When we asked you to tell us your tips for future Download Festival headliners as part of a recent competition (in conjunction with Zippo and Live Nation) to win tickets to this year’s festival, we were inundated with responses. Everybody had an idea of how the festival might look, split predominantly into three camps.
The first, let’s call them the traditionalists, championed current and past headliners as continued festival stalwarts. They tipped the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath to still be bringing the hell-fire to the main stage in ten years’ time. There were even calls for the likes of Pantera to return in holographic form, and for Rage Against The Machine to sack off Prophets Of Rage in favour of their original endeavour. Perhaps not even that unlikely.
The second, the free-thinkers, looked a little further afield. These suggestions were rooted deep in the alternative underground, looking at homegrown and international upstarts making a name for themselves. Some have already graced Download Festival’s stages before, albeit further down the bill. Some have even had a taste of a headline slot on one of the festival’s smaller platforms. These are the bands ready to rise to the top over the next decade.
The final, let’s call them the comedians, went so far outside of the box they ripped it apart and threw it down the garbage chute. We’re not organising the festival anytime soon, but we’d wager it’s neigh-on impossible for the likes of Little Mix, Coldplay or Adele to take headlining duties at Download Festival.
Rather than let these suggestions wither away in the deepest crevasse of our inbox, we decided to share some of your suggestions (anonymously of course). Here they are in order from the most suggested to the least, giving some idea of what our readers think Download Festival might look like in 2016.
#01 Creeper
Perhaps unsurprisingly considering their hype, Creeper received the most amount of nods as future Download Festival headliners. “I can imagine Will Gould conducting a sing-a-long of ‘Misery’, overlooking a sea of black t-shirts,” one entrant said. “I can see Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and co, coming on stage for guest vocals during a song. I can see a circle pit of goths, emos, metal heads, punks and misfits moshing together in harmony.”
#02 Enter Shikari
Coming a close second, having already headlined the festival’s second stage, are St Albans genre-busters Enter Shikari. Remember them blasting onto the Gibson/MySpace Stage in 2006? “They’re an amazing band whom I’ve unfortunately never had the pleasure to meet even after 4 years of being a fan and loving every single piece of music they do,” one fan wrote. “Hopefully I’ll get round to meeting them some time.” Maybe in 2026, right?
#03 Iron Maiden
The traditionalists’ band of choice, this year’s headliners Iron Maiden. It looks like a load of you are expecting Bruce Dickinson to still be going strong in 2026. “Featuring the likes of the legendary Iron Maiden performing their final tour, a 100 foot inflatable Eddie will be hovering over the main stage, as spitfires descend,” said one particularly imaginative entrant. “The greatest British metal band of all time headlining the last night with all the hits on Sunday and putting on arguably the greatest metal performance of the 21st Century.”
#04 A Day To Remember
Still going from strength to strength, and with their new album confirmed for an August release, some of you have particularly high hopes for A Day To Remember. It would most certainly be a day to… you know. “Their path to headlining Download will see them smash Slam Dunk Festival to bits with a headline show at some point in the late 2010s,” one fan predicts, “before putting on many more memorable shows at arenas across the UK, with their crowning moment being an earth shattering performance whilst subbing blink-182 at Download Festival itself.”
#05 Black Sabbath
Another one for the traditionalists, Black Sabbath to return in ten years’ time. “I’d love to see Ozzy still going strong rocking out,” one short-but-sweet statement read. In the meantime we’re sure they’ve got enough rock left in them for this year’s headline slot on the Saturday.
Here’s some of the other notable nods, with some choice words by their fans:
Architects
“Hard working, relentlessly touring, musically ever evolving, relatable lyrics, and humility make Architects a shoe in to headline Donnington in 10 years time. With bands like Biffy Clyro, Muse and Maiden all having similar journeys, it’s only fitting that Architects should one day headline the home of British Metal. Think they’ll do it in 10 years? Try 5.”
Beartooth
“Having a metalcore band at the top once again would be awesome and Caleb’s lyrics are so meaningful. He truly sings from the heart. If ‘Disgusting’ is anything to go by, ‘Aggressive’ will be incredible.”
Bring Me The Horizon
“I’d love to hear how their sound will change over the next ten years.”
Five Finger Death Punch
“I would absolutely love to see Five Finger Death Punch headlining in 10 years time!”
Neck Deep
“I WOULD DIE IF NECK DEEP WERE TO HEADLINE DOWNLOAD IN 10 YEARS TIME.” (We assume this is meant in a positive way – Ed.)
Loads of shout outs also went to:
Black Peaks, letlive., Marmozets, Sonic Boom Six, Twenty One Pilots, While She Sleeps, Bury Tomorrow, Cancer Bats, HECK, Milk Teeth, Moose Blood, Tigercub… and loads more. So many more.
Back in the present day, Download Festival will take place from the 10th to the 12th June 2016, with Rammstein, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden taking headline duties. Tickets are still available via the official festival website.
Thanks to all who entered the ticket competition. The winner has since been notified.