Friday, June 13 | Donington Park | Stage‑by‑Stage Guide
Friday’s lineup at Download 2025 is a headbanger’s dream—packed with legends, rising stars, and everything in‑between. Here’s your stage-by-stage guide, complete with band bios to stoke that hype.
🔱 Apex Stage – The Big Guns
SiM (13:00)
Japanese genre-mashers blending metalcore, reggae, punk, hip-hop, and ska. Since forming in 2004, they’ve smashed barriers with tracks like “The Rumbling” (featured in Attack on Titan) and celebrate two decades of rebellious fusion live on the main stage
CKY (14:00)
Veteran skate-punk crew from Pennsylvania, known for grit, riffs, and being Jackass alumni. They’ve been carving their niche in alt-rock since the late ’90s.
Boston Manor (15:00)
UK’s melodic post-hardcore outfit; punchy choruses meet emotional depth—perfect prelude to heavier acts.
Rise Against (16:10)
Chicago’s crusaders of socially conscious punk-rock—anthemic, fierce, and unforgettable.
Jimmy Eat World (17:30)
Emo-tinged alt-rock icons behind “The Middle” and “Sweetness.” Their nostalgic melodies remain evergreen.
Weezer (19:00)
Power-pop titans mixing arena-ready hooks with meme-worthy charm—a guaranteed fun-filled fest experience.
Green Day (20:50)
Pop-punk legends closing the night—expect energy, anthems, and moshpit madness. 🍻
🎭 Opus Stage – The Heavy & The Haunting
The Scratch (13:00)
Bright and bold indie-punk—just the spark you need to launch the day.
Starset (13:50)
Sci-fi inspired rock with cinematic flair—a bold sensory experience in sound and visuals.
Dirty Honey (14:55)
Los Angeles’s bluesy hard-rock revivalists, rising fast: first unsigned band to top Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart with “When I’m Gone.” Their gritty ’70s-inspired grooves and soulful vocals have powered headline spots and festival slots worldwide
Northlane (15:50)
Australian progressive metal outfit—complex riffs, atmospheric depth, and a serious sonic exploration.
Myles Kennedy (17:00)
Chris Cornell alum and Alter Bridge vocalist/guitarist—his solo work is a mix of heartfelt ballads and rip-roaring rock.
Opeth (18:15)
Swedish prog-metal maestros—epic compositions blending heaviness with haunting beauty. Their stage is a masterclass in musical storytelling.
Within Temptation (19:35)
Dutch symphonic rockers blending gothic edge with arena melodies—cinematic intensity meets killer chorus hooks.
⚡ Avalanche Stage – Fresh, Fast, Fierce
Kickoff starts midday, featuring the next wave of heavy hitters:
- Karen Dió (12:40): Bold alt-rock with melty vocals and attitude.
- Unpeople (13:40): Emerging metalcore rawness.
- Dead Pony (14:30): Punk-powered blast straight from Swansea.
- The Meffs (15:20): UK grime-rock combo, full-throttle energy.
- Bad Nerves (16:10): Post-hardcore punch with emotional depth.
- Trophy Eyes (17:00): Australian melodic hardcore fury.
- Crossfaith (17:50): Japanese electronic-metal fusion that ignites pits.
- Elliot Minor (18:45): Pop-rock nostalgia from a mid-00s chart hitmakers.
- McFly (19:55): Surprise twist—British pop-rock veterans bringing singalongs and sunshine vibes
🦷 Dogtooth Stage – Dark, Dirty, Undeniably Cool
Heavier, moodier, and daring lineup—perfect for those who love the dark side:
- Apocalyptica: Finnish cello-metal pioneers—classical meets crushing riffs.
- Eivør: Faroese ethereal folk—otherworldly vocals and haunting tone.
- Alcest: French blackgaze—dreamy, melodic, and deeply atmospheric.
- Vola: Danish progressive metal—intricate rhythms and sleek synths.
- Svalbard: UK crust-punk meets shoegaze, angry yet lush.
- Windhand: Virginia doom-doom heavy, slow and massive.
- Graphic Nature: UK melancholic alt-metal—emotional, intense.
- Riding The Low, Gore., Battlesnake, The Haunt: gritty and underground—perfect for late-night discoveries.
🎤 The Doghouse, 🕸️ The Den, 🌲 The Outpost – After Dark & Rising Talent
Late-night havens featuring:
- Breakout artists
- Experimental sounds
- Underground vibes
⛺ Ideal for discovering your new favourite act in an intimate tour‑style setting.
🎯 Festival Hacks for Friday
- Pace the pit: Hop from SiM’s eclectic fusion into Boston Manor’s punchy energy.
- Heavy cross-over: Catch Rise Against then sprint to Opus for Myles Kennedy and Opeth.
- Surprise joy: McFly on a heavy stage = nostalgic euphoria before the headliners.
- Stay prepped: Earplugs, hydration, layers, and a clashfinder spreadsheet are your best mates.
🤘 Final Word:
From genre-smashing openers to symphonic grand finals, Download’s Friday lineup is a sonic rollercoaster. Whether you’re chasing sing-along choruses or cellodriven doom, you’re in for an unforgettable start.
