It’s that time of year again when rock and metal fans descend on Donington Park for the Download Festival. Having firmly established itself as the UK’s premier festival destination for rock, metal, and more, 2025 will be the festival’s 22nd event. Across three days (or five if you’re heading there on Wednesday), Donington will play host to a global lineup of bands and artists, all looking to leave their mark on the festival’s storied legacy.
With four stages and countless performances – not to mention everything happening in the Village – Download offers something for everyone. As you prepare to pack for all weathers (it is a British summer, after all), Already Heard has picked out several names that you won’t want to miss this weekend.
Green Day
Having been touted as potential headliners for years, 2025 finally sees Green Day debut at Download. Undoubtedly punk legends, the trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool have been playing to massive crowds for years. In the process, they’ve developed an impressive live reputation.
Although their output over the past decade or so has, at best, been mixed, Green Day have a stellar back catalogue they can rely on. Their long-overdue headline slot is sure to be filled with classics picked from ‘Dookie,’ ‘American Idiot,’ ‘Nimrod,‘ and don’t ignore the sometimes forgotten gem that is ‘Warning’. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or witnessing punk royalty for the first time, Green Day’s debut is set to be an unmissable Download moment.
Where and When: The Apex Stage – Friday – 20:50 – 22:50
Sleep Token
Perhaps one of the most controversial headline choices in recent years, Sleep Token‘s meteoric rise is set to continue at Download. Three years ago, the enigmatic group played an evening slot on the Avalanche stage, but a lot has changed since then. 2023 album, ‘Take Me Back to Eden’, saw Vessel and company explore, playing sold-out arenas.
Their Saturday night headline slot comes off the back of their chart-topping fourth album, ‘Even in Arcadia’. A critically polarising record, it maintains Sleep Token‘s genre-blending brand of alt-metal. With a devoted following outweighing the naysayers, their set has high stakes. Can Sleep Token step up as a major festival headliner, and can they prove their doubters wrong? I think with a stunning and cathartic production, they have all the potential to do just that.
Where and When: The Apex Stage – Saturday – 21:00 – 22:45
KoRn
You might think KoRn‘s chance to headline Download may have been and gone, but in 2025, they’re finally getting their chance. Although they are no strangers to Donington, the nu-metal pioneers are sure to relish the prospect of headlining. With thirty years of headbanging classics at their disposal, KoRn have repeatedly stepped up, and you can’t help but expect the Bakersfield quartet to pull out all the stops.
Don’t be surprised if they deliver an unforgettable set to close out Download 2025.
Where and When: The Apex Stage – Sunday – 21:25 – 22:55
Weezer
Geek rock legends Weezer will be making their Download bow on Friday evening. Slotted in between Green Day and Jimmy Eat World, the quartet have plenty of festival experience, knowing what the crowd wants. Whether that’s ‘Beverly Hills’. ‘Hash Pipe,’ ‘El Scorcho,’ or ‘Say It Ain’t So,’ Weezer will be bringing a wealth of sing-a-longs, and the occasional metal riff.
Where and When: Apex Stage – Friday – 19:00 – 20:10
Spiritbox
One of modern metal’s rising names, Spiritbox has carved out a path of their own. Their fusion of metalcore heft with ambient textures, electronic flourishes, and the ethereal yet ferocious vocal range of Courtney LaPlante is sure to draw in a big crowd on Sunday evening.
Latest album, ‘Tsunami Sea’ saw the Canadian outfit go all out, delivering an emotional journey elevated by its strong melodies and dense instrumentation. Their return to Download is sure to be the natural stepping stone on the road to future headliners.
Where and When: The Apex Stage – Sunday – 17:00 – 18:00
Jimmy Eat World
Did you know there’s more to emo rockers Jimmy Eat World than ‘The Middle’? Just ask anyone who’s followed the Arizona quartet for the best part of three decades. Their Friday evening main stage slot won’t be their first Donington outing, and it’s obvious why they keep coming back.
They specialise in heart-tugging, anthemic rock songs that are made to be sung back in unison. Opening a hat-trick of stellar main stage acts (alongside Green Day and Weezer), come rain or shine, songs such as ‘Big Casino,’ ‘Sweetness,’ and ‘Work,’ are sure to brighten up your day.
