Download 2026

[TWY2911]

Weird fact about this years lineup 

 

There isn't a single British band in the top four of each days main stage for the first time since 2004! Not sure that's a good thing as it is a British festival 

 

There's only been two lineups since 2011 without a British headliner lol (this year and 2024) 

 

[northernangel]

11 hours ago, chatty said:

I tend to prioritise Glasto as my main festival and Download is taking its place this year. 

 

Don't think you'll be getting tens of thousands cross over but a couple of thousand is probably likely. All makes a difference. 

 

That's fair enough really. A couple of thousand of say 75-85k though as said is a minority and I think it would be a couple of thousand max. Download aren't going to rely on that small amount though. I know quite a few Download goers too and Glastonbury isn't even on their radar for whatever reason.

 

I think it's more a case of people will choose Download if they like the lineup rather than it straight replacing it. Like if I go creamfields for a couple of days, Glastonbury doesn't have any bearing on that. If I go to Kendal Calling finally the same. There is the money factor of course but I would still do all of those. Obviously it's case dependant and how each sees it. 

[astrotwatter]

16 hours ago, TWY2911 said:

Weird fact about this years lineup 

 

There isn't a single British band in the top four of each days main stage for the first time since 2004! Not sure that's a good thing as it is a British festival 

 

There's only been two lineups since 2011 without a British headliner lol (this year and 2024) 

 

2014 had no British headliners too but interesting fact nonetheless!

[TWY2911]

39 minutes ago, astrotwatter said:

2014 had no British headliners too but interesting fact nonetheless!

 

Don't know why I thought Aerosmith were British when I skimmed over the lineups lol

 

I think it mainly has to do with the fact that all the big British bands like Sabbath, Maiden, Def Leppard etc. are either done or slowing down 

 

Only really got BMTH, Biffy and Sleep Token left after Maiden finish up as I don't think Leppard will headline again 

 

I would love The Cure to headline at some point

 

Still crazy that there isn't a British logo band on the main stage this year 

 

 

 

 

[astrotwatter]

25 minutes ago, TWY2911 said:

 

Don't know why I thought Aerosmith were British when I skimmed over the lineups lol

 

I think it mainly has to do with the fact that all the big British bands like Sabbath, Maiden, Def Leppard etc. are either done or slowing down 

 

Only really got BMTH, Biffy and Sleep Token left after Maiden finish up as I don't think Leppard will headline again 

 

I would love The Cure to headline at some point

 

Still crazy that there isn't a British logo band on the main stage this year 

 

 

 

 

Yeah it is crazy how few 'modern' british rock and metal bands have propelled into household names and could potentially take a headliner position. Outside of your list you could maybe say Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys but both are probably more 'indie' and I can't see either of them headlining Download. I think Architects will probably be the next. Possibly Malevolence in the far future, or Bleed From Within if they keep gaining popularity, churning out albums full of bangers with big stadium choruses and hooks, and evolving their stage show 

[TWY2911]

29 minutes ago, astrotwatter said:

Yeah it is crazy how few 'modern' british rock and metal bands have propelled into household names and could potentially take a headliner position. Outside of your list you could maybe say Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys but both are probably more 'indie' and I can't see either of them headlining Download. I think Architects will probably be the next. Possibly Malevolence in the far future, or Bleed From Within if they keep gaining popularity, churning out albums full of bangers with big stadium choruses and hooks, and evolving their stage show 

 

I can see Enter Shikari eventually getting the nod as they are playing arenas now, I think they are main stage sub level now 

[RedJosh]

3 hours ago, astrotwatter said:

Yeah it is crazy how few 'modern' british rock and metal bands have propelled into household names and could potentially take a headliner position. Outside of your list you could maybe say Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys but both are probably more 'indie' and I can't see either of them headlining Download. I think Architects will probably be the next. Possibly Malevolence in the far future, or Bleed From Within if they keep gaining popularity, churning out albums full of bangers with big stadium choruses and hooks, and evolving their stage show 

Don Broco are a big dark horse for it. Massive crowd last year 3rd down main and they did big numbers on their tour in December. New album has gone in an even heavier direction. 

 

Think them along with Shikari, as pointed out in the previous post, both sub next time they play.

 

I wouldn't rule out Download booking Royal Blood to headline at some time in the future either, particularly if they regain some of the momentum they had.

[Andre91]

I agree that both Shikari and Broco are firmly sub bands now. I could see them both headlining at some point. 

[TWY2911]

I'm not the biggest fan of either Shikari or Broco but it would be good to see more British headliners 

 

Still maintain that Download need to add a warm up day of sorts on the Thursday where it's just British bands similar to the pilot 

[Andre91]

If you look at the top 2 stages, there’s only 5 British acts on there over the entire weekend (Architects, Bush, South Arcade, RØRY & unpeople). 

Edited February 26 by Andre91

[astrotwatter]

9 hours ago, RedJosh said:

Don Broco are a big dark horse for it. Massive crowd last year 3rd down main and they did big numbers on their tour in December. New album has gone in an even heavier direction. 

 

Think them along with Shikari, as pointed out in the previous post, both sub next time they play.

