There are a number of reasons why this year saw Download Festival once again show they aren’t afraid to break new ground or adapt. Most obvious is Emily Armstrong gracing the Apex stage with Linkin Park as the first female-led act to headline in the event’s history. Limp Bizkit also made their debut as headliners, joining Guns N Roses. Elsewhere, District X continued to thrive with smart bookings. On the arena days, the rain stayed well away, so we might even be able to chalk up elemental control to the long list of team Download achievements! Here are Gary and Aggy’s personal picks, along with a daily round up.
Gary’s Five of the Best
Friday – Lake Malice – Bringing a new dimension
Combining metal riffs with hyperpop electronica in a swirling display of passion and intensity, Lake Malice blow the lid off the Dogtooth stage late into the afternoon. Singer Alice Guala is an anime come to life, while Blake Cornwall adds to the effect, pulling jumps and spins while rocking out on guitar. They show where metal can go when vision and talent meet. And in this performance, they shine like a supernova.
Friday – Halestorm – A true class act
With a back catalogue that most bands can only dream of, Halestorm just get up on stage and smash it. They’re headlining Opus (second stage) and delivering a set of outstanding quality. The band plays hard rock in a timeless fashion that oozes class. Then there’s Lzzy Hale. Her vocals are simply next level. She has one of the finest voices of a generation. It’s all there on show – power, control and clarity. This is pure joy to watch.
Saturday – Trivium – Swiss watch precision
The thing with fast heavy music is that it can all go south very quickly if you aren’t up to the job or even just lose concentration. Trivium have built their reputation on being masters of timing, and that is fully on display at Donington. In particular, the drumming is otherworldly precise, which lays the foundation for everything else. So let’s give it up for Alex Rudinger, who sat hidden behind his kit. Sir, you are quite incredible!
Saturday – Behemoth – Blackened heart beats loudly
It’s easy to understand why extreme metal often gets overlooked. It’s extreme for a reason. But they do say good music is good music, and Behemoth are on top form today. Yes, their show is aesthetically impressive with fire aplenty. But the skill and stagecraft surpass the imagery, forming the backbone of the set. Far from being the burnt offerings outsiders to the scene might imagine, this Gdansk outfit offer a philosophical gateway into a whole dark and brave other world.
Sunday – RØRY – Inspiration through music
Their life struggles have been well documented, so it was glorious to see RØRY up there on that big Apex stage smashing it. The vocals were on point. That trademark hair flowed in the breeze. This was a moment to savour for fans and performer alike. Second chances don’t come around too often, so it’s great to see someone grabbing theirs with such success while at the same time inspiring many to battle their own demons.
Aggy’s Five of the Best
Friday – P.O.D – Still alive and kicking
We didn’t realise it at the time, but bands like P.O.D. were making history. They have created a lasting legacy and rightfully earned their place among the greats. Witnessing thousands of fans singing along to the band’s hit ‘Alive’ brings a tear to our eyes. Guitarist Marcos Curiel dedicates the song to his daughter, who was born the night before, making everyone in the crowd feel as if they were sharing a truly special moment. For those of us who grew up with them, it stirred up nostalgia to see them perform hits from their heyday, such as ‘Youth Of The Nation’ and ‘Boom’.
Friday – Cypress Hill – The perfect chill pill
With such a diverse mix of bands this year, having Cypress Hill on the bill is the icing on the cake. Acting as the calm before the storm, they deliver their signature chill beats before Limp Bizkit takes to the stage. While we never expected to see Cypress Hill at Download, they are a welcome addition, as back in the 90s and 00s, they were a huge hit with the alternative crowd. Hip-hop and rap are frequently intertwined with the Nu Metal scene, which is now making a glorious resurgence. They play favourites such as ‘Hits From The Bong’ and ‘Insane In The Brain’ before closing with a House Of Pain cover, ‘Jump Around’.
Saturday – Lowen – A call to metal prayer
We are entranced and follow the echoes of Nina Saeidi’s powerful vocals straight to the Dogtooth stage. Discovering the British-Iranian outfit Lowen making their full Download debut, we simply cannot look away. They blend Middle Eastern influences with heavy metal, creating a sound that is entirely unique and powerful to witness. It isn’t just a feast for the ears; visually, they are captivating. Saeidi performs in striking traditional dress on a stage beautifully decked out with plants and candles, even featuring a male belly dancer.
