Latest news with #DownloadFestival2025


Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Download 2025: Kittie, Sex Pistols and who we're going to see at this year's festival
Will we see you for a little dance at these sets taking place at Download 2025? Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Download Festival is imminent - we repeat, Download Festival is imminant. The huge alternative metal festival this year boasts headliners Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn. But making his way back to Donington Park for the first time since 2004, Benjamin Jackson shares who he's going to see asides from the headliners in 2025. This will be my first Download Festival as a music journalist – a prospect that, when I last set foot at Donington Park 21 years ago, was pretty much a pipe dream. And yet here I am, going through the packing checklist to ensure what I can bring and what I shouldn't for the first time in two decades, seeing the site transformed from its initial beginnings into one of the premier rock festivals in the world today. (One of them, before Bloodstock fans come after me.) Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It seems fitting to be going this year, though; discussions with other like-minded (née: older) fans seem to believe that this year the festival is going for a bit of a nostalgia trip: those bands we used to watch frequently on Kerrang! TV or Scuzz/P-Rock that we would flock in our youth to check out at shows or festivals are doing the rounds this year. But festivals aren't just a time to check out your favourite acts – it's a chance for some musical discoveries. At least that's how I'm treating it as I kill time between headline acts – but curiosity has taken hold of me, so here's what I am planning on seeing during this year's festival and, hey, who knows – maybe I'll see you in the crowd? Who are we going to see at Download Festival 2025? Thursday Who are we looking forward to seeing at Download Festival 2025 that's not just the headliners this year? | Getty Images Arriving on Thursday, most of the time is going to be spent setting up camp for the next few days, getting a lay of the land, and hopefully meeting some of you lovely metal fans as we take in the sights and sounds. But fair is fair – how can I possibly miss out on seeing Vengaboys (The Doghouse, 22:30) performing this year as revellers continue to arrive on site? When asked by my editor what metal fans thought of Vengaboys performing – akin to Daphne and Celeste at Leeds and Reading all those years ago – I think I summed it up well: 'A bop is a bop, regardless what style of music it is.' I'm not wrong, am I? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Friday Not quite the early start, owing to how much fun I plan on having seeing Vengaboys overnight, but Friday starts with heading to The Avalanche Stage to catch Karen Dio (12:50), the Brazilian artist formerly of Violet Soda. Having had Sick Ride as an earworm since its release in 2023, it's a chance to finally watch the performer live. Then it's indulging early into what is set to be a day of nostalgia for this forty-something rock fan, with CKY (14:00, Apex Stage) providing the perfect early afternoon soundtrack for someone who spent most of their teenage years glued to Jackass and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It's then swiftly off to The Avalanche Stage for one of two performances… Dead Pony (14:30) have become renowned for their live performances, with my interest in the Glasgow band piqued after reading a description of them that claimed they were 'if Nelly Furtado was the lead singer in Limp Bizkit.' Intrigued indeed, as I am for The Meffs (15:20), who have been described as "short, sharp punk rock" with weighty but not preachy subjects, often touching on politics, current events, and societal views. Then the teenager in me gets to be spoiled: Jimmy Eat World (17:30, Apex Stage) will no doubt provide a couple of sing-along moments when they take to the main stage with the likes of Bleed American, Sweetness, and Pain to name a (mere) few. Then, to take the edge off the melancholia, Weezer (19:00, Apex Stage) will get everyone in the party atmosphere with their incredible power-pop and catalogue of favourites from the group ahead of Green Day (20:50, Apex Stage) bringing the proceedings to a close. