Download Festival are back again bringing a heavier edge to The Great Escape Festival this May, with an exciting three day venue takeover that looks set to turn heads. From 13th to 15th May, Daltons will transform into a mini Download Festival with performances from the next wave of alternative talent, as Kerrang! Presents The Download Stage at TGE.

Running each evening from 6pm to 10pm, the stage will showcase a carefully curated line up of rising artists who feel destined for much bigger things. It is a chance to catch future festival favourites in an intimate setting, while getting a taste of what might be in store at Download Festival later this summer. True to the spirit of The Great Escape, the focus remains firmly on discovery, with new names ready to make their mark.

This collaboration also marks a special moment. As The Great Escape celebrates its 20th anniversary, teaming up with Download and Kerrang! feels like a natural fit. Both have long histories of championing guitar driven music and breaking new artists, and bringing that shared energy to Brighton only strengthens the festival’s reputation as a launchpad for the next generation.

For decades, Download has been a defining force in rock and metal, drawing fans from across the world and providing a platform for bands who go on to headline the biggest stages. Now, that same spirit is being channelled into a more intimate setting, giving audiences a front row seat to artists at a crucial point in their journey.

Across the three nights, the line up offers a mix of boundary pushing sounds and future heavyweights. Wednesday kicks things off with sets from Native James, Frozemode, Mudrat and EMNW. Thursday keeps the momentum going with Comastatic, Eurotripp, Overgrown and Theboyshadow. The final night rounds things out with Oversize, Ally Nicholas, Heave Blood and Die and East Exchange, closing the run with a strong and varied bill.

Whether you are a longtime fan of heavier music or simply curious to see what is next, this takeover adds a fresh dimension to The Great Escape, bringing a louder, grittier energy to Brighton’s packed festival programme.