Download Festival 2025 adds 22 bands to line-up
Including Shinedown and Myles Kennedy
Download Festival 2025 has announced the second wave of bands taking the sacrosanct turf of Donington Park this summer.
A bumper 22 acts have been added to the bill including Shinedown, Myles Kennedy, Opeth, Dirty Honey, Palaye Royale, Rise Against, AWOLNATION, Power Trip and Hatebreed.
Completing today’s line-up announcement are Crossfaith, unpeople, Smash Into Pieces, MOTHICA, Zetra, Bastardane, Kids In Glass Houses, Elliot Minor, Twin Atlantic, Cattle Decapitation, PRESIDENT and NECKBREAKKER.
Shinedown said of their eagerly awaited performance: "Playing Download is an unforgettable experience. The UK crowd is always electric, and there’s nothing like the feeling of thousands of voices singing with us. Get ready, because we’re bringing everything we’ve got!"
Headlined by Green Day, Korn and Sleep Token, the 22nd Download Festival takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th June 2025.
The likes of Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Within Temptation, Eagles Of Death Metal and The Darkness are already confirmed for the rock extravaganza.
Senior Download booker Kamran Haq says of today’s announcement: “We’re really proud of the variety in our line-up this year.
“In our second announcement, we have huge artists like Rise Against, Shinedown and Palaye Royale, plus bands from across the whole rock spectrum, from Municipal Waste, Cattle Decapitation, Power Trip and Hatebreed, through to AWOLNATION, Kids In Glass Houses, Twin Atlantic and Elliot Minor.
“We truly think there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes, and of course there are still more surprises to come. We can’t wait for June!”
In addition to today’s exciting artist announcement, Download Festival last week announced a new WhatsApp channel, so the community can be the first to receive important Download updates, from announcement news to merch drops to important reminders both leading up to the festival and onsite.
The Download Family was also launched in January, which gives the inner circle access to monthly perks including discounts on Download merch and presales for selected shows.
Tickets to Download Festival 2025 are on sale RIGHT HERE.
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