be their final ever Download appearance, but due to COVID-19 they’ll be bringing their spellbinding show to the hallowed grounds in 2021 instead.

Also headlining Download Festival 2020 will be SYSTEM OF A DOWN, also in a UK Exclusive. With just five studio albums, the Californian/Armenian band have earned themselves a worldwide following, never failing to put on a mind-blowing performance.

System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian says: “We’re disappointed we weren’t able to make it over this year, but we’re looking forward to next.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Mostly, we all just want to make sure everyone is provided with a safe and secure environment, so we were prepared to wait as long as we needed to.”

Returning to Donington after their fantastic headline set in 2017 are Scottish rock titans Biffy Clyro, who will headline the festival once again in 2021. With the band set to release their ninth studio album, A Celebration Of Endings, this month, the trio will be keen to show off new tracks as well as some of their most well-known hits, including ‘The Captain’, ‘Mountains’ and ‘Many Of Horror’.

In addition to the brilliant acts who have continued over from 2020, Download are delighted to announce several new additions to the line up, along with Biffy Clyro, including the mighty Steel Panther, pop punk kings A Day To Remember, the mysterious Creeper, who have recently returned from hiatus, punk legends Rise Against, internet sensation Poppy, and many more.

Returning to Donington in 2021 are Deftones. Since their inception, the multi-platinum, Grammy-Winning alternative rock band from Sacramento have released seven albums and sold over 10 million albums worldwide which include fan-favourite tracks ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’, ‘Change (House Of Flies)’, and ‘Swerve City’.

Biffy Clyro said: “We can’t wait to return to headline Download in 2021! It’s a highlight of the festival calendar and a big part of our history as a band. Headlining in 2017 was special and now it’s time to celebrate again! Fuck on!”

With 13 albums behind them already, KORN will be back too. The two-time Grammy Award winning band have toured the world countless times and have continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans and generations of artists around the globe.

Also returning are the one and only The Darkness, LA punk rockers The Distillers, Hollywood favourites Black Veil Brides, Scottish pirate metallers Alestorm, Maryland death metallers Dying Fetus, metalcore heroes Killswitch Engage, Brazilian heavy metallers Sepultura, Welsh icons Funeral For A Friend in their last ever festival appearance, and many more.

2021 Lineup

KISS
Biffy Clyro
System Of A Down A.A. Williams
A Day To Remember
Airbourne
Alestorm
Anchor Lane
Baroness
Blackout Problems
Black Veil Brides
Bleed From Within
Blues Pills
Bokassa
Bush
Cellar Door Moon Crow
Cemetery Sun
Control The Storm
Creeper
Daughtry
Dead Label
Dead Posey
Deftones
Dirty Honey
Dying Fetus
Electric Wizard
Employed To Serve
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
Funeral For A Friend
Gender Roles
Gojira
Haken
Hatari
Higher Power
Holding Absence
Hot Milk
Killswitch Engage
Kill The Lights
KORN
Jamie Lenman
JJ Wilde
Joyous Wolf
Lacuna Coil
Loathe
Lotus Eater
Marianas Trench
Mastodon
Modern Error
Myles Kennedy & Company
Obituary
Of Mice & Men
Phoxjaw
P.O.D.
Poppy
Powerwolf
Press Club
Rise Against
Sepultura
Skillet
Sleep Token
Spiritbox
Steel Panther
Stone Broken
Temples On Mars
Tempt
Theory 
The Darkness
The Distillers
The Faim
The Hara
The Pretty Reckless
The Wildhearts
Those Damn Crows
Tiny Moving Parts
Twin Temple
Volbeat
Wage War
Wargasm
Wayward Sons
Will Haven

Download TV announce virtual festival lineup

Download Festival, the UK’s premier rock event, announces the massive line up for Download TV, a virtual festival available via Download Festival’s official social channels, and YouTube across 12-14 June 2020, for one weekend only!
 
Whilst Downloaders might not be on the sacred grounds of Donington Park, the weekend will not be lost as Download Festival brings hours of music, special interviews, unseen performances, exclusive footage and so much more to screens of any size. The weekend will be split into day and evening, where the day will be everything that celebrates the spirit of Download Festival, and the evening brings 2 to 3 hours of tailormade programming where Downloaders can tune in and rock out.
 