 

I wouldn't rule out Download booking Royal Blood to headline at some time in the future either, particularly if they regain some of the momentum they had.

Yeah agree 100%. Also I can see Boston Manor getting huge one day. I didn't even know them when I went last year but ended up overhearing Halo when I was walking over to avalanche and been listening to them regularly ever since. 

[northernangel]

9 hours ago, Andre91 said:

I agree that both Shikari and Broco are firmly sub bands now. I could see them both headlining at some point. 

Broco yes, if Shikari get sub, I think they'd be the weaker of the 3. They fluctuate too much between arenas as they did some a while back now before and that didn't get them to sub. 

[foolee]

55 minutes ago, astrotwatter said:

Yeah agree 100%. Also I can see Boston Manor getting huge one day. I didn't even know them when I went last year but ended up overhearing Halo when I was walking over to avalanche and been listening to them regularly ever since. 

Boston Manor were one of my highlights last year, really stepped it up live wise and played the occasion rather than shrinking. Would love to see them get bigger, got some bangers too. 

[andyrhodes24]

I was somewhere on the hill for Broco last year and the crowd looked huge, right up for it too. They’re a definite sub next time.

 

Shikari are a funny one though. Been playing arenas since at least 2016 but not climbed that next rung of the ladder. Can’t believe they’re doing Co-op Live.

 

Would also be keen for Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes to come back at some point and push on, not sure if they’re on hiatus or fully split up?

 

Also petition for Broco to put Priorities back in the setlist!

[andyrhodes24]

On the EU side of things, Electric Callboy will keep going from here because they’re incredibly fun.

 

Landmvrks could go the distance in my mind. The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been is an incredible album, top five last year for me.

[alexs7]

13 hours ago, RedJosh said:

Don Broco are a big dark horse for it. Massive crowd last year 3rd down main and they did big numbers on their tour in December. New album has gone in an even heavier direction. 

 

Think them along with Shikari, as pointed out in the previous post, both sub next time they play.

 

I wouldn't rule out Download booking Royal Blood to headline at some time in the future either, particularly if they regain some of the momentum they had.

Royal Blood seemed to lose all momentum they had going for them - which is strange because their last 2 albums are the better ones imo.

 

The incident at Radio 1 weekend didn't do them any favours like

[RandomEnglishPerson]

3 hours ago, andyrhodes24 said:

I was somewhere on the hill for Broco last year and the crowd looked huge, right up for it too. They’re a definite sub next time.

 

Shikari are a funny one though. Been playing arenas since at least 2016 but not climbed that next rung of the ladder. Can’t believe they’re doing Co-op Live.

 

Would also be keen for Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes to come back at some point and push on, not sure if they’re on hiatus or fully split up?

 

Also petition for Broco to put Priorities back in the setlist!

Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes imo as a big fan of their work lost A LOT of their momentum over Covid as it hit right in the middle of their most successful tour, they were supposed to be a sub headliner in 2020 for example. The draw that frank has is still very high but i only think theyd ever be able to headline and its a big if, is if they do return that they release an album thats up with their pre covid works. Then again all id want is to just see them at download again and it not be overshadowed by sh*t weather and Frank getting his chain stolen.

[TWY2911]

1 hour ago, alexs7 said:

Royal Blood seemed to lose all momentum they had going for them - which is strange because their last 2 albums are the better ones imo.

 

The incident at Radio 1 weekend didn't do them any favours like

 

I really rate Royal Blood I think they would be the perfect sub for Foo Fighters if they end up at Download 

 

They do seem to be a bit full of themselves though which puts me off them 

[astrotwatter]

12 hours ago, Andre91 said:

If you look at the top 2 stages, there’s only 5 British acts on there over the entire weekend (Architects, Bush, South Arcade, RØRY & unpeople). 

+ Creeper and Those Damn Crows

[Andre91]

50 minutes ago, astrotwatter said:

+ Creeper and Those Damn Crows

I’m f**king thick sometimes. I actually counted those two and still put 5 acts 🫠 

[RedJosh]

12 hours ago, andyrhodes24 said:

Would also be keen for Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes to come back at some point and push on, not sure if they’re on hiatus or fully split up?

The long and short of it is that Frank wanted to continue while Dean wanted to have a break from touring, so Frank agreed to a planned hiatus for a set period of time, but that is likely to be extended and they will come back when/if Dean is ready to. 

 

[sacred shape]

On 25/02/2026 at 21:29, RedJosh said:

Don Broco are a big dark horse for it. Massive crowd last year 3rd down main and they did big numbers on their tour in December. New album has gone in an even heavier direction. 

 

Think them along with Shikari, as pointed out in the previous post, both sub next time they play.

 

I wouldn't rule out Download booking Royal Blood to headline at some time in the future either, particularly if they regain some of the momentum they had.

Royal Blood are more likely to headline Trees than Download at this point imo

[robotattack]

Bizzarely, all camping tickets have now sold out. 

[scrubbertheman]

That's Axl Rose's animal magnetism 😂

[Andre91]

8 hours ago, robotattack said:

Bizzarely, all camping tickets have now sold out. 

I don’t think it’s bizarre. It’s a strong lineup.