Download 2026

[Pookemon24]

1 minute ago, Andre91 said:

Going to Bloodstock absolutely ruins Download. You realise what a ball ache everything at DL is, from the walk from the carpark, the walk to the arena, the fact you can’t just nip back to your tent. the queues, everything. 

That’s why we went sleepy hollow this year, but personally don’t think it’s worth the money. Especially when Kendal calling offer something similar for an extra £60

[alexs7]

25 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

It takes at least 10 to 15 mins to get from front of main to back of Opus, getting, through the crowds (and chais), and when it's muddy it's even worse. That's not just about fitness, it's time not spent watching bands.

 

Dual Main stages would mean being able to watch bands all weekend rather than trekking around between stages non stop. 

Strangely I was able to do it more in the mud???

 

This year I just stayed at apex mostly because the walk up that hill killed me off. It's not just the walk but also the amount of people you have to avoid, one wrong step and your new rock is going into someones fingers.

 

I mean my hot take is that Download should move away from the "legendary grounds of donnington" but that's an entire other can of worms

[TWY2911]

I'm still of the belief that the festival should be 4 days of music like hellfest, graspop and resurrection 

 

I understand that being in donington makes it more difficult so it could only happen if they moved 

[rock_on]

7 minutes ago, TWY2911 said:

I'm still of the belief that the festival should be 4 days of music like hellfest, graspop and resurrection 

 

I understand that being in donington makes it more difficult so it could only happen if they moved 

 

After the chaos in 2023 there's not a chance in hell of the festival ever getting a 4 day license again or being allowed to bump back up to that capacity as well. 

 

I'm not sure where you'd move it to other than Donnington, maybe Knebworth?

[northernangel]

15 minutes ago, Pookemon24 said:

That’s why we went sleepy hollow this year, but personally don’t think it’s worth the money. Especially when Kendal calling offer something similar for an extra £60

My friend goes RIP camping now and I was astounded that it's around double the price of normal camping or there abouts, not a hope in hills chance. He pays extra for better toilets, showers and close to the arena. I'd literally rather bus in from east mids over that, free accommodation, wash in the toilets and dropped off about 15 minute's walk from the arena, no brainer. 

[TWY2911]

3 minutes ago, rock_on said:

 

After the chaos in 2023 there's not a chance in hell of the festival ever getting a 4 day license again or being allowed to bump back up to that capacity as well. 

 

I'm not sure where you'd move it to other than Donnington, maybe Knebworth?

 

Preferably should be in the Midlands 

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

50 minutes ago, rock_on said:

 

 

I'm not sure where you'd move it to other than Donnington, maybe Knebworth?

They’d have to reduce the camping capacity to hold it at Knebworth. 

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, TWY2911 said:

I'm still of the belief that the festival should be 4 days of music like hellfest, graspop and resurrection 

 

I understand that being in donington makes it more difficult so it could only happen if they moved 

 

It wouldn't help unless Download dropped it's exclusive barrier as you'd need to find another headliner very year more than you do. You're already at a point of bands choosing elsewhere as they aren't stopped doing as many gigs.

[RedJosh]

5 hours ago, Andre91 said:

I think that R&L will get MCR the next time they do festivals here.  

Nah, I think they'll do Download along with a bunch of the early run EU fests in 2027. Fests make more sense for them in Europe like it does for The Foo Fighters and I think with the tour they've done this year that Download will make sense.

 

I can see 2027 being a top tier top line with it being - Deftones / MCR / System

[kitatus]

38 minutes ago, RedJosh said:

I can see 2027 being a top tier top line with it being - Deftones / MCR / System

Sounds expensive

[northernangel]

50 minutes ago, RedJosh said:

Nah, I think they'll do Download along with a bunch of the early run EU fests in 2027. Fests make more sense for them in Europe like it does for The Foo Fighters and I think with the tour they've done this year that Download will make sense.

 

I can see 2027 being a top tier top line with it being - Deftones / MCR / System

 

I reckon Deftones, SOAD/MCR/Maiden for 27. I would be surprised if Maiden didn't happen. I dare say they'd have played before 22 for that double year as well as previous if it wasn't for the pandemic period.

Edited October 18, 2025 by northernangel

[partypirate]

Maiden have said they’re not doing anything in 2027

[rock_on]

24 minutes ago, partypirate said:

Maiden have said they’re not doing anything in 2027

 

Knebworth rules them out for 2026. So maybe a final UK show at Download in 2028?

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, partypirate said:

Maiden have said they’re not doing anything in 2027

 

You are correct, forgot about that.

[northernangel]

Remembering the interview about risks being taken in 27 and 28 specifically, 

 

If LB avoid the UK next year then I can see it being LB, Slipknot and MCR or SOAD. Reason why I doubt both MCR and SOAD for 27 is that taking a risk part.

 

And I doubt Download are booking either in 2028 as MCR especially will likely be on a 3rd year after picking up festivals in 2027.

 

Deftones in 28 with Maiden and Bad Omens would be a guess. I'll also say that I don't believe Download have ever had less than a 3 year gap in their history for a sub to headliner but A7X from 11 to 14 being the closest on 3. I reckon Maiden and Bad Omens for 28 is an easy guess with Maiden also only having 1 gap year between UK touring for 25 years at least.

[charlierc]

8 hours ago, rock_on said:

If you're doing dual main stages the only answer is to have a spinning one like they had at the Sabbath final gig with next to no turn around between the acts; of course the festival won't do that because then people would just stay in the crowd rather than use dead time to buy alcohol. 

