I think Ghost is very likely to headline. I spotted there is a convenient gap in their recently announced European tour. With a new album a tour in Europe and fresh from the success of their live movie Rite Here Rite now they are a good call to headline. They are huge now and play the O2.
@@simon_bond that's what I thought when I heard about it, but I'm kinda biased since I have seen ST a couple times and they don't really do it for me. It does however seem that all my friends and others online talk about is ST though. Maybe they're trying to capitalize whilst they're still growing 🤔 I agree that ghost should also absolutely headline, maybe they'll get their shot in '26?
@@simon_bond they’ve sold out the o2 arena twice, Co-op Live, Birmingham Utilita, Ovo Hydro and Cardiff Arena for the end of this year, plus 95% of Leeds First Direct. They’ve sold double the number of tickets Ghost sold on their biggest UK tour. It’s like 115,00 tickets shifted - same tour as FOB I think just different Manchester venues. Ghost will headline in 2026 along with Maiden.
@@CylonModel2 They are mainstream in modern metal, but modern metal by itself is a small fracture of a legacy. I cannot see any group, even from 10s, who are worth headlining a festival of this size.
New subscriber here! Just been going back and watching some of your older videos and really enjoying them!! I go download most years and already booked for 2025 I reckon it will be Green Day, Maiden to (which I would be made up with both) seen Green Day this year and they are as good as ever and well over due at Download!! I would love the other headliner to be Parkway??? Think the little secret show last year was a nod to something bigger or am I living in hope 😂🤘
@@bazbarrow6160 thanks for watching! I’m not a parkway fan but I see they put on a hell of a show, weather or kit they are big enough to headline is a debate worth having.
Hey Simon, thanks for your videos. A good one as usual. Just don’t understand when you question if Korn would sell enough ticket and put Green Day as possible headliners… 🤷♂️ 100% agree for a MM show, maybe headlining second stage!
Great Vid, I’m sure bands aren’t booked to come back for a 3 year period (headliners) which would scupper BMTH, also Maiden playing The London Stadium Will scupper them playing Download in 2025, but I reckon they will be nailed on in 2026. Could it be their final show ?? I have a funny feeling it maybe 5FDP as Ivan mentioned this when they headlined Wembley arena last year and Linkin Parks a good shout. My wild card - Falling in Reverse as a Friday Night Headliner.
Tbh. Gojira deserves a headline slot. Their Olympic performance was incredible and they have a bigger fan base. Not only that, they always deliver as far as production and music.
My headliner predictions,with my reasons are: linkin park(reunion after seven years,hype building up for them) - Korn (they have played their 30th anniversary shows,spanning from 10-70 thousand stadiums) - green day (download posted a picture with green smoke saying “wake me up when summer ends”)
General concensus is headliners will be Green Day , Sleep Token and Korn. I for 1 would be chuffed with Green Day, not fussed and would not watch Sleep Token and annoyed if its Korn as they are a very small pick for a headliner.
I think Korn is possible, but I would be very surprised if they picked Sleep Token to headline, although still a big band, I don’t see them as being enough of a draw at the present time.
A lot of people are saying because Electric Callboy are playing Slam Dunk festival they can't play Download do they have some sort of exclusive clause they are in England two weeks before download why can't they play Download.
I mean it’s possible but I wouldn’t be surprised if people break those sorts of things as each festival wants big bands regardless of where else they are playing.
I'd be interested to see a comparison video when the lineup is announced of how many you predicted correctly :D I reckon a lot of the bands & artists you've mentioned are likely to be on next year's lineup 🤞 I'm hoping for Linkin Park, but with festival bookings, they're normally booked years in advance right? So, Linkin Park wasn't even a twinkle in Andy Copping's eye a few months back, let alone a year ago...
Callboy seem to be an exclusive for slam dunk and with the maiden tour , I can’t see that happening. I think you’re spot on with green day as a headliner, such a shame Serj won’t travel now because soad is due a return. I think we’ll see periphery , A , killswitch engage and possibly with the recent influx of alt hip hop , cypress hill. Also , a lot of Japanese bands have been on the line up in recent years , so maybe band maid
I think Maiden will be more likely for 2026. Electric Callboy are doing Slam Dunk, so as much as I would love them to be back (I was sad about last year) I'm probably going to be disappointed again 😂. I personally think Sleep Token could headline, if not main, definitely Opus. I'm not sure Linkin Park in their new form are/should be headliners just yet 🤷. My youngest did go to IOW fest just to watch Green Day and said it was one of the best shows he'd seen,
I think they will test sleep token on another stage as headliner first before bumping them straight up to main stage headliner, I still think ECB are a possibility as they didn’t get to play.
