Download 2026

[Jrose]

there's 3 very obvious massive bands that are long overdue for 2027 and have never headlined. Foo Fighters, Blink 182 and Pearl Jam. they're the holy trinity of untasted at donnington. then you have controversial options - nickelback and creed. then you have the next generation, probably only ghost.

 

Deftones have subbed a couple of times, didnt draw massive crowds and didnt wow. not sure what they have done since then to suddenly be elevated to headliner status? seems uninspired. Bizkit you can at least say people were wowed. ideally in 2027 download gets one of those 3 massive bands to break their duck, a new band, and a legend like maiden/metallica/acdc. 

[northernangel]

32 minutes ago, Jrose said:

there's 3 very obvious massive bands that are long overdue for 2027 and have never headlined. Foo Fighters, Blink 182 and Pearl Jam. they're the holy trinity of untasted at donnington. then you have controversial options - nickelback and creed. then you have the next generation, probably only ghost.

 

Deftones have subbed a couple of times, didnt draw massive crowds and didnt wow. not sure what they have done since then to suddenly be elevated to headliner status? seems uninspired. Bizkit you can at least say people were wowed. ideally in 2027 download gets one of those 3 massive bands to break their duck, a new band, and a legend like maiden/metallica/acdc. 

Think you've got the 3 spot on but don't see Foos and with the direction they want to seemingly go in PJ ever playing. Some of the undercard says a new outlook but all three headliners next year have played before and two headlined before so from the point of view of having Green Day and Sleep Token new while bumping Korn, LB bump is all that's happened there.

 

On Foos, they will likely headline Glastonbury in 2027 as well after headlining Reading which will rule them out of Download on this tour cycle as well. After that will likely be a return to wider spread stadiums and the trend goes on.

Edited November 12, 2025 by northernangel

[alexs7]

1 hour ago, Jrose said:

there's 3 very obvious massive bands that are long overdue for 2027 and have never headlined. Foo Fighters, Blink 182 and Pearl Jam. they're the holy trinity of untasted at donnington. then you have controversial options - nickelback and creed. then you have the next generation, probably only ghost.

 

Deftones have subbed a couple of times, didnt draw massive crowds and didnt wow. not sure what they have done since then to suddenly be elevated to headliner status? seems uninspired. Bizkit you can at least say people were wowed. ideally in 2027 download gets one of those 3 massive bands to break their duck, a new band, and a legend like maiden/metallica/acdc. 

Creed are not headlining

[Andre91]

2 hours ago, Jrose said:

there's 3 very obvious massive bands that are long overdue for 2027 and have never headlined. Foo Fighters, Blink 182 and Pearl Jam. they're the holy trinity of untasted at donnington. then you have controversial options - nickelback and creed. then you have the next generation, probably only ghost.

 

Deftones have subbed a couple of times, didnt draw massive crowds and didnt wow. not sure what they have done since then to suddenly be elevated to headliner status? seems uninspired. Bizkit you can at least say people were wowed. ideally in 2027 download gets one of those 3 massive bands to break their duck, a new band, and a legend like maiden/metallica/acdc. 

This shouldn’t need explaining but Deftones have sold out a big outdoor London show, a big arena tour and are set to do another even bigger outdoor show in London. Absolutely, 100% a headliner now. One of the most in-demand, cool and buzzy bands around. 

[Chavmeisterdeluxe]

4 hours ago, northernangel said:

The fact people are very eager to put other bands still to come into positions that were announced from the start the last three year's at least while trying to put a band playing The 02 in a position with bands playing Bristol Academy shows the feel that the top is weaker. There might be one sub to come. Difference is this year there is 18 bands announced in the top section, only 14 last year and even then Messugah were bumped up to logo so you can call that 19. Tom Morello or Hollywood Undead could be bumped up to logo bands based on other likewise festivals around, that's not to say they will as there might not be room

 

Pendulum aren't playing the avalanche, they played the MK Bowl whether to a reduced capacity or not lol, after doing ally pally and then an arena tour with the 02. They are doing a smaller intimate tour by choice currently. To even think they will be the same position as Feeder. How you go from 3rd down main on a stacked anniversary year to playing those venues and suddenly end up on the avalanche is a crazy suggestion. 

 

I think people are simply suggesting Pendulum as Avalanche headliners because they'll be boring as sh*t in the day time like last time 

[Andre91]

10 minutes ago, Chavmeisterdeluxe said:

 

I think people are simply suggesting Pendulum as Avalanche headliners because they'll be boring as sh*t in the day time like last time 

Yeah that’s part of it. Crap at DL in the day and crap at R&L last time in the day. If they can put Busted and McFly in that tent, Pendulum can be put in there, no problem.

