Download 2025

[northernangel]

On 12/15/2024 at 5:42 PM, 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. 

 

 

Just to be clear, I'm not talking as if all those would headline the same year. I would just make a point about any of those headlining full stop only happens if the festival had a huge downgrade, that's my opinion.

 

Also it's time to get The Prodigy out of the old, reliable and retuning, Download have had 3 years to get them, they are even having an act in as sub bumping over then who were booked to headline before from the get go. Biffy Clyro can join too.

 

Foo Fighters aren't going to headline Download and Green Day firstly don't open the door to them and secondly they didn't need anyone to open the door lol. Dave has played it, he know if he wants it or not. Green Day have also not opened the door to NIN or Nickelback, not even remotely a resemblance.

 

Your Legacy Bump Up section is just a bit silly. Suggesting at least one of those to get the bump up is the same as saying ADTR should have headlined Slam Dunk 10 years ago but they didn't so why would it be a good suggestion. KSE and LOG shouldn't be in any of these list. No big shows, no legacy, just returning 3rd down acts that get booked to top 20k events, not even 40k, let alone 60/70k. This is where we let what we would like overshadow what we should get and they should book. LOG did Wembley Arena once 1hr 15 minutes and a bunch of smaller academies, KSE not even that. 

 

Hypothetically speaking, but realistically too, any of those two much weaker bookings don't look good headliner bookings with any combinations of the strong one's in my opinion. That's not to say they are solid bookings elsewhere but not at the top. KSE shouldn't even get to sub.

[Andre91]

30 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Just to be clear, I'm not talking as if all those would headline the same year. I would just make a point about any of those headlining full stop only happens if the festival had a huge downgrade, that's my opinion.

 

Also it's time to get The Prodigy out of the old, reliable and retuning, Download have had 3 years to get them, they are even having an act in as sub bumping over then who were booked to headline before from the get go. Biffy Clyro can join too.

 

Foo Fighters aren't going to headline Download and Green Day firstly don't open the door to them and secondly they didn't need anyone to open the door lol. Dave has played it, he know if he wants it or not. Green Day have also not opened the door to NIN or Nickelback, not even remotely a resemblance.

 

Your Legacy Bump Up section is just a bit silly. Suggesting at least one of those to get the bump up is the same as saying ADTR should have headlined Slam Dunk 10 years ago but they didn't so why would it be a good suggestion. KSE and LOG shouldn't be in any of these list. No big shows, no legacy, just returning 3rd down acts that get booked to top 20k events, not even 40k, let alone 60/70k. This is where we let what we would like overshadow what we should get and they should book. LOG did Wembley Arena once 1hr 15 minutes and a bunch of smaller academies, KSE not even that. 

 

Hypothetically speaking, but realistically too, any of those two much weaker bookings don't look good headliner bookings with any combinations of the strong one's in my opinion. That's not to say they are solid bookings elsewhere but not at the top. KSE shouldn't even get to sub.

I disagree with you.

 

You’re really struggling to grasp that people were saying the exact same thing about KoRn and Deftones prior to this year. Neither band have done solo arena tours in an age and I doubt many people saw their explosion and elevation to headliner status coming. That could happen to other scenes as the years go on. 
 

Green Day is a booking that opens the door to other acts the festival has wanted for ages but never gotten. It will lead to more of the usually unattainable acts coming in, I’m certain. 
 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Andre91

[northernangel]

15 hours ago, Andre91 said:

I disagree with you.

 

You’re really struggling to grasp that people were saying the exact same thing about KoRn and Deftones prior to this year. Neither band have done solo arena tours in an age and I doubt many people saw their explosion and elevation to headliner status coming. That could happen to other scenes as the years go on. 
 

Green Day is a booking that opens the door to other acts the festival has wanted for ages but never gotten. It will lead to more of the usually unattainable acts coming in, I’m certain. 
 

You're welcome to disagree with me, that's fine.

