The Download Festival 2024 lineup featured headliners Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy, and Avenged Sevenfold, marking a historic year with two first-time bill-toppers. Held from June 14–16, 2024, at its legendary home in Donington Park, the festival showcased over 80 bands across five main stages, including the Apex, Opus, Avalanche, and Dogtooth. Key performances included a massive Friday set by Royal Blood, a highly anticipated UK return for Pantera on Saturday, and a high-energy Sunday finale with Limp Bizkit and Sum 41. Beyond the rock and metal titans, the 2024 edition was notable for its diverse bookings, ranging from the pop-punk nostalgia of Busted to the global phenomenon of BABYMETAL, ensuring a multi-generational appeal for the “DLXXI” edition.
Friday, June 14: Queens of the Stone Age Debut
The opening day of the festival set a high bar with a blend of desert rock, modern blues, and a surprising pop-punk takeover.
The Apex Stage: Rock Royalty
Queens of the Stone Age made their long-awaited headline debut at Donington Park on Friday night. Fresh from their In Times New Roman… tour, Josh Homme and company delivered a masterclass in precision rock, featuring hits like “No One Knows” and “Go With The Flow.” Earlier in the day, Royal Blood brought their massive riff-heavy sound to the main stage, proving why they are one of the UK’s biggest rock exports. Other Friday Apex highlights included Black Stone Cherry, Polyphia, and The Struts.
The Avalanche Stage: The Busted Takeover
One of the most talked-about bookings of 2024 was Busted headlining the Avalanche Stage. The tent was reportedly at capacity as the trio performed a set filled with early 2000s anthems like “Year 3000” and “What I Go To School For.” This move underscored Download’s evolving identity, embracing the “gateway bands” that introduced many fans to the broader rock genre.
Saturday, June 15: Fall Out Boy and Pantera
Saturday focused on a mix of emo nostalgia and the return of heavy metal legends, creating a unique contrast across the site.
The Apex Stage: Emo’s Biggest Night
Fall Out Boy took the Saturday headline slot, marking their first time topping the bill at Download. Their set was a pyrotechnic-heavy journey through their career, from Take This to Your Grave classics to So Much (for) Stardust anthems. The main stage was also home to The Offspring, who delivered a high-octane set of punk staples, and Enter Shikari, who brought their signature genre-blending energy to the afternoon crowd.
The Opus Stage: Pantera’s UK Return
For many metal purists, the highlight of Saturday was Pantera headlining the Opus Stage. This marked their first UK appearance in over 20 years, featuring Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown alongside Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The performance was a brutal, emotional tribute to the Abbott brothers, drawing one of the largest crowds ever seen at the second stage.
Sunday, June 16: The Grand Finale
The final day of Download 2024 was a celebration of heavy metal’s enduring power and the final UK tour for a punk legend.
The Apex Stage: Avenged Sevenfold’s Return
Avenged Sevenfold closed out the festival on Sunday night with an experimental and visually stunning performance. Supporting their latest album, Life Is But A Dream…, the band mixed new, avant-garde tracks with legendary fan favorites like “Nightmare” and “Hail to the King.” Leading into their set, Limp Bizkit caused absolute mayhem with Fred Durst leading the crowd through “Break Stuff” and “Rollin’.”
Sum 41’s Final Farewell
Sunday afternoon on the Apex stage was particularly poignant as Sum 41 performed as part of their final world tour. Deryck Whibley and the band played an hour-long “greatest hits” set, including “In Too Deep” and “Fat Lip,” providing an emotional goodbye to the Donington crowd that had supported them for over two decades.
Stage-by-Stage Breakdown
Download 2024 utilized its space to cater to every sub-genre within the rock and metal umbrella.
The Opus Stage (Second Stage)
The Opus stage consistently offered “headline-quality” acts as alternatives to the main stage. Highlights across the weekend included:
- Friday: Bad Omens (who unfortunately had to cancel later, replaced by Heilung), and Mr. Bungle.
- Saturday: While She Sleeps and Tom Morello.
- Sunday: Machine Head and Corey Taylor.
The Avalanche and Dogtooth Stages
The Avalanche Stage remained the home of punk, emo, and alternative rock, featuring acts like Billy Talent, The Used, and Hoobastank (performing The Reason in full). Meanwhile, the Dogtooth Stage catered to the heaviest ends of the spectrum, hosting underground favorites and rising stars such as Biohazard, Fear Factory, and Dying Fetus.
Practical Information for Attendees
Navigating a festival as large as Download requires careful planning.
- Location: Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2RP.
- Dates: June 14–16, 2024 (Campsites opened June 12).
- Cashless Site: Download 2024 was a fully cashless festival. All food, drink, and merchandise were payable via contactless cards or mobile devices.
- Travel: The closest train stations are East Midlands Parkway and Derby. Shuttle buses (DP1 and DP2) operated throughout the weekend to transport fans to the site.
- Sustainability: Partnering with Liquid Death, the festival made significant strides in reducing single-use plastics across the arena.
The Rise of New Blood: Breaking Down the Dogtooth Stage
In 2024, the Dogtooth Stage served as a high-velocity incubator for the next generation of heavy music, proving that the genre’s future is more diverse and aggressive than ever.
The Breakthrough Artists of 2024
The Dogtooth tent was the site of several “I was there” moments. The Callous Daoboys delivered an unhinged set of mathcore that many critics cited as a highlight of the weekend, while Alt Blk Era—the sisters from Nottingham—shattered expectations with their glitchy, genre-bending “rave-metal.” These performances were not just sets; they were statements of intent that saw both bands jump to much larger festival slots across Europe by 2025.
