Download 2025

[ipr44]

I was gutted I didn’t make yesterday, but from what my mate tells me the queues and getting out ruined the day.

 

Took him 3 hours to get out in a taxi. Shocking.

[TheGoodOldDays]

Even though the queues were long, it never took me more than five mins to get a beer to be fair. Water queues were ridiculous mind. 

[charlierc]

5 hours ago, northernangel said:

The conditions were fine but the lack of water points is crazy. You've got people queueing for drinks when the top 4 bands are on....at £7.75 at pint at a guess....I didn't fully check is it worth it.

Yeah I can imagine that's the really irritating element at these. I remember being at a Queens of the Stone Age gig in Finsbury Park several years ago on a roasting day and the water/drink organisation there was pretty terrible, but you'd at least want it to be better for a multi-day festival like what we have with the Download set-up.

 

Then again I've seen a fair amount of messes with that. The leaking water tank at Truck Festival comes to mind.

[charlierc]

2 hours ago, northernangel said:

The difference of people on the buses today is mad! Parked right next to it and been put for a walk when one bus was waiting, came back when another was going and the bus I'm on has a dozen at max. Yesterday was rammed to the rafters.

Maybe that's the nature of the beast with Green Day being the big band headlining it and having sold out a stadium tour last year.

 

Even if it is a curio they couldn't help this day be a sell-out.

[rock_on]

1 hour ago, charlierc said:

Maybe that's the nature of the beast with Green Day being the big band headlining it and having sold out a stadium tour last year.

 

Even if it is a curio they couldn't help this day be a sell-out.

 

It's seemed strange since the line-up was made to have Green Day on the Friday - I'm sure they'd have sold more weekend tickets if they'd put Green Day on the Saturday night somehow - they might have sold the day out as well if people didn't have to take a day of work to see them. I imagine there's tens of thousands who just went yesterday for Green Day and have no real interest in anything on tonight or tomorrow. Korn and Sleep Token just aren't the same kind of draw. 

[Paul ™]

15 minutes ago, foolee said:

About 400 toilets for 100k people is ridiculous. 

100k? 🤣

[northernangel]

9 hours ago, foolee said:

Great day of music however I agree, terrible organisation. Queues queues queues, staff not knowing what they were doing & nobody knew where anything was. About 400 toilets for 100k people is ridiculous. I saw 2 water points so possibly only 4-5 in the arena, pretty shocking really. 

 

5 if you're really lucky. One of the reasons I avoid Download as much as I do is because as a festival it's the worst I've been to in the UK for multiple reasons including those mentioned. As a field with bands in I like and decent sound usually I can accept attending.

 

Yeah queues for everything again today, toilets really bad especially by Avalanche stage, water queues bad. Im expecting this to coms across negative to certain individuals attending but it's just the facts.

 

I've heard mutliple people mention its 4 days next year though. Biggest disappointment of the weekend I think were Weezer for me, the charisma that he had years back isn't there now either. Poppy unexpectedly was decent, Palaye Royale were decent as were Smash into Pieces. Twin Atlantic were alright though being late on meant make a beast of you was cut. Sex Pistols was decent enough.

 

8 hours ago, charlierc said:

Maybe that's the nature of the beast with Green Day being the big band headlining it and having sold out a stadium tour last year.

 

Even if it is a curio they couldn't help this day be a sell-out.

 

There aren't many bands who do sell Download out.

7 hours ago, rock_on said:

 

It's seemed strange since the line-up was made to have Green Day on the Friday - I'm sure they'd have sold more weekend tickets if they'd put Green Day on the Saturday night somehow - they might have sold the day out as well if people didn't have to take a day of work to see them. I imagine there's tens of thousands who just went yesterday for Green Day and have no real interest in anything on tonight or tomorrow. Korn and Sleep Token just aren't the same kind of draw. 

 

The problem is not all the bands that come with Green Day are of interest to Download.

 

Sleep Token drew a healthy crowd but there was noticeable space to walk about and people leaving after doing the checking them out which was expected. I was one of those and whole I didn't hate them, I've not much interest. 

