Download 2025

[Spiral_Low]

Re: discussion on who Download missed out on -

 

I think Download have a good set of headliners, I just think the support bill is really poor. Personal taste though of course. 

 

Deftones and Judas Priest doing their own shows whilst Download books Steel Panther once again? Hmmmmmm.....

[TWY2911]

26 minutes ago, Kfogg2019 said:

This has been pretty much my exact feelings about it. It was pretty obvious and clear who to expect as main headliners for festivals like rock am ring/hellfest ect what has turned out spot on for the most part. 

We have shared alot of the bands from rock am ring because it makes a lot of sense and financially makes sense so we get impressive names for both eventdfs but for me personally I think the main stage headliners bar one feels underwhelming and subpart in a significant way again IMO.

 

I love Korn I've seen them live a few times and they are great however I don't buy for absolutely no reason at all them being elevated to main stage headliners at this stage again just my opinion.

 

My feelings with sleep token going straight to the top billing mainly comes from not understanding why they are soh not bad music at all but I didn't think it was game changing again my opinion. 

 

It's stunning that Andy and the download team have refused to elevate and give the push to every single band throughout the entirety of the festival but chose to do it with all three of the days and two of them being smaller names than normal.

 

Korn seem to be headlining almost every Rock/Metal festival in Europe 

 

Yes I understand that just because they headline other similar sized European festivals it doesn't mean that they are big enough in the UK but Hellfest have also given them the bump up after being a second stage headliner/main stage sub before so I don't understand why people are refusing to believe that they haven't grown in popularity recently (like Nu Metal in general)

 

Sleep Token's ticket sales speak for themselves you're just deluded if you don't think they are big enough now 

[TWY2911]

4 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

Re: discussion on who Download missed out on -

 

I think Download have a good set of headliners, I just think the support bill is really poor. Personal taste though of course. 

 

Deftones and Judas Priest doing their own shows whilst Download books Steel Panther once again? Hmmmmmm.....

 

Deftones and Judas Priest doing their own shows doesn't rule them out 

 

It makes them unlikely but it could be that Download are waiting for their shows to sell out before announcing them 

 

It's normally only headliners that need to be exclusive (but Download would obviously rather their other logo bands be exclusive too) 

[SweetJesus]

Let's be honest, there is a lack of headliners in 2025, every festival have a problem. Neither one festival next summer have a "wow" effect on me, even Hellfest is "meh".

I finally managed to get tickets to Hellfest and I must admit, I'm dissapointed with their lineup...

Edited Tuesday at 03:39 PM by SweetJesus

[FloopFiller]

Yeah, first Hellfest lineup I can remember that didn’t have me insanely envious of those going. Still enough there to make a great weekend out of it, but missing the huge wow factor of the last couple of years at least, and the headliners are pretty piss weak.

[Andre91]

I mean, there’s an entire podcast episode with someone that talks through why KoRn are a suitable headliner, guys 👀

[northernangel]

7 hours ago, Spiral_Low said:

Re: discussion on who Download missed out on -

 

I think Download have a good set of headliners, I just think the support bill is really poor. Personal taste though of course. 

 

Deftones and Judas Priest doing their own shows whilst Download books Steel Panther once again? Hmmmmmm.....

It's quite funny as I think the support bill is better than the headliners apart from Green Day obviously.

[northernangel]

15 hours ago, Andre91 said:

I mean, there’s an entire podcast episode with someone that talks through why KoRn are a suitable headliner, guys 👀

Didn't realise that was you, I couldn't speak like that I don't think. I don't however think that suitability has ever been the question. I do think putting Judas Priest before Metallica is incorrect though but that's my opinion and I would would disagree that without Korn we would have other heavier bands. I may not like heavy to the level you do but what I do like isn't because of Korn from my take.

[FloopFiller]

22 hours ago, Spiral_Low said:

Re: discussion on who Download missed out on -

 

I think Download have a good set of headliners, I just think the support bill is really poor. Personal taste though of course. 

