Download 2026

[northernangel]

14 minutes ago, andyrhodes24 said:

I agree they’re on the poppier side but that’s compared to the metal this festival was built on. Those who come for 21P will have crossover into the rest of the lineup, and if someone like Alice In Chains headline the second stage then everyone’s happy. 21P would shift a lot of day tickets.

I think they are too far. My friend who actually is really liking Download currently, literally to the point of 11 years at Glastonbury and considering just not bothering with this new system to just return to Download said to me, more Reading aren't they, surely they would go there. They don't clash the second stage with bands, and it's never enough when even a tiny bit to justify it. If they randomly do it unfortunately after sound bleeding complaints and no changing of the arena setup, it'll be because they don't feel the headliner can carry without an opposite option. 

 

8 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

21P have also played Download before. 
 

 

Yes, 2014, 8 years ago, and an absolute massive rarity for a band to not play in that long unless there is not much interest. Also played in 2013, 16 and 19 at Reading with no Download reply for either. Also as you said, whatever is played on kerrang stopped meaning anything and being relevant years back when they lost their way, and it doesn't become relevant again to support the argument.

Edited September 11, 2025 by northernangel

[northernangel]

6 minutes ago, craigcharles420 said:

I think they fall into the same category of someone like Prodigy. Not really rock but there is enough crossover appeal and enough of an "alternative" fanbase to say they can play something like Download. Maybe the live shows push the rock element forward a bit more too.

I think The Prodigy are probably one of the worst alternative options that could have been used as an example lol, they hit heavy more than most out there.

[craigcharles420]

Purely anecdotal, but a lot of people I know who go to DL also like 21P

[craigcharles420]

1 minute ago, northernangel said:

I think The Prodigy are probably one of the worst alternative options that could have been used as an example lol, they hit heavy more than most out there.

But they're still not rock or metal

[Andre91]

29 minutes ago, northernangel said:

I think they are too far. My friend who actually is really liking Download currently, literally to the point of 11 years at Glastonbury and considering just not bothering with this new system to just return to Download said to me, more Reading aren't they, surely they would go there. They don't clash the second stage with bands, and it's never enough when even a tiny bit to justify it. If they randomly do it unfortunately after sound bleeding complaints and no changing of the arena setup, it'll be because they don't feel the headliner can carry without an opposite option. 

 

Yes, 2014, 8 years ago, and an absolute massive rarity for a band to not play in that long unless there is not much interest. Also played in 2013, 16 and 19 at Reading with no Download reply for either. Also as you said, whatever is played on kerrang stopped meaning anything and being relevant years back when they lost their way, and it doesn't become relevant again to support the argument.

Kerrang RADIO. Not TV. Kerrang Radio is still doing pretty well. 

[losing43]

21P makes sense as a DL headliner, but I don’t think they should on the same year as Ghost. I think people would say that 2 of the 3 headliners are small

[Andre91]

Why do some people think that Download is a place that’s just full of Gorguts and Mgła fans? It’s the most mainstream heavy festival in this country that routinely books bands who are on the poppier side. I’ve been in the Doghouse when Heathens has come on and people have been singing along en masse. People at DL aren’t all knuckle dragging trolls, they like lots of other music, especially the people it’s attracting now compared to when it was KISS, Leppard & Maiden every couple of years. It’s just because 21P would be a headliner some people are taking issue with the prospect of them playing.
 

They are as rock-adjacent as a pop act can get, lots of people who like modern metalcore (one of the most prevalent genres DL books) are also into 21P. They’d go down just fine, especially with day ticketers. Stick Bad Omens under them and some other of those type of acts and their day will be busy. 

[craigcharles420]

Tbh I think 21P, LP and Ghost makes perfect sense as the headliners

[craigcharles420]

11 minutes ago, losing43 said:

21P makes sense as a DL headliner, but I don’t think they should on the same year as Ghost. I think people would say that 2 of the 3 headliners are small

Both 21P and Ghost have recently done big UK arena tours and have been on the go for over a decade. Not sure how old you are, but I imagine to those in their late teens or those in their 20s both bands seem pretty massive. It is kinda like Slipknot or whoever headlining in the 2010s. At this point they have both cultivated massive fanbases.