[northernangel]

The amount of comments on social for ST saying so this identifies at metal then etc etc completely tells you what the majority going to Download expect. They don't care that it says premier rock festival because the bookers hadn't treated it as like that for years, the minute they do its a s**t storm. It was definitely a case for me of, you had to be really interested in seeing it to bother by the end of the day vs a band like Shinedown for example where I know very few words but the show was great and so were they. They kept me interested and are way more accessible, I'd have probably been happy to finish with them at the top....I don't think they should be mind. It was an example of where not having an alternative isn't a good thing, it was very clear to see the walk outs shortly into the set and the longer it went on. Many choosing to vacate after Sex Pistols

[rock_on]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

The amount of comments on social for ST saying so this identifies at metal then etc etc completely tells you what the majority going to Download expect. They don't care that it says premier rock festival because the bookers hadn't treated it as like that for years, the minute they do its a s**t storm. It was definitely a case for me of, you had to be really interested in seeing it to bother by the end of the day vs a band like Shinedown for example where I know very few words but the show was great and so were they. They kept me interested and are way more accessible, I'd have probably been happy to finish with them at the top....I don't think they should be mind. It was an example of where not having an alternative isn't a good thing, it was very clear to see the walk outs shortly into the set and the longer it went on. Many choosing to vacate after Sex Pistols

 

It's not that simple. Green Day aren't a metal band but have got unanimously positive reviews on social media. It's more about the band's capability's and it looks obvious Sleep Token have either been bumped up too soon or aren't right for the festival going by the social media response - that doesn't mean the festival can't try and book other non-metal bands in future. 

[northernangel]

7 minutes ago, rock_on said:

 

It's not that simple. Green Day aren't a metal band but have got unanimously positive reviews on social media. It's more about the band's capability's and it looks obvious Sleep Token have either been bumped up too soon or aren't right for the festival going by the social media response - that doesn't mean the festival can't try and book other non-metal bands in future. 

 

Green Day bought a hell of a lot of day ticketers, Sleep Token nowhere near as many but Green Day have at least been involved within the scene of Rock bands for years. There is no denying a big portion of Download Festival goers want metal. You only have to look at some Download regulars on here that point to Bloodstock as where it was at this year to what they couldn't get at Download. If I'm your typical Download attendee for a weekend especially then from Palaye Royale on the main stage I'm probably not hanging around, I just don't happen to be. I would however be hanging around for Meshuggah, Spiritibox, Bullet and Korn. I also really wouldn't have been interested in Weezer as a typical attendee either, even as a fan and non typical I thought it was flat and one place too high.

 

Poppy though to mention surprised me, I think she'll get booked to sub second next time.

[ace56blaa]

I'm so glad poppy is finally getting the recognition she deserves, it's wild where she's come from to being one of the most interesting alt rock/ metal performers around today. 

[rock_on]

17 hours ago, northernangel said:

 

 

I've heard mutliple people mention its 4 days next year though.

 

This sounds highly unlikely. The traffic issues in 2023 alone mean they probably want to avoid that scenario again, unless they open the campsites on the Tuesday which they aren't going to do. I also can't think of any bands they'd warrant an extra day for nowadays. 

[Spiral_Low]

37 minutes ago, rock_on said:

 

This sounds highly unlikely. The traffic issues in 2023 alone mean they probably want to avoid that scenario again, unless they open the campsites on the Tuesday which they aren't going to do. I also can't think of any bands they'd warrant an extra day for nowadays. 

As I said to a mate, an obvious way for them to sort traffic issues if they did want to ask for 2023 levels is to 

 

A)Only sell a limited amount of car park passes and have a zero admittance policy for those who haven't precooked (I believe they are going down this path already?)

 

B)Tie some of the tickets to coaches - as in have a set amount only available with a coach package

 

C) Open campsite/admission at 10am (and not tell everyone it's 12pm) - you will always get the hardcore that turn up early as possible but this way you get a couple extra hours to get people in

[northernangel]

52 minutes ago, rock_on said:

 

This sounds highly unlikely. The traffic issues in 2023 alone mean they probably want to avoid that scenario again, unless they open the campsites on the Tuesday which they aren't going to do. I also can't think of any bands they'd warrant an extra day for nowadays. 

