Download 2026

[LazyDavid]

15 hours ago, Andre91 said:

Creed are genuinely one of the top bands I would want to play next year 😂

Oh I'd enjoy it no doubt and with Nickelback to follow, I could just see there being a load of moaning about it 😅

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, LazyDavid said:

Oh I'd enjoy it no doubt and with Nickelback to follow, I could just see there being a load of moaning about it 😅

Yeah I would take that. It think it has zero chance of happening though.

[Siddey1994]

Nickleback I think would go down very well. They’re one of those bands (similar to Limp Bizkit) who seem to have gotten a reappraisal in recent years and I fully believe most would be on board.

 

Do I think they’re in the pool for 2026? Nah. But who’s to say really.

 

ETA: Creed would get one of the biggest crowds ever. Through nostalgia, memes and TikTok, theyve really embedded themselves into the zeitgeist lol

Edited July 12, 2025 by Siddey1994

[Andre91]

Nickelback hate was always so forced but that period has definitely passed. They would be a great headliner because they’ve got loads of bangers that even your casual rock fans would know. 
 

Get Creed at all costs. It would be the best time ever. 

[foolee]

Would love Nickelback, literally rather them than any of Linkin Park, Ghost & Iron Maiden

[DomDom1984]

Their arena tour not long ago did great business. Get them on there!

[foolee]

Just watched Nine Inch Nails headline NOS Alive last night, videography was superb and they sounded loud. Best thing I’ve seen this year. They need to headline and would absolutely smash a headline set. 

[kjvffm]

Been told by a mate who has no reason to lie that Linkin Park and GnR are confirmed. Take with a huge pinch of salt as I know what his connections are and they’re tenuous at best but don’t know why he’d make it up when anything he’s hinted to me before has been true. 

[Sparticus]

25 minutes ago, kjvffm said:

Been told by a mate who has no reason to lie that Linkin Park and GnR are confirmed. Take with a huge pinch of salt as I know what his connections are and they’re tenuous at best but don’t know why he’d make it up when anything he’s hinted to me before has been true. 

I was massively underwhelmed by GnR last week, just Axl's voice but the rest of the band were great!

If true...you would have to think Ghost for the the third.

[b_brownson]

Would anyone be up for testing this website where you can pick your dream lineup for Download? I’ve set it up and would love some feedback — it might look better on desktop.

 

https://www.dreamlineup.co.uk/

[Spiral_Low]

1 hour ago, kjvffm said:

Been told by a mate who has no reason to lie that Linkin Park and GnR are confirmed. Take with a huge pinch of salt as I know what his connections are and they’re tenuous at best but don’t know why he’d make it up when anything he’s hinted to me before has been true. 

Linkin Park seems obvious due to their current touring schedule but GnR would be a surprise...they done a few huge UK dates recently including this year, 2022 and 2023 I believe? Surely over saturation? 

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

Linkin Park seems obvious due to their current touring schedule but GnR would be a surprise...they done a few huge UK dates recently including this year, 2022 and 2023 I believe? Surely over saturation? 

It's a terrible booking if truth be told, not even worth a final go with Axls voice now. I'd rather then get Slipknot again 

[Andre91]

I can’t see it being GNR. 

[Spiral_Low]

2 minutes ago, northernangel said:

It's a terrible booking if truth be told, not even worth a final go with Axls voice now. I'd rather then get Slipknot again 

Slipknot would be cheaper that n GnR too...apparently they cost a fortune in 2018.

[northernangel]

1 minute ago, Spiral_Low said:

Slipknot would be cheaper that n GnR too...apparently they cost a fortune in 2018.

Indeed. It would be the most recycled not needed booking.

[LJR200]

3 hours ago, kjvffm said:

Been told by a mate who has no reason to lie that Linkin Park and GnR are confirmed. Take with a huge pinch of salt as I know what his connections are and they’re tenuous at best but don’t know why he’d make it up when anything he’s hinted to me before has been true. 

I’ve heard Linkin Park as well and completely on board for. Guns N’ Roses should only come back if they release a new album. They have been to the UK frequently since the return of Slash and Duff, so the appeal is not there right now. If Download wants a ‘legacy’ band, go for either System or MCR due to their recent rarity in the UK, and would attract more day tickets right now. 

[Andre91]

The last time GNR played, the main stage bill on their day was the most painfully dull lineup I’ve ever seen at the festival. If they’re going to play, at least fill the day this time with acts that suit who are actually decent. 
 

Guns N’ Roses 

Alice In Chains 

Megadeth

Amyl and The Sniffers 

Anthrax 

Mammoth 

Green Lung 

 

No doubt they’d play a far too long set again so they should at least have some stages clashing with the majority of them to give people another option. Even if second finished an hour into their set and then third and fourth went on a bit longer. Stick something like this against them so people have some choice apart from a 3 hour, bloated snooze fest: 

 

Opus: Electric Callboy 

Avalanche: letlive. 

Dogtooth: Obituary

[northernangel]

2 hours ago, Andre91 said:

The last time GNR played, the main stage bill on their day was the most painfully dull lineup I’ve ever seen at the festival. If they’re going to play, at least fill the day this time with acts that suit who are actually decent. 
 

Guns N’ Roses 

Alice In Chains 

Megadeth

Amyl and The Sniffers 

Anthrax 

Mammoth 

Green Lung 

 

No doubt they’d play a far too long set again so they should at least have some stages clashing with the majority of them to give people another option. Even if second finished an hour into their set and then third and fourth went on a bit longer. Stick something like this against them so people have some choice apart from a 3 hour, bloated snooze fest: 

 

Opus: Electric Callboy 

Avalanche: letlive. 

Dogtooth: Obituary

 

That wouldn't give me any interest apart from Amyl to personally attend at all. If I was bothered about them now, i wouldn't book that undercard, I'd put a Metallica or Maiden above that. GNR was the one I should have skipped at Glastonbury for either Fatboy Slim or LDR but got pulled into the whole it's GNR at Glastonbury...if that's even a thing. Lana was late anyway. 

[LazyDavid]

GnR would be a bit of a stinker for me, one to spend back at camp if they didn't clash the other stages

[northernangel]

33 minutes ago, LazyDavid said:

GnR would be a bit of a stinker for me, one to spend back at camp if they didn't clash the other stages

The rest of the day would have to be really good to bother with that day. 

 

They are probably at the stage though of where they have cashed in on their own dates and now ready to take the festival but so many more options. 

Edited July 14, 2025 by northernangel

[northernangel]

After last night, if you're going to book Scooter then book them to headline second stage stage when another act is on main so they get the darker setting too. Smashed it last night. They are a massively bigger deal than Vengaboys and brought in a much bigger crowd. 

[Audiorocker]

Surely GnR would be gig overkill and not what the download crowd would fancy? I agree thar MCR, SOAD or even Maiden would go down better.

[northernangel]

1 minute ago, Audiorocker said:

Surely GnR would be gig overkill and not what the download crowd would fancy? I agree thar MCR, SOAD or even Maiden would go down better.

 

I just don't think with how the booking policy has recently gone that GNR make sense. Don't get me wrong they are big in name but they deter you.

[TWY2911]

Didn't Andy Copping say the only "legacy" headliners he'd book now were Metallica, Maiden and AC/DC? I Might be taking the quote out of context and there's a new booking team now 

[Andre91]

GNR’s stadium dates a couple of weeks ago didn’t even sell that well initially, did they? Weren’t they giving away tickets deals for them? 
 

The demand to see them would be even less next year. Waste of a headline slot.