Headlining YouTube on the Friday night will be KISS, giving Downloaders a replay of standout moments from their mammoth 2015 set. On the Saturday, the mind-blowing Iron Maiden are bringing something very special to your screens, with nostalgic performances, Legacy Of The Beast snippets, and something just for Download TV. Finally, on the Sunday night, we take you through System Of A Down’s history at Download Festival with performances from 2005, 2011, and 2017, proving why they’re one of the best metal bands in history. Fans can subscribe to Download TV on YouTube here now.
 
Other performances across the weekend that will be shown exclusively via YouTube will come from KornDeftonesBabymetalFrank Carter & The RattlesnakesCreeperThe OffspringBlues PillsAlter BridgeThe Pretty RecklessFuneral For A FriendVolbeatThe DarknessBowling For Soup, and loads more, including some very special guests.
 
The day time activities are for the fans to be as interactive as they can be. From cookalongs with MasterChef Simon Wood, vegan superstars BOSH, and the hilarious Nat’s What I Reckon who comes to us from Australia, LIVE artist Q&As, lockdown performances, tutorials, mindfulness sessions, and even content that the Downloaders themselves have provided.
 
Downloaders are encouraged to put tents up in the garden, wear Download merch, dress as your favourite hero, send in photos and videos – the weekend is about the fans and celebrating the Download community.
 
Download Festival would like to remind everyone to stay safe, stay home and save lives – practice safe social distancing and follow government guidelines.
 
For updates, please visit Download Festival’s WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube.
ARTISTS APPEARING IN DOWNLOAD TV
 

KISS
IRON MAIDEN
SYSTEM OF A DOWN

Alestorm
Alter Bridge
Babymetal
Baroness
Black Futures
Black Veil Brides
Bowling For Soup
Bush
Creeper
Deftones
Disturbed
Employed To Serve
Fozzy
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
Funeral For A Friend
Gojira
Holding Absence
Killswitch Engage
Korn
Lacuna Coil
Loathe
Mastodon
Motionless In White
NXT UK
Periphery
Poppy
Powerwolf
Skillet
Steel Panther
The Darkness
The Hara
The Offspring
The Pretty Reckless
The Wildhearts
Theory
Twin Temple
Volbeat
Wage War
Wayward Sons

Download Festival announce 2020 headliners

Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced IRON MAIDENKISS and SYSTEM OF A DOWN as its 2020 headliners, plus Deftones, KornThe Offspring, Disturbed and more of the world’s most exciting bands in rock, pop punk, hardcore and metal yet to be announced. The three-day festival takes place 12 – 14 June 2020 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets will be on sale at 2pm on Wednesday 25th September via downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

IRON MAIDEN will return to Donington next year to headline Download Festival on Saturday night, in what will be one of only two homecoming UK festival shows in 2020. The London band have had countless No.1 records, including their most recent studio double album, 2015’s The Book Of Souls, in over 40 countries, as well as being hailed as one of the greatest live acts of all time. They’ve spent the summer on their historic and critically acclaimed Legacy Of The Beast North American tour, based on their award winning mobile game of the same name, which has been deemed by fans and national and rock media alike as ‘Maiden’s most monumental show and best setlist ever’ so get ready Downloaders, this is one performance you won’t want to miss.

 

Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson says, “Next year we will play a number of countries and cities we have yet to visit on this incredible tour, so it is terrific to be able to accept the invitation to return to Download in 2020 and we will certainly go to town and add a few extra items to the show. This will be our seventh time headlining at Donington Park. It’s home turf and we all really enjoy playing this Festival, the vibe from the crowd is always fantastic.”

After an epic and well documented 45-year career that launched an era of rock’n roll, the legendary KISS will perform in the UK at Download Festival 2020, in a UK Exclusive. They embarked on their final ever tour earlier this year under the appropriately named END OF THE ROADand known for their trademark larger-than-life blistering performances, KISS have proven for decades why they are hands down the most iconic live show in rock’n roll, and one of the best headliners Donington has ever seen. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, it won’t just be KISS Army fans who will be blown away with their final Download performance next year.

“I’ve said it before, Download Festival audiences are the best. They are up for whatever is thrown at them.  KISS is going to come fully prepared to rock their world in 2020 to say Thank You for always showing up for us.” – Gene Simmons, KISS

“Download will be the culmination of 47 years of unapologetic bombast and spectacle. We will make this a fitting farewell to a country and its people whose music remains the blood in our veins.” – Paul Stanley, KISS

Also headlining Download Festival 2020 will be SYSTEM OF A DOWN in a UK Exclusive. With just 5 studio albums, the Californian/Armenian band have earned themselves a worldwide following, never failing to put on a mind-blowing performance.