I'm not struggling to grasp anything, but I also don't need your forced opinion on me because I disagree with it like my opinion isn't forced on you and I accepted you can disagree. Korn and Deftones have subbed the festival before and Deftones were never talked about headlining this year or any year. Korn have at least been mentioned about getting the bump up before now which is where the difference is. Korn were at least involved in a multiple city joint arena tour and Deftones subbed it twice after Wembley Arena, Ally Pally and now Crystal Palace Bowl. Some of those others aren't doing that, they are a support act for someone doing those venues. Let's be clear though, no one said Korn are suitable, no one said they haven't worked their say up, no one said they couldn't put on a worthy show but then many bands on an undercard probably could. Many people accepted they deserve it while many others have said they are a weak headliner and just not big enough in scale and both views are probably correct. 

 

Paramore have been mentioned by Andy for so long now the whole thing of them having been future headliners just got boring just like anything else he mentioned like that or anything does. He is just generally full of rubbish.

 

Blink 182 were already going to play in 2005 before pulling out so they aren't a band that need anyone to let them in. If Download is going to change that much that some of them bands mentioned as future headline acts between 7-10 years ago happen then they were never a future option at that time as the festival wasn't even in plans for a different kind of direction at that time.

Edited December 18, 2024 by northernangel

[Andre91]

Couple of 2026 predictions depending on whether they get Linkin Park or Iron Maiden. 

 

APEX: Deftones / Gojira / Electric Callboy 

OPUS: Knocked Loose / Neck Deep 

 

APEX: Linkin Park / Architects / Papa Roach

OPUS: Marilyn Manson / Behemoth 

 

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Killswitch Engage 

OPUS: A Day To Remember / Slaughter To Prevail

 

 

APEX: Deftones / Gojira / Electric Callboy 

OPUS: A Day To Remember / Slaughter To Prevail 

 

APEX: Iron Maiden / Trivium / Killswitch Engage 

OPUS: Knocked Loose / Neck Deep 

 

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Papa Roach

OPUS: Marilyn Manson / Behemoth

 

 

I think both SOAD and MCR will do their own stadium shows so won’t be in the running for DL. 

 

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, Andre91 said:

Couple of 2026 predictions depending on whether they get Linkin Park or Iron Maiden. 

 

APEX: Deftones / Gojira / Electric Callboy 

OPUS: Knocked Loose / Neck Deep 

 

APEX: Linkin Park / Architects / Papa Roach

OPUS: Marilyn Manson / Behemoth 

 

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Killswitch Engage 

OPUS: A Day To Remember / Slaughter To Prevail

 

 

APEX: Deftones / Gojira / Electric Callboy 

OPUS: A Day To Remember / Slaughter To Prevail 

 

APEX: Iron Maiden / Trivium / Killswitch Engage 

OPUS: Knocked Loose / Neck Deep 

 

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Papa Roach

OPUS: Marilyn Manson / Behemoth

 

 

I think both SOAD and MCR will do their own stadium shows so won’t be in the running for DL. 

 

I think MM will be booked this year of he was. There should be room for a 3rd down main act still. Don't see Papa Roach happening for obvious reasons.

 

There is no reason why they could go for both LP and Maiden, Deftones won't be their 1st option.

 

MCR I could see, SOAD I don't see doing stadiums here at all, they are a different force completely in the US.

[Andre91]

32 minutes ago, northernangel said:

I think MM will be booked this year of he was. There should be room for a 3rd down main act still. Don't see Papa Roach happening for obvious reasons.

 

There is no reason why they could go for both LP and Maiden, Deftones won't be their 1st option.

 

MCR I could see, SOAD I don't see doing stadiums here at all, they are a different force completely in the US.

I think they’ll do a Pantera with Manson. Leave it a year, let him come to Europe first and then book him for the festival when people aren’t as bugged by it. 
 

SOAD could do a date at one of the London stadiums easy, be it Wembley, Spurs, West Ham or the Emirates. 

[andyrhodes24]

When the next 2025 announcement likely to be, back end of Jan?

[Audiorocker]

Just now, andyrhodes24 said:

When the next 2025 announcement likely to be, back end of Jan?

Hoping for something like the Limp Bizkit reveal last year and a little flurry of bands that would be 2/3 down from the headliners

[northernangel]

3 hours ago, Andre91 said:

I think they’ll do a Pantera with Manson. Leave it a year, let him come to Europe first and then book him for the festival when people aren’t as bugged by it. 
 

SOAD could do a date at one of the London stadiums easy, be it Wembley, Spurs, West Ham or the Emirates. 

