Kerrang! Radio to celebrate Download Festival with new weekly show The Download
Listen every Saturday from 11th January 2025
Last updated 18th Dec 2024
Kerrang! Radio is delighted to announce we’re joining forces with the mighty Download Festival to bring you a new weekly radio show called The Download.
Commencing on Saturday 11th January 2025, The Download is hosted by Alex Baker, and it celebrates the world’s most legendary rock and metal festival, bringing fans closer than ever to the Download experience.
Tune in every Saturday from 5pm to 7pm to dive deep into the sounds, stories, and excitement of Download Festival.
From exclusive interviews with rock icons and up-and-coming bands, to the latest news, lineup updates, fan memories and exclusive insider scoops, The Download will be the ultimate destination for rock and metal fans around the globe.
Alex Baker enthuses: “I’m SO STOKED to be doing this show! I have never missed a Download in its history, and having the opportunity to create something that helps amplify the community, the humans of Download and all the brilliant aspects of the festival is a huge privilege! We’ve got some great surprises in store!”
Download Festival’s Andy Copping adds: “The Download isn’t just a radio show—it’s a celebration of everything that makes Download Festival special. With Alex at the helm, we’re giving fans a place to relive the magic of Download every week and keep that spirit alive all year round.”
With a packed schedule of artist features, exclusive premieres, and even chances to win tickets to Download Festival 2025, The Download promises to be an unmissable event for fans everywhere.
Listeners can send share their memories and fun stories to thedownload@kerrangradio.co.uk to be on the show!
How to listen to The Download on Kerrang! Radio:
Make sure to tune in to Kerrang! Radio at 5pm to 7pm from Saturday 11th January 2025, to join Alex Baker on this epic rock and metal adventure.
The Download can be heard on Kerrang! Radio via DAB+, Rayo App and online at kerrangradio.co.uk
The very first Download Festival in photos:
The Main Stage at Download Festival 2003
The very first Download Festival took place on the hallowed turf of Donington Park – home of the legendary Monsters of Rock – on Saturday 31st May to Sunday 1st June 2003.
Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003
Two-times Monsters of Rock headliners Iron Maiden topped the bill on the opening night of Download 2003.
Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003
Iron Maiden's performance at the inaugural Download Festival was part of their Give Me Ed... 'til I'm Dead Tour.
Deftones at Download Festival 2003
Other main stage performers on the Saturday were Marilyn Manson, Deftones (pictured), Ministry, InMe, Murderdolls, Amen, Funeral for a Friend, Stampin' Ground, Shadows Fall and Murder One.
Download Festival 2003 crowd
Years before the advent smartphones, the Download Festival 2003 faithful attended the event armed with disposable cameras.
Ministry at Download Festival 2003
Ministry's All Jourgenson sings into his understated microphone stand on the Saturday at Download Festival 2003.
HIM at Download Festival 2003
Ville Valo of Finnish gothic rockers HIM during the band's Saturday set on the Scuzz Stage. The second stage also boasted performances from A, Reel Big Fish, Taproot, Sepultura, Reef, SOiL, The Hellacopters, SikTh, 3 Colours Red, From Autumn To Ashes, Queen Adreena, Violent Delight, Arch Enemy, and Chimaria.
Download Festival 2003 crowd
Download Festival's name has a two meanings. The word 'Download' was a murky word at the time thanks to Napster and illegal downloading. Download was also seen as a Monsters of Rock for the 21st century and the internet would provide connectivity with its audience. Tickets had a download code on them so fans could get tracks by some of the bands performing.
Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003
Late rock legend Chris Cornell on stage with Audioslave during the band's main stage headline set on Sunday night at Download Festival 2003. It was Audioslave's only appearance at Download, however Chris Cornell would return with Soundgarden and as a solo artist.
Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003
Audioslave replaced original headliners Limp Bizkit on the line-up after Fred Durst and co. cancelled.
Keith Flint at Download Festival 2003
The late-great Keith Flint on stage with his fleeting solo band Flint on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003. The Prodigy headlined the second stage at Download Festival 2006 and 2009 before stepping up as main stage headliners in 2012.
Stone Sour's Corey Taylor at Download Festival 2003
Wearing a Union Jacket emblazoned with the words 'Donington' in marker pen, Corey Taylor played the very first Download Festival with Stone Sour. Slipknot have headlined Download five times since the festival's inception, and Corey has also performed as a solo artist over the past 21 years.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
A truly landmark Download Festival moment, Metallica played a secret set on The Scuzz Stage on the Sunday afternoon.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
Metallica performed a 10-song set on the rammed-to-the-rafters stage, including a clutch of tracks from their soon-to-be-released album 'St Anger'.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
Also on The Scuzz Stage bill alongside Metallica on Sunday were NOFX, Boysetsfire, The Bouncing Souls, Strung Out, Thrice, Spunge, TSOL, The Real McKenzies, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Brand New, Instruction, Beatsteaks, Randy and Fabulous Disaster.
The Darkness' Justin Hawkins at Download Festival 2003
Justin Hawkins backstage before The Darkness' performance on The Main Stage. Audioslave, Zwan, Flint, Apocalyptica, Less Than Jake, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Evanescence, Mudvayne, Spineshank, One Minute Silence, Raging Speedhorn and Instruction also played on the second day.
Billy Corgan at Download Festival 2003
Billy Corgan on stage with Zwan on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003