Sleep Token/Green Day/Linkin Park as a ideal *and* realistic prediction. Not overly into Sleep Token but you can't deny the popularity. Green Day are WELL overdue, and Linkin Park are a Download favourite with or without Chester. Though people are saying LP are playing Reading/doing arenas, so they'd probably bump a band like Korn to headline. Unrealistic wishlist i'd replace Sleep Token with MCR.
Green day would be great. Not had the chance to see them before. BMTH. I missed in 2023 so that would be nice too. Third one will probably be Maralyn Manson which I’m not keen on at all 🤷♂️
As much as I don’t want Marilyn Manson to have any support due to the allegations, I REALLLY want to see him live - so reluctantly, I hope he is at download.
Would love to see rob zombie back on the line up along with avatar , fozzy , wednesday 13 and am a huge fan of the lottery winners at the moment so would love them to have the oppitunity to play My headiner predictions would be Friday: Skindred (over due headline slot) Saturday: system of a down Sunday: linkin park
A day to remember and callboy wont happen i really enjoy them but A day to remember are headlining slam dunk and EC are exclusive there. Maiden wont headline because of the tour. For me i think its gonna be Sleep token-Green Day-Slipknot but id love to see muse come back personally.
Respectfully Sleep Token are way too big to headline avalanche stage. They’re about to headline sold out arenas. If they play this year they’ll headline main stage or co headline. Also they weren’t there at 2023 as you said in video.
Going Slipknot (ugh again), Nickelback (outside shout) and Linkin Park. Also my views on much of the bands you named are pretty much in reverse, Cradle were one of the worst live bands I’d ever seen lol, thank god for Kreator that followed them, but that’s the great thing about music and subjectivity
Maiden are 1000% not playing hence the tour and stadium show. Sleepy T in the tent is an insane take they are one of the biggest bands in the country right now and the lowest you could book them at the minute is subbing main below an absolutely huge band. If they’re there it’s pretty locked on that they’ll headline. When you sell out the o2 & co op you’re not playing a tent that The Used & Billy Talent headlined this year (busted was an exception) I like your content and pod a lot Simon so I’m not trying to be a dick here, but I don’t understand how you’re this close to the fest and don’t seem to understand how it all works
I was just talking about predictions Thank you Please not Korn last time they were not amazing. I love a bit of Biffy but it’s not that long since they played. Please be Linkin Park. Please be Greenday ❤❤❤ Best live band I’ve ever seen. Iron Maiden will be there 💀
MM was progressively more god awful every time I saw him (pre-allegations, I personally no longer have time for him.) at Download and I really can't see how he would have done anything except continue to decline into a quarter arsed exhibition of how not to perform. Blehhh!
I’m not a sleep token nut like some people but to say they don’t deserve it after the two years they had you are crazy.
@@jordmchg2237 I’m sure some people think they deserve it but download is normally about working your way up the stages like BMTH and Biffy did.
Every year I buy my ticket before the lineup hoping Deftones are there
You never know! I’d love it.
This will be cool considering Carpenter struggles with travel anxiety after the pandemic.
I think Ghost is very likely to headline. I spotted there is a convenient gap in their recently announced European tour. With a new album a tour in Europe and fresh from the success of their live movie Rite Here Rite now they are a good call to headline. They are huge now and play the O2.
Haven't ghost said they're not doing festivals this year?
Oh maybe they have, in which case this is obviously void! Luckily I will see them at the O2.
This is literally the definition of great minds think alike. Constant snaps. 😂 This lineup needs to happen!
Dude! It deffo is, and we had a lot of the same bands. 🤘🏻
Mainstage headliners are: Sleep Token - Green Day - Korn
Correct my dude, you clearly have reliable sources 😉
Don’t see Sleep token as big enough to Headline, they wouldn’t even let Ghost headline and they’re twice as big and more of a draw.
@@simon_bond that's what I thought when I heard about it, but I'm kinda biased since I have seen ST a couple times and they don't really do it for me.
It does however seem that all my friends and others online talk about is ST though.
Maybe they're trying to capitalize whilst they're still growing 🤔
I agree that ghost should also absolutely headline, maybe they'll get their shot in '26?
@@simon_bond they’ve sold out the o2 arena twice, Co-op Live, Birmingham Utilita, Ovo Hydro and Cardiff Arena for the end of this year, plus 95% of Leeds First Direct. They’ve sold double the number of tickets Ghost sold on their biggest UK tour. It’s like 115,00 tickets shifted - same tour as FOB I think just different Manchester venues.