It would be like a Maiden for the Thursday while they might have offered slots to 3 others. If Download actually knew how to organise a music festival for a weekend they could sort it properly. Unfortunately, the experience is like a gig in a field for a day instead and that's how they are usually setup as if its going to take everyone years to get in and out but it's only for one day. Employ people that know what they are doing. I don't understand how they can do a festival with people attending on the Wednesday lasting for 4 days?, other festivals have their doors open Wednesday as well for the whole weekend whether bits starts on Wed, Thursday or Friday and don't have as many issues or get it as wrong.

 

Hopefully now there are new fresh people from next year in place booking things we see a change rather than a cash grab of take my money and we won't the do the best we can approach. After parking at east mids carpark and shuttling in I'd never chose to camp over doing that again. Change of clothes in the car, accommodation sorted, sink to have a wash, cafe down the road to get your breakfast in and the shuttles easy enough to do. Yes you can't take advantage of the other bits like district x but I don't really care. You can still drink as well.

[Paul ™]

2023 was 100k, next year would most likely be same as 2024/25

[charlierc]

Least it didn't rain and turn half the field into a mudbath again by the look of it.

[Gingerfish79]

I was there all weekend and thought the organisation and facilities were a marked improvement from last year. The arena toilets were much better, always clean and queues moved very quickly. Arena bar queues didn't take long to move even at peak times. The expansion of the bars/pubs between the Avalanche and Apex really worked, and I appreciated the Guinness bar! The changes to district x were also really good, felt like a proper late night area with plenty of choice. There are still things they can improve, particularly signage around the site and live travel updates, but they're clearly listening and improving things year on year. 

 

Musically, I thought it was a really great line-up as well, so much variety and a great mix between exciting new acts on the way up with plenty of established and heritage acts to add weight. To use the old football adage, the line-up was better than the sum of its parts. In my top 2 Downloads so far!

[SirPsychoSexy]

First time at Download, I was in accessible camp which I couldn’t fault, & the facilities in the arena & district X were top notch! The food was surprisingly good aswell, so didn’t mind the prices.  Drinks prices are a piss take so managed to sneak plenty in, the security guards are either thick or cba to take their job seriously.  Oh well, saved us some money. 
 

The music was good, with some lowlights, mainly being the poor sound on Opus for The Darkness & just in general really,  could hear the Main-Stage more at times, although this is probably normal?

 

Greenday were awesome, as were Sleep Token who were immense! By far my favourite of the weekend! Other highlights were Arrows in action, Smash into Pieces, Dayseeker & Jimmy Eat World.   Mothica was a pleasant surprise. 
 

Decided to pack up & come home after Bullet, not too fussed about seeing Korn.  

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, Gingerfish79 said:

I was there all weekend and thought the organisation and facilities were a marked improvement from last year. The arena toilets were much better, always clean and queues moved very quickly. Arena bar queues didn't take long to move even at peak times. The expansion of the bars/pubs between the Avalanche and Apex really worked, and I appreciated the Guinness bar! The changes to district x were also really good, felt like a proper late night area with plenty of choice. There are still things they can improve, particularly signage around the site and live travel updates, but they're clearly listening and improving things year on year. 

 

Musically, I thought it was a really great line-up as well, so much variety and a great mix between exciting new acts on the way up with plenty of established and heritage acts to add weight. To use the old football adage, the line-up was better than the sum of its parts. In my top 2 Downloads so far!

You had a different experience with certain bits than most. Water waiting queues were the worst but the toilet queues by the Avalanche was horrendous and there should be no need for that. Luckily as a guy I can get round things but I'd hate to be a female in that situation. Bars fluctuated i thought but beings I drove I drank very little. £6.95 for a pint of Somersby isn't the best thing lol, £5.70 for a pack of 4 in the shop lol. I wasn't there last year so can only compared to 2023. I can't fault the music I saw or the sound of it and that's what I take away, the rest I kind of expect there. 