 

Deftones and Judas Priest doing their own shows whilst Download books Steel Panther once again? Hmmmmmm.....

Deftones heavily rumoured for Glastonbury and also seem to be doing a lot of other non-metal festivals this year that they wouldn’t usually be booked for so seems avoiding the usual places they play all the time is something they’re actively trying to do. Would probably expect them at Download ‘26 off the back of their new album. 

[LoadDown Podcast]

On 12/11/2024 at 10:50 AM, northernangel said:

Didn't realise that was you, I couldn't speak like that I don't think. I don't however think that suitability has ever been the question. I do think putting Judas Priest before Metallica is incorrect though but that's my opinion and I would would disagree that without Korn we would have other heavier bands. I may not like heavy to the level you do but what I do like isn't because of Korn from my take.

The bands @Andre91gave were chronological, not ranked by importance.

[northernangel]

Well Pendulum were an absolutely differently level and experience entirely at Drumsheds last night compared to Download a couple of years ago. That's the good bit, venue wise all round Drumsheds is terrible from arriving all the way.

[Andre91]

DOWNLOAD 2026 

 

APEX: Deftones / Gojira / Turnstile

OPUS: A Day To Remember 

 

APEX: Linkin Park / Architects / Papa Roach 

OPUS: Knocked Loose 

 

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Amon Amarth 

OPUS: Killswitch Engage

[FloopFiller]

16 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

DOWNLOAD 2026 

 

APEX: Deftones / Gojira / Turnstile

OPUS: A Day To Remember 

 

APEX: Linkin Park / Architects / Papa Roach 

OPUS: Knocked Loose 

 

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Amon Amarth 

OPUS: Killswitch Engage

Yeah given Deftones are currently having a moment it would make total sense for them to follow in KoRn’s footsteps and get the bump up to headliner. I’ve been all aboard the ‘it’s not gonna happen’ train for both of them, but given the newfound popularity and Download’s predicament with headliners it’d be dumb to not add them to the roster whilst they’re such a hot act. 

[Andre91]

10 minutes ago, FloopFiller said:

Yeah given Deftones are currently having a moment it would make total sense for them to follow in KoRn’s footsteps and get the bump up to headliner. I’ve been all aboard the ‘it’s not gonna happen’ train for both of them, but given the newfound popularity and Download’s predicament with headliners it’d be dumb to not add them to the roster whilst they’re such a hot act. 

Yeah, makes all the sense in the world. Clearly a massive demand to see them this year seeing how every show flew out immediately. Would expect a new album by 2026, too. 
 

Bizkit will join KoRn and Deftones in headlining the next time they play. 
 

Give it another 10 years and I can totally see the New Wave of American Metal scene having a Nu Metal-esque resurgence in popularity. I wouldn’t be too surprised in the 2030s to see bands like Lamb of God, Trivium and Killswitch Engage thrust into headline positions. 

Edited yesterday at 06:55 PM by Andre91

[FloopFiller]

Already seeing a few instances of Sleep Token fans asking how early they’ll have to arrive to get on the barrier and if paying the £500 for RIP will guarantee them a spot there. Hadn’t even considered that they’d draw that kind of TikTok obsessive crowd tbh, but suppose it makes sense. Gonna be a whole bunch of kids passing out as they try and rawdog that ten hour wait.

Edited 11 hours ago by FloopFiller

[northernangel]

16 hours ago, Andre91 said:

DOWNLOAD 2026 

 

APEX: Deftones / Gojira / Turnstile

OPUS: A Day To Remember 

 

APEX: Linkin Park / Architects / Papa Roach 

OPUS: Knocked Loose 

 

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Amon Amarth 

OPUS: Killswitch Engage

 

Can't see Ghost and Deftones the same year at all. 

15 hours ago, Andre91 said:

Yeah, makes all the sense in the world. Clearly a massive demand to see them this year seeing how every show flew out immediately. Would expect a new album by 2026, too. 
 

Bizkit will join KoRn and Deftones in headlining the next time they play. 
 

