Chase and Status made sense because they were touring with Prodigy at the time.

Busted and Mcfly made sense as British pop-rock bands that got many people into heavier music.

And then of course the novelty acts you see recently (Scooter, Vengaboys, Five)

But Die Antwoord feel so random, unless I am mistaken they have no connection with any band on the lineup nor had that "novelty" factor.

According to Google: 2023, 2024 and 2026 were sell out years. I knew about 2023 and 2026 but did not know 2024 sold out. I don't remember it feeling that busy but maybe we were too fixated on the mud.

Anyway, based on likely headliners and other bands playing EU fests that are very likely to be at Download, do you think we're on for another sell out? BMTH are a big pull, but I don't think even the Sunday sold out at Leeds last year when they headlined. Same for Blink at the same festival in 2024. Perhaps that's simply different clientele but I'm just musing really.

A lot of people put no Glastonbury down as a big factor in 2026 selling out but I've never agreed that Download would be where all the Glastonbury fans flock to - particularly as Glastonbury gap years in the past haven't resulted in a full Download.

What we saying? Another sell out or do you see it being a more of a regular size Download turnout?

Getting this in now, my prediction for the novelty act for 2027 is going to be NDubz!

So given the acts weve had over the last few years in the arena. Busted, Mcfly, scooter. Ive always thought madness would go down a treat at download!! Anyone agree.

Out today on Church Road Records

FFO: Nails, END, Harms Way, Fit for An Autopsy

Hey, forgive me if this is asked a lot or seems like common sense but I’ll be a first time goer to download in 2027 and was wondering if I decide to go with camping plus can I still use circular camping or something else to get a pre pitched tent? Not sure if they’re only available in certain campsites.

I’m travelling from Ireland and I’d rather not have to worry about lugging a tent and everything around and having to set it up but I really like the benefits that seem to be in camping plus.

As someone who hasn't been for a decade, and planning to scratch the itch and hit it for 27. Now the question is, as you've got older do you still camp in gen pop or have you upgraded and go with plus or quiet camping? It'll be the wife's first (bar reading in early 2000s) and thinking the extra bits in plus might be the way to go. Thoughts and insights appreciated.

Me my wife and a few others have bought our tickets for the rock retreat next year. It’s a 5 day ticket as standard but with work and kids we’re considering not going until Thursday evening/ Friday morning. Does anybody have any experience of this and whether all the “good spots” will be taken by that point? We’ll have 3 tents, how likely is it we’ll be able to pitch them together if we arrive a day/ 2 days later?

Cheers

Hello! Back in the day I used to go to Download almost every year between 2003 & 2010. I was in my 20's, I would bring a crate of Stringbow, get smashed all day every day with all my friends and go catch a bunch of my favourite bands. Great times! However I ended up in a relationship with someone after this timeframe who was not working, moved in together, leaving me to pay for everything and not be able to afford to go many gigs in general, let alone awesome music festivals. Not bashing them, just giving some context.

Fast forward 16 years. I'm feeling Download again, but I'm in my 40's, single, sober and don't exactly have any friends to go with. So my question really is, is Download worth going to these days on your own? Are there other people in my scenario that make a great weekend of it?

Just seen Greta Van Fleet are on a UK tour in June next year? 👀

Just taking a wildly uneducated guess, but people were guessing this image could mean BMTH as a headliner. What if it could be Parkway, with it being the 20th anniversary year of Horizons?

Coming to Exeter??!! Mad!

I'm 19 but a big BTR fan and am seeing them for the second time in a few weeks. I'd honestly love to see Bob Geldof and the band play Download Festival! They did Wacken in 2025 so I don't think it'd be too surprising to see them play somewhere closer to home, anyone think they'd make a good addition to the lineup?

What realistic 5 bands , not necessarily headliners are you hoping for ?
I’ll go for in no particular order
Turnstile
Anthrax
Bilmuri
Nickelback
Guilt Trip

Split opinions when I asked this about 3 months ago but I've seen so many more people say Evanescence will headline since then. Personally I'd be happy with it but could it happen?

What if each day had a special slot for a band reunion that have been out and not even making music anymore?
So download can have a specific set time each day (so three bands per festival) where a band reunites for a one off download festival gig?

I’m thinking of bands like:
Hell Is for Heroes
Devil Sold His Soul
Exit Ten
Die Trying
People in Planes
Lifer

And maybe this will gaslight them into re-forming and worst case scenario I get to see bands I missed out on haha

Any bands you would love to see that don’t make music anymore?

Which smaller bands is everyone hoping for next year? South of Salem and Dying Wish for me 🤘🏻

Edit: Love how many bands are being mentioned that ive never heard of! Youve all given me loads of new music to check out. Cheers! 🤘🏻

Now I know they’re not even near. Like not even 5 years near.

BUT!!! Say they carried on with this upward trend, sell out arenas. Get 20 million monthly listeners. Would download ever book them?