[andyrhodes24]

A very good weekend that, Green Day, Sex Pistols, Korn, Broco, Spiritbox all excellent. Korn the highlight for me.

 

As mentioned above I thought the arena signage was poor. Being a Download first timer it took some wandering to find where the toilets were. Queues were also wild for both toilets and water. Find it mind blowing how all festivals don’t put more water points in.

 

Didn’t bother with Sleep Token but this new look lineup is much more my kind of thing than the lineups of previous years. Would definitely go again.

[northernangel]

2 hours ago, andyrhodes24 said:

A very good weekend that, Green Day, Sex Pistols, Korn, Broco, Spiritbox all excellent. Korn the highlight for me.

 

As mentioned above I thought the arena signage was poor. Being a Download first timer it took some wandering to find where the toilets were. Queues were also wild for both toilets and water. Find it mind blowing how all festivals don’t put more water points in.

 

Didn’t bother with Sleep Token but this new look lineup is much more my kind of thing than the lineups of previous years. Would definitely go again.

Glad you had a good one. There's no issues with the bands as said, it's the rest of the stuff they can't get right but it's been the same most of when I've been.

I will definitely be doing the car parking way from now on though, 100% the best way forward. No tent, no lugging sh*t, nothing stopping you from drinking, you can have a wash and the shuttle drops you 2 minutes from from the entrance.

[Andre91]

Brilliant weekend. 

 

Green Day were great on Friday. I was pleasantly surprised after planning on only staying for some of the set. Wicked setlist that suited the festival better than some of their more bloated tour setlists. I stayed for almost all of it and had a great time. 
 

Sleep Token were good on Saturday. Was a bit slow in places but the bangers were peppered in nicely apart. The stage show was utterly phenomenal; one of the most impressive stages I’ve ever seen. I didn’t stay until the very end but they went down well enough. They were always going to be divisive but they still had a perfectly normal crowd when I was walking back about 15mins before the end. 
 

KoRn were absolutely outstanding last night. One of my favourite headline sets I’ve ever seen. They showed everyone they deserve to headline these kinds of festivals and have cemented themselves as a DL headline for the rest of their careers after that. 10/10 headline set. Deftones next and Bizkit after, yes? 
 

Special shout outs to Malev for their amazing secret set yesterday, Weezer on Friday being everything I could have wanted, Don Broco putting on the best non-headline set of the weekend, Hatebreed for bringing the energy so early on Saturday and Jerry Cantrell for a wonderful sunny singalong. 
 

The only crap band I saw all weekend was CKY. Utterly *****, awful sound and performance. How the hell they were on the Main Stage in 2025 anyway is still beyond me.

 

So many positives this year. The toilets were supreme! Never seen toilets that nice at a festival. Clean as a whistle all weekend, fully stocked with bog roll at all times. Lovely stuff. Never took too long to queue for a cubicle over any of the three days and no time at all for the urinals. 
 

Bars were perfectly fine queue wise except for the second half of the day on Friday but that’s going to happen when you’ve got a stadium band headlining who sell the most tickets to their day (which they did, that’s been confirmed). Saturday and Sunday it barely took 5mins to get served. £6.80 / £6.90 or whatever for a pint is to be expected; I’m very glad it wasn’t the £8.95 Leeds Arena charge. 
 

Only negative was the d*ck head who ruined everyone’s Saturday night during Modestep in the Doghouse. What a *****. Also bolting to the arena in time for 11am on Saturday for the secret set that never happened 🤣
 

Managed to stay hydrated all weekend and not even a hint of sunburn so I’m happy all round. Bloody tired now though but worth it. 
 

2026 headliner prediction; DEFTONES, GHOST & LINKIN PARK. 

Edited June 16, 2025 by Andre91

[northernangel]

7 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Brilliant weekend. 

 

Green Day were great on Friday. I was pleasantly surprised after planning on only staying for some of the set. Wicked setlist that suited the festival better than some of their more bloated tour setlists. I stayed for almost all of it and had a great time. 
 

Sleep Token were good on Saturday. Was a bit slow in places but the bangers were peppered in nicely apart. The stage show was utterly phenomenal; one of the most impressive stages I’ve ever seen. I didn’t stay until the very end but they went down well enough. They were always going to be divisive but they still had a perfectly normal crowd when I was walking back about 15mins before the end. 
 