Where and When: The Apex Stage – Friday – 17:30 – 18:30
Poppy
The ever-evolving Poppy arrives at Download for the first time with plenty of intrigue. From sugary YouTube pop beginnings to abrasive industrial metal and beyond, her sound refuses to sit still. Last year’s ‘Negative Spaces’ record saw her return to her metal-leaning side. Paired up with introspective songwriting, it solidified Poppy as an authentic artist.
On stage, she’s proven to be visually striking with a versatile voice. While songs such as ‘they’re all around us’ and ‘new way out’ are mosh-ready with towering choruses and punishing breakdowns.
Where and When: The Apex Stage – Saturday – 14:15 – 15:00
Alcest
If you’re done with Weezer‘s power-pop rock and want something serene and stunning before Green Day, get yourself over to the Dogtooth Stage for Alcest. The French outfit, led by Neige, has spent the past two decades perfecting a sound that’s as heavy as it is heavenly. A shimmering blend of black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock that washes over you like a dream.
Live, Alcest are a truly immersive experience. Their music doesn’t just hit, it envelops you. As last year’s ‘Les Chants De L’Aurore’ showcased, Niege and drummer Jean “Winterhalter” Deflandre can create cinematic beauty, carried by soaring melodies, blast beats, and Neige’s otherworldly vocals.
Where and When: The Dogtooth Stage – Friday – 19:50 – 20:25
House of Protection
Besides Download‘s tendency to host some of rock and metal’s biggest names, it also gives up-and-coming names from home and abroad to leave their mark. Among the emerging names heading to Donington this weekend is House of Protection. Consisting of former Fever 333 duo, Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta, they are a fresh name with seasoned players.
With two EPs under their belt, ‘GALORE’ and ‘Outrun You All,’ they have built a wealth of momentum over the past 12 months. Their sound is a cocktail of brash punk, hip-hop, metal, and electronic, delivered in a thoroughly energetic and dynamic manner. Even though they’ve appeared at Download before in their old band, House of Protection are sure to be determined to stomp a lasting impression on Sunday afternoon.
Where and When: The Avalanche Stage – Sunday – 15:50 – 16:20
Svalbard
All good things must come to an end, and while we have another year of Svalbard, their long goodbye fittingly begins at the home of UK metal.
Despite only being scheduled for a 25-minute set, the Bristol four-piece is sure to deliver a cathartic gut-punch. As their discography effortlessly jumps between black metal, post-rock, d-beat, shoegaze, hardcore, and post-metal, Svalbard can be equally crushing and cleansing.
Where and When: The Dogtooth Stage – Friday – 18:00 – 18:25
Vower
With members of Black Peaks, Palm Reader and Toska in their ranks, Vower have emerged as one of the UK’s most promising bands in the past year. Their growing reputation has seen them deliver a compulsive mix of post-metal, prog and post-hardcore, executed with unbridled passion.
As heard on debut EP, ‘Apricity,’ and recent single, ‘Deadweight,’ Josh Mckeown’s distinct vocals soar above a dynamic and powerful sound, creating monumental songs in the process.
Vower are a surefire way to kickstart your Sunday afternoon.
Where and When: The Dogtooth Stage – Sunday – 13:35 – 14:05
Loathe
The creative gears are finally beginning to turn with Loathe. After delivering ‘Gifted Every Strength’ last month, the Liverpudlian group is creeping towards releasing their first album in five years. The aforementioned single demonstrated their musical versatility, being abrasive and melodic in equal parts. Furthermore, it captures their boundary-pushing sound that thrives on evolution.
Their early Apex stage slot should be a good way to kick off the Saturday. Dynamic, intense, and introspective is what Loathe are all about, using their experiences to create a compelling live display. This could be start of something special.
Where and When: The Apex Stage – Saturday – 12:00 – 12:35
PRESIDENT
Ah, yes, the band that everyone is talking about – PRESIDENT. Added to the Download bill without a single note of music out there, this new project has been gathering plenty of attention ever since. Thankfully, we’ve had two singles, ‘In The Name of the Father’ and ‘Fearless’, to give us an idea of what to expect. The former is a statement of intent; dense and cathartic. Whereas the latter is chunky, embracing trap beats and autotune vocals.