Give it another 10 years and I can totally see the New Wave of American Metal scene having a Nu Metal-esque resurgence in popularity. I wouldn’t be too surprised in the 2030s to see bands like Lamb of God, Trivium and Killswitch Engage thrust into headline positions. 

 

Korn and Limp Bizkit did a bigger Park in London than Deftones, I'd expect Deftones to sub and that's it. None of LOG, Trivium or KSE will be headlining Download, we are getting well way ahead of ourselves here. Bullet aren't headlining it off of that joint tour with Trivium and it's all but name why they aren't playing lower.

[Andre91]

23 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Can't see Ghost and Deftones the same year at all. 

 

Korn and Limp Bizkit did a bigger Park in London than Deftones, I'd expect Deftones to sub and that's it. None of LOG, Trivium or KSE will be headlining Download, we are getting well way ahead of ourselves here. Bullet aren't headlining it off of that joint tour with Trivium and it's all but name why they aren't playing lower.

1. Deftones and Ghost alongside a massive headliner like Linkin Park or Maiden is just fine. There’s nothing questionable about Ghost anymore. 
 

2. If KoRn can headline, Deftones can. Gunnersbury Park is 25,000. So is Crystal Palace Park. 
 

3. Re: LoG, Trivium & KSE; people said the exact thing about KoRn and Deftones forever until this year. Download are clearly changing how they view a band as being capable of headlining. We’ve just got to wait for the nostalgia wave to hit. Also, I’m not saying it is going to happen, just that it wouldn’t surprise me too much. The last few years have shown us that you never really know what is around the corner. A band is one TikTok trend or nostalgia revival away from hitting the big time in ways they haven’t before. 

Edited 8 hours ago by Andre91

[northernangel]

53 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

1. Deftones and Ghost alongside a massive headliner like Linkin Park or Maiden is just fine. There’s nothing questionable about Ghost anymore. 
 

2. If KoRn can headline, Deftones can. Gunnersbury Park is 25,000. So is Crystal Palace Park. 
 

3. Re: LoG, Trivium & KSE; people said the exact thing about KoRn and Deftones forever until this year. Download are clearly changing how they view a band as being capable of headlining. We’ve just got to wait for the nostalgia wave to hit. Also, I’m not saying it is going to happen, just that it wouldn’t surprise me too much. The last few years have shown us that you never really know what is around the corner. A band is one TikTok trend or nostalgia revival away from hitting the big time in ways they haven’t before. 

 

It's fine as long as the capacity stays at 75/80k cap. I'm not questioning Ghost.

 

I was sure there park only accommodates 16k to concerts, that was certainly the figures reports for sales this year at the same venue. That maybe wrong but I definitely read 16k somewhere for it.

 

While they might have, Korn have consistently subbed for a while now, KSE, Triumph and LOG have not. Not hr same caliber or me. Trivium could get sub but don't see it happening with the others.

 

Also as per prediction above, no way are Papa Roach either their recent tour playing as low as Turnstile or Amon Amarth. They might be a case of Papa Roach can be 3rd down and those bands can't mind. That whole day of bands at Outbreak is the the same capacity as the smallest value that PR are playing out of the 3.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

1 hour ago, Andre91 said:

 

2. If KoRn can headline, Deftones can. Gunnersbury Park is 25,000. So is Crystal Palace Park. 
 

 

I thought Crystal Palace Park was 15,000? Also they’ve got Weezer co-headlining or supporting (not sure what it’s being billed as, but they’re a much bigger support than Korn had). 
 

Regardless, I do agree that Download will be looking at Deftones as a potential headliner in future years. We can probably put Limp Bizkit, NIN and The Smashing Pumpkins comfortably in that bracket now too. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Frankly Mr Shankly

[Andre91]

36 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

It's fine as long as the capacity stays at 75/80k cap. I'm not questioning Ghost.

 

I was sure there park only accommodates 16k to concerts, that was certainly the figures reports for sales this year at the same venue. That maybe wrong but I definitely read 16k somewhere for it.