Maybe

 

London Stadium and Wembley in size are vastly different from Spurs or Emirates which are significantly smaller to compare. I don't see SOAD coming over to just do 1 Emirates show. Stadium show at Emirates maybe at a push, stadium shows which it was kinda suggested above they could do multiple dates, no. SOAD didn't have a UK number one with any of their albums releases compared to 3 in 5 in the US. They subbed Reading after headlining Download twice and only just survived still headlining in 17 so they weren't even one of the few metal acts to be considered big enough with enough crossover to top spot both like RATM, Metallica or LP have to name. I love SOAD, my favourite metal band but they've never even done a proper UK arena tour.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

10 hours ago, northernangel said:

Maybe

 

London Stadium and Wembley in size are vastly different from Spurs or Emirates which are significantly smaller to compare. I don't see SOAD coming over to just do 1 Emirates show. Stadium show at Emirates maybe at a push, stadium shows which it was kinda suggested above they could do multiple dates, no. SOAD didn't have a UK number one with any of their albums releases compared to 3 in 5 in the US. They subbed Reading after headlining Download twice and only just survived still headlining in 17 so they weren't even one of the few metal acts to be considered big enough with enough crossover to top spot both like RATM, Metallica or LP have to name. I love SOAD, my favourite metal band but they've never even done a proper UK arena tour.

They could easily sell out an arena tour, or a stadium date with a few arena dates as well. It isn’t 2017, the demand for SOAD has skyrocketed since then. 
 

Also, to the earlier point Manson isn’t playing any European festivals this year because he has a court date in the summer in the US. Assuming nothing changes, I suspect he’ll be back on the European festival circuit in summer 26, whether Download book him or not remains to be seen. 

 

 

[northernangel]

45 minutes ago, Frankly Mr Shankly said:

They could easily sell out an arena tour, or a stadium date with a few arena dates as well. It isn’t 2017, the demand for SOAD has skyrocketed since then. 
 

Also, to the earlier point Manson isn’t playing any European festivals this year because he has a court date in the summer in the US. Assuming nothing changes, I suspect he’ll be back on the European festival circuit in summer 26, whether Download book him or not remains to be seen. 

 

 

Ah I don't know about the court date.

 

I don't agree that SOAD would generate that heavy interest. The difference is back 2017 as you say, those acts still did.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

18 hours ago, northernangel said:

 

 

I don't agree that SOAD would generate that heavy interest. The difference is back 2017 as you say, those acts still did.

‘Nu metal’ has had a resurgence over the last couple of years, Limp Bizkit, Deftones and Korn have all played bigger shows than they’ve ever done before.
 

SOAD were always bigger than all of those, and they’ve also not played the UK in 8 years. So it’s not unrealistic to think they could do a stadium or two. 

[Spiral_Low]

22 hours ago, northernangel said:

Ah I don't know about the court date.

 

I don't agree that SOAD would generate that heavy interest. The difference is back 2017 as you say, those acts still did.

SOAD are one the biggest bands in metal and they haven't toured for ages. They'd sell out multiple stadium dates here if they wanted. 

[Andre91]

5 hours ago, Frankly Mr Shankly said:

‘Nu metal’ has had a resurgence over the last couple of years, Limp Bizkit, Deftones and Korn have all played bigger shows than they’ve ever done before.
 

SOAD were always bigger than all of those, and they’ve also not played the UK in 8 years. So it’s not unrealistic to think they could do a stadium or two. 

100% this. 
 

 

[northernangel]

2 hours ago, Spiral_Low said:

SOAD are one the biggest bands in metal and they haven't toured for ages. They'd sell out multiple stadium dates here if they wanted. 

Isn't this the same band though that people on here said they can off until they have new material?

 

I've never heard anyone saying that about Korn or specifically Limp Bizkit.

 

I'm not disputing they are, but Slipknot are bigger and they don't even trust themselves to do MK Bowl again and they've sold out multiple arenas tours.

 

I don't personally think they would do it myself, that's my opinion and I really don't want it in a stadium. Unless your paying stupid amounts and get really good seats or grab golden circle they just aren't worth it now over an arena run.