Edited November 12, 2025 by Andre91

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, Chavmeisterdeluxe said:

 

I think people are simply suggesting Pendulum as Avalanche headliners because they'll be boring as sh*t in the day time like last time 

 

Makes no sense does it though, in no world what so ever are a MK Bowl act, after their own arena tour and Scarborough and Piece Hall playing a tent that KIGH, Feeder, Day Seeker, Billy Talent and The Used play, hell its lucky they have got away with less than sub. 3rd down main was the worst I've seen them last time though, second stage headliner they could get away with just about. No chance would would Billy Talent, The Ghost Inside or Descendants play 3rd down main. Trivium, Baby Metal and Pendulum would be a second stage guess. From The Pretty Reckless it's 4th down or second sub acts and you might even get Tom Morello yet taking one of those spots too.

 

Cypress Hill  Architect/Triv. Bad Owens

Electric Callboy Halestorm. Ice Nine Kill

 

Baby Metal Architects/Triv Pendulum

Behemoth The Pretty Reckless BVB

[northernangel]

Comparing putting Busted and McFly as fun novelty like bands in the same tent as stalwarts like Pendulum is just plain silly. Just like Download wouldn't book Busted or McFly on the main stage of the festival because they aren't bookings seen like that and the fact that Busted absolutely rammed the tent and people couldn't get into suggests that with Pendulum will not happen.

 

They are headlining the same event in Spain that The Prodigy are headlining.

 

Let's put Spiritbox, Shikari, Halestorm, Sum 41 and Volbeat even in there.

Edited November 12, 2025 by northernangel

[Jrose]

33 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

This shouldn’t need explaining but Deftones have sold out a big outdoor London show, a big arena tour and are set to do another even bigger outdoor show in London. Absolutely, 100% a headliner now. One of the most in-demand, cool and buzzy bands around. 

 the outdoor shows they are playing are the same size as O2 gigs. they're not hyde park or stadiums. I dont doubt they're a major act just not sure what they've done to get the bump up when they hadn't before. Korn are definitely bigger in the scene and limp bizkit are riding a real wave. maybe they'd get the bump if download pulled 2 big acts alongside them. But Deftones, NiN would definitely be weaker headliners and need a bit of help from the other two meaning you're not going to blood a Ghost with them. Even if you subjectively love them. there's a hierarchy of headliners. Foos, ACDC, Deftones? hell yh. Ghost, Deftones, NiN? ain't doing serious numbers. 

[chatty]

On 10/11/2025 at 20:37, OllieJ77 said:

Because most people aren’t stuck in 1987.

Stuck in 2001 instead? 😂

[northernangel]

9 minutes ago, Jrose said:

 the outdoor shows they are playing are the same size as O2 gigs. they're not hyde park or stadiums. I dont doubt they're a major act just not sure what they've done to get the bump up when they hadn't before. Korn are definitely bigger in the scene and limp bizkit are riding a real wave. maybe they'd get the bump if download pulled 2 big acts alongside them. But Deftones, NiN would definitely be weaker headliners and need a bit of help from the other two meaning you're not going to blood a Ghost with them. Even if you subjectively love them. there's a hierarchy of headliners. Foos, ACDC, Deftones? hell yh. Ghost, Deftones, NiN? ain't doing serious numbers. 

I don't think 20k outdoor in London venue The 02 alone is that should be considered a big outdoor gig, but I also agree they will be a headliner from the others tours they have done. Download have set themselves a very low benchmark next year based on having two bigger bands as it is and Deftones havd sold more tickets I think and quicker.

Edited November 12, 2025 by northernangel

[LazyDavid]

Pendulum will end up main stage again, though a headline set in the Avalanche would be brilliant

[northernangel]

4 minutes ago, LazyDavid said:

Pendulum will end up main stage again, though a headline set in the Avalanche would be brilliant

It's 3rd Main stage or headline second, absolutely no way they play anything else in a field of 75k and in a tent that does not clash with the headliner. Both slots but especially 3rd Main is way top light for their addition to be all advantage.