Sunday – Bloodywood – New Delhi metal masters
Bloodywood have gained a dedicated fan base over the years thanks to their outstanding, high-energy live performances. The crowd can’t contain themselves, jumping and thrashing as circle pits open up. Armed with their dhol drum and bansuri flute, the band seamlessly blend Indian folk music with heavy metal breakdowns. It’s wonderful to see such a diverse mix of cultures at the festival, with bands integrating traditional elements into their sound. As they continue to climb the bill, the sky is the limit.
Sunday – Scooter – Light blue touch paper and stand back
We never doubted that Scooter would absolutely tear the roof off the Avalanche stage, and we are thrilled they proved any naysayers wrong. Armed with glow sticks, fans piled into the tent and made history, witnessing one of the most exciting sets of the weekend. H.P. Baxxter is a seasoned showman who revels in having hordes of metal fans at his fingertips. Adding to the spectacle is an eye-watering show of flashing lights, smoke, dancers, and sparks erupting from the stage. Giving the fans what they came to see, their set list includes their hits such as the iconic ‘The Logical Song’, ‘Nessaja’ and ’Jumping All Over The World’.
The One we both agree on – The Pretty Reckless
Gary: First up, this was mighty close. Aggy and I debated this hard, and both Halestorm and Scooter were in the mix but were pipped by The Pretty Reckless. Even without the knowledge that Taylor Momsen was hampered by a painful leg injury, this was quite a magnificent showing. With it, you can only applaud the hard-rocking singer even more. The variety of big-hitting songs is immense. There are lovely little touches from the band, including some humorous note mimicking from Ben Philips on the intro to ‘Follow Me Down’. It’s these moments that show the nature of the set; those little things all add up. Momsen herself epitomises this by captivating the crowd with her powerful vocals and an articulate mood, conveyed through subtle movements while simply standing at the mic. She makes every gesture count. It’s a genius performance of how to be utterly badass. These are the shows that make great reputations, and The Pretty Reckless enhanced theirs no end.
Aggy: I’m thrilled to have finally seen The Pretty Reckless, as their last performance at the festival was unfortunately cancelled, making this one their first in over a decade! Keeping the stage show low-key, the focus remained on the band and the music. As well as being a rock icon, frontwoman Taylor Momsen is a style icon with her trademark look: long blonde locks, smoky eyes, and a grungy minidress. I’m taken back in time hearing hits such as ‘Make Me Wanna Die,’ ‘Going to Hell,’ and ‘Heaven Knows’.
Daily round up
Wednesday
It’s a race against time to get pitched (which is successful for us – some are not so fortunate), then off to District X for the legendary Boardie Takeover. This year, the event is the most diverse ever, with six bands featured (40,000 Leagues, CELAVI, Pryma, Deadwax, Rxptrs and Black Water County). All play their part with CELAVI’s synth-infused sound shining early on. Pryma have in Gaby George someone with the natural ability to command a big stage. Black Water County closed with their folk-punk fusion proving extremely popular with the Download crowd, tin whistle and all.
Weather report: Umbrellas at the ready.
Thursday
This was the day most were dreading, and the weather forecast proved correct with rain falling most of the day. Siting District X on hard standing a few years back suddenly came into its own, and with a lot of work on drainage, the ‘Brownload’ factor proved minimal and short-lived. Once waterproofs were donned, there’s plenty to do, including a games arcade, multiple stages under cover, and if your air bed has failed to inflate, a visit to ‘Fat Franks’, who offer a range of supplies. Raven Records are back too, and so is the Download Mega Store, with a big queue of people keen to buy branded just about anything.
Weather Report: We need a bigger boat
Friday
Bringing ‘Bimbocore’ to Donington Park, Scene Queen’s mix of hyper-feminine look, comedic lyrics, and heavy breakdowns makes for a must-see live performance full of confidence. As well as playing the classics and some newer material, Hollywood Undead surprise everyone with a cover of ‘Sweet Caroline’, which has the audience singing in unison. Pendulum prove they can kill it during daylight hours with ‘Witchcraft’ sounding particularly on the money. Now a part of the fan favourite collective Electric Callboy, they fill the Apex stage with boss moves and infectious rhythms. After previously playing inside tents, they have rightly found the place where they belong. Daughtry are in fine form with Chris’ vocals coming across loud and clear. A sea of red hats fills the arena to witness history in the making as Limp Bizkit headline Download for the first time. They have become one of the greats, and after a history of non-stop memorable performances, this one is no exception.
Weather report: Wellies or boots? Boots!
Saturday
It’s a blistering performance from The Wildhearts opening Opus on day two in the arena. There’s tangible emotion in the crowd, which is understandable, plus the heart-melting sight of Ginger’s beloved dog Maggie making an appearance. South Arcade show why they are such fast risers with a set brimming with maturity. Landmvrks bring their own flavour of metalcore and deliver a high-energy, well-received show to an army of old and new fans alike. Die Spitz look set to rise up the bill with their raw, unfiltered grunge punk song and attitude. Bumped up onto the Apex stage at the last minute As Everything Unfolds look right at home. It’s a fine performance from the High Wycombe outfit, who grab the opportunity with both hands. Black Veil Brides are just so consistent these days; once again, they knock it out of the park. Usually, the heavens open whenever Babymetal take the stage, but luckily, this year, things are different! The festival favourites perform like a well-oiled machine, offering a spectacular stage show with their choreographed moves. The Dogtooth is heaving as Drowning Pool (swapped with As Everything Unfolds due to a flight delay) tear it up. Despite having to stop their performance several times due to crowd safety, Architects close Opus with a set that can have them being touted as future full headliners, no harm at all. Watching Guns N’ Roses is watching history; they are living legends. They play an eye-watering set spanning over three hours, which is impressive for any band of any age. They even turned up early, much to the delight and amusement of the crowd. For any die-hard fan in attendance, this set was a dream come true.
Weather report: Dry but a bit blowy
Sunday
Unpeople are fun and give everyone that early morning wakey wakey that you need after hitting the bar way too hard the night before. We are blown away by Private School, who make their UK debut, playing a mix of nu-metal, punk, and rap. They fit in perfectly with the vibe of this year’s lineup, and you feel this is a band to watch in the future! Texans Catch Your Breath are making waves on the scene with their genre-blending metal-driven style. Here, they put in a solid performance. Kublai Khan TX managed to make a sea of tired festival goers on the final day wake up better than a shot of espresso. They command the crowd, and although it is an early slot, there are mosh pits aplenty. The ethereal Ivri are making their debut, bringing their own distinct modern flavour of alt-rock. The viral sensation plays the iconic ‘Tower Of Memories’ to a sea of adoring fans. This is a glimpse into the future of what is to come in the alternative music scene. Having you know who on bass doesn’t change the fact that Dogstar’s alt-rock is kinda cool, and their new album ‘All In Now’ is well showcased as you’d expect. You know exactly what you’re going to get with Tom Morello, and he delivers in spades. Big grooves, hyper-funk and plenty to rock out to. The theatrical and very bloody Ice Nine Kills put on one of the most entertaining stage shows of the entire weekend. We can’t take our eyes off them as it feels like we are watching a horror movie with a killer soundtrack. Spineshank have quite a cult following, and many of them are in the Dogtooth tent today as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. They are an amazing addition to what is a late-90s, 00s-heavy lineup. The great Linkin Park debate should really be over by now. Emily Armstrong earns the distinction of being the first female lead vocalist at Donington Park. Moreover, while she will never replace Chester, this new era is sounding more and more like a fresh beginning.
Weather report: Daytime perfection, hoodie for evening
Download Festival tickets sold out this year (all but a few Saturday day tickets), so for those still harking back to the ‘good old days’, maybe it’s time to realise these really are the ‘good new days’. One of the most heartening things about this year’s event was how many people of all ages were there, all enjoying themselves. It’s great to see young teens and even younger being able to watch live music (responsibly and safely) instead of being denied entry through age restrictions. The organisers have clearly worked hard on accessibility, too, along with countless other improvements. Download is a spiritual home like no other. We can’t wait to see what the 2027 edition will bring.
See you in the pit \m/
Review by Aggy Gillon and Gary Trueman
All photos by Gary Trueman
We saw you there.