Shavo Odadjian, System of A Down said: “From our appearances to many of my favorite bands’, Castle Donington has always had a special place in my heart. We’re proud and excited to continue its legacy.”

Since Deftones’ inception, the multi-platinum, Grammy-Winning alternative rock band from Sacramento have released seven albums and sold over 10 million albums worldwide which include fan-favourite tracks ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’, ‘Change (House Of Flies)’, and ‘Swerve City’.

Drummer Abe Cunningham said: “Download has been a big part of our history.  The fans and organisers have always shown us so much love and support, so when the opportunity to play arises, we answer the call!”

With the release of their 13th studio album, THE NOTHING last week, Korn will be joining the Download 2020 line up. The two-time Grammy Award winning band have toured the world countless times and have continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans and generations of artists around the globe.

Korn guitarist, James ‘Munky’ Shaffer: “I’m extremely anxious and enthusiastic at the same time, but I’m looking forward to getting back out there and returning to Download!”

Punk rioters The Offspring are heading to Download Festival bringing with them punk rock anthems that include ‘Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)’, ‘You’re Gonna Go Far Kid’, ‘Self Esteem’, and dozens more.

Also joining the line up are Gojira, the French metallers who have become famous for their sonically dense sounds and bludgeoning heavy rhythms. The hard-hitting, multi-platinum-selling Disturbed are returning to Donington with their aggressive blend of hard rock, alternative, and nu-metal. The band exploded onto the scene in 2000 with ‘Down With The Sickness’, and last year released their seventh album Evolution which reached the top 10 around the globe.

Hollywood hard rock act Black Veil Brides will make their anticipated UK return. Renowned for their explosive live shows and tenacious fans, the five-piece have worked tirelessly to create a scene of their own. Last year saw the release of their fifth studio album Vale, which landed at #1 on the US Top Hard Rock Billboard Chart.

Grammy nominated US alternative rock band Daughtry also join the line-up, following the success of last year’s album Cage To Rattle. Fronted by American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry, the band has sold over 8 million albums and 16 million singles, alongside selling out tours globally.

With a new album looming this Friday, Of Mice & Men have been dominating stages for over a decade and have had a disciple like following every step of the way that will undoubtedly follow them to Donington next year.  Everyone’s favourite pirates, Alestorm are jumping ship to the hallowed grounds of Download Festival once again, bringing with them their pirate metal and perhaps their giant inflatable duck.

Download 2016 – FULL REVIEW!

You can’t deny it, something out there really has it in for Download Festival. It’s the same story every year – burnt for the first two days camping and then incessantly soaked for the rest, it’s like… metal is the music of the devil… or something…

Campers have been steadily pouring in since Wednesday, setting up epic tent-collectives with all manner of décor (bra-bunting is a particular favourite of mine) and it’s set to be a belter of a weekend, even though we’re probably all going home with trench foot and hypothermia. The Village, the hub of the camping area, is home to weird and wonderful acts such as The Wall of Death, The Inflatable Church, The Circus of Horrors, Zorbing and the fire-wielding Area 51. Oh and hilariously British pursuits like Bogan Bingo, a quiz and five-a-side football, if that’s more your speed. Head over there at night for after-hours bands, DJ’s and even catch a movie in the Cinema or laugh your arse off in The Side Splitter comedy tent.

It’s clear Download’s commitment to becoming a bit more of a well-rounded festival is working, the out of hours entertainment, things to do and see and the much improved food options mean a nicer festival experience for all, without taking the emphasis off the music at all. With the now extensive shopping and food outlets you’d better have cash on you this weekend, as despite last years’ ‘breakthrough’ technology claiming to take all the hassle out of on-site payments (which of course did not go to plan) Download have well and truly ditched the idea of RFID tags and have gone over to… er… all normal methods that you can do in the real world.

 

FRIDAY

Friday sees a dry start and Alien Ant Farm are failing to get anyone interested in anything other than Smooth Criminal, and Babymetal (half an hour late) draw a massive crowd for their J-Pop inspired metal, which is frankly just about the oddest thing ever. They’ve stuck to their goth-loli look and eardrum piercingly high vocals for Gimme Chocolate but actually the new album tracks seem a bit more developed and musically interesting rather than gimmicky. We do wish Herman Lee could have popped up for Road of Resistance, but the two girls down the front who have made a massive effort to dress like the band seem to be loving it, alongside some very big bearded men who appear to know ALL the words.

