WPGM Previews: Download Festival 2025

Get ready, rock and metal fans – Download Festival is back for its 22nd edition in 2025, and it’s bringing a lineup that promises to shake Donington Park to its core. Taking place from June 13th to 15th, the UK’s premier rock and metal festival is set to deliver a weekend of unforgettable performances, legendary headliners, and the best in emerging heavy music talent. Rain, shine or mud – it’s set to be unforgettable.

This year’s festival boasts an incredible set of headliners, each bringing their own legacy and energy to the Apex Stage. Kicking things off on Friday is none other than Green Day, the pop-punk pioneers responsible for timeless anthems like “American Idiot, “Basket Case”, and “Wake Me Up When September Ends”. Their high-energy performances and unparalleled crowd interaction will no doubt set the tone for an electrifying weekend.

Saturday night belongs to Sleep Token, a band that has seen a meteoric rise with their genre-defying mix of metal, progressive rock, and ethereal atmospheres. Their deeply immersive live shows have become legendary, making their headline performance a must-see for fans looking for something unique and emotionally powerful. The masked group’s live shows are an experience and not to be missed.

Closing out the festival on Sunday is nu-metal royalty Korn. Having dominated the metal scene for decades with their unmistakable blend of heavy grooves and haunting melodies, Jonathan Davis and company are sure to deliver a career-spanning set filled with fan favorites like “Freak on a Leash” and “Falling Away from Me”.

Beyond the headliners, Download 2025 is packed with a who’s who of rock and metal royalty. Joining Green Day on Friday are alternative rock titans Weezer and emo legends Jimmy Eat World, providing a dose of nostalgia mixed with modern classics. Punk and hardcore fans will be thrilled with Rise Against, Boston Manor, CKY, and SiM, ensuring that the energy never dips throughout the day.

Saturday’s lineup brings a powerful mix of modern and classic rock, with Shinedown, Don Broco, and Palaye Royale offering a diverse range of sounds. Poppy and Hatebreed add their own distinctive styles—one experimental and avant-garde, the other a hardcore institution. Loathe and Static Dress round out the day with some of the most exciting heavy music emerging today.

Sunday keeps the intensity levels high, with Bullet For My Valentine and Spiritbox bringing their signature metalcore styles to the stage before Korn’s explosive finale. Meshuggah’s mind-bending technical metal, Jinjer’s dynamic and powerful presence, and the raw aggression of Power Trip, Bleed From Within, and Orbit Culture ensure that metal fans will have plenty to scream about.

Beyond the Apex Stage, the Opus Stage hosts some of the most legendary and eclectic acts of the festival. Friday’s highlights include symphonic metal giants Within Temptation and progressive metal masterminds Opeth, while The Darkness and Eagles of Death Metal bring a touch of classic rock showmanship on Saturday. Punk legends Sex Pistols also make an unexpected appearance, promising a rowdy and rebellious set.

Sunday turns the Opus Stage into a rock and metal playground with Steel Panther delivering their signature blend of glam metal parody and exceptional musicianship, while Airbourne, Jerry Cantrell, and Alien Ant Farm bring their own brands of hard rock energy.

The Avalanche Stage, hosted by Kerrang! Radio, features some of the best up-and-coming and alternative acts in the scene. Expect high-energy sets from McFly, Dayseeker, and Kids In Glass Houses, ensuring that even pop-punk and alternative rock fans have something to look forward to.

For those seeking the heaviest, most extreme sounds of the festival, the Dogtooth Stage has you covered. Cradle of Filth headline a stacked bill including Sylosis, Kittie, Anaal Nathrakh, and Cattle Decapitation, delivering the most intense and uncompromising performances of the weekend. We also have the mysterious band President who have been causing a stir online of their identities. We’ve seen so many great theories flying around and we can’t wait to know more.

Beyond the music, Download Festival offers an immersive experience for fans of alternative culture. Expect incredible food vendors, themed bars, and late-night entertainment to keep the party going well after the final encore. Whether you’re here for the mosh pits, the singalongs, or just the unbeatable festival atmosphere, Download 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

Tickets are on sale now via the Download Festival website, and with a lineup this strong, they won’t last long. Secure your spot and prepare for a weekend of pure rock and metal mayhem at Donington Park this June! Payment plans are also available with camping, non camping and RIP VIP options. Day tickets will also be available soon.

Words by Niamh Louise

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