 

While they might have, Korn have consistently subbed for a while now, KSE, Triumph and LOG have not. Not hr same caliber or me. Trivium could get sub but don't see it happening with the others.

 

Also as per prediction above, no way are Papa Roach either their recent tour playing as low as Turnstile or Amon Amarth. They might be a case of Papa Roach can be 3rd down and those bands can't mind. That whole day of bands at Outbreak is the the same capacity as the smallest value that PR are playing out of the 3.

Outbreak London’s capacity is 20-25k. 
 

Both Turnstile and Amon Amarth would comfortably be third down. I could see a case for Papa Roach subbing but that would be well depressing. 
 

Trivium will headline Download one day. They’re the ones I’m most confident of from that crop of bands. Might not be for another 10 years but they will. I’d put money on it. 

[northernangel]

50 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Outbreak London’s capacity is 20-25k. 
 

Both Turnstile and Amon Amarth would comfortably be third down. I could see a case for Papa Roach subbing but that would be well depressing. 
 

Trivium will headline Download one day. They’re the ones I’m most confident of from that crop of bands. Might not be for another 10 years but they will. I’d put money on it. 

Amon Amarth are not playing 3rd down in my opinion at all, Turnstile I'd agree. 

 

To be fair it might be Manchester version of Outbreak, London option of 20k didn't come up when I searched. London at least doesn't seem to be selling the best mind.

 

I like Papa Roach a lot and not even I think they should sub it even if it is an appealing move. I hate the time of day the subs go on at Download now though. If the likes of Trivium are going to headline it in 10 years then the festival currently will be a much smaller affair for sustainability. 60-70 will be the max to be able to get close to selling out.

[Andre91]

21 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Amon Amarth are not playing 3rd down in my opinion at all, Turnstile I'd agree. 

 

To be fair it might be Manchester version of Outbreak, London option of 20k didn't come up when I searched. London at least doesn't seem to be selling the best mind.

 

I like Papa Roach a lot and not even I think they should sub it even if it is an appealing move. I hate the time of day the subs go on at Download now though. If the likes of Trivium are going to headline it in 10 years then the festival currently will be a much smaller affair for sustainability. 60-70 will be the max to be able to get close to selling out.

Amon Amarth will either headline Second or play third down Main next time they play, I’m sure. 
 

Nobody knows how it’s selling unless they’re involved. I wish people wouldn’t say ‘x festival isn't selling well’ because the reality is, us regular folk don’t really have any idea. 
 

Download has only been 100k+, what, two or three times? 70,000 capacity is fine. 

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, Andre91 said:

Amon Amarth will either headline Second or play third down Main next time they play, I’m sure. 
 

Nobody knows how it’s selling unless they’re involved. I wish people wouldn’t say ‘x festival isn't selling well’ because the reality is, us regular folk don’t really have any idea. 
 

Download has only been 100k+, what, two or three times? 70,000 capacity is fine. 

 

If the festival regresses in size then maybe for Amon Amarth though it's still a poor 3rd booking. I remember them being a headliner on a really small festival near where I live.

 

When you see a lot of festivals though quickly sell out of tier 1 or primarily/early bird, it's not exactly hard to get a ticket. To be honest think they are asking a bit too much with £75/80 to the current rate. I will bear in mind there that however cheap it was I wouldn't pay it.

 

There is loads of times Download has been more than 70k though, I'd say that's pretty low numbers for the Premier Rock Festival. If they put the likes of Trivium, KSE and LOG as headliners then their numbers will really come down and being a major festival would come into question. They headline Bloodstock which is a 20k capacity festival. If Download got to a point where they are headlining then Bloodstock won't be a festival anymore and Download won't get the headliners they currently do/did maybe I guess. It'll be interesting how quick Green Day sell day tickets out for Download this year and if they do as any other event that size they will fly out very quickly. Green Day shouldn't have an issue selling day tickets out for an event with Weezer and Jimmy Eat World on the same day. I'd probably attend that over the at the time Hella Mega with Weezer and Fall Out Boy as I like Jimmy Eat World more and FOB who I really wasn't into at that time and didn't know Amyl and the Sniffers then. Hella Mega was a tour about 10 years too late for me.

