Introduction
Yet again Download Festival 2025 showcased why it is the foundation of the UK rock and metal scene. Over three days in June the Donington festival attendees were treated to everything from legendary punk, emerging talent and previously passed up on acts! While there might have been the odd moment of disappointment the surprise and triumphant ones more than made up for it.
Friday
SiM
The Japanese metalcore band kicked the festival off with an energy packed set that was anything but following the formula. While many of their fans were there for the theme from Attack On Titan “The Rumbling” the band surprised many with a genre bending display. Especially the inclusion of reggae.
Their constant reminders of being from Japan soon became a running joke between my circle of friends. Mainly because after the 8th time its like “Come on guys we know you’re from Japan”. Overall though a terrific performance and it set the tone for the entire weekend.
Dirty Honey
Dirty Honey remain a reliable highlight of any festival bill that they should find themselves on. Having seen them multiple times previously I knew what to expect. A tight yet entertaining set, while their shows have become to feel a little similar, at least the new material the American band have released injected a needed freshness.
Jimmy Eat World
Are there many bands that can boast as many sing-along hits as Jimmy Eat World? There set proved it too with a large number of the spectators knowing all the words. Their song created a chilled, laid back atmosphere. One you could sit down and relax to with a cold beer on a hot day (boy was it hot).
Their live show energy wise isn’t remotely up there with others on the lineup, which at times left the performance feeling a little flat, but it was nice to recharge too.
Weezer
I think Weezer were one hell of a great booking, an intriguing one at that too! They are a band that I enjoy from time to time, with many hits that I love. But there is just something about them that means I would never personally buy a ticket to their show. So when they were announced I was thrilled.
A festival slot like this was the perfect way to enjoy them! With their set being stacked full of hits and fan favourites they proved to be the perfect warm up for Green Day. Still now that I have seen them, I wouldn’t be rushing out to see their own show. Sorry guys!
Green Day
One of the undisputed highlights of the entire festival, I challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to tell me why… From the anthems from American Idiot, to the rain soaked “Wake Me Up When September Ends” the crowd were loving it!
Green Day delivered a masterclass in festival headlining and showed that they well and truly still have it. The band commanded the stage and the crowd with ease, ensuring that everyone left with a grin on their face.
While personally I preferred their recent tour where they played American Idiot and Dookie in full. I still felt that the show at Download was different enough to feel fresh and I enjoyed the different songs they played.
Saturday
Rumours of a surprise Trivium set unfortunately proved false, leaving many disappointed. On the plus side it meant we were already in place for Sophie Lloyd.
Sophie Lloyd
While she might be known by some as the touring guitarist for Machine Gun Kelly, Sophie Lloyd is a tremendous talent on the guitar in her own right. Much more than simply a guitarist for hire. With the rotating guests on vocals her performance was both dynamic and engaging, while obviously showing off her ridiculous skills too!
Awolnation
A pretty left-field booking Awolnation intrigued me much more than they thrilled. “Sail” was the only reason I had personally heard of them and that really was great live. As was to my surprise the rest of their set. Which was vocal heavy which was something I really was not expecting. A nice twist but I wouldn’t put myself down as a future ticket buyer.
Don Broco
This really was a polarising set for me. Their big hits landed and then some. Hinting at their potential to climb even further in future years up the Download Lineup. What might however hold them back is that between the hits the other songs were a slight let down. In parts the set felt flat. Still overall a fun and worthwhile watch.
Mallory Knox
Finally that’s Mallory Knox off my bucket list! Their set was like opening a time capsule of my own personal memories. I enjoyed their set on the 3rd stage sat on the grass and made sure to take it all in. Sometimes the best festival moments are somewhat low key and in this case it proved to be right.
Sex Pistols
I wish I did not have to write this. But this was the weekends biggest disappointment by an absolute country mile! From repeatedly halting songs due to crowd management issues, less than courteous fan base, and technical issues.
This set never really got going. Throw in the only real rain (Torrential at that) of the festival and it’s fate was secured. I was really surprised as I love both the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter, but in the end it was more hype than substance.
Sleep Token
The winners of the entire weekend. Fresh off new album “Even In Arcadia” which has done very well, Sleep Token mesmerised the crowd. Both with the music itself but also the amazing stage show and lighting. Their genre bending sound on hits like “Caramel”, “Emergence” and “The Summoning” went down a storm!
I do wish that they had focused a little more on the albums that had got them to where they were, but still what a show! To go from 4th stage to main stage headliners in such a short space of time I cannot wait to see what the band do next. This truly was a career-defining moment for the band and the Download crowd lapped it up.
Sunday
The Southern River Band
Sometimes you need a little gem to get you through the final day. The Southern River Band were just that. The Australian’s showed both their music prowess but also humour and infectious energy that made them an instant crowd favourite. I found their live show to really outshine their recorded material but have since enjoyed that too! One to watch…
Jinjer
The Ukrainian band Jinjer have both impressive execution in their music, and strong vocals. But to be completely honest their set felt like more of a warm up for a more proficient band later in the day (Spiritbox). This did make them a harder sell I think to some of the festival goers but there is no denying their talent. As I have seen them twice now and enjoyed them both times perhaps its time I sat down and listened to their back catalogue.
Alien Ant Farm
If Sex Pistols were a let down on Saturday, then Alien Ant Farm were the Sunday edition! Their sound unfortunately fell flat. Classics like “Movies” and their cover of the Michael Jackson song “Smooth Criminal” went some way to salvage things. The damage had already been done. It is a bit of a running theme at Download Festival that the 2nd stage sound is somewhat temperamental. It feels harsh to put this down to the band, but nonetheless I left disappointed.
Spiritbox
One of my most anticipated sets of the entire weekend, and they delivered in spades! Courtney LaPlante’s flawless clean and harsh vocal range shone brightly through what can only be described as a dust storm! The switch between souring high notes to guttural screams is beyond my brain. On record they can be somewhat hit and miss for me personally, some songs just don’t do it. But live the entire band are electric! Honestly if they don’t headline in the next 10 years it is because they have stopped as a band.
Bullet For My Valentine
While to many the band performing “The Poison” in full might have been a nostalgia laden treat. I had personally just seen it on their tour with Trivium and was hoping for more of a mixture across their body of work. While the one album set worked well in an arena setting, I felt it wasn’t as great in a field. I also really did miss the songs from even the 2nd or 3rd album the band had released… And for that “unscheduled encore” come off it all the pyro was set up , why lie? That being said I would never turn down the chance to see Bullet For My Valentine, so please come back soon!
Korn
Having passed up the chance to see Korn many times, (Actually many, many, many times) I felt compelled this time to see them as they were headlining. I am glad the festival finally forced me into it because boy did they rock and fully justify their slot! While I did not know all the tracks, the hits landed really hard. A great way to close out the weekend and a performance many of their die hard fans loved. My issue is though is that they will now only be seen as a headliner, so it massively limits when we might see them back.
Final Thoughts
Download Festival 2025 had its up and downs. With some acts like Sleep Token, Green Day and Spiritbox blowing me away. While others fell frustratingly short such as Sex Pistols and Alien Ant Farm. That however is the beauty of a festival setting, the surprises and unforgettable moments. In the end it was a weekend packed with variety and nostalgia, with perhaps the odd glimpse of potential future headliners on the way.
Fox Reviews Rock 
Let Fox Reviews Rock know what you think!