On the Encore stage, Christian rock band Skillet are killinit (see what I did there?) but the Lemmy/Motorhead tribute video on the main stage is in all honestly a bit lame. We all know Lemmy partied hard, but is it really necessary for people to recount exactly what variety of drug he offered them? Only Brian May appears to talk about him in a painfully honest way, saying “I miss him very badly”. Apart from a stage naming and a tshirt on the merch stand, it’s weirdly unspoken for the most part… maybe it’s all a bit soon for most of the bands.

Grabbing possibly the most English food available for lunch (Duck fat roast potatoes with gravy, followed by apple crumble…) we hit up the absolutely packed Maverick stage for Geordie rockers The Wildhearts who have everyone jumping to I Wanna Go Where The People Go. Over on the main stage we’re treated to a dose of Jonathon Davis’ chicken dance (hold mic, flap arms) as Korn blast out the likes of Coming Undone and Freak On A Leash. The rain is absolutely hammering down now and it kinda fits the grungy nu-metal feel, the arena is full of swamp-people whipping their hair everywhere. Amidst the seriousness of purpose that Korn portray, it’s hard not to giggle at the Lebowski-esque rug that has been laid down to stop Davis stacking it in front of everyone.

Finally it’s on to the main event, and the bedraggled but excited masses have gathered for the ever sinister yet playful German powerhouse that is Rammstein. Running through scores of hits like Sonne, Du Hast, Ich Will and Feuer frei there’s nothing missing from this incredible set. The expected but always insane pyrotechnics just keep coming, with fire breathing face-cages, firework body suits and a giant pair of angel wings, there’s just nothing these guys won’t do for a show.

Check out our full Rammstein review HERE

SATURDAY

Entering the arena today it’s obvious some effort has been made in the way of soaking up the sludge, using a ton of hay and woodchips, there’s a much boggier/safer quality to the underfoot feel, but it probably won’t last.

Over in The Kennels area, a queue is already forming for new addition WWE NXT stage, live wrestling shows hosted by Triple H, whilst self-proclaimed Swedish circus freaks Avatar are bringing some life to the main stage. Wearing what I can only describe as resplendent outfits inspired by the Vatican Guard and yelling “Bang your heads English men!” they put on a rowdy first set of the day, and gain a few more followers with their tight riffs and synchronized hairwhipping.

Beartooth’s punky tones soar across the arena to a decent sized crowd for In Between and Black Peaks are totally smashing the Maverick stage. Turbowolf take the baton next yelling “For the next half an hour, this is our home” before tumbling headlong into the likes of Rabbit’s Foot and Solid Gold.

Danko Jones starts out with classic Play The Blues which actually gets kind of a cold reception from the crowd, but soon he’s telling us “…everybody at Download gets to call me… delicious” and saying “I am a whore for that sound you make with your hands” everything starts to get lively. A fan in the front row passes up a flag requesting Sex Change Shake but Danko goes on to play Cadillac instead citing “…it’s the same three chord structure anyway… so this is like, Shake Change Sex”. There is something ridiculously fun about Danko Jones, in an overwhelmingly cheesy way. They are so uncool they’re cool. They’re the Fonz of rock.

Lawmower Deth however, are exactly the kind of godawful rubbish we should (and do) love, this time with an added Brucey Bonus of being joined by… and I can’t believe I’m writing this… Kim Wilde for Kids in America. It could not be more bonkers and everyone LOVED it.

Rival Sons bluesy cali rock has the arena up and dancing with their beers, soaring vocals and a stellar set – we loved closer Keep On Swinging. On the Encore stage Juliette and the Licks hit hard with Hot Kiss and Credence Clearwater Revival cover Proud Mary, J-Lew is just as enigmatic on stage as on screen. Megadeth are joined on stage by Nikki Sixx for Anarchy in the UK before Nikki steps out with his own band Sixx: AM for a completely different sound. It’s a strong set and a hell of a lot of people have come out to watch. Despite the sea of hair and black tshirts this weekend, it’s clear the pop-punk kids have been hiding in plain sight as the hoarde heads towards the Maverick stage for rowdy Welsh band Neck Deep, but they aren’t even going to win Taffy of the day with Skindred tearing it up over on the Encore stage. Despite the now constant rain, Skindred have drawn a huge crowd for their completely-weird-but-totally-works reggae-metal and the whole crowd is getting down and dirty for Doom Riff and Pressure. With an unsolicited play of Bieber’s ‘Sorry’ mixed into Trouble, they’ve singlehandedly outlined exactly which people we should push in the mud later, but not to worry as there’s an epic and extremely wet swirling of tshirts for Warning. We love a bit of a Newport Helicopter we do.