Tbf I remember Arctic Monkeys doing that when I saw them at Finsbury Park in 2014 but only for an effect when they began the show, and they still took about 45 minutes to get on stage after Tame Impala finished.

[Spiral_Low]

Graspop, Hellfest and Wacken all do dual mainstage to great effect. Just Google them if you want to know how it looks when it's done well. 

 

I think if Download were serious about improving they'd switch to this and put another tent stage where second currently is (along with some seating).

[DomDom1984]

I think even accounting for a smaller other stage, that would be a pretty costly upgrade on what they have, and I'd argue they wouldn't be willing to do that.

 

Has anyone done that here btw? Even smaller fests?

 

 

[Jos92]

3 hours ago, northernangel said:

Remembering the interview about risks being taken in 27 and 28 specifically, 

 

If LB avoid the UK next year then I can see it being LB, Slipknot and MCR or SOAD. Reason why I doubt both MCR and SOAD for 27 is that taking a risk part.

 

And I doubt Download are booking either in 2028 as MCR especially will likely be on a 3rd year after picking up festivals in 2027.

 

Deftones in 28 with Maiden and Bad Omens would be a guess. I'll also say that I don't believe Download have ever had less than a 3 year gap in their history for a sub to headliner but A7X from 11 to 14 being the closest on 3. I reckon Maiden and Bad Omens for 28 is an easy guess with Maiden also only having 1 gap year between UK touring for 25 years at least.

Id chuck Bring Me in there too with a new show, probably 28, and Slipknot also, they're an obvious headliner every 4/5 years

[RedJosh]

3 hours ago, northernangel said:

Remembering the interview about risks being taken in 27 and 28 specifically, 

The wording was:

 

Q: Is there anyone you are gambling on for the next couple or considering gambling on for the next couple?

 

A: I think we are. Like I said, we've already kind of been involved in conversation about our headliners for 2026 and there's definitely, I mean we hope that there will be new headliners once they are actually locked in. Possibly not to the same degree of gamble (as Sleep Token), but that is 2026 exclusively. Like 2027, 2028, we're definitely open to seeing what band falls in that consideration pool.

 

They aren't saying they are definitely booking risks in 2027 and 2028, but they are looking at who falls into the headline pool. If Deftones, MCR and System all said they are available and up for it, Download will pull the trigger. For the target audience it is like having Tool, Metallica and GNR like they did in 2006.

[RedJosh]

29 minutes ago, DomDom1984 said:

I think even accounting for a smaller other stage, that would be a pretty costly upgrade on what they have, and I'd argue they wouldn't be willing to do that.

 

Has anyone done that here btw? Even smaller fests?

 

 

I can't think of any.

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, DomDom1984 said:

I think even accounting for a smaller other stage, that would be a pretty costly upgrade on what they have, and I'd argue they wouldn't be willing to do that.

 

Has anyone done that here btw? Even smaller fests?

 

 

 

To be honest they should be able to afford it charging £350 for the lineups they put out and £135 day tickets and the rest of the costs.

41 minutes ago, RedJosh said:

The wording was:

 

Q: Is there anyone you are gambling on for the next couple or considering gambling on for the next couple?

 

A: I think we are. Like I said, we've already kind of been involved in conversation about our headliners for 2026 and there's definitely, I mean we hope that there will be new headliners once they are actually locked in. Possibly not to the same degree of gamble (as Sleep Token), but that is 2026 exclusively. Like 2027, 2028, we're definitely open to seeing what band falls in that consideration pool.

 

They aren't saying they are definitely booking risks in 2027 and 2028, but they are looking at who falls into the headline pool. If Deftones, MCR and System all said they are available and up for it, Download will pull the trigger. For the target audience it is like having Tool, Metallica and GNR like they did in 2006.

 

So it's not exactly wrong then. Let's be honest, ST was about as bigger gamble as they could have taken so for it not to be as big a gamble as that for 2026 opens up many options.

 

To be fair, Andre was the first one to put out that 2027 and 28 were said to be taking a risk, because when Deftones was mentioned his reply was words to effect of, that wouldn't be a risk. But then Deftones were also going to headline Download in 2026 guaranteed so you know!?

 

I mean to say with 2027 and 28 consideration pool right after the ST booking gamble and new headliners is kinda hinting towards looking at option that less that outright established headliners.

 

I don't deny if they were all available and up for it they would be book them, it just firstly doesn't fit with the wording and secondly Deftones aren't likely to have another album out by then and will likely be done touring. So hypothetically yes. Download could end up booking booking LB and GNR still and they either got turned down by bands saying no or have a really poor team of bookers now so it would actually be convincing them anyway as Downloads policy makes bands want to go elsewhere. 

Edited October 18, 2025 by northernangel

[Spiral_Low]

1 hour ago, DomDom1984 said:

I think even accounting for a smaller other stage, that would be a pretty costly upgrade on what they have, and I'd argue they wouldn't be willing to do that.

 

Has anyone done that here btw? Even smaller fests?

 

 

Livenation have over 60% marketshare of the UK live music scene. If they wanted to invest they could.

[BrutalLegend]

Skindred self confirmed tonight in Swansea, so there’s a logo band for you.

[Spiral_Low]

15 minutes ago, BrutalLegend said:

Skindred self confirmed tonight in Swansea, so there’s a logo band for you.

How very predictable haha.