hmv.com presents... 20 Bands to see at Download Festival
The annual pilgramage of thousands of rock and metal fans to a field just off the M1 to watch over 100 bands is almost here, Download Festival is just days away.
We'll be there to review things all weekend, but, for all those heading down, here, in no particular order, are our pick of the 20 best bands to see at Download Festival.
(You can check out each of the bands in our download store by clicking on the name.)
Making their debut as headliners, the metal powerhouses will be in the mood to make a big impression when they close out the first night of the festival. Promising a set full of fire (both metaphorical and very literal, there will be loads of pyro!), their headline bow is sure to be a set to remember.
Playing: Main Stage on 13th June at 9pm
With this due to be one of only a handful of UK appearances made by the Sheffield noiseniks this year, this is sure to be one of the biggest draws of the weekend. Their fusion of electronica and metal hit news heights on last year's Sempiternal and the songs from it are bound to get a huge reaction from the assembled masses.
Playing: Main Stage on June 14th at 5.40pm
3. Fall Out Boy
Now on the home straight on their comeback tour in support of Save Rock And Roll, the pop-punk kingpins will bring a high-energy, hit-packed set to the Main Stage.
Playing: Main Stage on June 14th at 7.10pm
4. Rob Zombie
The industrial metal icon is always worth watching as he brings a lavish live show and a selection of his finest hits, both from his solo stuff and classic White Zombie.
Playing: Main Stage on June 13th at 7.20pm
5. Aerosmith
Playing: Main Stage on June 15th at 9.15pm
The classic rockers will close the festival on Sunday night and have promised that they'll be bringing out all their big hits. 'Dream On', 'Dude Looks Like A Lady', 'Love In An Elevator', the list of classics goes on and on, and indeed, on...
The metalcore upstarts are on the crest of a wave right now, with their new album Runes drawing rave reviews from punters and critics alike. This feels like it could be the moment they become a very big deal.
Playing: Main Stage on June 14th at 12.50pm
The Blues rockers released one of 2013's hidden gems with their self-titled debut album and are steadily climbing festival bills. This will be a groove-heavy joy to take in.
Playing: Zippo Encore Stage on June 13th at 4.55pm
The rising rockers look for an incredible festival season and will preview their brilliant debut album The Day's War with a performance full of uplifting, driving rock songs.
Playing: Pepsi Max Stage on June 14th at 3.35pm
9. letlive.
The soul punks stormed Slam Dunk with a life-affirming set and will almost certainly do exactly the same at Castle Donington. Not to be missed.
Playing: Pepsi Max Stage on June 13th at 6.50pm
10. Royal Blood
The twosome will bring their pounding rhythmic rock and roll to the festival on Friday afternoon and will destroy all before them.
Playing: Pepsi Max Stage on June 13th at 5.55pm
Eccentric, offbeat, weirdly vaudeville and like no one else, this duo's Saturday afternoon performance will be like nothing else on the bill. If you're the least bit curious, check them out.
Playing: Zippo Encore Stage on June 14th at 2.25pm
12. Press To Meco
The sparky alt rockers have released a string of excellent singles and, if you're up early on Saturday, are well worth a watch.
Playing: Zippo Encore Stage on June 14th at 11am
13. Skillet
Huge in the US, the Christian rockers are nine albums into their career, but have yet to make an impression on these shores. That will begin on Sunday afternoon as they bring their power-rock tropes to the fields of Donington Park.
Playing: Zippo Encore Stage on June 15th at 2.40pm
The Michigan metalcore outfit made a huge step-up with their 2013 record Tracing Back Roots and, when they're on form, are an incendiary live band, full of energy and power.
Playing: Zippo Encore Stage on June 15th at 1.30pm
15. Against Me!
A lot's been written about Laura Jane Grace and the band, but onstage they'll be able to let the music and the storming new tracks from their Transgender Dysphoria Blues do the talking, and it'll be brilliant.
Playing: Pepsi Max Stage on June 15th at 6.05pm
The proto-prog rockers delivered one of last year's outstanding debut records in Blood & Chemistry and are a total must-see.
Playing: Pepsi Max Stage on June 14th at 4.25pm
The Missouri punks will bring their scrappy lo-fu punk show to the fields and it'll be incredible.
Playing: Pepsi Max Stage on June 13th at 3.25pm
The melodic hardcore fivesome are building up a big following and turning heads with their early tracks. Caught them here before they become huge.
Playing: Red Bull Studio Stage on June 14th at 11.40am
Another duo, another powerhouse set of tracks, another brilliant band, this will be another incredible set.
Playing: Zippo Encore Stage on June 13th at 2.50pm
This will be loud, it will be brutal, it will be crazy, this foursome make an almighty doom-punk racket and will be absolutely captivating. Don't miss it.
Playing: Red Bull Studio Stage on June 13th at 7.40pm
hmv.com will be at Download Festival across the weekend of June 13th to June 15th, bringing you interviews and reviews.