Ghost will headline in 2026 along with Maiden.
@@CylonModel2 They are mainstream in modern metal, but modern metal by itself is a small fracture of a legacy. I cannot see any group, even from 10s, who are worth headlining a festival of this size.
New subscriber here! Just been going back and watching some of your older videos and really enjoying them!!
I go download most years and already booked for 2025
I reckon it will be Green Day, Maiden to (which I would be made up with both) seen Green Day this year and they are as good as ever and well over due at Download!!
I would love the other headliner to be Parkway???
Think the little secret show last year was a nod to something bigger or am I living in hope 😂🤘
@@bazbarrow6160 thanks for watching! I’m not a parkway fan but I see they put on a hell of a show, weather or kit they are big enough to headline is a debate worth having.
I was thinking the same for the top 3 and I also like the sound off bullet for my valentine to 🤘
It’s been too long since they played for sure
Wait! **huh** had me in stitches
Malevolence have finished recording their new album. They were in LA for it, they did 2 video diaries on their channel. Would be sick if they played 🤘
Awesome, so they could play.
@simon_bond hope so 🤞 only heard of them 2 years ago and they're up there with my favourite bands, plus they're my hometown band 🤘
Hey Simon, thanks for your videos. A good one as usual. Just don’t understand when you question if Korn would sell enough ticket and put Green Day as possible headliners… 🤷♂️ 100% agree for a MM show, maybe headlining second stage!
I still feel Green Day are a bigger draw then Korn as they also appeal to ‘normies’
Great Vid, I’m sure bands aren’t booked to come back for a 3 year period (headliners) which would scupper BMTH, also Maiden playing The London Stadium Will scupper them playing Download in 2025, but I reckon they will be nailed on in 2026. Could it be their final show ??
I have a funny feeling it maybe 5FDP as Ivan mentioned this when they headlined Wembley arena last year and Linkin Parks a good shout.
My wild card - Falling in Reverse as a Friday Night Headliner.
got my bullet tix soon as it was announced yay
Tbh. Gojira deserves a headline slot. Their Olympic performance was incredible and they have a bigger fan base. Not only that, they always deliver as far as production and music.
Can't see maiden being there but will you be seeing them next year, I will be at the London show
My headliner predictions,with my reasons are: linkin park(reunion after seven years,hype building up for them) - Korn (they have played their 30th anniversary shows,spanning from 10-70 thousand stadiums) - green day (download posted a picture with green smoke saying “wake me up when summer ends”)
General concensus is headliners will be Green Day , Sleep Token and Korn. I for 1 would be chuffed with Green Day, not fussed and would not watch Sleep Token and annoyed if its Korn as they are a very small pick for a headliner.
I think Korn is possible, but I would be very surprised if they picked Sleep Token to headline, although still a big band, I don’t see them as being enough of a draw at the present time.
Desperate to see slipknot at download this year - makes sense as they’re in the country at the time?
@@samperes1035 yeah could also be a possibility.
A lot of people are saying because Electric Callboy are playing Slam Dunk festival they can't play Download do they have some sort of exclusive clause they are in England two weeks before download why can't they play Download.
I mean it’s possible but I wouldn’t be surprised if people break those sorts of things as each festival wants big bands regardless of where else they are playing.
They’ve been announced as exclusive for Slam it’s not happening
I'd be interested to see a comparison video when the lineup is announced of how many you predicted correctly :D I reckon a lot of the bands & artists you've mentioned are likely to be on next year's lineup 🤞 I'm hoping for Linkin Park, but with festival bookings, they're normally booked years in advance right? So, Linkin Park wasn't even a twinkle in Andy Copping's eye a few months back, let alone a year ago...
Yeah that Linkin Park thing is a tough one if they got in there on time, yeah I will do a comparison video once they release the lineup.
Copping has probably known about LP for a while
Callboy seem to be an exclusive for slam dunk and with the maiden tour , I can’t see that happening. I think you’re spot on with green day as a headliner, such a shame Serj won’t travel now because soad is due a return. I think we’ll see periphery , A , killswitch engage and possibly with the recent influx of alt hip hop , cypress hill. Also , a lot of Japanese bands have been on the line up in recent years , so maybe band maid
I think Maiden will be more likely for 2026. Electric Callboy are doing Slam Dunk, so as much as I would love them to be back (I was sad about last year) I'm probably going to be disappointed again 😂. I personally think Sleep Token could headline, if not main, definitely Opus. I'm not sure Linkin Park in their new form are/should be headliners just yet 🤷. My youngest did go to IOW fest just to watch Green Day and said it was one of the best shows he'd seen,
I think they will test sleep token on another stage as headliner first before bumping them straight up to main stage headliner, I still think ECB are a possibility as they didn’t get to play.
