Download 2026

[Audiorocker]

I'd go as far to say if GnR play this year, they won't return to DL. Feels like they're winding down.

[craigcharles420]

2 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

People are thick. 

I mean the point is that GNR could very well headline DL even in this day and age. They are always doing UK stadiums and have recently done Glasto, so I don't get how DL is impossible.

[Andre91]

1 minute ago, craigcharles420 said:

I mean the point is that GNR could very well headline DL even in this day and age. They are always doing UK stadiums and have recently done Glasto, so I don't get how DL is impossible.

Oh yeah, of course. They’re one of the biggest bands to ever exist, of course can still headline. It would just suck. 

[northernangel]

10 minutes ago, craigcharles420 said:

I mean the point is that GNR could very well headline DL even in this day and age. They are always doing UK stadiums and have recently done Glasto, so I don't get how DL is impossible.

I will say, GNR headlining would be better than LB purely off the fact they won't have played the UK 4 years straight and they do venues or collections of gigs than warrant the headline slot. I don't dislike LB either, it's just been too repetitive and contunous in touring and they are juat too gimmicky. I would be surprised if they got GNR, Tool and LP but I think they'll have Tool and LP is obvious. I also believe they've only had 2 headliners from the same year return later and it was in quite quick succession in Maiden and Rammstein.

[craigcharles420]

32 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Oh yeah, of course. They’re one of the biggest bands to ever exist, of course can still headline. It would just suck. 

I wish I could say I wouldn't go see them but I used to love Appetite and the singles from Illusion back in the day so unfortunately I would end up catching them if it happened. Axl sounds awful but the rest of them sound fine.

[OllieJ77]

They obviously could headline as yeah they’re still a big name. But I think the majority of the younger audience 18-35 who Download had seen an attempt to appeal more in the lineup would rather GnR not be booked. I know 3 GnR songs I never really liked them his voice even on the songs I do like annoys me. Would I see them if they played DL, probably stood at the top of the hill. Would I stick around if Axl sounds awful, no.

[Andre91]

Being honest, Axl’s voice wouldn’t be my biggest issue as to why I wouldn’t want GNR back: 
 

1. They play a 3 hour set, even now. It’s too long. Even in 2018, when there was some buzz, it was too long. It means less bands on the Main Stage. 
 

2. The last time they played, the Main Stage run on their day was the single most boring, uninspired lineup the festival has ever had. 
 

3. They will cost a bomb, which will make the rest of the lineup suffer (see the above). 

Edited September 21, 2025 by Andre91

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Being honest, Axl’s voice wouldn’t be my biggest issue as to why I wouldn’t want GNR back: 
 

1. They play a 3 hour set, even now. It’s too long. Even in 2018, when there was some buzz, it was too long. It means less bands on the Main Stage. 
 

2. The last time they played, the Main Stage run on their day was the single most boring, uninspired lineup the festival has ever had. 

It was. A7X killed that Friday too. Tbh though, I've generally thought the days are poor when they book Slipknot too. The days in 2015 and 2019 on their Stage especially rubbish.

[Andre91]

25 minutes ago, northernangel said:

It was. A7X killed that Friday too. Tbh though, I've generally thought the days are poor when they book Slipknot too. The days in 2015 and 2019 on their Stage especially rubbish.

Nah, Slipknot day in 2019 was wicked.
 

Alien Weaponry getting to open the Main Stage as a hyped bunch of teenagers. Was such an un-DL booking for that time (they weren’t in the business of putting young, exciting bands on the biggest stage at that time). 
 

Royal Republic getting the crowd going by putting on a proper party of a set on an otherwise really heavy day. 

 

Power Trip getting a great slot as one of the most exciting newer bands around (and with Riley, RIP). Another un-DL booking for that era of the festival. 
 

Behemoth bringing the evil with a great set. 
 

Skindred being Skindred. ‘Never surprised, never disappointed’ as Benji likes to put it. 
 

Trivium making their long awaited return to DL and playing to a massive, up for it crowd in what felt like a homecoming. 
 

Die Antwoord being one of the strangest bookings DL has ever made and putting on a mad set. 
 

Slipknot were unreal that day touring what is universally seen as their best album in 15 years. The best I’ve seen them by a mile. 
 

One of the very best days I’ve ever had at DL; maybe the best.  My group of about 15 had the best time that day camped out at the Main Stage. 

Edited September 21, 2025 by Andre91

[OllieJ77]

50 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Being honest, Axl’s voice wouldn’t be my biggest issue as to why I wouldn’t want GNR back: 
 

1. They play a 3 hour set, even now. It’s too long. Even in 2018, when there was some buzz, it was too long. It means less bands on the Main Stage. 
 

2. The last time they played, the Main Stage run on their day was the single most boring, uninspired lineup the festival has ever had. 
 

