Download 2023 is in the books…it was a big one…thoughts now move to 2024.

Download Festival’s 20th anniversary welcomed a record breaking 100,000 attendees to the hallowed grounds of Donington Park becoming its most successful year ever. The fastest selling Download in its 20-year history, 2023’s edition showcased world-class rock and metal across four days and six stages from all over the world.

Thoughts now move to 2024 and who could headline, or be pushed up the bill. These were our picks for 2023 (click here). Ghost and Skindred continued to move up the bill with great success and both turned in headline slots on the Opus Stage. There were also slots for symphonic metal legends Within Temptation and Evanescence.

We have left alone bands like Iron Maiden (they could do it after a year off with their Future Past Tour), Metallica (I doubt they would do two years), and Slipknot (for the same reason). There could be an 80’s slant with Def Leppard/Mötley Crüe co headlining as they have been wildly successful on their joint run.

Early bird tickets for 2024 are available now; you can find the link to buy, here. The festival takes place on 14th June-16th June.

So, here are a few ideas, and more importantly, opinions.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD

A7X were on our list for the 2023 iteration of the festival although they are no strangers to the festival. With their latest album, Life Is But A Dream… (review here), they have delivered a career best. It is a record that traverses many genres but at the core, it is heavy metal. A7X are true purveyors of modern metal and have to be a solid bet for taking one of the top slots at Download 2024.

PARAMORE

Having just nailed a sold out arena tour in the UK, Paramore’s stock is high. They have a raft of huge, crowd pleasing tunes, and have enough experience on the festival circuit to put on a humungous and exciting show. In Hayley Williams they also have one of the most charismatic people to lead a band.

WOLF ALICE

Wolf Alice would be an outside shot for the festival however they are a British band that know how to turn up the volume. They have played high up bills around the world and would certainly be a bold choice. Perhaps they wouldn’t headline but they could certainly occupy a ‘logo’ spot and lay down a marker with their brand of rock.

SPIRITBOX

Spiritbox would be another band who could certainly be bothering the upper echelons of the Download 2024 bill. In 2022, their performance was huge; so much so that the stage they were playing was completely full to bursting. Their star is rising fast; far and wide. If they don’t headline, they would certainly be a good shot for a high slot on the bill.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

2010 was the last time Rage Against The Machine headlined at Download. They are a band that speak for themselves. An army of socially aware incendiary songs would have the masses happy in that field. For a band that haven’t released a new album since the turn of the millennium, Rage Against The Machine are a band that are as vital and important as they ever were.

GREEN DAY

Green Day are a band that have never headlined Download Festival. Perhaps 2024 could be the time? It will be 20 years on from the all conquering American Idiot in 2024. Could an American Idiot anniversary show be on the cards? Green Day have still been putting out records and selling out arenas worldwide and their back catalogue is littered with crowd pleasing gems. They would go down a storm!

FOO FIGHTERS

Foo Fighters are another band that have, quite remarkably, never played at Download Festival. With a new chapter starting amongst the band after the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins, perhaps this could be the ideal time to have them take top slot at the festival. Their pedigree cannot be questions, and the songs they would bring would provide a genuinely crowd pleasing set. Couple that with special guests that could join the band during the show…it has potential to be an absolute hit.

So, there are a few thoughts and, more importantly, OPINIONS! Everyone will have their own; feel free to share yours in the comments here. Who do you want to see on top of the bill for the four day festival next year? What would your dream headline slots look like?

Early Bird Tickets for Download 2024 are available for a limited time right now by clicking here.

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