Download 2026

[Jos92]

Just now, northernangel said:

He said I think they headline next time but come on 4 years straight playing. Nothing they have actually done on their own is anything more than sub positioning

Strange times we live in, BMTH going to headline Nova Rock twice in three years with the same set, no wonder Sleep Token got the nod they're crying out for fresh blood to top festivals, pre COVID I don't even think this is a discussion much less something thats within the realms of possibility.

[andyrhodes24]

3 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

I know Copping isn't the top brass there anymore, but he did say the next time they play they'll headline.

 

GnR are huge but it's so wide of the mark, especially if they're still demanding a 3hr set to headline.

I wouldn’t complain if they did but I think they’ve set their stall out when they accepted sub at R&L. Could’ve really been a co-head with BMTH.

 

Agree on GnR, they’ll always draw a crowd but they cant keep demanding three hour sets and all the other stages close.

2 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

If LB didn't do their tour and R&L it wouldn't look really weak. I'd be surprised if Download can book anything with that trio that would result in going there over RAR booking LP and Maiden. Bearing in mind RAR also have acts clashing and playing after the headliner.

Yeah if people wanted to see LB in 2023-25 they could have multiple times and they’ve lost that headliner status as a result for me.

[Andre91]

Get Tool. 
 

Get Tool. 
 

Get Tool. 
 

Put some crud like Papa Roach on second and let the smart people watch Tool. 

[northernangel]

5 minutes ago, Marka23 said:

Copping does often say a lot and then go back on it. He said he'd never book System of A Down again after they subbed Green Day but had them back at Download 4 years later 

 

I think he said they only just kept it. I think Download will get Tool purely based off the Aussie link, but it wouldn't sway me doing it. I think they could book Guns, Tool and LP with LB in 27 which would be far better with a new album and not one 5 years old.

Edited September 19, 2025 by northernangel

[andyrhodes24]

2 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

Strange times we live in, BMTH going to headline Nova Rock twice in three years with the same set, no wonder Sleep Token got the nod they're crying out for fresh blood to top festivals, pre COVID I don't even think this is a discussion much less something thats within the realms of possibility.

BMTH are baffling me. New record last year but they’ve barely added any of it to the setlist. They were good at Leeds the other week but I’ve seen a variation of the gig four times since lockdown so it felt worn.

 

Still say fair play for DL booking Sleep Token to headline even though they’re not my thing. It was a good set of three in the end this year.

[Jos92]

Just now, andyrhodes24 said:

BMTH are baffling me. New record last year but they’ve barely added any of it to the setlist. They were good at Leeds the other week but I’ve seen a variation of the gig four times since lockdown so it felt worn.

 

Still say fair play for DL booking Sleep Token to headline even though they’re not my thing. It was a good set of three in the end this year.

I think it really just stands to show the lack of talent that's willing to play festivals in lieu of their own shows, 10 years ago you'd be looking at SOAD Metallica and MCR touring and expecting at least two of them to be at download now none of us really were thinking any of them were a get.

 

Sleep Token, whilst not being my thing, is a good example of them striking while the iron is hot for a change.

[andyrhodes24]

2 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Get Tool. 
 

Get Tool. 
 

Get Tool. 
 

Put some crud like Papa Roach on second and let the smart people watch Tool. 

I’ll be at the crud stage belting out Scars I’m afraid mate 😂

[andyrhodes24]

12 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

I think it really just stands to show the lack of talent that's willing to play festivals in lieu of their own shows, 10 years ago you'd be looking at SOAD Metallica and MCR touring and expecting at least two of them to be at download now none of us really were thinking any of them were a get.

 

Sleep Token, whilst not being my thing, is a good example of them striking while the iron is hot for a change.

Every city has a festival these days and every big band has so many opportunities to do what they want, it’s mad. Nostalgia and comebacks are obviously playing a big role, and with the legacy headliners disappearing you end up with bump ups like ST and Korn and all three this year being first time headliners.

 

They all seemed to go down well this year mind. Korn is one of my top sets this year anywhere.

