Download 2026

[raincityhc]

On 21/09/2025 at 21:09, andyrhodes24 said:

100% is Knebworth, also shows that Knebworth is in the business of gigs in 2026 if a certain band from Manchester still about.

I'm going to just play devils advocate here, do you think Maiden playing Knebworth could be a potential pilot for a sonisphere returning ? I've noticed Maiden are offering camping for Knebworth and Sonisphere who haven't tweeted since 2019 have suddenly been interacting on social for this show. Just a thought anyway 

[Siddey1994]

Man, if Sonisphere comes back after all this I’m going to have a real bad case of egg-in-the-face.

[craigcharles420]

Do we reckon AIC and Megadeth turn up? Two bands who I still need to catch live

[northernangel]

51 minutes ago, Siddey1994 said:

“All over the shop” meaning maybe 2 negative interactions over the span of years. No idea who with, some chill, charming guy who never gets red in the face over nothing, no doubt.

 

You've literally just called me out over a post and situation that other people don't only couldn't remember/were not aware but distinctly remember going online when they posted it to find weekend options still available. Loads of us on here did it so while they advertised it as that it was very clearly confirmed days back now that they were on sale. You are correct they announced it bit the reality was it was wrong.

I'm not sure how using that point now to try and gain something else. 

It's not aboit being charming or whatever you call it, it's simply the reality was different to the post. Further more, I actually held my hands up and said fairplay they did announce that.

 

Fwiw, I don't think a said band are bad or a bad time, just that their topping status is not justified. I'm also constantly called for banging the same drums while the same person bangs the same drums about Papa Roach due to dislike and purposely positions them lower than they feel along with other bands too. I don't dislike either.

 

anyway, moving on. Its done.

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, Frankly Mr Shankly said:

Mate chill a bit, it’s a forum where we talk about bands and festivals, it doesn’t have to be so intense or argumentative all the time. 

Noted, taken on board.

[King101]

50 minutes ago, raincityhc said:

I'm going to just play devils advocate here, do you think Maiden playing Knebworth could be a potential pilot for a sonisphere returning ? I've noticed Maiden are offering camping for Knebworth and Sonisphere who haven't tweeted since 2019 have suddenly been interacting on social for this show. Just a thought anyway 

It could be a trial for it but I don’t think it’s a good idea. For the 3rd year in a row it’s clear that Download haven’t been able to get the biggest bands and we are looking at bumping up Bizkit or BMTH back for the second time on the same album cycle.

That market can’t sustain 2 50k+ Rock/Metal festivals.

[Mstuart2499]

People really take this seriously dont they, at the end of the day we’re all gonna be in the same field regardless of if birmingham arena is half full or not and if trivium play who cares where they play

[northernangel]

15 minutes ago, Mstuart2499 said:

People really take this seriously dont they, at the end of the day we’re all gonna be in the same field regardless of if birmingham arena is half full or not and if trivium play who cares where they play

In complete fairness, you're right. 

[Gejonimo]

1 hour ago, craigcharles420 said:

Do we reckon AIC and Megadeth turn up? Two bands who I still need to catch live

I suspect Megadeth are almost nailed on, AIC I dunno, just feel like they're one of them that won't ever be there. 

 

FYI, Megadeth are splitting up soon, so whenever you get the chance, jump on it. They're surprisingly great live. 

[OllieJ77]

1 hour ago, Siddey1994 said:

The only thing I would say re: Ghost is that the band themselves confirmed a couple of months back that they have ongoing tour plans until the end of 2026. What exactly that means, I dunno, but I’m not writing them off just yet.

Good point didn’t think of that. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!!! I’d be happy with Limp Bizkit, Ghost, Linkin Park and a strong undercard. It’s close to my original prediction swap Bizkit with Maiden. I’ll enjoy Bizkit just not going to be crazy about it.

[OllieJ77]

29 minutes ago, Mstuart2499 said:

People really take this seriously dont they, at the end of the day we’re all gonna be in the same field regardless of if birmingham arena is half full or not and if trivium play who cares where they play

Well said!!!

[Bluewolf]

1 hour ago, raincityhc said:

I'm going to just play devils advocate here, do you think Maiden playing Knebworth could be a potential pilot for a sonisphere returning ? I've noticed Maiden are offering camping for Knebworth and Sonisphere who haven't tweeted since 2019 have suddenly been interacting on social for this show. Just a thought anyway 

Exactly what I was thinking when I heard the news. Let's hope so.

