Download 2026

[DomDom1984]

32 minutes ago, Audiorocker said:

Is the repeated rumour Limp Bizkit - GnR - Linkin Park?

 

Yeah. I'm willing to go with it. Worth remembering FOB were exclusive to DL last year so that might be a thing going forward. 

[andyrhodes24]

I’ve not seen GnR or Ghost and I’d call myself a casual fan of both, but I can’t tell you enough how much I’d rather Ghost headlined out of the two.

[OllieJ77]

56 minutes ago, Audiorocker said:

Is the repeated rumour Limp Bizkit - GnR - Linkin Park?

Yeah. I think because vast majority of people don’t want it to be this that we’re all sort of trying to wish it away but back of my mind I’ve accepted it’s probably going to be these headliners. I’ll be very happy if my mate has been told wrong, he will be as well! Just too much noise around it. 

[OllieJ77]

2 minutes ago, andyrhodes24 said:

I’ve not seen GnR or Ghost and I’d call myself a casual fan of both, but I can’t tell you enough how much I’d rather Ghost headlined out of the two.

Think 99% of people would prefer Ghost to GnR. 

[andyrhodes24]

30 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

Think 99% of people would prefer Ghost to GnR. 

I’ve seen a lot of global acts this year and as good as it would be to tick GnR off I couldn’t care less about them. Would be a right downer their set.

[ThatDazFella]

28 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

Think 99% of people would prefer Ghost to GnR. 

I saw both Ghost and GnR this year. I thought both were great and being well into my 40's I don't get the GnR hate. Ghost has the best show for the casual festival goer IMO.

[King101]

2 hours ago, foolee said:

the fact the rumour originally came from the Nova Rock rumour gives me doubts about it

The GNR rumour didn’t originally come from the Nova Rock “leaks”.

GNR were first mentioned in this thread back in July when someone said they had heard it was GNR and Linkin Park. The Nova rumours came later and then the LB/GNR/LP trio came shortly after that.

[Heyzoos]

Love this forum (long-time lurker / very occasional contributor), but I do sometimes think it falls guilty of assuming this small subset represents the entire ticket-buying fanbase. I'm not a big Ghost fan but can see why they'd be a great headliner for many. But equally, despite a majority on the forum saying GnR would be a terrible booking etc, to me that's just nonsense based on individual preference. There might be people on forums who see GnR as someone they don't care about, or someone they'd only want to 'tick off', and they might've toured extensively over the last few years etc... but surely to the average non-forum-dwelling punter (especially those 40+, which is still a large chunk of Download's market), seeing one of the biggest rock acts ever at the top of the bill wouldn't be met with shock and disgust?! Not saying I think it's any more likely to be one than the other. I just think it's easy to get sucked into a polarised view and forget that the vast majority of ticket buyers aren't necessarily represented by us forum-level analysts!

[Jos92]

Jera on air just announced more acts, think that's the first I've seen A Day To Remember on any EU fests for 26, could be a shout for DL

[ThatDazFella]

8 minutes ago, Heyzoos said:

Love this forum (long-time lurker / very occasional contributor), but I do sometimes think it falls guilty of assuming this small subset represents the entire ticket-buying fanbase. I'm not a big Ghost fan but can see why they'd be a great headliner for many. But equally, despite a majority on the forum saying GnR would be a terrible booking etc, to me that's just nonsense based on individual preference. There might be people on forums who see GnR as someone they don't care about, or someone they'd only want to 'tick off', and they might've toured extensively over the last few years etc... but surely to the average non-forum-dwelling punter (especially those 40+, which is still a large chunk of Download's market), seeing one of the biggest rock acts ever at the top of the bill wouldn't be met with shock and disgust?! Not saying I think it's any more likely to be one than the other. I just think it's easy to get sucked into a polarised view and forget that the vast majority of ticket buyers aren't necessarily represented by us forum-level analysts!

Had a great time at Wembley seeing GnR, but I'll have an even better time watching loads more bands, drinking more beer and then seeing them again at DL to finish off the day (if they do headline).

[sw25]

I think having Ghost is important as it keeps the new headliners coming through which we have seen over the last few festivals.

 

Linkin Park is a lock for Sunday.

 

For the other day I think NIN would be my top pick. TOP would be fun to mix things up. I'm not sure how they would go over but it would be fun to see. Limp Bizkit "could" put on an epic headline show but my concern with them is that they are so good in that 1hr sub slot then would they put the extra 40 mins in at the same energy. Muse could easily do it and would make a lot of sense with no eyes on them currently....but if its GNR I don't think many people at the festival will be complaining as they are blasting out the classics a few drinks in.

[northernangel]

44 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

Jera on air just announced more acts, think that's the first I've seen A Day To Remember on any EU fests for 26, could be a shout for DL

Yeah they have to be a concrete option now. Shame most of the undercard isn’t great. ADTR is a big get in that spot. 

 

MM, ADTR, Bad Omens as subs wouldn't be a surprise now. Trivium, Megadeth and Alice Cooper second stage.

[chatty]

Idealistically I'd be happier with Ghost and Guns and Roses with either LB or LP being booted, preferably the latter but that ain't happening.

 

Tbh any one of Ghost, GNR, Muse, NIN in that last headliner spot will do me as I'm likely not gonna be fussed about the other one. I can probably get into LB a little bit, not sure I can with LP but I'll try. Getting two of these would be immense but I'm certainly not expecting it. 

 

I can deal with Axel being shite as well, seen plenty bands where the singer has lost it and had a blast. Can just sing over the top of them and GNR have the better songs out of everyone mooted by a mile. 

