Download Festival roundup: Electrifying performances from The Scratch, Green Day, Korn, Sex Pistols and more

Festival season is upon us once again and it’s time to dust down tents, boots, and all manner of festival paraphernalia. With the weather forecast looking good, roads looking clear and friendly reunions aplenty, it looks like it’s going to be a cracking weekend of music and fun.

So, let’s get into it...

FRIDAY

The Scratch:

These trad-rockers from Dublin have played Download festival before, but today they graduate to opening on the Opus stage. The band recently re-released their 2020 album Couldn’t Give a Rats, and the band soon get the crowd onside with a singalong on 'Another round', To top it off, the short opening set manages to squeeze in a circle pit and a wall of death.

The Scratch at Download Festival 2025. Photo Credit: Enda Madden

Starset:

Pyros flare as Starset take to the stage in matching band apparel. The mix of rock guitar, keyboards and strings provide a beautiful soundtrack to their performance. Today’s set includes 'Carnivore', 'Degenerate' and 'Dark Things'. The cinematic effects in use on the backdrop are great but would have more impact in a later set. The finale 'TokSic' sees the band changed into jumpsuits and gasmasks as vocalist Dustin Bates jumps into the crowd.

Eivor:

Hailing from the Faroe Islands, Eivor brings her unique blend of traditional Norse and Icelandic folk music with nuances of electronica to Download for the first time. Eivor's vocal style has been finely honed to include guttural throat singing, beatbox techniques, and haunting shrieks. The set includes staples like 'Jaroartra' and 'Trollabundin' and new music from the album Enn.

McFly:

Opening with 'Where have all the guitars gone?', McFly are always a treat to behold. Whilst perhaps an unusual choice, their good time party attitude makes their gigs a veritable celebration of life. The camaraderie and energy they bring is infectious and this buzz is emphasized by their catchy pop melodies and slick harmonies. After an issue with an acoustic guitar, we get to hear an electric version of 'Obviously'. Bassist Dougie Pointer directs a wall of death as he counts in 'All about You' and beams from ear to ear. The set closes with the obligatory '5 Colours in her Hair' with a twist of Metallica’s 'Master of Puppets' thrown in. All great staff and surely, they should be invited back.

Dirty Honey:

These Californian rockers bring their brand of sleazy rock to Download opening with great tunes like 'Won't Take Me Alive' and 'Californian Dreams'. Vocalist, Marc La Belle is up and down on the barriers throughout the show, and we hear 'When I’m Gone' which of course features in 2025’s Minecraft movie. The final song is 'Rolling 7s' leaves the crown hungry for more.

Opeth:

Looking at their tour itinerary, one would be forgiven for asking, are there any European festivals Opeth are not performing at this year? Unfortunately, todays set is beset by technical problems which significantly delay the start, and Mikael complains of a hum in the P.A. Having built the reputation for the unexpected, the most recent Opeth album The last will and testament showcases new drummer Walter Väyrynen and is a further evolution of style. The set starts with the title track 'The last will and testament'. followed by 'In my time of need', from the Damnation album. The finale is the masterpiece of light and shade, 'Ghosts of perdition'. Some recent Opeth performance setlists were dictated by fans, and the trend leaned heavily in favour of earlier less progressive Opeth. Today we get a nice mix of old and new, and Mikael may hate the sound, but it somehow doesn't matter.

Within Temptation:

Dutch symphonic rockers Within Temptation return to Download following their 2023 performance for the festivals’ 20-year anniversary. The elaborate background of Roman columns and arches with a cinematic screen backdrop is particularly impressive. Sharon den Adel reminisces that they played six songs at their first Download performance, and tonight sixteen. She has long been an advocate the Ukrainian cause and has visited Ukraine. She has also collaborated with Ukrainian artists like Blind8, Alex Yarmak and Jerry Heil. This is reflected in openers 'We Go to War' and 'Bleed out'. The track 'Stand my ground' is dedicated to freedom for Ukraine.

Green Day:

Making their debut as headliners, Green Day, with their impressive pedigree of over 75 million album sales, surprisingly have never played Download festival. Launching with 'American idiot' we are treated to a plethora of hits like 'Holiday' and 'Know Your Enemy ' during which a guest from the audience is brought onstage. We have waited a long time to see Green Day headlining Download but tonight, they absolutely nailed it. The visuals look great, the production is slick, and the band are on form. Tonight, they have proved a worthy headliner for Download.