[craigcharles420]

15 minutes ago, Gejonimo said:

I suspect Megadeth are almost nailed on, AIC I dunno, just feel like they're one of them that won't ever be there. 

 

FYI, Megadeth are splitting up soon, so whenever you get the chance, jump on it. They're surprisingly great live. 

Aye, I know Megadeth are on about breaking up after this next tour. Was hoping to catch them at one of their own shows, but they never seem to properly tour the UK. Just festivals and supporting terrible bands (FFDP, Distrubed). So I reckon DL26 will be my only chance.

[Bluewolf]

 

47 minutes ago, King101 said:

It could be a trial for it but I don’t think it’s a good idea. For the 3rd year in a row it’s clear that Download haven’t been able to get the biggest bands and we are looking at bumping up Bizkit or BMTH back for the second time on the same album cycle.

That market can’t sustain 2 50k+ Rock/Metal festivals.

Won't be an issue if it were an annual 1 day Festival (2 days with camping)

[OllieJ77]

36 minutes ago, King101 said:

It could be a trial for it but I don’t think it’s a good idea. For the 3rd year in a row it’s clear that Download haven’t been able to get the biggest bands and we are looking at bumping up Bizkit or BMTH back for the second time on the same album cycle.

That market can’t sustain 2 50k+ Rock/Metal festivals.

I think there is a market especially with Reading and Leeds moving away from the “rock” roots. If Sonisphere was to target a goal of 40-50k capacity and wanting to pick up all brands of alternative it could work. 

[OllieJ77]

5 minutes ago, Bluewolf said:

 

Won't be an issue if it were an annual 1 day Festival (2 days with camping)

Even 2 days of music would work. Camp Friday Saturday maybe Sunday with 2 bigger bands perhaps not stadium band but arena bands. 

[sw25]

a one or two day festival would work well. especially if it was more in the style of a leeds / reading rock day from way back when.

[moams]

That’s BMTH horizon out then 

Edited September 24, 2025 by moams
Edit

[OllieJ77]

Rock for people announcement. Seemingly rules BMTH out now they’re playing Friday and Sunday in Europe already very unlikely they’ll play Saturday at Download surely?

[Andre91]

Think that could rule out some others as well as BMTH.

Edited September 24, 2025 by Andre91

[foolee]

They’ve fumbled Papa Roach again haven’t they? Expecting a Papa Roach Offspring show at London like Deftones/Weezer last year. 

[Marka23]

16 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

Rock for people announcement. Seemingly rules BMTH out now they’re playing Friday and Sunday in Europe already very unlikely they’ll play Saturday at Download surely?

It's possible but unlikely. This also confirms Megadeth are doing festivals next year 

[NorthernSoul52]

If that puts Papa Roach at Halifax, that will do me nicely.

[kitatus]

4 hours ago, OllieJ77 said:

My only question mark is Ghost it’s all gone very quiet on their front. I’d much rather Limp Bizkit Ghost Linkin Park than GnR. 

 

I think Ghost going quiet is intentional. As I mentioned in another comment, they're on their "biggest tour" ever with 120 odd dates (I can't remember the specific number Tobias said in an interview) but we've only see a fraction of those dates. I think "part 2" of the Skeletour is supposed to be a surprise that we'll hear about soon and with it, I expect it to be locations they missed in part 1 of the tour, some festivals thrown in for good measure.

The tour "ends" in a couple days after the Mexico dates, then I expect to hear about the Re-Skeletour or whatever they're going to call it lol

[OllieJ77]

19 minutes ago, kitatus said:

 

I think Ghost going quiet is intentional. As I mentioned in another comment, they're on their "biggest tour" ever with 120 odd dates (I can't remember the specific number Tobias said in an interview) but we've only see a fraction of those dates. I think "part 2" of the Skeletour is supposed to be a surprise that we'll hear about soon and with it, I expect it to be locations they missed in part 1 of the tour, some festivals thrown in for good measure.

The tour "ends" in a couple days after the Mexico dates, then I expect to hear about the Re-Skeletour or whatever they're going to call it lol

Sound. Will await in anticipation!!!