@@simon_bond I'm hoping you're right about EC 🤞🤞🤞
Not Iron Maiden they are playing Stockholm on 13th June & Helsinki on 16th June.
Still a gap in there then, nothing surprises me these days, most bands have two stage set ups running at the same time so anything is possible.
@@simon_bond I doubt it when you consider their age and Nicko's health.
I predict at the moment friday:Sleep Token Saturday:Green day Sunday: Muse
Sleep Token/Green Day/Linkin Park as a ideal *and* realistic prediction.
Not overly into Sleep Token but you can't deny the popularity. Green Day are WELL overdue, and Linkin Park are a Download favourite with or without Chester.
Though people are saying LP are playing Reading/doing arenas, so they'd probably bump a band like Korn to headline.
Unrealistic wishlist i'd replace Sleep Token with MCR.
Green day would be great. Not had the chance to see them before.
BMTH. I missed in 2023 so that would be nice too.
Third one will probably be Maralyn Manson which I’m not keen on at all 🤷♂️
As much as I don’t want Marilyn Manson to have any support due to the allegations, I REALLLY want to see him live - so reluctantly, I hope he is at download.
Key word 'allegations'
Green Day, Muse, Sleep Token (or Korn)
Would love biffy to play next year
Callboy sadly won't be at download as they're slam dunk exclusive but Im able to see them there some im happy atleast
Veil of Maya plays and Harper returns?
I'm fucking praying for Green Day, 14 year old me would be so fucking hyped
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Would love to see rob zombie back on the line up along with avatar , fozzy , wednesday 13 and am a huge fan of the lottery winners at the moment so would love them to have the oppitunity to play
My headiner predictions would be
Friday: Skindred (over due headline slot)
Saturday: system of a down
Sunday: linkin park
Linkin Park - Green Day - Nickelback
This would cause riots, the metal heads would revolt.
@@simon_bond They can riot. I’ll be line dancing to Burn It To The Ground
Nickelback - Slayer - Linkin Park
Nickelaback 😂 the missile throwing would be epic
A day to remember and callboy wont happen i really enjoy them but A day to remember are headlining slam dunk and EC are exclusive there.
Maiden wont headline because of the tour.
For me i think its gonna be Sleep token-Green Day-Slipknot but id love to see muse come back personally.
Respectfully Sleep Token are way too big to headline avalanche stage. They’re about to headline sold out arenas. If they play this year they’ll headline main stage or co headline. Also they weren’t there at 2023 as you said in video.
Both A Day To Remember and Electric Callboy appear to be the big main draws for Slam Dunk this year so don't think we'll see them sadly 😭
if BMTH headline i could see babymetal make a return and be right beneath them. considering they were rained off last year
Babymetal always have bad luck at download, well bar 2018
Going Slipknot (ugh again), Nickelback (outside shout) and Linkin Park. Also my views on much of the bands you named are pretty much in reverse, Cradle were one of the worst live bands I’d ever seen lol, thank god for Kreator that followed them, but that’s the great thing about music and subjectivity
I’d love Nickelback!!!! I really enjoyed that COF show of you’re referring to Bloodstock?
@@simon_bond I am indeed haha, maybe I’m just not too familiar with COF tbf, also pretty sure I saw you with a group for Whitechapel this Bloodstock
Maiden are 1000% not playing hence the tour and stadium show. Sleepy T in the tent is an insane take they are one of the biggest bands in the country right now and the lowest you could book them at the minute is subbing main below an absolutely huge band. If they’re there it’s pretty locked on that they’ll headline. When you sell out the o2 & co op you’re not playing a tent that The Used & Billy Talent headlined this year (busted was an exception)
I like your content and pod a lot Simon so I’m not trying to be a dick here, but I don’t understand how you’re this close to the fest and don’t seem to understand how it all works
I was just talking about predictions
Thank you
Please not Korn last time they were not amazing. I love a bit of Biffy but it’s not that long since they played. Please be Linkin Park. Please be Greenday ❤❤❤ Best live band I’ve ever seen. Iron Maiden will be there 💀
MM was progressively more god awful every time I saw him (pre-allegations, I personally no longer have time for him.) at Download and I really can't see how he would have done anything except continue to decline into a quarter arsed exhibition of how not to perform. Blehhh!
god i hope biffy isn't playing !
😂😂😂😂😂
I think Friday Green Day Saturday - Bring me the Horizon Sunday - Rammstein
Iron Maiden is a laughable prediction deary me