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Saturday Not quite the late start today, as I'm off to catch London artist Bex (11:50, The Avalanche Stage), known for her catchy hooks and engaging stage presence, to hopefully dust off some of the cobwebs from the night before. It's then on to check out Australian act Kim Dracula (12:55, Opus Stage), which I've been told is set to be a heavy, aggressive set combined with intricate production and often unsettling aesthetics. Poppy (14:15, Apex Stage) is a curious performance I am interested in checking out; my familiarity with the musician comes from her previous work with WWE's NXT brand, offering songs as theme songs for a number of their events. Her song Bloodmoney from I Disagree received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance, making her the first solo female artist to be nominated in that category, so it could be quite the spectacle once again on the main stage. Another group I want to become more familiar with at Download Festival 2025 is Teen Mortgage (15:50, The Dogtooth Stage), the two-piece garage-punk band from Washington, D.C. Garage punk at Download Festival isn't a new thing at all, but more a case of how good the garage rock on offer is… That teenager that still lives inside of me will not be missing seeing Kittie (18:25, The Dogtooth Stage) for the world. Part of the huge metal takeover of the late '90s and early '00s, the band's album Spit was a constant on my Discman in college, and Morgan Lander's vocals are some of the best in the scene – if not sometimes overlooked. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking of not wanting to miss out on a band, I'm going to quickly head over to the Opus Stage to see Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter (19:35). As a fan of Gallows and a fan of the Pistols, seeing two punk titans joining forces singing some of the iconic songs from the group that whipped such moral panics in their heyday is, for me, an education at Download this year, before Sleep Token (21:00, Apex Stage) headline the proceedings on Saturday Sunday Another early(ish) start, checking out some more acts I'm not too familiar with close by to our camping location. Archers (11:50, The Dogtooth Stage) and Faetooth (12:40, The Dogtooth Stage) are two acts I've been looking forward to seeing live for a while now, with Archers providing some post-hardcore while Faetooth's grungy-doom is something I am very interested in. Being a groove metal fan (White Zombie, '90s era Max Cavalera with Sepultura and Soulfly), Ukraine's Jinjer (14:25, Apex Stage) is a curious performance I'm making my way across the site to see, with the group combining genres such as progressive metal, death metal, and hardcore with elements of funk and R&B – quite the jambalaya of styles. Then it's a little bit of nostalgia once again, as Alien Ant Farm (15:30, Opus Stage) are still one of those 'guilty pleasures' I listen to more regularly than I'd like to admit, and Dryden Mitchell's antics on stage are ones I don't want to miss out on, given the chance. The mystery of PRESIDENT (16:25, The Dogtooth Stage) might also be revealed, but regardless of who it is under that mask, their music, akin to White Pony era Deftones, has caught me by pleasant surprise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I'm resting my legs a little before heading over to The Avalanche Stage for a little pogoing to the fantastic Me First and The Gimme Gimmes (19:10), offering their punk covers of some of music's greatest hits – including 'Nothing Compares 2 U' and 'I Believe I Can Fly', to name just a few of their most popular. My publisher would also be unhappy if I didn't take their suggestion and see Steel Panther (20:05) and their comedic take on the '80s LA glam rock scene. I'm not a huge fan of a lot of hair bands from that time, but I've been assured that their tongue-in-cheek approach is one I will appreciate a lot more than I've previously given credit for. Which leads to one of the bands I am looking forward to seeing the most. The last time I saw Korn (21:25, Apex Stage) was at Download 2004, 21 years ago. They are one of those acts that, regardless of what kind of music you're into, you have to check out live at least once. They put on an incredible performance, from the crowd bounding when 'Blind' kicked in to Jonathan Davis stepping out with bagpipes ahead of 'Shoots and Ladders.' Korn is one of the godfathers of nu-metal, so it seems fitting that on the last day of Download 2025, we pay homage to them in front of the main stage. Who are your picks to see at this year's Download Festival 2025? Share your timetable across the weekend and recommendations by leaving a comment down below.


Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Download 2025: Kittie, Sex Pistols and who we're going to see at this year's festival
Will we see you for a little dance at these sets taking place at Download 2025? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Download Festival is imminent - we repeat, Download Festival is imminant. The huge alternative metal festival this year boasts headliners Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn. But making his way back to Donington Park for the first time since 2004, Benjamin Jackson shares who he's going to see asides from the headliners in 2025. This will be my first Download Festival as a music journalist – a prospect that, when I last set foot at Donington Park 21 years ago, was pretty much a pipe dream. And yet here I am, going through the packing checklist to ensure what I can bring and what I shouldn't for the first time in two decades, seeing the site transformed from its initial beginnings into one of the premier rock festivals in the world today. (One of them, before Bloodstock fans come after me.) Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It seems fitting to be going this year, though; discussions with other like-minded (née: older) fans seem to believe that this year the festival is going for a bit of a nostalgia trip: those bands we used to watch frequently on Kerrang! TV or Scuzz/P-Rock that we would flock in our youth to check out at shows or festivals are doing the rounds this year. But festivals aren't just a time to check out your favourite acts – it's a chance for some musical discoveries. At least that's how I'm treating it as I kill time between headline acts – but curiosity has taken hold of me, so here's what I am planning on seeing during this year's festival and, hey, who knows – maybe I'll see you in the crowd? Who are we going to see at Download Festival 2025? Thursday Who are we looking forward to seeing at Download Festival 2025 that's not just the headliners this year? | Getty Images Arriving on Thursday, most of the time is going to be spent setting up camp for the next few days, getting a lay of the land, and hopefully meeting some of you lovely metal fans as we take in the sights and sounds. But fair is fair – how can I possibly miss out on seeing Vengaboys (The Doghouse, 22:30) performing this year as revellers continue to arrive on site? When asked by my editor what metal fans thought of Vengaboys performing – akin to Daphne and Celeste at Leeds and Reading all those years ago – I think I summed it up well: 'A bop is a bop, regardless what style of music it is.' I'm not wrong, am I? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Friday Not quite the early start, owing to how much fun I plan on having seeing Vengaboys overnight, but Friday starts with heading to The Avalanche Stage to catch Karen Dio (12:50), the Brazilian artist formerly of Violet Soda. Having had Sick Ride as an earworm since its release in 2023, it's a chance to finally watch the performer live. Then it's indulging early into what is set to be a day of nostalgia for this forty-something rock fan, with CKY (14:00, Apex Stage) providing the perfect early afternoon soundtrack for someone who spent most of their teenage years glued to Jackass and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It's then swiftly off to The Avalanche Stage for one of two performances… Dead Pony (14:30) have become renowned for their live performances, with my interest in the Glasgow band piqued after reading a description of them that claimed they were 'if Nelly Furtado was the lead singer in Limp Bizkit.' Intrigued indeed, as I am for The Meffs (15:20), who have been described as "short, sharp punk rock" with weighty but not preachy subjects, often touching on politics, current events, and societal views. Then the teenager in me gets to be spoiled: Jimmy Eat World (17:30, Apex Stage) will no doubt provide a couple of sing-along moments when they take to the main stage with the likes of Bleed American, Sweetness, and Pain to name a (mere) few. Then, to take the edge off the melancholia, Weezer (19:00, Apex Stage) will get everyone in the party atmosphere with their incredible power-pop and catalogue of favourites from the group ahead of Green Day (20:50, Apex Stage) bringing the proceedings to a close. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Saturday Not quite the late start today, as I'm off to catch London artist Bex (11:50, The Avalanche Stage), known for her catchy hooks and engaging stage presence, to hopefully dust off some of the cobwebs from the night before. It's then on to check out Australian act Kim Dracula (12:55, Opus Stage), which I've been told is set to be a heavy, aggressive set combined with intricate production and often unsettling aesthetics. Poppy (14:15, Apex Stage) is a curious performance I am interested in checking out; my familiarity with the musician comes from her previous work with WWE's NXT brand, offering songs as theme songs for a number of their events. Her song Bloodmoney from I Disagree received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance, making her the first solo female artist to be nominated in that category, so it could be quite the spectacle once again on the main stage. Another group I want to become more familiar with at Download Festival 2025 is Teen Mortgage (15:50, The Dogtooth Stage), the two-piece garage-punk band from Washington, D.C. Garage punk at Download Festival isn't a new thing at all, but more a case of how good the garage rock on offer is… That teenager that still lives inside of me will not be missing seeing Kittie (18:25, The Dogtooth Stage) for the world. Part of the huge metal takeover of the late '90s and early '00s, the band's album Spit was a constant on my Discman in college, and Morgan Lander's vocals are some of the best in the scene – if not sometimes overlooked. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking of not wanting to miss out on a band, I'm going to quickly head over to the Opus Stage to see Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter (19:35). As a fan of Gallows and a fan of the Pistols, seeing two punk titans joining forces singing some of the iconic songs from the group that whipped such moral panics in their heyday is, for me, an education at Download this year, before Sleep Token (21:00, Apex Stage) headline the proceedings on Saturday Sunday Another early(ish) start, checking out some more acts I'm not too familiar with close by to our camping location. Archers (11:50, The Dogtooth Stage) and Faetooth (12:40, The Dogtooth Stage) are two acts I've been looking forward to seeing live for a while now, with Archers providing some post-hardcore while Faetooth's grungy-doom is something I am very interested in. Being a groove metal fan (White Zombie, '90s era Max Cavalera with Sepultura and Soulfly), Ukraine's Jinjer (14:25, Apex Stage) is a curious performance I'm making my way across the site to see, with the group combining genres such as progressive metal, death metal, and hardcore with elements of funk and R&B – quite the jambalaya of styles. Then it's a little bit of nostalgia once again, as Alien Ant Farm (15:30, Opus Stage) are still one of those 'guilty pleasures' I listen to more regularly than I'd like to admit, and Dryden Mitchell's antics on stage are ones I don't want to miss out on, given the chance. The mystery of PRESIDENT (16:25, The Dogtooth Stage) might also be revealed, but regardless of who it is under that mask, their music, akin to White Pony era Deftones, has caught me by pleasant surprise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I'm resting my legs a little before heading over to The Avalanche Stage for a little pogoing to the fantastic Me First and The Gimme Gimmes (19:10), offering their punk covers of some of music's greatest hits – including 'Nothing Compares 2 U' and 'I Believe I Can Fly', to name just a few of their most popular. My publisher would also be unhappy if I didn't take their suggestion and see Steel Panther (20:05) and their comedic take on the '80s LA glam rock scene. I'm not a huge fan of a lot of hair bands from that time, but I've been assured that their tongue-in-cheek approach is one I will appreciate a lot more than I've previously given credit for. Which leads to one of the bands I am looking forward to seeing the most. The last time I saw Korn (21:25, Apex Stage) was at Download 2004, 21 years ago. They are one of those acts that, regardless of what kind of music you're into, you have to check out live at least once. They put on an incredible performance, from the crowd bounding when 'Blind' kicked in to Jonathan Davis stepping out with bagpipes ahead of 'Shoots and Ladders.' Korn is one of the godfathers of nu-metal, so it seems fitting that on the last day of Download 2025, we pay homage to them in front of the main stage.


Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Creamfields 2025: The highest paid DJs on Spotify in 2025; are any performing this year?
While metal fans are readying themselves for Download Festival 2025 next week, clubbers old and new are eagerly awaiting the day Creamfields 2025 finally arrives. As one of the biggest dance music festivals in the world, Creamfields brings together electronic music's finest, ranging from names that have frequented the UK Top 40 to up-and-coming artists the festival looks to champion. But with such a sheer wealth of DJ talent out there, is there one who can truly call themselves King or Queen of streaming services? Or, in this case, who is sitting atop the Spotify heap earning the most from UK fans in 2025? Spin Genie took a look at some of the figures as part of their roundup of the most influential DJs of 2025 to find that answer and, equally important, how many of the top ten are set to perform at Creamfields this year? Methodology The ranking of DJs was compiled by first generating an artist seed list from ChartMasters and DJMag . For each artist, data was then collected on average monthly listens from Spotify, total Google searches and their percentage change (comparing April 2023-March 2024 with April 2024-March 2025) via Google Keyword Planner , and the number of news articles from Google Search News (using alternate terms for ambiguous names). Additionally, follower counts were obtained from each artist's verified Instagram and TikTok accounts. Finally, all collected data points were used to create a normalised score out of ten, resulting in a ranking for both male and female artists. 1 . Robin Schulz - £64,846 The German DJ and producer, Robin Schulz, is a master of melodic house, whose consistent global appeal is underscored by an impressive estimated market value of £64,846, making him a highly valuable act on the international electronic music circuit. |Photo Sales 2 . Diplo - £74,837 A true chameleon and prolific producer, Diplo's diverse projects and constant innovation ensure his high demand, contributing to an estimated market value of £74,837 across his wide-ranging ventures. | Getty Images for Stagecoach Photo Sales 3 . Kygo - £77,304 The pioneer of tropical house, Kygo's distinct sound and sun-drenched melodies make him a highly coveted artist, with an estimated market value of £77,304, reflecting his strong appeal in the global touring circuit. |Photo Sales 4 . DJ Snake - £83,118 From Paris to the biggest stages, DJ Snake's unique sound and high-energy performances command a notable estimated market value of £83,118, solidifying his position as a global electronic music powerhouse. |for Coachella Photo Sales Related topics: BoostMusicSpotifyArtistsMoney


Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Creamfields 2025: The highest paid DJs on Spotify in 2025; are any performing this year?