Green Day at Download Festival 2025. Photo Credit: Enda Madden

SATURDAY

LoLo:

Newcomer to Download this year is Lauren Mandel, who uses the stage name LoLo. She openly confesses to be “probably the least metal act on the bill” but promises us a bit of fun, nevertheless. Having gained prominence on TikTok, LoLo’s music is her own brand of pop-punk. She introduces '2 of Us', explaining that the song is about a boy who broke her heart and apparently wore skinnier jeans than her. Tough times indeed! This young lady certainly has the potential to go a long way.

Palaye Royale:

American sharp dressers Palaye Royale swagger on to the Apex stage in Stones-esque style. "It's taken 8 years to get to the main stage, but we have finally got there”, observes lead singer, Remington Leith, clearly pleased to have arrived at the Metal Mecca that is Download. These guys soon have the crowd clapping and jumping along to their percussive, art-rock, and they provide a unique glam alternative set, dripping in 70’s style.

Don Broco:

Bedfordshire band Don Broco and have been writing a new record for the last year, and it’s plain to see that they are taken aback by the sheer energy of the Download crowd. That energy quickly becomes a two-way street with Broco providing a high-energy performance and a huge pyro production. It also must be said that boy, that man can move! The set includes 'Come out to L.A.', 'One true Prince' and 'Endorphins', but nobody needs endorphins today with Don Broco providing all the feel-good factor needed.

Shinedown:

Opening with 'Cut the Chord' and recent single 'Dance kid Dance', Shinedown may be in for a hefty gas bill after their performance at Download, as yet again, the pyrotechnics are plentiful. The band’s imminent eighth studio album also provides single 'Three six five'. They also play 'A symptom of being Human' which interestingly has a signature hot sauce named after it. Obviously, these guys like everything hot.

Shinedown at Download Festival 2025. Photo Credit: Enda Madden

Eagles of Death Metal:

Eagles of Death Metal begin a series of shows in the U.K. before touring across Europe. Elements of teenage angst meet Beavis and Butthead humour in a gloriously sticky sweet musical mash up. 'We are family' blasts from the speakers and the singalong starts. The set includes a cover of Duran Duran hit 'Save a prayer', and Josh Homme dedicates a cover of David Bowie's 'Moonage Daydream' to The Darkness and the Sex Pistols. In between Queens of the Stone Age engagements Josh Homme loves nothing better than releasing his alter-ego in Eagles of Death Metal. Homme is plainly enjoying himself and spends his time at the barrier singing to his crowd.

The Darkness:

The Darkness is currently promoting the latest album Dreams on toast. The Hawkins boys bring puppy dog energy, and a generous helping of cheesy good fun dressed up in glam rock guitar licks. Vocalist, Justin Hawkins bounces around the stage before up-ending himself on the drum riser in full headstand pose. Then he tries his hand at crowd surfing. The gloriously pretentious nature of this band is something to behold, and their tongue in cheek lyrics and flamboyant costumes all add to a spectacle that is deliciously unrepentant in its magnificence. Hits like 'I believe in a thing called love', 'I hate myself' and their festive hit 'Christmas time (Don't let the bells end)' keep energy levels high in one of the performances of the day.

Cradle of filth:

Darkness descends and it is time for Cradle of filth to appear on the Dogtooth stage. Tonight, new members Donny Burbage on guitar and Zoe Marie Federoff get to flex their muscles. The small stage is quite elaborate, with fire crews on standby, as the show begins with an inferno of pyrotechnics. Diehard fans will love tonight’s set with the bonus of watching Filth propose to his wife-to-be.

Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter:

No stranger to Download festival, Frank Carter returns with punk legends Sex Pistols, on the back of a U.K. tour where they revisited Never Mind the Bollocks. A massive crowd has gathered, and they kick off the proceedings with 'Holidays in the sun' which may be a little ironic as the torrential rain starts to pour. Carter encourages the crowd to form a massive mosh pit and as usual, quickly gets in the centre. Unfortunately, the continuing heavy rain plays havoc with his plan, and the band must halt proceedings due to a monumental pit collapse. The huge pit is soon replaced by many smaller ones, and Classics like 'Bodies' and 'Pretty vacant' soon make fans forget any temporary inconvenience brought by the terrible weather. Carter’s voice has improved massively over the last few years, and a new and justified sense of confidence can plainly be both seen and heard. Keep doing whatever it is you are doing Frank! By now, crowd surfers are everywhere, and we are transported back to the height of the punk revolution. It has been a tour de force performance by the Sex pistols, and Carter has injected a new energy and relevance to a band with an already long history. Now perhaps the Pistols also have an exciting future.

