We know all about the headline acts but what about those artists who you don’t know or have only heard a little bit about? Well Devolution Magazine’s Download Festival team of Gary, George and Aggy have each put together a list of five acts they think are worthy of your viewing time at the event along with the day they’re playing and which stage. Hopefully you’ll check out this fantastic fifteen, and of course we recommend you take a listen to as many acts as you can before it’s time to pitch that tent and party.
Gary’s choices
Venus Grrrls
Saturday – The Avalanche Stage
As their name implies there’s more than a hint of riot grrrl in their music. Where it differs is in the finesse of writing and willingness to embrace a wider range of genres. Ostensibly you could argue they are goth/grunge, but Venus Grrrls also delve into rock and pop. If you like meaningful lyrics and hypnotic vocals then this fine five piece are well worth a listen.
Novelists
Sunday – The Dogtooth Stage
If you like the technical side of metal but also prefer to hear at least some of the vocals sung clean then this may well be the band you’re looking for. While the guitar work is very much in the progressive vein with more than a hint of Djent elsewhere things are a little more rock. This is a group who write with subtlety rather than ferocity.
Smash Into Pieces
Saturday – The Avalanche Stage
Imagine the setting – the sun is out, you have a beer in hand and you’re at Donington Park in June. What you need is mood music, rock music that is anthemic. That’s where Sweden’s Smash Into Pieces fit into the bill. They have it all, big sing along choruses, huge hooks and hell they even have a mysterious drummer called APOC.
Zetra
Saturday – The Dogtooth Stage
Soundscapes are aplenty with Zetra who have taken synths in an entirely new direction. This is moody and dark but not as we know it. They are a pretty new act too with their eponymous debut album only being released last September, and yet they sound very mature. Expect storm clouds to gather in deference over their stage even if the rest of the sky is blue.
The Meffs
Friday – The Avalanche Stage
Here we have one of the break out bands on the UK punk scene. They play it simple and direct as you’d expect but dear lord they’re good! Lyrically it’s all about social commentary, musically get ready to lose your shit. That’s what you want at a festival isn’t it? Something with feeling that makes you feel so damn good.
George’s picks
Bex
Saturday – The Avalanche Stage
Bex is the very definition of DIY punk rock ethic, so much so she even makes her own merch by hand! On stage she’s a multi coloured bundle of great time energy. She comes armed with many stompable anthems and has recently been working with Sam Matlock (Wargasm) on her new sonic assault. We defy you not to get swept up in her punk rock tornado when she opens the Avalanche stage.
Poppy
Saturday – The Apex Stage
Poppy is not a new artist by any means, her first EP came out nine years ago, but her evolving musical nature and all consuming desire to create new sounds mean that every year, she feels brand new. Last year saw her Negative Spaces album set her apart as a serious metal contender. She gave us guest spots with Knocked Loose and Baby Metal, but she also delivered some of the most sublime, shimmering electro pop and managed to make it sound fluid and natural. Poppy is a rarity and a must see artist.
Teen Mortgage
Saturday – The Dogtooth Stage
Listening to Teen Mortgage for the first time is a bit like hearing Weezer or Nirvana for the first time, there’s something about their music that sounds classic. Their latest album Devil Ultrasonic Dream is wall to wall hits whilst also being the soundtrack to the best fantasy backyard skateboard pool party ever. The Washington DC duo have recently supported the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and Death From Above 1979 and we’re sure they’ll set the stage ablaze at Donington. Make sure you get to the Dogtooth stage for the bragging rights that you witnessed them before they were massive.
Cattle Decapitation
Sunday – The Dogtooth Stage
If you’re a fan of what the apocalypse will sound like then look no further than Cattle Decapitation. This band boasts one of the most distinctive frontmen in extreme metal whose demonic presence on stage demands your full attention. With an impressive discography to plunder we’re expecting nothing short of aural warfare when they take the stage. Technically amazing and strangely catchy, Cattle Decapitation are fully equipped to hammer down their environmentally conscious message on Sunday’s Dogtooth stage. This band is the most fun you could have during the end of days.
Cattle Decapitation – Facebook
House Of Protection
Sunday – The Avalanche Stage
Two thirds of the original Fever 333 line up, Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta are an electro punk phenomenon with their brilliant GALORE EP setting up their stall last year for their barnburning new album Outrun You All this year. The band has collaborated with ex Bring Me The Horizon producer Jordan Fish and laser defined the sound of street smart punk ethos colliding with sound system culture. Expect a multi coloured explosion of sound, energy and chaos that you won’t forget in a hurry
House Of Protection – Facebook
Aggy’s selection
Battlesnake
Friday – The Dogtooth stage
Theatrical, fun and mad as a box of frogs comes to mind when we think of Battlesnake. A septet hailing from Australia, their sound has been described as “genetically engineered cyborg super child of Queen, King Gizzard and Judas Priest”. Their lyrics are inspired by fantasy, monsters and video games. Battlesnake have a unique sound, melding genres and promise a live show you won’t forget in a hurry.
Faetooth
Sunday – The Dogtooth stage
Faetooth are a trio from LA and formed in 2019. They appear to have created their own genre which they have described as “Fairy Doom”. Hearing that in itself piqued our interest to learn more. Their sound of course has many of the hallmarks of Doom metal but with their own edge. Their music and poetic lyricism is enchanting, ethereal, haunting and raw.
Harpy
Sunday – The Avalanche Stage
Harpy has been making waves over the last few years with their captivating and alluring sound and stage presence. Fans have lovingly dubbed her ‘Goth Metal Mommy’. Their music is British Nu Goth or as we prefer the more colourful description they use which is ‘femme fatale goth rock”. They made their debut supporting Wargasm in 2023 and are since going from strength to strength.
Dirty Honey
Friday – Opus Stage
Reminiscent of the greats such as Aerosmith and Gun N Roses, Dirty Honey are a band you need to watch. The quartet from LA made history when their 2019 debut single became the first song by an unsigned artist to reach No. 1 on Billboards Mainstream Rock Chart. They have since enjoyed various sell out tours and recently have a song featured on the new ‘A Minecraft Movie’.
Kim Dracula
Saturday – Opus Stage
Tasmanian born Kim Dracula have gained popularity over the years through social media including TikTok for their original tracks and metal covers of songs including Lady Ga Ga’s ‘Paparazzi’. Musically and visually they revel in not fitting into any box. Previously Kim Dracula enjoyed success in other bands but has taken their solo show on the road and their growing army of devoted fans couldn’t be more thrilled.
Photos by Gary Trueman
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