While metal fans are readying themselves for Download Festival 2025 next week, clubbers old and new are eagerly awaiting the day Creamfields 2025 finally arrives. As one of the biggest dance music festivals in the world, Creamfields brings together electronic music's finest, ranging from names that have frequented the UK Top 40 to up-and-coming artists the festival looks to champion. But with such a sheer wealth of DJ talent out there, is there one who can truly call themselves King or Queen of streaming services? Or, in this case, who is sitting atop the Spotify heap earning the most from UK fans in 2025? Spin Genie took a look at some of the figures as part of their roundup of the most influential DJs of 2025 to find that answer and, equally important, how many of the top ten are set to perform at Creamfields this year? Methodology The ranking of DJs was compiled by first generating an artist seed list from ChartMasters and DJMag . For each artist, data was then collected on average monthly listens from Spotify, total Google searches and their percentage change (comparing April 2023-March 2024 with April 2024-March 2025) via Google Keyword Planner , and the number of news articles from Google Search News (using alternate terms for ambiguous names). Additionally, follower counts were obtained from each artist's verified Instagram and TikTok accounts. Finally, all collected data points were used to create a normalised score out of ten, resulting in a ranking for both male and female artists. 1 . Robin Schulz - £64,846 The German DJ and producer, Robin Schulz, is a master of melodic house, whose consistent global appeal is underscored by an impressive estimated market value of £64,846, making him a highly valuable act on the international electronic music circuit. |Photo Sales 2 . Diplo - £74,837 A true chameleon and prolific producer, Diplo's diverse projects and constant innovation ensure his high demand, contributing to an estimated market value of £74,837 across his wide-ranging ventures. | Getty Images for Stagecoach Photo Sales 3 . Kygo - £77,304 The pioneer of tropical house, Kygo's distinct sound and sun-drenched melodies make him a highly coveted artist, with an estimated market value of £77,304, reflecting his strong appeal in the global touring circuit. |Photo Sales 4 . DJ Snake - £83,118 From Paris to the biggest stages, DJ Snake's unique sound and high-energy performances command a notable estimated market value of £83,118, solidifying his position as a global electronic music powerhouse. |for Coachella Photo Sales Related topics: BoostMusicSpotifyArtistsMoney
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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Packing for Download 2025: Avoid dramas this year by forgoing these banned items
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Avoid blushes at the gates with our guide to what you should and shouldn't bring to Download 2025. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's nearly here - one of the monstrous metal festivals of the summer, Download Festival. Which means that this week, and awful lot of people including ourselves are doing an awful lot of packing. Here's the list of banned items you can't bring to the campsite at Download Festival this year and several items you simply must. This time next week, we'll all be getting up bright and early for a full day of musical mayhem at Download Festival 2025. Which means it's time for that all-important packing: what to bring with you, what is essential, and what to leave at home to avoid blushes at the gates. This year's list of items still reads like your usual suspects, but there has been a bit of a change when it comes to the kind of cookers you are allowed to use on-site. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you're anything like me, you might also want to take a pragmatic approach with the items that you can, and should, bring. Not only is it a slog dragging all and sundry across campsites, but by packing light, you can also do your part by limiting the amount of waste at Donington Park this year – keeping it green while also keeping it noisy. Here's our guide to all the banned items on-site at this year's festival, along with the items you absolutely must bring with you, for your health, security, and, above all else, your comfort. What items are banned from bringing with me to Download Festival's campsites? Sleeping bag? Check. Torch? Check? Cooking Gas? Not this time around - here's our guide to packing for Download 2025. | Getty Images/Canva Aerosols over 250ml Airhorns and megaphones Animals (other than approved assistance dogs) Any alcohol in possession of anyone under 18 Any goods for unauthorised trading Any goods with unauthorised festival logos Any items which may cause danger, offence or disruption to any other person Any items which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon Bicycles / scooters / roller-skates / skateboards Blow torches Drones or other unmanned aerial vehicles Excessive amounts of cigarettes (more