Sex Pistols at Download Festival 2025. Photo Credit: Enda Madden

Sleep Token:

Sleep Token played Download festival in 2020 and 2022 and their meteoric rise in popularity allows the band to graduate to headliner status, although not without some controversy amongst the regular Donington crowd. Metal in the normal sense, they are not. The anticipation and mystery build before the show with fans urged to scan an on-screen QR code to win some band merchandise. Confetti canons explode as the opening notes of 'Look to Windward' ring out. The impressive 'Even in Arcadia' set even allows Vessel to play keyboards next to a real waterfall. Though a potentially controversial choice, Sleep Token they have certainly risen to the challenge of a headline slot.

SUNDAY

Powertrip:

Hailing from Dallas Texas, this thrash outfit have had their ups and downs. In 2020, original vocalist Riley Gale sadly died with the autopsy showing the toxic effects of Fentanyl. Gale was replaced by Seth Gilmore in 2023. Today the band dish out a sonic bloodbath opening with 'Soul Sacrifice' followed by the catchy 'Executioners Tax (Swing of The Axe)' which won them a Grammy in 2021. These guys are one to watch in 2026.

Jinjer:

This band were approved as musical ambassadors by the Ukrainian ministry of culture, and they bring their own style of musical diplomacy to Download festival this year. They open the set with 'Duel'. Hits like 'Vortex' and 'Perennial' are also in the mix and 'Tears Don’t Fall' provides the singalong moments. Vocalist Tatiana Shmaylyuk looks relaxed and confident as she showcases her immense talent and incredible vocal ability, hitting the highs with polished ease. Bone crushingly heavy one minute, and beautifully melodic the next, the band are one of the most exciting metal acts of the weekend and deserve more widespread recognition.

Meshuggah:

The sun is beaming and masters of the black T-shirt Meshuggah open proceedings with 'Rational Gaze'. While Vocalist Jens Kidman enjoys the sun and comments "It's a beautiful day for metal." The brand of technical poly-rhythmic metal that Meshuggah play is both difficult at times and addictive in equal measure. It is also a testament to the band’s incredible technical abilities. Today’s set includes 'Lethargica' and 'Swarm' and closes with 'Bleed' and 'Demiurge'.

Meshuggah at Download Festival 2025. Photo Credit: Enda Madden

Airbourne:

Demented might be one way to describe the antics of Joel O'Keeffe. Exploding onto the stage with 'Ready to Rock' he is carried down into the arena to get up close to the fans as the band pumps our AC/DC style licks and some good time heavy Rock N’ Roll. Highlights of the set include 'Breakin' Out of Hell', 'Live It Up' and 'Running Wild'. O’ Keeffe bombs the crowd as usual with countless plastic glasses of beer and puts on a great, if predictable show. Oh, and we also get treated to new song 'Gutsy'.

Jerry Cantrell:

It's great to see Jerry Cantrell at Download and he doesn’t let us down, playing a mix of Alice in Chains songs including 'Would?', 'Rooster', and 'Them Bones'. The slick set also has a selection of solo material with the highlight being the title track from last year’s album I Want Blood. Cantrell’s haunting three-piece harmonies make this one of the highlights of the set, and totally unforgettable. It is refreshing to see Cantrell explore more musical avenues after providing the soundtrack for a generation as one of the leading lights of the Grunge movement.

Korn:

Korn have finally made it to headlining Download festival having played second on the bill in 2022. The suspense and excitement are at fever pitch as the lights come to life behind the obligatory black curtain. The curtain falls and Jonathan Davis screams "Are you ready?" before launching into the opening track 'Blind'. Favourites like 'Clown' and 'Got the life' follow and Davis gets the bagpipes out for 'Chutes and Ladders' which includes a Metallica moment. The encore tonight brings Download 2025 to a close with the classic 'Freak on a leash'.

SUMMARY

Download 2025 was an absolute blast, and rock fans were treated to another great weekend of mud-free madness, along with the kind of music and mayhem, that only Download can provide. Toilets were, in the main, spotless, and a huge improvement on previous years, while the site layout was a big improvement. As always, it was a triumph, and we can’t wait for next year!