3. They will cost a bomb, which will make the rest of the lineup suffer (see the above). 

All very good points. I just don’t care for GnR and I can’t overstate that!!

[Audiorocker]

ACDC this time round? 2010 seems a long time back...or do they command too much money/stage work?

[Larosterna]

Saw people bring up Biffy as an option because of the R+L hint but don't they have a tour next year?

[northernangel]

45 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Nah, Slipknot day in 2019 was wicked.
 

Alien Weaponry getting to open the Main Stage as a hyped bunch of teenagers. Was such an un-DL booking for that time (they weren’t in the business of putting young, exciting bands on the biggest stage at that time). 
 

Royal Republic getting the crowd going by putting on a proper party of a set on an otherwise really heavy day. 

 

Power Trip getting a great slot as one of the most exciting newer bands around (and with Riley, RIP). Another un-DL booking for that era of the festival. 
 

Behemoth bringing the evil with a great set. 
 

Skindred being Skindred. ‘Never surprised, never disappointed’ as Benji likes to put it. 
 

Trivium making their long awaited return to DL and playing to a massive, up for it crowd in what felt like a homecoming. 
 

Die Antwoord being one of the strangest bookings DL has ever made and putting on a mad set. 
 

Slipknot were unreal that day touring what is universally seen as their best album in 15 years. The best I’ve seen them by a mile. 
 

One of the very best days I’ve ever had at DL; maybe the best.  My group of about 15 had the best time that day camped out at the Main Stage. 

Fair, all different interests. No interest in lost bands you mentioned. On the Slipknot note, I thought both The Gray Chapter and All Hope is Gone were better.

[TWY2911]

28 minutes ago, Audiorocker said:

ACDC this time round? 2010 seems a long time back...or do they command too much money/stage work?

 

As much as I'd love them to be there the rest of the lineup would suffer as a consequence 

 

Blink, NIN and LP would be a much more balanced trio imo 

[craigcharles420]

A 3hr GNR set does seem way too long. I mean they're a band who have one good album and the rest is hit and miss. 3 hours must be most of their discography? They have like 4 full original albums, an EP and a covers album. I couldn't think of 3 hours worth of GNR songs.

[craigcharles420]

22 minutes ago, Larosterna said:

Saw people bring up Biffy as an option because of the R+L hint but don't they have a tour next year?

They do, but it is early next year. Not sure if enough time would have passed between their tour and the festival season.

[Andre91]

14 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Fair, all different interests. No interest in lost bands you mentioned. On the Slipknot note, I thought both The Gray Chapter and All Hope is Gone were better.

You’re the only person on earth who thinks AHIG is better 😂

[Andre91]

3 minutes ago, craigcharles420 said:

A 3hr GNR set does seem way too long. I mean they're a band who have one good album and the rest is hit and miss. 3 hours must be most of their discography? They have like 4 full original albums, an EP and a covers album. I couldn't think of 3 hours worth of GNR songs.

The best bit of their set in 2018 was when they played a Velvet Revolver song. 

[craigcharles420]

AHIG is where I stopped liking Slipknot at the time tbh. It took WANYK to drag me back in, then TESF had me walking away again. Would still go see them live, just don't look forward to any new music.

[Spiral_Low]

Iron Maiden just dropped a huge hint on their Instagram that's its Knebworth. Pic with shadow of Eddie at what's looks to be Knebworth House. 

[andyrhodes24]

6 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

Iron Maiden just dropped a huge hint on their Instagram that's its Knebworth. Pic with shadow of Eddie at what's looks to be Knebworth House. 

100% is Knebworth, also shows that Knebworth is in the business of gigs in 2026 if a certain band from Manchester still about.

[northernangel]

49 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

You’re the only person on earth who thinks AHIG is better 😂

 I don't really care, it's probably because it's got a more mainstream approach. Psychosocial, Dead Memories and Snuff being the main reasons, Snuff is one of my favorite Slipknot songs. But I'm not going to disagree with my own opinion to satisfy others. 

[Andre91]

8 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 I don't really care, it's probably because it's got a more mainstream approach. Psychosocial, Dead Memories and Snuff being the main reasons, Snuff is one of my favorite Slipknot songs. But I'm not going to disagree with my own opinion to satisfy others. 

Why do you take offence to everything? Very bolshy reply. 

[northernangel]

13 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Why do you take offence to everything? Very bolshy reply. 

 

It's not a bolshy reply is it really, I just said it doesn't bother me if I'm the only one ever to say it. Their is no offence taken by it.

[Andre91]

6 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

It's not a bolshy reply is it really, I just said it doesn't bother me if I'm the only one ever to say it. Their is no offence taken by it.

Ok, Mr Grumpy.