KoRn were absolutely outstanding last night. One of my favourite headline sets I’ve ever seen. They showed everyone they deserve to headline these kinds of festivals and have cemented themselves as a DL headline for the rest of their careers after that. 10/10 headline set. Deftones next and Bizkit after, yes? 
 

Special shout outs to Malev for their amazing secret set yesterday, Weezer on Friday being everything I could have wanted, Don Broco putting on the best non-headline set of the weekend, Hatebreed for bringing the energy so early on Saturday and Jerry Cantrell for a wonderful sunny singalong. 
 

The only crap band I saw all weekend was CKY. Utterly *****, awful sound and performance. How the hell they were on the Main Stage in 2025 anyway is still beyond me.

 

So many positives this year. The toilets were supreme! Never seen toilets that nice at a festival. Clean as a whistle all weekend, fully stocked with bog roll at all times. Lovely stuff. Never took too long to queue for a cubicle over any of the three days and no time at all for the urinals. 
 

Bars were perfectly fine queue wise except for the second half of the day on Friday but that’s going to happen when you’ve got a stadium band headlining who sell the most tickets to their day (which they did, that’s been confirmed). Saturday and Sunday it barely took 5mins to get served. £6.80 / £6.90 or whatever for a pint is to be expected; I’m very glad it wasn’t the £8.95 Leeds Arena charge. 
 

Only negative was the d*ck head who ruined everyone’s Saturday night during Modestep in the Doghouse. What a *****. Also bolting to the arena in time for 11am on Saturday for the secret set that never happened 🤣
 

Managed to stay hydrated all weekend and not even a hint of sunburn so I’m happy all round. Bloody tired now though but worth it. 
 

2026 headliner prediction; DEFTONES, GHOST & LINKIN PARK. 

Just a quick note on the prices of the drinks. £6.80/90 is cheaper but you are getting lower level choices compared to other places. If I'm being asked to pay £6.95 for a Somersby vs £7.75 for a dark fruits I'm opting for the latter all day. 

 

And the bar queues second half of Friday weren't great, you should cater for it to be honest as you know what's coming. Even early afternoon they were packed but of course I don't attend Download lol so I wouldn't know haha.

 

The toilets were indeed the step up a level, though the only quiet one's were urinals and the one's right over the far side of the main stage to the upper right. 

 

Cky was awful, though I took it as sitting down time as I didn't plan to be there Saturday and didn't realize I was until 5 minutes after getting in Friday.

 

I will definitely do east mids parkway again to return whether it be for a day or more. I have to almost stick to information I have an thought with next year of Ghost, Parkway Drive, Linkin Park. Wether they can get away with that I'm unsure, I think Parkway Drive are too small to do it but thats what I currently have to go on. I almost don't know why you wouldn't accept the lower attendance to actually get more sellouts, it's not like apart from a couple of bands it's ever been a festival that sells it's whole allocation anyway. 

[Deckard]

Stayed in Derby and caught the bus in each day. Bit of a walk to the arena but the weather was almost perfect. Could have done with a couple more showers to damp down the dust. I agree about the water points - not enough plus such low pressure that it took ages to fill a bottle. No complaints about the bar or toilet queues.

 

Musical highlights - a nice spread with Opeth, Within Temptation, Green Day, Hatebreed, Polaris, Sex Pistols and a great main stage run the last day of Jinjer, Meshuggah, Spiritbox and Bullet.

 

 

[andyrhodes24]

Compared to Leeds which has been my camping festival of choice for the last 10 years, Download wins hands down. Better facilities (campervan site showers were outstanding), merch stands well stocked, arena toilets clean as mentioned and obviously a better vibe with the different demographic. Far less thorough with arena searches too so getting booze in wasn’t a problem.

 

No complaints at all, the sun was almost relentless so the rain during Green Day was welcome relief. Still better than it turning into a swamp mind!

 

Also Frank Carter is just the man, he looked like he was having a wonderful time on stage.