The rain is now unashamedly heavy and regardless of the plastic ponchos, raincoats and really fucking annoying golf umbrellas, pretty much everyone is soaked through. The crowd is built right up the main stage hill and the anticipation is palpable. Fan or not, there’s no denying that seeing Black Sabbath on their last ever tour (no really, it will be the last this time… right?) is pretty special and important. Though it’s clear throughout the set that Ozzy’s voice isn’t the best (was it ever?) the songs are heavy and hit the nerve of nostalgia so hard. Snowblind, War Pigs, Iron Man and Paranoid are obvious highlights, but no less great because of it. With the downpour drastically thinning the crowd, the views are spectacular and it’s the kind of closing show you hope for – full of hits, none of the new stuff. They will be missed.

Check out our full Black Sabbath review HERE

SUNDAY

With the early morning news that GHOST have cancelled their set today and nightmarish state of the main arena (seriously, it’s the kind of goop bodies arise from in the Walking Dead) today’s bands have to compete with the drowned-rat temperament of all those who’ve camped. Luckily there’s crepes for breakfast, a champagne tent and… hold up, what? I’m down with crumble but there’s no place for Moët in Metal. Come on.

Looking about as country as you can get, Whiskey Myers ease us in gently with Early Morning Shakes on the Encore stage before Amon Amarth give us growly Viking battle tunes from their dragon longship style stage set-up and giant fire canons. It’s even more awesome than it sounds, honestly. Whiplash back to bluesy rock with an inexplicably American sound for Glasgow vocalist Phil Campbell and The Temperance Movement. It’s an unrelentingly great set with a few tracks from the new album but finishing up with Ain’t No Telling from their first, we’re glad to see them back at Download.

On the Maverick stage, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are, well, doing what they do. There’s a huge mosh pit and lots of people seem to be enjoying themselves, but lots of other people seem to be screwing their noses up and walking away. So we head on over to the main stage for the eponymous Halestorm who have grabbed a massive crowd and are belting out Amen, I Am The Fire and I Miss The Misery. There’s no doubting Lzzy Hale’s vocal prowess but there’s something very Nickelback about them, massively produced and clean, it’s hard to put your finger on it.

Shinedown have that crowd-participation approach that we Brits love to hate, like panto – they want us to jump, so at first we do it sarcastically… then again to reinforce the joke… before you know it everyone is pogoing like a complete tosspot to a band they don’t even really like. Either we’re a very very susceptible nation, or Shinedown are actually doing a good job. I’ve no idea at this point. Delain on the Encore stage have drawn all the raven haired goth girls for a good old headbang but there’s a bit of power missing behind it all. On the Maverick stage Electric Wizard are heavy in a way that makes your stomach drop but it's Gojira who really make our skin crawl, in the best kind of way.

Disturbed are actually forcing joy out of otherwise non-fans today with the likes of Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence – a stalwart of their tour repertoire. In an epic hit-to-hit continuous play we get; U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For with Lzzy Hale, The Who’s Baba O’Riley with Blaze Bayley and RATM’s Killing In The Name with Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin. Where else are you gonna see that kind of mash up? Let’s be honest though, we’re all waiting for Down With The Sickness, and Disturbed give it to us with a cry of “I think it’s apparent the entire United Kingdom has been infected with sickness…”

Nightwish are plagued from the off with the heaviest downpour of the weekend but that’s never done anything to quiet this truly epic band before. Lords of the symphonic circuit, Nightwish have been the subject of more drama than any other band, public shamings and bootings aside – they seem to have bounced back each time. In Floor Jansen they’ve found a vocalist capable of traversing Tarja Turunen’s operatic realm and the rock sound they’ve been moving steadily towards over the last few albums, and she hits the stage dressed like a Valkyrie, which I guess, is the point really. With giant bursts of fire from stage canons, Nightwish (and the now extraordinarily drenched fans) power through some of the strongest numbers of the entire weekend. Nemo’s the one everyone has been waiting for, and though it will never quite be the same without Tarja, it packs a punch and remains a fan favourite. It seems Download loves Nightwish, no matter who’s fronting. Especially that dude vogue-ing the shit out of it at the back.