[Andre91]

4 minutes ago, andyrhodes24 said:

Every city has a festival these days and every big band has so many opportunities to do what they want, it’s mad. Nostalgia and comebacks are obviously playing a big role, and with the legacy headliners disappearing you end up with bump ups like ST and Korn and all three this year being first time headliners.

 

They all seemed to go down well this year mind. Korn is one of my top sets this year anywhere.

KoRn were brilliant. The second best headline set I’ve seen at DL after BMTH. Tool in third. 

[NorthernSoul52]

Said it before and said it again, the song selection from Nex Gen is wrong for BMTH. Die4U may not be the fave for some, but it carries the live energy, and I still can't fathom why Top 10 Statues That Cried Blood is on the outer unless Sykes struggles to nail it.

[Marka23]

20 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

I think he said they only just kept it. I think Download will get Tool purely based off the Aussie link, but it wouldn't sway me doing it. I think they could book Guns, Tool and LP with LB in 27 which would be far better with a new album and not one 5 years old.

Guns I'd watch purely because I've not seen them before and Tool I'd hope for a good 2nd stage headliner if they clash again like Slayer 

[Andre91]

4 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Said it before and said it again, the song selection from Nex Gen is wrong for BMTH. Die4U may not be the fave for some, but it carries the live energy, and I still can't fathom why Top 10 Statues That Cried Blood is on the outer unless Sykes struggles to nail it.

Bin off MANTRA. 
Bin off Follow You. 
Bin off Darkside. 
Bin off Antivist. 
Bin off Wonderwall (1000 times) 

Bin off Lost (the song I like most out of all of these) 
 

Bin off most of the set tbh. Seen it one too many times now. 

Edited September 19, 2025 by Andre91

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, Marka23 said:

Guns I'd watch purely because I've not seen them before and Tool I'd hope for a good 2nd stage headliner if they clash again like Slayer 

They won't clash, it's not going to suddenly happen again unless they move the arena around. 

[Jos92]

9 minutes ago, andyrhodes24 said:

Every city has a festival these days and every big band has so many opportunities to do what they want, it’s mad. Nostalgia and comebacks are obviously playing a big role, and with the legacy headliners disappearing you end up with bump ups like ST and Korn and all three this year being first time headliners.

 

They all seemed to go down well this year mind. Korn is one of my top sets this year anywhere.

It's crazy, when I was a kid I remember Green day playing the Emirates and thinking how the hell are they pulling this off, stadiums were reserved for the mega bands like u2 or the stones, and now cattle fish and bottle men played the millennium.stadium last year (I like them but they're hardly a stadium band)

[partypirate]

Wasn’t it said that the headliners were booked quite early this time? Would be odd to book either LB or BMTH in that case if they were about to do R&L (if it was that early). They surely must have had Iron Maiden as potential until they decided on their own show (still a Download shaped hole in their itinerary). I’m still thinking Blink/NIN or Tool/LP but part of me is expecting something surprising like AC/DC or even Pearl Jam.
 

 

[northernangel]

Just now, Andre91 said:

Bin off MANTRA. 
Bin off Follow You. 
Bin off Darkside. 
Bin off Antivist. 
Bin off Wonderwall (1000 times) 

Bin off Lost. 
 

Bin off most of the set tbh. Seen it one too many times now. 

 

just bin them off generally! For being your favorite headline set ever, there is an awful lot you want going.

[NorthernSoul52]

You get Guns N' Roses to knock down to two hours, and it could be immaculately tight.

 

1 It's So Easy

2 Mr. Brownstone

3 Chinese Democracy

4 Slither

5 Welcome to the Jungle

6 You Could Be Mine

7 Rocket Queen

8 Double Talkin' Jive

9 Don't Cry

10 Civil War

11 Sweet Child O' Mine

12 November Rain

13 Patience

14 Nightrain

15 Knockin' on Heaven's Door

16 Paradise City

 

Throw in the usual solos and a song for Duff, and you're getting around the mark, give or take, surely?

[Jos92]

Just now, partypirate said:

Wasn’t it said that the headliners were booked quite early this time? Would be odd to book either LB or BMTH in that case if they were about to do R&L (if it was that early). They surely must have had Iron Maiden as potential until they decided on their own show (still a Download shaped hole in their itinerary). I’m still thinking Blink/NIN or Tool/LP but part of me is expecting something surprising like AC/DC or even Pearl Jam.
 

