40 bands added to Download Festival 2020 PLUS Kerrang! Radio's Finding Fresh Blood returns
HUGE announcement
Last updated 27th Jan 2020
Alter Bridge, Bowling For Soup, The Darkness, Mastodon, Sepultura and Funeral For a Friend are among the 40 artists added to the Download Festival 2020 line-up today. Plus, we’re also proud to announce that Kerrang! Radio’s Finding Fresh Blood competition returns for a second year!
Playing the Saturday 13th June special guest slot before headliners Iron Maiden, Alter Bridge will make their first Download Festival slot in three years this summer.
Guitarist Mark Tremonti enthuses: “We are very proud and honoured to be a part of the 2020 lineup. Download has always been the highlight of our touring schedule over the years, thanks for another opportunity to perform for some of the best rock fans in the world!”
Headlining The Avalanche Stage hosted by Kerrang! Radio are Funeral for a Friend (Saturday 13th June) and Bowling For Soup (Sunday 14th June).
Commenting on playing another FFAF reunion show, drummer Ryan Richards says: “As a band, and as individuals – we’ve made some incredible memories at the hallowed grounds of Donington through the years, so it’s going to be nice to come back and make a few more together. Those trademark black fringes are a bit greyer/balder these days, but we’ll still be able to show these young ‘uns a thing or two!”
Jaret Reddick from Bowling For Soup adds: “Download Festival is always something special for Bowling For Soup. So many of the stories we share with other bands and family members back home come from our time spent playing or hanging out at this festival. Very much looking forward to making more memories this summer...and of course bringing something special to our show, that only BFS can get away with!”
We’re also thrilled to confirmed that Kerrang! Radio will once more host Finding Fresh Blood, the search to bring the hottest emerging talent to Donington.
2019 was its inaugural year and grime-punks PENGSHUi triumphantly opened the Avalanche Stage. UK acts can now upload their tracks online to be in with the chance of playing this year’s festival on the same stage. To apply, and for more information CLICK HERE The chance to apply closes on 1st March at 23:59, and winners will be announced in April.
Our very own Alex Baker says: “Playing at The Download Festival is a benchmark moment in any bands career, it is the most important festival in the country for alternative music and a performance on any of the hallowed stages can catapult your career as a musician to new heights. I only like working with people who share my unyielding spirit for supporting new artists, and the absolute dedication that Andy and the team from Download have in this field is truly inspiring. When Pengshui walked out on the Avalanche Stage last year, the atmosphere on the stage, in the crowd AND in the wings was absolutely electric – it is a moment that will never be forgotten.”
>> Click here to enter Finding Fresh Blood <<
Elsewhere, The Darkness will play the Zippo Encore Stage before headliners Disturbed on Sunday 14th June. Singer Justin Hawkins comments in his inimitable style: “UK festival appearances are like children – so precious and impossible to pick a favourite.
“This year though, my number 1 child is our Download slot! I have a pair of pyjama bottoms designed to look like jeans with tickets for Monsters of Rock 1991 hanging out of the pocket, and that tells you everything you need to know about my excitement levels.”
Also confirmed across the weekend are the following acts (in alphabetical order):
Amaranthe, Cemetery Sun, The Distillers, Employed To Serve, Fire From The Gods, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Glorious Sons, Haken, Hatari, Heavy Lungs, The Hara, Higher Power, Holding Absence, JJ Wilde, Lacuna Coil, Kill The Lights, Loathe, Mastodon, Menzingers, Milk Teeth, Modern Error, Motionless In White, Northlane, Press Club, Polyphia, The Raven Age, Renounced, Tempt, Twin Temple, Sepultura, The Skints, Sleep Token, Sulli, Three Doors Down, Thy Art Is Murder and Wage War.
It’s also been confirmed today that WWE NXT UK is returning to Download Festival once again. The first wrestlers taking to the ring are NXT UK Champion WALTER, NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray, and NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus.
Plus, the first-ever WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate, and his Tag Team partner Trent Seven Also set to perform is Finn Bálor’s protégé Jordan Devlin, the highflyer Mark Andrews, and his Tag Team partner Flash Morgan Webster. Toni Storm alongside powerhouse Piper Niven are also bringing the energy to Donington Park.
The new line-up additions join Download Festival 2020 headliners KISS, Iron Maiden and System of a Down plus Volbeat, Babymetal, Disturbed, Gojira, Korn, Black Veil Brides, Killswitch Engage, The Wildhearts, Airbourne, Deftones and many more.
Download Festival tickets:
Download Festival takes place at Donington Park from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th June 2020. Tickets are on sale from Kerrang! Radio Tickets right now.
>> Buy Download Festival tickets <<
The Download Festival 2020 line-up poster, including stage and day splits, looks like this: