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