Their Sunday afternoon slot is certain to be packed with curious festival-goers. Will they reveal their true selves? Is it fronted by the person many think it is? Can they live up to the hype as they make their live debut? There’s only one way to find out, head to the Dogtooth stage.
Where and When: The Dogtooth Stage – Sunday – 16:25 – 16:55
Unpeople
Rising from the ashes of Press to MECO, unpeople make their Download debut on Friday afternoon. Songs such as ‘waste,’ ‘the garden,’ and ‘smother’ bursts with infectious hooks, hefty riffs, and boundless energy. It’s a potent mix that’s sure to win over the Avalanche Stage crowd.
Last year’s self-titled EP a short, sharp burst of melodic alt-rock brilliance. As past outings at ArcTanGent and 2000trees have shown, unpeople have a magnetic quality that makes them one of the UK’s most exciting new names.
Where and When: The Avalanche Stage – Friday – 13:40 – 14:05
Lastelle
Download Festival has a long history of championing up-and-coming homegrown talent. Among the names filling that void this year are Lastelle. The Oxford-based post-hardcore band have carved out an emotionally strong sound. Utilising atmospheric elements and aggressive and melodic vocals, Lastelle craft cinematic songs that hit hard and stay with you.
Tracks from 2024’s ‘Exist – Vol i’ EP and its forthcoming follow-up are cathartic and raw, with drummer Mike Hayden’s soaring clean vocals and Adam Rigozzi’s visceral screams at the forefront. It’s a dynamic that blends fragility and fury in equal measure.
Alongside acts such as Split Chain, Graphic Nature, Harpy, Zetra, and Dead Pony, Lastelle proudly represent the depth and diversity of the UK’s alternative scene.
Where and When: The Dogtooth Stage – Saturday – 11:45 – 12:05
Best of the Rest
As there is so much to choose from, we couldn’t do a Download Festival XXII preview without throwing in some extra recommendations.
Friday offers up Aussie modern metalcore band Northlane, longtime favourites Boston Manor, and melodic pop-punk/hardcore Trophy Eyes. While Rise Against will grace the main stage to preview their new album, ‘Ricochet’. Philadelphia alt-metallers CKY will also be on the same stage. The likes of Crossfaith, Opeth, and VOLA are some of the other names worth considering on the opening day.
By the time you’re refreshed and ready to go, Saturday’s main stage will be opened by Static Dress. Whereas the Avalanche stage will be home to Dayseeker, Mallory Knox, Twin Atlantic, Split Chain, and Venus Grrrls. Elsewhere, Polaris and Currents will be bringing the metalcore to the Opus stage. That’s also where you’ll find The Darkness, who are always entertaining.
The final day of Download gives us French metallers Novelists, punk cover specialists Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, metalcore titans The Ghost Inside, and pummeling deathcore mob Lorna Shore. Meanwhile, Sunday’s Apex (main stage) is stacked with riffs courtesy of Orbit Culture, Bullet For My Valentine, Bleed From Within, Jinjer, and Meshuggah. And if you fancy a break from KoRn, you can always head to the Dogtooth tent to see SikTh. The prog metal band will be closing out the stage with their original line-up.
If that’s not enough for you, there’s plenty of late-night entertainment. Take your pick from Eurodance party leaders Vengaboys (Thursday), an acoustic Funeral For A Friend set (Friday), or DJ sets from Cancer Bats‘ Liam Cormier, McFly‘s Dougie Poynter, Cradle of Filth‘s Dani Filth, and Kids In Glass Houses‘ Aled Phillips. There’s also Slay Dugee and Lucha Britannia coming together on late-night wrestling comedy on Wednesday. If you’re wanting more wrestling-related fun, end the weekend with the Attitude Era, playing classic wrestling themes, along with nu-metal and hard rock bangers.
Download Festival 2025 takes place at Donington Park, Leicestershire from Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June 15th.
Tickets are available here.
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