[Andre91]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

 

If the festival regresses in size then maybe for Amon Amarth though it's still a poor 3rd booking. I remember them being a headliner on a really small festival near where I live.

 

 

When you see a lot of festivals though quickly sell out of tier 1 or primarily/early bird, it's not exactly hard to get a ticket. To be honest think they are asking a bit too much with £75/80 to the current rate. I will bear in mind there that however cheap it was I wouldn't pay it.

 

There is loads of times Download has been more than 70k though, I'd say that's pretty low numbers for the Premier Rock Festival. If they put the likes of Trivium, KSE and LOG as headliners then their numbers will really come down and being a major festival would come into question. They headline Bloodstock which is a 20k capacity festival. If Download got to a point where they are headlining then Bloodstock won't be a festival anymore and Download won't get the headliners they currently do/did maybe I guess. It'll be interesting how quick Green Day sell day tickets out for Download this year and if they do as any other event that size they will fly out very quickly. Green Day shouldn't have an issue selling day tickets out for an event with Weezer and Jimmy Eat World on the same day. I'd probably attend that over the at the time Hella Mega with Weezer and Fall Out Boy as I like Jimmy Eat World more and FOB who I really wasn't into at that time and didn't know Amyl and the Sniffers then. Hella Mega was a tour about 10 years too late for me.

You’re talking as if (theoretically) LoG, KSE and Trivium would headline the same year. They wouldn’t. Chuck them in alongside other headliners in the future and it could work.

 

If you break it down into (loose) groups, the headliner pool can look pretty healthy going forward: 

Old reliables & returning acts: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Linkin Park, Slipknot, System Of A Down, Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me The Horizon, Biffy Clyro, The Prodigy 

 

Bands Green Day have opened the door to: Blink-182, Paramore, Foo Fighters, Nickelback, Nine Inch Nails

 

Legacy bump ups: KoRn, Deftones, Limp Bizkit, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Machine Head

 

New bump ups: Sleep Token, Ghost, Parkway Drive, Bad Omens, Spiritbox

 

They're very crude groupings but, in this hypothetical scenario, you can see how mixing acts from all of these groups could create fairly balanced headliner trios going forward into the next decade. 
 

Again, I’m not saying I 100% believe all of these acts will headline (especially LoG, Trivium etc.) but I am saying that, based off of the elevation of acts like KoRn and likely Bizkit and Deftones, I wouldn’t be too stunned if they eventually did. 

 

[Audiorocker]

1 hour ago, Andre91 said:

You’re talking as if (theoretically) LoG, KSE and Trivium would headline the same year. They wouldn’t. Chuck them in alongside other headliners in the future and it could work.

 

If you break it down into (loose) groups, the headliner pool can look pretty healthy going forward: 

 

Old reliables & returning acts: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Linkin Park, Slipknot, System Of A Down, Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me The Horizon, Biffy Clyro, The Prodigy 

 

Bands Green Day have opened the door to: Blink-182, Paramore, Foo Fighters, Nickelback, Nine Inch Nails

 

Legacy bump ups: KoRn, Deftones, Limp Bizkit, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Machine Head

 

New bump ups: Sleep Token, Ghost, Parkway Drive, Bad Omens, Spiritbox

 

They're very crude groupings but, in this hypothetical scenario, you can see how mixing acts from all of these groups could create fairly balanced headliner trios going forward into the next decade. 
 

Again, I’m not saying I 100% believe all of these acts will headline (especially LoG, Trivium etc.) but I am saying that, based off of the elevation of acts like KoRn and likely Bizkit and Deftones, I wouldn’t be too stunned if they eventually did. 

 

Devil's advocate....which act from each of those 4 are you taking?

I'd go Metallica, Foo fighters, Limp Bizkit and Ghost