than personal consumption) Excessive amounts of food (more than personal consumption) Firewood Fireworks / pyrotechnics Flares / distress flares / smoke bombs Gazebos Generators (unless fitted within caravans/campervans, which are a separate site) Glass (any glass) Hexamine / hexi tablets Illegal substances Individual camping gas canisters (unless fitted within campervans) Leatherman multi tools Legal Highs / New Psychoactive Substances Nitrous oxide and any associated equipment (balloons, Co2 dispensers, cream dispensers) Open campfires Paper lanterns or sky lanterns Petrol burners / petrol fuelled cookers Portable laser equipment and pens Rooftop tents (unless in the designated campervan site) Sound systems Unidentifiable substances Unofficial tabards or reflective jackets What type of cookers are allowed at Download Festival 2025? Don't make the mistake I did and pick up a butane cooker - no gas canisters or petrol fuelled cookers will be allowed anywhere on site, with no exception to this rule. Instead, festival-goers are permitted to use a variety of safer alternatives, including disposable BBQs, meth stoves, trangia stoves, gel fuel stoves, greenheat basecamp cookers, firelighter stoves, and solid fuel stoves. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For liquid fuels like methylated spirits or Trangia fuel, a maximum of 1 litre per stove is allowed and must be kept in its sealed original container. All BBQs and camping stoves must be raised at least 30cms off the ground to prevent damage to the site, and under no circumstances should they be used inside tents. What should I pack to bring with me to Download Festival? Let's break this down into a bit of a checklist - as I too am packing this weekend for Download and want to keep it somewhat simple. Shelter & Sleep Tent: Choose one that's easy to pitch and slightly larger than you think you'll need for comfort and gear storage. Sleeping Bag: Check the temperature rating – even summer nights can get cold in the UK. Sleeping Mat or Air Bed: Essential for insulation from the cold ground and providing comfort. Don't forget a pump if it's an air bed! Pillow: An inflatable pillow or a small camping pillow. If you're looking for some last minute camping gear, having discovered days away there's a problem with your tent or a puncture in your air mattress, you can take a look at our guide to UK Festival lifesavers for 2025 . Clothing & Footwear Waterproof Jacket and Trousers: Absolutely essential for unpredictable UK weather. Warm Layers: Hoodies, fleeces, long-sleeved tops for chilly evenings. Plenty of Socks: Both thick warm ones and spare dry pairs. Sturdy, Comfortable Footwear: Wellies or waterproof hiking boots are a must, along with comfortable shoes for walking. Daytime Clothes: T-shirts, shorts, jeans, etc. Hat: For sun protection or warmth. Hygiene & Health Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable wet wipes, dry shampoo, a small bar of soap. Brush them fangs! Hand Sanitiser and wet wipes: Invaluable for quick clean-ups, but try aim for biodegradable wipes or ones that contain no microplastics and do your part. Basic First Aid Kit: Plasters, antiseptic wipes, pain killers, blister pads, any personal medications (with prescription if necessary). Sunscreen: Even on cloudy days, you can burn - remember to 'slip, slop, slap' Insect Repellent: because I can attest mozzie bites are not a fun thing to deal with while sleeping. Reusable Towel: Quick-drying microfibre towels are great but any old towel will work. Food & Drink Reusable Water Bottle: Most festivals have free water refill stations. Non-Perishable Snacks: Granola bars, fruit, nuts – for easy energy. Allowed Cooking Equipment & Fuel: (e.g., meth stoves, disposable BBQs, solid fuel, as per Download's specific rules). Remember, no gas or petrol cookers! Allowed Drinks: Within festival quantity limits and non-glass containers. Essentials & Safety Tickets & ID: Keep both physical and digital copies safe Phone & Fully Charged Power Bank: Essential for communication and finding friends or showing off on the 'gram. Bank Card and some money: While Download Festival is cashless this year, taxis to and from the site might not be, so it's always Earplugs: For sleeping through campsite noise and protecting your hearing from loud music. Torch or Headlamp: Absolutely essential for navigating the campsite at night. Portable Charger. Duct Tape: The ultimate festival repair tool for tents, shoes, etc. Comfort & Convenience Small, Foldable Camping Chair: A game-changer for chilling at your tent. Backpack/Day Bag: For carrying essentials around the arena. Rubbish Bags: Be a responsible festival-goer and leave no trace! Eye Mask: For blocking out the early morning sun. Ear plugs: Not just for camping at night, but also to save your hearing throughout an entire weekend of very… very loud music. Looking for more information regarding Download Festival 2025? Why not take a look at our guide to this year's event or check out the set times and see who might be set clashing with who.