 

After the hassle of ACDC last time with the extra stage, the no ACDC on any festival merch and the obscene figures quoted, id be really really suprised.

 

 

[Jos92]

1 minute ago, northernangel said:

 

just bin them off generally! For being your favorite headline set ever, there is an awful lot you want going.

To be fair if I was to critique my favourite bands setlist I'd probably scalp half of it for deep cuts too!

[NorthernSoul52]

3 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Bin off MANTRA. 
Bin off Follow You. 
Bin off Darkside. 
Bin off Antivist. 
Bin off Wonderwall (1000 times) 

Bin off Lost (the song I like most out of all of these) 
 

Bin off most of the set tbh. Seen it one too many times now. 

MANTRA likely assured of an eternal place as the only amo representative, but I could lose it. Would personally keep Lost but agree with everything else - though I'd be shocked if Follow You was booted too.

 

R+L should have been (to me for a festival, not by personal preference):

 

1 Can You Feel My Heart

2 Happy Song

3 MANTRA

4 Darkside

5 Parasite Eve

6 Top 10 Statues That Cried Blood

7 Shadow Moses

8 Kingslayer

9 Chelsea Smile

10 Follow You

11 Teardrops

12 Lost

13 Throne

 

14 Sleepwalking

15 Die4U

16 Drown

[andyrhodes24]

20 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

KoRn were brilliant. The second best headline set I’ve seen at DL after BMTH. Tool in third. 

Up there with Chappell Roan and better than Oasis, Green Day and BMTH this year for me. Wasn’t expecting much as a casual fan but they blew me away.

 

15 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Bin off MANTRA. 
Bin off Follow You. 
Bin off Darkside. 
Bin off Antivist. 
Bin off Wonderwall (1000 times) 

Bin off Lost (the song I like most out of all of these) 
 

Bin off most of the set tbh. Seen it one too many times now. 

I’ve always found their choice of openers weird but Can You Feel My Heart at Leeds 2022 was the best for me, Darkside also good. Agree on the others going, sack Teardrops off too, it’s only there for the final drop.

Edited September 19, 2025 by andyrhodes24

[northernangel]

12 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

You get Guns N' Roses to knock down to two hours, and it could be immaculately tight.

 

1 It's So Easy

2 Mr. Brownstone

3 Chinese Democracy

4 Slither

5 Welcome to the Jungle

6 You Could Be Mine

7 Rocket Queen

8 Double Talkin' Jive

9 Don't Cry

10 Civil War

11 Sweet Child O' Mine

12 November Rain

13 Patience

14 Nightrain

15 Knockin' on Heaven's Door

16 Paradise City

 

Throw in the usual solos and a song for Duff, and you're getting around the mark, give or take, surely?

 

The problem isn't the setlist would be bad, it's that it sounds pretty bad no with only the band saving it.

[andyrhodes24]

14 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

It's crazy, when I was a kid I remember Green day playing the Emirates and thinking how the hell are they pulling this off, stadiums were reserved for the mega bands like u2 or the stones, and now cattle fish and bottle men played the millennium.stadium last year (I like them but they're hardly a stadium band)

That Catfish tour was crackers. Stadiums was a push for a start, and with no new material since The Balance plus £90 tickets it was so badly planned. I love them but they aren’t a stadium band. An arena tour and a biggie at Heaton Park would’ve been better.

[Andre91]

28 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

just bin them off generally! For being your favorite headline set ever, there is an awful lot you want going.

Because that headline set was two years ago. I’ve since seen that same set another 2-3 times since then. 

[losing43]

GNR just can’t be one of the headliners next year - every performance recently has been highly criticised, as well as they last time they played DL. They would cost a huge amount, and will be underwhelming I have no doubt.

 

Am I crazy for keeping hope for MCR? Only a few bands that could sell more tickets for DL next year, even with the two shows announced. When I got tickets (after it had officially sold out), there was still 60,000 people trying to buy tickets.