Vengaboys to headline Download Festival's District X line-up
It boasts DJ sets, acoustic performances, secret sets and more
Download Festival 2025 has announced the line-up for District X, its own festival within a festival.
Away from the main arena, the fabled District X area is open for five days and nights and it’s home to late night entertainment, live music, DJ sets, comedy, podcasts, karaoke, and much more.
Dutch Eurodance music group Vengaboys, known for the hit singles ‘We Like to Party,’ ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!,’ and ‘We're Going to Ibiza,’ have been confirmed as the headliners of District X this year.
Download says Vengaboys are ‘one of the most requested bookings of all time,’ and they will bring ‘their iconic hits and high-energy performance for a nostalgic and unforgettable party experience.’
Performing DJ sets at District X will be Cradle of Filth’s Dani Filth, Aled Phillips from Kids In Glass Houses, Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats, McFly’s Dougie Poynter and MODESTEP, while Funeral for a Friend will treat audiences to an acoustic performance.
The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins will also host a live edition of his Justin Hawkins Rides Again podcast, and On Wednesdays We Wear Black are also bringing their podcast to Download.
Further District X highlights include Now That’s What I Call A 00’s Mixtape – a full-throttle throwback party hosted by Kerrang! Radio’s Sophie K, plus DJ sets from Zoe London, Hang The DJs and She They Press Play.
District X will also feature a range of brand-new experiences, including interactive quizzes including Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn-themed quizzes with Kitty Cowell, wrestling showcases, Bongo's Bingo, Never Mind The Download pub quiz, comedy sessions from rising stars, aerobics and sports day events.
Download Festival also welcomes back DARKFIELD following last year’s surreal EULOGY show, this time with their flagship experience, SÉANCE—an immersive encounter guaranteed to unnerve and captivate.
For families, District X will boast performances from Slay Duggee, a heavy metal band aimed at children, and Rock Kids, whose energetic, interactive shows include everything from epic singalongs and snow machines to their famous ‘wall of hugs.’
Headlined by Green Day, Korn and Sleep Token, the 22nd Download Festival takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th June 2025.
Other artists on the weekend bill include Shinedown, Myles Kennedy, Opeth, Dirty Honey, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Steel Panther, Airborne, Apocalyptica, Within Temptation, Eagles Of Death Metal, Jerry Cantrell, Sophie Lloyd, The Darkness and many more.
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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
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