Download 2025 – ‘There’s just nowhere else quite like it’

Photos and review by @photosbylorna

Download Festival returned to Donington Park with its trademark mix of heavy music, high energy performances, and thousands of devoted fans. As one of the biggest rock and metal festivals in Europe, Download has long been a cornerstone of the alternative music calendar, attracting both legendary headliners and emerging talent across its multiple stages. This year’s lineup continued that tradition, with the addition of glorious weather!

Over three days, the festival grounds became a gathering place for a diverse community of music lovers, with attendees travelling from across the UK and beyond to attend. Alongside the music, Download once again delivered the best experience, with food vendors, merchandise stalls, art installations, and fan activities contributing to the overall vibe.

This review will break down the festival day by day, looking at the highlights of the weekend. From standout performances to crowd atmosphere, and the overall event. Whether you were in the pit or watching from afar, this overview aims to capture the essence of the experience for fans old and new.

Day 1

Day 1 of Download 2025 arrived with blazing sunshine  – not a drop of mud in sight which is what we all needed after ‘Drownload’ last year. The crowd was more than ready, and a strong lineup of bands were going to make for a pretty amazing day.

Starset played the Opus Stage earlier in the day and delivered a solid, well-produced set that stood out with their cinematic sound and sci-fi visuals. They didn’t go in for full-on costumes like they have in the past, but the spacey vibe was still there in the music and screen effects. Their mix of rock and electronic elements offered something a bit different from the rest of the day, and while it was early, they pulled in a big crowd with many huge fans lining the barrier.

Boston Manor hit the Apex Stage early and wasted no time getting things going. Their gritty post-hardcore sound hit perfectly in the midday heat, and the dust clouds started kicking up almost instantly in the pit. They powered through an intense set that made a great first impression on those who hadn’t seen the band before.

Later on, Opeth shifted the mood entirely with their signature dark atmosphere. Unfortunately the band came out late due to what seemed to be issues with sound and the issues appeared to carry on through much of their set. Despite that, they sounded amazing and really showed how experienced they are as a band, overcoming those issues and still keeping the set going with the immersive experience their fans expect of them. 

As the sun set, Rise Against took over with a powerful, high-energy set full to the brim with fire. Their punk edge and anthemic choruses were a perfect fit for the early evening slot. The band looked and sounded sharp, and the audience gave it right back – singing, jumping, and throwing fists in the air. Easily one of the day’s most electric sets. You may have seen videos of one of the most iconic moments from the weekend that happened during their set where a father and daughter crowdsurfed together. The atmosphere, as always with a Rise Against gig, was wholesome but chaotic at the same time. Such an amazing set from the Chichago band.

Then came McFly, offering something completely different – but in the best way. As always, this Friday night headliner slot seems to be one of the most anticipated slots of the weekend – many may remember the Busted set from last year where you had no luck of getting anywhere near the tent unless you turned up super early. It was just the same again this year. Their feel-good pop-rock brought a refreshing change of pace. Plenty of people showed up as many grew up with bands like McFly, and probably have them to thank for getting us into rock music in the first place. Slick, confident, and clearly having fun, McFly proved they belonged just as much as anyone on the bill.

With blue skies, dust clouds, and an eclectic lineup, Day 1 made a strong case for why Download still rules the UK rock festival scene.

Day 2

The sun was still holding strong for Day 2 of Download, and the dry, dusty conditions got even drier and even dustier. Tractors were used to spray water on the paths to try to stamp down the dust which worked perfectly!

Static Dress kicked off proceedings with a blistering set that felt anything but early. They brought their post-hardcore chaos and screamo vocals to wake everyone up, and their constant movements across the stage whipped the crowd up into a frenzy. This band have been going from strength to strength, being the opening support band on the last Bring Me The Horizon UK tour to opening the main stage at one of the biggest rock festivals in the world! So many amazing achievements from this young band!

Currents played early in the afternoon with their no-frills metalcore set. Their technical ability and tight transitions stood out, moving smoothly between heavy breakdowns and melodic verses. They didn’t try to overcomplicate anything – they just delivered a strong set that kept the crowd fully engaged from start to finish. The band’s sound came across loud and clear, especially in the open air of the festival.

Polaris were not to be missed as they came in with one of the heaviest sets of the day. There was a strong connection between the band and the audience, and their ability to move between crushing heaviness and more lyrical moments gave their set the perfect structure to draw the crowd in. Given the band’s recent personal challenges, the set carried extra weight, and that wasn’t lost on those watching.