 

5 hours ago, Frankly Mr Shankly said:

‘Nu metal’ has had a resurgence over the last couple of years, Limp Bizkit, Deftones and Korn have all played bigger shows than they’ve ever done before.
 

SOAD were always bigger than all of those, and they’ve also not played the UK in 8 years. So it’s not unrealistic to think they could do a stadium or two. 

 

In fairness, the joint tour LB and Korn did was bigger overall comfortably and 20k shows with support should be perfectly reasonable in London for bands that have been able to sub a major rock festival, even considering the extra much smaller shows. Deftones also have incredible support compared to the Korn support too, it's special guest rather than just sub too and a band that are subbing Download themselves this year.

 

The rest is already highlighted above. They've sold around about the same amount of albums as Slipknot I feel, within 35m is?. If you compare that to the nu-metal/metal bands that have an can do stadiums were talking north of 100m towards 125m/130m I believe. That's 3 times the amount.

[Audiorocker]

For the experienced downloaders out there...do you think the line up poster has two spaces for sub- headliner material on it? 

Or do they just wang the names any way they want with nothing to read into?

[Andre91]

System of a Down will outsell Slipknot if they tour. Mark my words. The demand for SOAD will be insane if they do a tour instead of just playing DL. 

[LoadDown Podcast]

13 hours ago, Audiorocker said:

For the experienced downloaders out there...do you think the line up poster has two spaces for sub- headliner material on it? 

Or do they just wang the names any way they want with nothing to read into?

I think Bullet and Weezer will sub, so just one space left in the slot many think Falling in reverse were going to fill prior to the visa issue blowing up.

[foolee]

SOAD have sold out 3 US stadiums with decent act alongside them, a massive stadium tour in South America so I can defo see them doing a similar thing over here next year. Think download will go Ghost or Deftones with Iron Maiden and Linkin Park. 

[RedJosh]

5 hours ago, foolee said:

SOAD have sold out 3 US stadiums with decent act alongside them, a massive stadium tour in South America so I can defo see them doing a similar thing over here next year. Think download will go Ghost or Deftones with Iron Maiden and Linkin Park. 

It was 6 shows in the end as well as they added a second show for each stadium.

[northernangel]

16 hours ago, foolee said:

SOAD have sold out 3 US stadiums with decent act alongside them, a massive stadium tour in South America so I can defo see them doing a similar thing over here next year. Think download will go Ghost or Deftones with Iron Maiden and Linkin Park. 

I don't think the American shows mean anything for over here, they were massively bigger there than they ever were here.

 

On 1/23/2025 at 9:10 PM, Andre91 said:

System of a Down will outsell Slipknot if they tour. Mark my words. The demand for SOAD will be insane if they do a tour instead of just playing DL. 

 

In that case then if they do play Download I expect them to sell their day out easily and they couldn't do that in 2011 when they reunited.

16 hours ago, foolee said:

SOAD have sold out 3 US stadiums with decent act alongside them, a massive stadium tour in South America so I can defo see them doing a similar thing over here next year. Think download will go Ghost or Deftones with Iron Maiden and Linkin Park. 

 

Yeah I think it's been shown many times that whatever happens elsewhere isn't necessarily the case in other countries. SOAD were always massively bigger in the states and could headline multiple festivals whereas there was only one here longterm another around for a few years. The other option they played they didn't headline.

[foolee]

9 hours ago, northernangel said:

Yeah I think it's been shown many times that whatever happens elsewhere isn't necessarily the case in other countries. SOAD were always massively bigger in the states and could headline multiple festivals whereas there was only one here longterm another around for a few years. The other option they played they didn't headline.

 

The thing is America is a lot bigger than the UK which explains headlining multiple festivals. Things have changed though, look at Linkin Park, Deftones, Limp Bizkit & Korn now doing their biggest ever shows over here. There's been a resurgence of popularity with these type of bands which means when SOAD announce something over here it'll be bigger than they've done before and it'll sell extremely well. 

[cragzy]

Nine inch nails under korn ?

[liamglastocrowhurst1]

47 minutes ago, cragzy said:

Nine inch nails under korn ?

I personally dont see it but i am happy to be proven wrong

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

1 hour ago, cragzy said:

Nine inch nails under korn ?

Don’t see it. If anything, it would have been booked the other way around, Korn under NIN.