Edited November 12, 2025 by northernangel

[TWY2911]

An educated guess for 2027 right now would be Deftones, Blink and Slipknot 

 

But things can change quickly and their could be a Sleep Token type rise in the mean time 

 

Turnstile will be in the headliner conversation this time next year I'm sure of it 

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, TWY2911 said:

An educated guess for 2027 right now would be Deftones, Blink and Slipknot 

 

But things can change quickly and their could be a Sleep Token type rise in the mean time 

 

Turnstile will be in the headliner conversation this time next year I'm sure of it 

 

They'll be in the sub if they ever decide to play it.

[foolee]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

 

They'll be in the sub if they ever decide to play it.

Turnstile subbing Deftones in 2027 would be epic. Get Amyl 3rd down and it’ll be a top day. 

[Andre91]

Turnstile will be big enough to headline much sooner rather than later. They just won’t want to do it. 

[foolee]

Agreed that Pendulum will be 3rd main or headlining 2nd. I think there’s a world where they sub 2nd but we’ll see. Really confused about Baby Metal and Electric Callboy positions as I’d expect both to be 2nd headers or 3rd down main so that’ll be interesting. It’s possible Baby Metal accept 4th down main as they were basically rained off last time. There is a world where EC sub 2nd too but 3rd main feels right. 
 

Also on Deftones, they sold out a UK tour pretty much instantly for 80k tickets, whether they’re considered on the smaller side is up for debate but they’re 100% a headliner now. 

[foolee]

Just now, Andre91 said:

Turnstile will be big enough to headline much sooner rather than later. They just won’t want to do it. 

I think they choose to do independent festivals over corporates. 

[Andre91]

5 minutes ago, foolee said:

I think they choose to do independent festivals over corporates. 

They definitely do when they can.

[northernangel]

4 minutes ago, foolee said:

Agreed that Pendulum will be 3rd main or headlining 2nd. I think there’s a world where they sub 2nd but we’ll see. Really confused about Baby Metal and Electric Callboy positions as I’d expect both to be 2nd headers or 3rd down main so that’ll be interesting. It’s possible Baby Metal accept 4th down main as they were basically rained off last time. There is a world where EC sub 2nd too but 3rd main feels right. 
 

Also on Deftones, they sold out a UK tour pretty much instantly for 80k tickets, whether they’re considered on the smaller side is up for debate but they’re 100% a headliner now. 

 

Even I'm not debating the Deftones, based on multiple factors and I have no interest.

 

As said, you've got another near handful of bands in that logo bit and one got the logo bump from below later. You've got 12 spots between sub and second sub to fill and 12 acts on there that would not look out of place in those places but wouldn't be stretching to be lower and one thing Download to not really do is under book band slots, they overbook if anything. for some of those bands if they are asked to play below 3rd or 4th they won't accept it's that simple. They don't have a lot of the broader feel of some others around but that doesn't change what they have gone for which isn't the most varied to be honest.

[TWY2911]

20 minutes ago, foolee said:

I think they choose to do independent festivals over corporates. 

 

The merch at their recent shows was really expensive so that would be a bit hypocritical imo (not saying that's the band's fault entirely) 

[Andre91]

I’m pretty confident that we will see Babymetal fourth down Main as a like-for-like to make up for what got called off last time. 
 

Pendulum won’t headline second. I could see them subbing it but not headlining it. They’ll be crap again. It isn’t the time of day or the level of light that’s the problem; it’s the dull performances. They’re dull as dishwater without an MC to hype the crowd. 
 

Whack ‘em in’t tent, Kam, and have them partially clash with GNR. Majority of the festival that day will be at GNR anyway. 

Edited November 12, 2025 by Andre91

[TWY2911]

18 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

I’m pretty confident that we will see Babymetal fourth down Main as a like-for-like to make up for what got called off last time. 
 

Pendulum won’t headline second. I could see them subbing it but not headlining it. They’ll be crap again. It isn’t the time of day or the level of light that’s the problem; it’s the dull performances. They’re dull as dishwater without an MC to hype the crowd. 
 

Whack ‘em in’t tent, Kam, and have them partially clash with GNR. Majority of the festival that day will be at GNR anyway. 

 

Didn't Enter Shikari headline avalanche despite headlining opus before? 

 

It obviously depends on if the band will accept it but it's not out of the ordinary 

[Andre91]

8 minutes ago, TWY2911 said:

 

Didn't Enter Shikari headline avalanche despite headlining opus before? 

 

It obviously depends on if the band will accept it but it's not out of the ordinary 

Shikari opted to headline the Avalanche at Download and the FR (well, Pit, wherever it was called back then) because it fit in with their extensive small venue tour they had been doing. 
 

If the band is up for it, like you said, there’s no reason it can’t happen.