2025 would mark 21 years since I first attended Download Festival at Castle Donnington, and years later - a little bit older and unfit - I plan to do it all again this year.
Taking place at the former home of Monsters of Rock across June 13 to June 15 2025 this year, gone are the days where I’ll be up until the crack of dawn drinking with other campers - instead, I plan on getting a good night sleep somewhere, preferably with a shower and some nice bedding.
I can hear some of you using the term ‘glamping’ and I’m not afraid to admit yes, I think I’ll be glamping this year.
But this year’s line-up has a host of nostalgia for those of us who grew up during the era of P-Rock, Kerrang! TV and Scuzz, including headliners Korn and Green Day. But a look further down the bill, there are some hidden gems worth checking out too at this year’s event.
So who are the 21 acts I am looking forward to seeing already confirmed for Download 2025? Read on and find out!

21. Steel Panther
I'm not a huge glam-rock kind of guy, but given how well Steel Panther pay tribute to that sleazy LA scene of old, I can appreciate why people enjoy them - if we can't have Motley Crue or Poison, why not something similar instead? | Getty Images