Edited September 11, 2025 by craigcharles420

[craigcharles420]

5 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Why do some people think that Download is a place that’s just full of Gorguts and Mgła fans? It’s the most mainstream heavy festival in this country that routinely books bands who are on the poppier side. I’ve been in the Doghouse when Heathens has come on and people have been singing along en masse. People at DL aren’t all knuckle dragging trolls, they like lots of other music, especially the people it’s attracting now compared to when it was KISS, Leppard & Maiden every couple of years. It’s just because 21P would be a headliner some people are taking issue with the prospect of them playing.
 

They are as rock-adjacent as a pop act can get, lots of people who like modern metalcore (one of the most prevalent genres DL books) are also into 21P. They’d go down just fine, especially with day ticketers. Stick Bad Omens under them and some other of those type of acts and their day will be busy. 

I feel like a lot of it comes from people in their 30s starting to show their age honestly. I mean I'm also in my 30s, but I realise time flies once you hit adulthoood. Some of these acts may still seem "new" but they've really been at it for ages now.

[Mstuart2499]

37 minutes ago, losing43 said:

21P makes sense as a DL headliner, but I don’t think they should on the same year as Ghost. I think people would say that 2 of the 3 headliners are small

Twenty one pilots toured all over the world past 9 months and did stadiums in south america. I think there definitely is questions about them being at download but in terms of pure headliner starpower they definitely have that

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, craigcharles420 said:

But they're still not rock or metal

 

They've played in 06, 09 and 12 where some of the heaviest years have been, they have huge crossover it's fair to say. They won't get booked now unless they headline though 100% 

29 minutes ago, craigcharles420 said:

Tbh I think 21P, LP and Ghost makes perfect sense as the headliners

 

I think that would bomb on ticket sales, weekend wise at least, I really do. You wouldn't get anywhere near 75k but LP would sell very well if not out. Download will tell that they have 80k people watching them ar a capped 75k festival that wasn’t sold out but then Download will would lead you to presume they don't have access to the weather forecast either lol.

[Mstuart2499]

2 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

They've played in 06, 09 and 12 where some of the heaviest years have been, they have huge crossover it's fair to say. They won't get booked now unless they headline though 100% 

 

I think that would bomb on ticket sales, weekend wise at least, I really do. You wouldn't get anywhere near 75k but LP would sell very well if not out. Download will tell that they have 80k people watching them ar a capped 75k festival that wasn’t sold out but then Download will would lead you to presume they don't have access to the weather forecast either lol.

Twenty one pilots as a uk exclusive show would do amazing on ticket sales. They’ve announced this tour will be their last for a good while and it’ll be the only chance people here will get to see the new album. Even off a sold out uk tour

Edited September 11, 2025 by Mstuart2499

[northernangel]

10 minutes ago, Mstuart2499 said:

Twenty one pilots as a uk exclusive show would do amazing on ticket sales. They’ve announced this tour will be their last for a good while and it’ll be the only chance people here will get to see the new album. Even off a sold out uk tour

It might do some day tickets but that won't do anything for fans not bothered about other days not worth a weekend ticket. I think they'll 100% be doing a different date.

[northernangel]

48 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Why do some people think that Download is a place that’s just full of Gorguts and Mgła fans? It’s the most mainstream heavy festival in this country that routinely books bands who are on the poppier side. I’ve been in the Doghouse when Heathens has come on and people have been singing along en masse. People at DL aren’t all knuckle dragging trolls, they like lots of other music, especially the people it’s attracting now compared to when it was KISS, Leppard & Maiden every couple of years. It’s just because 21P would be a headliner some people are taking issue with the prospect of them playing.
 

They are as rock-adjacent as a pop act can get, lots of people who like modern metalcore (one of the most prevalent genres DL books) are also into 21P. They’d go down just fine, especially with day ticketers. Stick Bad Omens under them and some other of those type of acts and their day will be busy. 

Your opinions and views aren't exactly going to plan though are they recently.

 

You've got quite a track record now for calling what isn't, saying what isn't and still stuff will happen that won't. Almost like no actual proof to back anything up.

[andyrhodes24]

It’s gatekeeping again, Download should be welcoming headliners like 21P into the fray. We all know the likes of Kiss, Maiden, Metallica won’t be around forever so it’s best to ease bands like 21P, Ghost into the headline slot now alongside someone like Linkin Park who’ll appeal to all. Book metal bands in sub slots or on the Opus so there’s the breadth of genres there but there’s no doubting 21P are big enough to headline. LP - 21P - Ghost is at least as strong as Green Day - Sleep Token - Korn.