Headlining the Maverick stage Saxon get more than they bargained for – the tent is bursting at its seams with the soggy and groggy, warming themselves up for Maiden with the Yorkshire boys. 747 (Strangers in the Night) is melodic-shreddingly amazing, And The Bands Played On is the perfect description of what Saxon seem to intend to do… forever… and Wheels of Steel has every single person singing along. Biff’s voice and determination is as strong as ever.

As is typical of Sunday headliners at Download, there is very little crossover of other stages, and Iron Maiden also joining us a little later than intended means the arena is absolutely COVERED in bodies. Thankfully the rain has stopped just in time for the screens to switch over to Eddie TV and Bruce Dickinson to emerge from centre stage for If Eternity Should Fail. Through a Book Of Souls heavy set we are well and truly smacked with the fact that Bruce’s throat cancer surgery has done nothing to dull his vocals or his enthusiasm, he races the stage with the same wild abandon he has always had. In the wake of Black Sabbath’s ending, it’s sort of comforting to know that Maiden have no plans to quit any time soon. Hell, they just got a new plane.

Old favorites The Trooper, Hallowed Be Thy Name and Fear Of The Dark are every bit as heart-stoppingly brilliant as we’ve come to expect, the stage sets and animatronics just can’t be rivaled. With an epic encore of The Number Of The Beast, Blood Brothers and Wasted Years, Maiden came, saw, conquered. With a long speech regarding this weekend’s tragic events in Orlando, an incredible set and more energy than any one of us can muster after three days in a field – Bruce may as well have done an actual mic drop.

Read our full Iron Maiden review HERE

So what to make of Download 2016? As always controversy over headliners is rife for this sort of festival. With a genre so diverse, with arguably warring factions – there’s always going to be something you love, and something you hate. That’s kind of the point right? If you loved the whole lineup everything would clash. If you hated the whole lineup, you wouldn’t buy a ticket. This year, Download seemed to have secured bands from a whole heap of genres without one heavily dominating the others and let’s be honest – seeing Rammstein, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden on the same bill is really pretty incredible when you think about it. But who the hell is going to top this? Roll on DL2017’s announcements and the ensuing forum arguments we will inevitably be part of…

All photographs © A. Hyams, please do not use without permission.

Korn, Motorhead, Megadeath and more added to Download 2016 lineup

Download Festival announce an incredible six acts added to the line up for next years’ festival; Korn, Motörhead, Deftones, Megadeth, Nightwish and Disturbed join the already announced UK show exclusive headliners; Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Rammstein, as Download Festival returns for its 14th year to Donington park on 10,11 and 12 June 2016.
 
True pioneers of the whole Nu-Metal era, Korn will play Friday 10 June at Download Festival. Jonathan Davis, Munky, Head, Fieldy and Ray will bring that signature rumble to the spiritual home of rock. Their highly anticipated 12th studio album is due for release this year, ahead of what is a welcomed return to Donington. After a tumultuous few years, and fresh from the release of Bad Magic, the mighty Motörhead, the ultimate British rock ‘n’ roll institution, will play Download Festival on Friday 10 June. The pure embodiment of a rock – front man Ian Fraser 'Lemmy' Kilmister will bring swagger and attitude, and we’re certain of a few things – there will be No Sleep Till’ Donington, they are Motörhead, and they play rock'n'roll like no other.

Alternative rock mainstays, Deftones join an already mind-blowing Saturday line up. With the highly anticipated release of their eighth studio album, Deftones will bring a live show of epic proportions to the hallowed grounds of Donington next year. The Sacramento quintet have evolved since their inception, but inarguably they maintain the essential soundtrack to all hardcore fans.  Deftones are Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, Frank Delgado, Abe Cunningham and Sergio Vega.  Metal veterans, Megadeth, release their 15th album Dystopia early next year, which will no doubt excite the fans ahead of their Saturday performance at Download Festival.

On Sunday 11 June, symphonic operatic metallers, Nightwish, come with heavy guitars, intense instrumentals and edgy duet vocals from Floor Jansen and Marco Hietala. Their hypnotising take on metal melodrama will no doubt lure the crowds to Donington next year. Returning from their hiatus, Disturbed released the epic Immortalized in August this year, a long awaited album of epic proportions proving that their live show next year will be nothing short of unmissable. Now resurrected – their dark metal craft and distinctive sound claimed the number 1 album spot in the US. Disturbed are: David Draiman, John Moyer, Dan Donegan, and Mike Wengren.