Hardcore and Extreme Metal Dominance
2024 was a banner year for the “new breed” of hardcore. California’s Scowl and the technical brutality of Dying Wish (fronted by the formidable Emma Boster) saw the tent reach dangerous capacity levels. These bands brought a fresh, inclusive energy to Donington, attracting a younger audience and proving that the “Download Family” is rapidly expanding its borders.
A History of Donington Park: From Monsters of Rock to Download
Donington Park isn’t just a racetrack; it is the “Wellspring of Rock,” a site that has defined the heavy metal experience for nearly half a century.
The Monsters of Rock Era (1980–1996)
The legacy began on August 16, 1980, with the inaugural Monsters of Rock. Originally conceived as a one-off showcase for Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, it became a pilgrimage. Over 16 years, it hosted the absolute titans: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses. It was here that the “Donington Legend” was forged—a combination of deafening volume, massive pyrotechnics, and a unique, muddy camaraderie that survived even the most torrential British summers.
The Birth of Download (2003)
After a hiatus following the end of Monsters of Rock in 1996, the site lay dormant until Stuart Galbraith and Andy Copping launched Download in 2003. The name was a nod to the burgeoning digital age, with original tickets even including codes to download tracks from the performing bands. While Monsters of Rock was a one-day event, Download evolved into the multi-day, multi-stage “lifestyle festival” it is in 2026, successfully bridging the gap between old-school heavy metal and modern alternative culture.
Technical Innovation: The 2024 “Smart” Festival
Download 2024 continued the festival’s tradition of being a “Festival of the Future,” utilizing technology to manage one of the most challenging years on record.
Battling the “Liquid Death” Mud
The 2024 edition was famously dubbed one of the “wettest in history.” To combat the near-unprecedented deluge, organizers utilized advanced GPS mapping and real-time data to redirect foot traffic and deploy ground-reinforcement materials. Despite the mud becoming “treacle-like,” the infrastructure held, allowing the Apex Stage to host the largest crowds of the weekend for Limp Bizkit and Avenged Sevenfold.
Cashless and Connected
By 2024, Download had perfected the fully cashless ecosystem. Utilizing RFID technology and widespread contactless support, the festival reported a 30% reduction in queue times at bars and merchandise stalls compared to the pre-cashless era. This technical seamlessness has become a benchmark for large-scale outdoor events globally heading into 2026.
FAQs
What was the loudest set in Donington history?
Historically, Iron Maiden’s 1988 Monsters of Rock set is cited as the loudest, though modern decibel limits ensure 2024 headliners remain within safe, yet still bone-shaking, levels.
Which band has played Download the most?
As of 2026, Skindred and Bowling For Soup are among the most frequent performers, with Skindred often being called the “unofficial house band” of Download.
Why is it called the “Dogtooth” stage?
The name is a nod to the festival’s iconic mascot, the Download Dog, which has been a staple of the festival’s branding since 2003.
Was there a “secret set” in 2024?
While many rumored a secret set by Sleep Token, the 2024 highlights were instead the massive “unannounced” surges of energy during Busted’s capacity-breaking Avalanche set.
How many people attended Download 2024?
Attendance remained steady at approximately 75,000 to 80,000 fans, despite the challenging weather conditions.
What is the “Melbourne Loop”?
In a historical context, it is a section of the Donington Park racetrack that was added in 1985, which historically impacted where stages could be placed.
Is the festival still involved with the internet/downloading?
While “downloading” music is less central now, the festival remains heavily integrated with the Download App, which provides real-time set-time updates and “friend-finder” GPS features.
Who is Andy Copping?
He is the Executive President of Global Touring at Live Nation and the primary booker for Download, famously known for his “gambles” on new headliners.
What was the first band to play the first Monsters of Rock?
The New York band Touch had the honor of being the very first band to take the stage at Donington in 1980.
Is there a quiet campsite at Download?
Yes, the festival offers Eco-Campsites and “Quiet Camps” for those who want to escape the late-night noise of District X.
Who were the headliners for Download 2024?
The three main stage headliners were Queens of the Stone Age (Friday), Fall Out Boy (Saturday), and Avenged Sevenfold (Sunday).
Where is the Download Festival held?
It is held at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England, often referred to as the “spiritual home of rock.”
Was Pantera at Download 2024?
Yes, Pantera headlined the Opus Stage on Saturday, June 15, marking their first UK show in two decades.
Did Sum 41 play their last show at Download?
While not their final show ever, it was their final performance at Download Festival as part of their farewell world tour.
How many stages were at Download 2024?
The festival featured four primary music stages (Apex, Opus, Avalanche, Dogtooth) plus various entertainment tents like District X and the Doghouse.
Can I take my own alcohol into the arena?
No, alcohol is only permitted in the campsites. You cannot bring your own drinks into the main music arena.
What time did the music start and end each day?
Music typically started around 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM and concluded by 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and slightly earlier on Sunday.
Is the Download Festival cashless?
Yes, the entire site is cashless. You will need a contactless card or a mobile payment app (Apple/Google Pay) to make purchases.
Are children allowed at Download?
Yes, Download is a family-friendly festival, though children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
What is District X?
District X is the nightlife and entertainment hub located in the village area, accessible to all weekend ticket holders for late-night DJ sets and comedy.
To read more , click here