[Mstuart2499]

I think twenty one pilots didnt go down well cause they got lumped on the complete wrong stage. Between twisted sister and cheap trick when they coulda been on main with linkin park, bring me, fob etc

[OllieJ77]

2 hours ago, andyrhodes24 said:

It’s honestly mad they haven’t outright headlined something in the UK yet. They were excellent when they co-headlined R&L 2019 with Posty. Good collab cover of Don’t Look Back In Anger that day between them.

Yeah they fully won me over with that set they were bloody brilliant which is why I’d love them to do download but think too many people would be so against the idea not even willing to give them a try!

[OllieJ77]

1 hour ago, losing43 said:

21P makes sense as a DL headliner, but I don’t think they should on the same year as Ghost. I think people would say that 2 of the 3 headliners are small

TOP are not small you mad!!! They got 30 million listeners a month on Spotify 😂

[OllieJ77]

1 hour ago, Andre91 said:

Why do some people think that Download is a place that’s just full of Gorguts and Mgła fans? It’s the most mainstream heavy festival in this country that routinely books bands who are on the poppier side. I’ve been in the Doghouse when Heathens has come on and people have been singing along en masse. People at DL aren’t all knuckle dragging trolls, they like lots of other music, especially the people it’s attracting now compared to when it was KISS, Leppard & Maiden every couple of years. It’s just because 21P would be a headliner some people are taking issue with the prospect of them playing.
 

They are as rock-adjacent as a pop act can get, lots of people who like modern metalcore (one of the most prevalent genres DL books) are also into 21P. They’d go down just fine, especially with day ticketers. Stick Bad Omens under them and some other of those type of acts and their day will be busy. 

1000% agree!!! All my mates who go download like TOP. All my mates who used to go R&L like TOP they’d get a day ticket for them. 

[OllieJ77]

49 minutes ago, andyrhodes24 said:

It’s gatekeeping again, Download should be welcoming headliners like 21P into the fray. We all know the likes of Kiss, Maiden, Metallica won’t be around forever so it’s best to ease bands like 21P, Ghost into the headline slot now alongside someone like Linkin Park who’ll appeal to all. Book metal bands in sub slots or on the Opus so there’s the breadth of genres there but there’s no doubting 21P are big enough to headline. LP - 21P - Ghost is at least as strong as Green Day - Sleep Token - Korn.

I’d argue it’s a hell of a lot stronger. In terms of band size I Reckon it would go:

1. Green Day

2. Linkin Park

3. TOP

4. Korn

5. Ghost

6. Sleep Token

 

To be honest I contemplated what order the final 3 would be and you could put it in any order the top 3 are still the same. Whilst Green Day are bigger Linkin Park are right up there even without Chester.  

[OllieJ77]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

It might do some day tickets but that won't do anything for fans not bothered about other days not worth a weekend ticket. I think they'll 100% be doing a different date.

i mean out of everyone commenting on the forum your the only one who really has taken an issue with TOP so if the majority of people in here are in support would that not translate to the wider public going? I don’t disagree that there would be a very loud portion of the fanbase who would kick off but generally I think most people would be fine with them headlining. I also don’t think you appreciate how big of a band they are and the crossover appeal. If and it is a big if because whilst I’d love it I don’t think they get booked they would do very good day ticket sales as the younger generation who can’t afford weekend tickets would turn up for them. Be an interesting one just need more news to break!!

[andyrhodes24]

Sleep Token did it so no reason why 21P can’t, ST aren’t straight metal and they drew a crowd. If the 50-something metalheads are worried about Download going all poppy like R&L then come back to me when Charli xcx is at the top of the bill.

[LazyDavid]

Genuinely didn't know 21P were that big still, completely missed the boat on them, last time I remember hearing about them was co-headlining Reading 2019, think I'll have to have a proper listen

 

 

[andyrhodes24]

2 minutes ago, LazyDavid said:

Genuinely didn't know 21P were that big still, completely missed the boat on them, last time I remember hearing about them was co-headlining Reading 2019, think I'll have to have a proper listen

 

 

They’ve only grown since then, new album out in 20 mins!