The Download Festival has once again come and gone, marked by a mix of sun and rain, but the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the festival-goers. They trudged through soupy mud to enjoy the UK’s largest alternative music gathering.
Friday kicked off with Hanabie, who brought high energy and charisma to the Opus stage. Halocene, Scene Queen, and Dream State followed, proving that girl power was just what was needed to counter the ever-changing weather.
Polyphia’s soothing melodies contrasted with Soft Play’s rebellious energy. Down at the Dogtooth stage, The Callous Daoboys wreaked havoc before Heilung enchanted the Opus stage with their spiritualistic set. Busted headlined the Avalanche stage, drawing a massive crowd that spilled out of the tent. Queens of the Stone Age closed the Apex stage with a set full of their classic hits and a breathtaking light show.
Saturday saw Bambie Thug opening the Apex stage, showing they are much more than a Eurovision sensation with a theatrical set that included a flag parade featuring Palestine, Ukraine, and LGBTQ+ flags, sending fans into a frenzy. Dying Wish turned the Dogtooth stage heavy in the morning, while DeathByRomy dominated the Avalanche stage. Frank Carter decided the Apex stage wasn’t big enough and spent much of his set in the crowd, even after having his chain stolen.
Slaughter to Prevail proved they are a force to be reckoned with before Enter Shikari delivered a politically charged set for the main stage masses. While She Sleeps put on a boundary-breaking set, demonstrating they deserve a higher billing. The Offspring brought nostalgia to Donington, Pantera drew one of the largest crowds of the weekend at Opus, and Fall Out Boy ended the night with their own “Eras Tour,” complete with a balloon-filled performance.
After two days of flash showers, festival-goers were treated to sunshine on Sunday. The day started rough with a delayed main arena and an extreme delay for Delilah Bon on the Avalanche stage. However, when Delilah and co. finally hit the stage, they absolutely crushed it, delivering one of the most enjoyable sets of the weekend. Creeper followed on the main stage with the biggest production of their career, followed by Kerry King’s unrelenting thrash.
The secret set was Parkway Drive, who laid waste to the Dogtooth stage. Elvana rocked the Opus stage, while Sum 41 gave a career-spanning set in their final ever UK festival performance. Corey Taylor and Limp Bizkit clashed with both putting on unforgettable shows, though Limp Bizkit drew an unreal crowd, suggesting they should headline next time.
Machine Head closed the Opus stage with a fiery, thrash-filled frenzy, before Avenged Sevenfold took the Apex stage for a set mainly featuring new material, which received a mixed response from the crowd.
In summary, despite the unpredictable weather and a few logistical hiccups, the Download Festival 2024 delivered a weekend of unforgettable performances, showcasing a diverse lineup that satisfied a wide range of musical tastes and proved once again why it’s the UK’s premier alternative music festival.
All photos by Nick Davarias
Artists: Bambie Thug, Busted, Corey Taylor, Creeper, Delilah Bon, Dream State, Dying Wish, Enter Shikari, Frank Carter, Halocene, Hanabie, Kerry King, Limp Bizkit, Machine Head, Pantera, Parkway Drive, polyphia, Queens of the Stone Age, Scene Queen, Slaughter to Prevail, Sum 41, The Offspring, While She Sleeps
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