Download 2024 is in the books. The line up was a curveball for some. It’s opened doors to varying options to think about for Download 2025.

We’ve picked out a handful of bands that we think might be bothering the bill at Download 2025. These are just opinions and everyone else will have theirs. Let us know who you think will be on the bill.

IRON MAIDEN

It is hard to look past Iron Maiden for Download 2025. Yes, they have played Donington a whole heap of times and yes, it might not resonate with certain corners of the audience. But, in 2025, Iron Maiden turn 50. 50 years from when Steve Harris first formed the band.

On his recent solo tour of the UK, Bruce Dickinson mentioned that he would be meeting up with Steve in Paris, adding fuel to the fire of a follow up to 2021’s Senjutsu. Iron Maiden also take their Future Past Tour back around America and South America in the second half of the year.

If Iron Maiden have a new record out in 2025, and intersperse it with absolute top tier back catalogue choices in the set, it would be a truly phenomenal celebration of the greatest heavy metal band of all time. They deserve another big show at Donington to build on their previous performances and add to their already stellar legacy.

SLEEP TOKEN

It is hard to think of an act that has such a rapid upward trajectory in such a short space of time. Sleep Token have taken the world of heavy music by storm. At Download 2022, they packed out the tent they were playing in. In 2023 they ended up selling out decent sized venues across the country. In 2023, they headlined the brilliant RADAR Festival in Manchester. As for 2024, they’re filling arenas.

Surely, the next step up is a top spot? If not the main stage, you’d have to think they would be a shoe-in for headlining that second stage. Their songs have a huge crossover appeal with modern production techniques, crunching guitars, emotive vocals, and a fandom that is growing to be one of the most rabid on the planet.

PARAMORE

Fresh from supporting Taylor Swift on her gargantuan Eras Tour, Paramore tick all the boxes for being a headliner. They have grafted for two decades and have the ability to shift their sound and style. Again, this offers that crossover appeal. Plus, they have had the nod of approval from one of the greats in David Byrne of Talking Heads; they recently traded cover versions.

Whether it is their punchy pop songs or their bona-fide emo bangers, Paramore know how to bring a good time. A slew of new fans will have been made aware of the band via opening for Swift, and with 2024 being a progressive bill, Paramore would be great value. Their later albums are slickly polished power-pop-rock records and they certainly wouldn’t be overawed by the top billing. It is also 20 years since their debut record. There could be an anniversary set in there somewhere.

NIGHTWISH

In 2016, Nightwish were topped only by Iron Maiden on the bill. Again, a band with such a storied and vast back catalogue, the symphonic metal trailblazers have a new album due later in 2024. Through several vocalists and personnel changes, Nightwish have stayed strong through adversity. Could this be the time that they rise to the absolute peak of the festival?

Since 1996, Nightwish have been the standard bearer for symphonic metal. The Finnish group are one of the worlds best selling artists and would undoubtedly bring an epic show fit for Download, should they be given the nod. They could be paired up with the ever impressive Within Temptation or Evanesence (both of which toured together in 2022). It would be great to have a symphonic themed evening with the cream of the crop delivering the goods.

ORBIT CULTURE

Another band that are on the up, fast, are Orbit Culture. When we caught the band on their sold out tour in March (review here), they showed just how good they are. Their production value is phenomenal and they have the songs to back it up. They may not top the bill, but like many others, they would flourish in a top spot on the second stage.

We said, “With Orbit Culture bringing a lot of their own kit, they really set a bar for production value at Manchester Rebellion. They make the most of the smaller space and leave no stone unturned in achieving high standards in their show. From The Inside is the standout of the night though. A chorus that is huge, the crowd giving everything, another stunning groove and some great soloing.”

Orbit Culture are ready, and will be heading north on festival bills soon. Is it to soon for Download 2025? Probably, but they will be there or thereabouts soon.

GHOST

A band who’ve frequented Download, Ghost have had a quiet 2024, by their standards. The stop gap release of the Rite Here Rite Now film and album will have kept the fans at peace but the prospect of their return with…whatever they have up their sleeves in terms of the ongoing story of Papa, the nameless ghouls’ image and the stage production remains to be seen.

Ghost should be primed and ready for some showcases in the Summer of 2025 and where better but Download? If Maiden are also on the bill, the prospect of a couple of headliners with a huge production is one which will possibly draw back those who felt the 2024 bill wasn’t for them.

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 festival next year? What would your dream headline slots look like?

Early Bird Tickets for Download 2025 are available for a limited time right now by clicking here. The festival takes place from 13th-15th June, 2025.

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