Over on the smallest stage of the festival, Holy Wars delivered a set that stood apart from much of the day’s lineup. Their mix of alt-rock and punk felt fresh and unpredictable. At the centre of it all was vocalist Kat Leon, an absolute powerhouse with the most incredible voice. She didn’t stay still for a second – whirling across the stage, hair flying like fire, completely commanding the space. She finished the set getting in with the crowd, lost amongst the moshpit, yet her vocals still sounded amazing as she was engulfed in the chaotic crowd. Holy Wars might be one of those bands that you see headlining in years to come – they were that good!

The sun remained strong, even as the evening drew closer. In the heat of the late afternoon, Don Broco delivered a polished and genre-blurring set full of huge singalongs and unexpected shifts in style. They moved between pop hooks, heavy riffs, and electronic sounds with ease, and the crowd was clearly on board. Lead singer, Rob Damiani, knows how to handle a crowd and brought the energy with his funky dance moves. It was a performance that didn’t take itself too seriously, but still landed with impact.

Then came The Darkness, who leaned all the way into the drama and excess of classic glam rock. Although the tight, all in one suits are a thing of the past, the soaring falsettos and over-the-top solos are still ever present – and the crowd lapped it up. Justin Hawkins wowed with his now signature headstand and he even dove into the crowd at one point, pretending to swim as he crowd surfed. They’ve really established themselves as a talented rock group, making their performance more than just nostalgic.

Closing out the Opus Stage, the Sex Pistols delivered one of the most anticipated sets of the day. With original members Steve Jones, Paul Cook, and Glen Matlock all present, the big change came up front: Frank Carter stepping in on vocals in place of John Lydon. It was a bold move, but one that paid off. Carter brought his own swagger and bite without trying to imitate Lydon, and the chemistry between him and the band felt surprisingly natural. The set was rough around the edges in the way you’d hope – loud, unfiltered, and gritty. Classics like Anarchy in the UK and God Save the Queen were obvious crowd pleasers, and while it wasn’t about flawless delivery, the spirit of the Pistols was very much alive. 

Day 3

Bleed From Within definitely aimed to leave their mark. Has anyone ever had a full marching band with bagpipes on the Main Stage before? Their metalcore sound hit hard and landed well, with riffs that shook the ground and a frontman who clearly knows how to work a festival crowd. It was a tight, focused performance that pulled a strong turnout for an earlier slot, and by the end, they’d left little doubt they’re ready for even bigger stages.

Jinjer got everyone excited with one of the most musically impressive sets of the day. Tatiana Shmayluk’s vocals were as ferocious and versatile as ever, switching effortlessly from guttural growls to clean melodies, while the band’s technical precision kept things tight. Tracks bounced between crushing heaviness and complex rhythms without ever feeling disjointed, and the crowd was fully locked in. They’ve become a Download regular for good reason – and this set showed why.

House of Protection brought something a bit more experimental. Their sound is darker and harder to pin down, but the set felt bold and brave. It’s early days for the project, but the performance suggested serious potential and they’d drawn in a pretty huge crowd. Lead singer, Stephen Harrison, is known for jumping, spinning and even climbing the rafters, and his performance did not disappoint. He also climbed into the crowd to join in with the circle pits, taking his guitar and mic stand with him. It was a brilliant set from a band that everyone should be keeping their eye on.

Lorna Shore were the penultimate sets on the Opus Stage and they brought one of the most ferocious sets of the entire weekend. Their deathcore set came across like a full gutteral assault – unrelenting drums, intense vocals from Will Ramos, and special guests made it a performance to remember. It was a lot, borderline overwhelming at times, but also strangely captivating. Even those unfamiliar with the band looked rooted to the spot by the end (or whipped up into one of the many moshpits).

In complete contrast, Steel Panther brought comedy, glam metal and strippers to the Opus Stage, and as always, it was completely ridiculous – in the best way. With solos, spandex, and endless innuendos, the set was equal parts music and comedy. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but for those in on the joke, it was a blast. Members of the crowd were invited up on stage at various points and got everyone laughing and singing along. The band knows exactly what they’re doing, and by now, Download knows exactly what to expect.

There’s a reason Download is a favourite for so many – it’s not just a festival, it’s a yearly tradition. Most of the crowd are regulars, coming back every summer for the music, the atmosphere, and the sense of community that sets it apart. Whether you’re front row in the pit or relaxing on the hill, there’s a shared feeling that everyone’s part of the Download family.

What really makes Download stand out is how well it’s run. Everything from the stage sound to the site layout feels thought through, and even with tens of thousands of people, it all runs smoothly. The organisers clearly know what this crowd wants, and they get it right year after year.

After three dusty, sun-soaked days packed with huge moments and standout sets, Download 2025 showed once again why it’s the go-to for rock and metal fans. There’s just nowhere else quite like it.