Download Festival 2013 – Friday Review

Avid weather watching and ultimate festival preparation was indeed necessary for this year’s Download Festival at the legendary Donington Racetrack, as the masses were simultaneously sunburnt and soaked, we thank the grand old British climate for a mostly acceptable atmosphere in which to rock. In it’s eleventh year, Download Festival draws in the metal hordes, clad in anything black, denim, ripped and studded, for a weekend of extraordinary music and warm beer.

Heading into the arena on Friday, the familiar sights and smells wash over us (portaloos, expensive burgers, eau de camping) with one particular very obvious addition – the zipline. Even at this time people are queuing up to spend fifteen smackers for thirty seconds of extreme wedgie, it’s baffling. I suppose the view is good from up there though. At the Zippo Encore Stage nearest the arena entrance, legendary hard-rocker heroes Uriah Heep draw an absolutely massive crowd and play a storming set that would have you think you’re at the ’82 heyday Monsters of Rock, not 2013 Download. Screaming “Where were you back in nineteen seventy seven?” frontman Mick Box smiles at the blank stares of all those who weren’t born yet, and pushes on with ‘Gypsy’ and some serious shredding. Despite the very recent and death of bassist Trevor Bolder, the band put on a great show and leave the stage with an outtro of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ just to cement their homegrown status.

Over on the main stage, Yorkshire metalcore kids Asking Alexandria spin damp fans in the rain into a frenzy, whilst London based power metal heavyweights Dragonforce are beset with shoddy sound for the first few songs. Despite this they ride rambunctiously through ‘Through the Fire and Flames’ and new track ‘Cry Thunder’ is punchy enough (and almost ironic enough, in the current conditions) to gain instant earworm status. Herman Li’s frankly beautiful hair blows in the wind as he and Sam Totman shred harmoniously in their distinctive style and the crowd joins in for the chorus. Main stage emotions are running high as Papa Roach create circle-pits and drive the hits ‘… To Be Loved’ and ‘Last Resort’, and the second stage area is awash with Swedish flags for Stockholm rockers Europe. After a hugely entertaining and musically engaging set, the inevitable party-piece ‘The Final Countdown’ is final-ly rolled out, to which the crowd goes wild. It’s more comedy than it is song now, but boy do we Brits love a good cheesy anthem.

Korn, though intensely self-aware and at times quite comical, are actually rather good and manage to draw the largest crowd of the daytime. Head honcho Jonathan Davis’ looks like he’s having a fit whilst dancing/headbanging through ‘Blind’ and ‘Falling Away From Me’, but it’s ‘Coming Undone’ that really gets the audience thrashing. An unnecessary ten minute bagpipe interval (of which Davis really only plays a few notes, it’s like… if Deep Purple went highlander…) leaves a lot of confused faces, and more than a few people groan when the dubstep part hits, however, fan favourite ‘Freak On A Leash’ brings them back.

3 Doors Down do a sterling job making the afternoon light with their particular brand of American Rock, with a fun cover of Megadeth’s ‘Symphony of Destruction’ and Gypsy Punk crazies Gogol Bordello have everyone up and skanking to their weird and wonderful accordion packed sound, also rainbow stripes don’t really make a balaclava any less menacing, but we appreciate the oddity of it.

Second stage headliners Black Stone Cherry, here on merit of a forum-wide plea from fans, play an absolutely stunning set with favourites from the first three albums, and a first ever sneak peek at brand spanking new material from their studio work (see headline review for full details). Main stage masked-bandit headliners Slipknot have ditched the red boiler suits for white (much to the dismay of die hard fans who’ve spend the whole day perfecting their costumes) but other than that, not much is different from their 2009 Download appearance, except that this year they play without late bassist Paul Grey and play ‘Duality’ in tribute to him (the 2009 Download Festival show was his last appearance). Fans are fans though, and twice during the wild night, Corey Taylor called to stop the performance due to crowd surges, yelling “No-one is getting hurt on my watch, I'm not going to let that happen to my family”. Over the two hour set, hits ‘Wait and Bleed’ and ‘Psychosocial’ make for rowdy moshpits and after an extra long pause before the encore, ‘People = Shit’ and ‘Surfacing’ complete the show.

Photo courtesy of Download Festival