 

 

[chatty]

Idealistically I'd be happier with Ghost and Guns and Roses with either LB or LP being booted, preferably the latter but that ain't happening.

 

Tbh any one of Ghost, GNR, Muse, NIN in that last headliner spot will do me as I'm likely not gonna be fussed about the other one. I can probably get into LB a little bit, not sure I can with LP but I'll try. Getting two of these would be immense but I'm certainly not expecting it. 

 

I can deal with Axel being shite as well, seen plenty bands where the singer has lost it and had a blast. Can just sing over the top of them and GNR have the better songs out of everyone mooted by a mile. 

 

 

[RedJosh]

4 hours ago, Siddey1994 said:

Who shat in your chips

It's a line from Romance is Dead from Parkway's first album and was a bit of a joke after the comments about Deliver Me earlier in the day.

[Siddey1994]

29 minutes ago, RedJosh said:

It's a line from Romance is Dead from Parkway's first album and was a bit of a joke after the comments about Deliver Me earlier in the day.

Pardon me, I’m obviously a complete casual. I thought you’d finally snapped 😂

[foolee]

2 hours ago, OllieJ77 said:

Think 99% of people would prefer Ghost to GnR. 

I reckon the general public would be happier with GnR just because it’s a big name. I think on paper Ghost, LB & LP gets more flak. 

 

1 hour ago, Jos92 said:

Jera on air just announced more acts, think that's the first I've seen A Day To Remember on any EU fests for 26, could be a shout for DL

Yeah defo in for a sub slot. 

 

43 minutes ago, chatty said:

Idealistically I'd be happier with Ghost and Guns and Roses with either LB or LP being booted, preferably the latter but that ain't happening.

 

Tbh any one of Ghost, GNR, Muse, NIN in that last headliner spot will do me as I'm likely not gonna be fussed about the other one. I can probably get into LB a little bit, not sure I can with LP but I'll try. Getting two of these would be immense but I'm certainly not expecting it. 

 

I can deal with Axel being shite as well, seen plenty bands where the singer has lost it and had a blast. Can just sing over the top of them and GNR have the better songs out of everyone mooted by a mile. 

 

 

Yeah I’d prefer a 3 of Ghost, Guns N Roses & Nine Inch Nails but not happening unfortunately. 

[OllieJ77]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

Yeah they have to be a concrete option now. Shame most of the undercard isn’t great. ADTR is a big get in that spot. 

 

MM, ADTR, Bad Omens as subs wouldn't be a surprise now. Trivium, Megadeth and Alice Cooper second stage.

I don’t think they book Manson. Think ADTR Volbeat Bad Omens.

[Andre91]

ADTR nailed on to sub for a third time. 

[OllieJ77]

1 minute ago, Andre91 said:

ADTR nailed on to sub for a third time. 

No complaints from me.

 

Guess if they booked Volbeat and ADTR as subs that’s very similar to 2022 though. Maybe Volbeat headline Opus? 

[alexs7]

The main reason I doubt the GnR leak is just because they are so expensive.

 

You already have a stadium band in LP, you don't then go and book another stadium band who infamously cost too much in 2018.

 

Also the attitude of everyone with this rumour is disgraceful. You show some doubt and everyone's going "MY SOURCE IS NEVER WRONG DON'T QUESTION MY SOURCE" 

 

I will happily admit I am wrong if they are announced but people are allowed to question it

[OllieJ77]

3 minutes ago, alexs7 said:

The main reason I doubt the GnR leak is just because they are so expensive.

 

You already have a stadium band in LP, you don't then go and book another stadium band who infamously cost too much in 2018.

 

Also the attitude of everyone with this rumour is disgraceful. You show some doubt and everyone's going "MY SOURCE IS NEVER WRONG DON'T QUESTION MY SOURCE" 

 

I will happily admit I am wrong if they are announced but people are allowed to question it

100% 

 

I’m one of the “sources” people we’ll sort of my friend is and he just told me. But I’d never tell people you gotta believe me he’s never wrong. I believe what he’s told me because he’s been right last few years but that doesn’t mean other people should believe me or him they don’t know him. We are both hoping he’s very much wrong! People getting defensive over rumours and unless you are involved in the booking process who is to really know! 

[RedJosh]

12 hours ago, TWY2911 said:

 

I'd be fine with Parkway headlining but just because they put on a good show and I like them doesn't mean they should be headlining lol that's not how it works 

 

If it did work like that then you may as well have Skindred headlining 

I acknowledged that they wouldn't be big enough and intimated that they only would be with two much bigger headliners. I do also think that there are are other things to take account of.

 

Yeah, ticket sales are king, but a band like Parkway are going to have lower expectations before they headline than someone without a long history with the festival who have played big slots, with a big crowd, big production and strong reviews. I think there are very few bands that fall into this category and Skindred certainly aren't one of them. 

 

Download needs to bring new blood into the headline pool and while I think it would be a massive risk in a normal year, if they have 2 really big hitters seems like the perfect way to push them. 

 

I actually think the best thing for them to do is come back with a new album and a Parkwaves in 2027 on a Saturday at Gunnersbury, so most of their set is in the dark, and a strong undercard. 

[Jos92]

19 hours ago, Pookemon24 said:

No, they posted this. But it was the exact timing and also has the flame theme. May be nothing, could be something. 

This ended up being in relation to Brandi Carlisle!

[andyrhodes24]

1 hour ago, OllieJ77 said:

Think ADTR Volbeat Bad Omens.

Sensational trio, yes please.

 

Limp Bizkit > ADTR

Ghost > Volbeat

Linkin Park > Bad Omens