Friday, June 13 | Donington Park | StageābyāStage Guide
Fridayās lineup at Download 2025 is a headbangerās dreamāpacked with legends, rising stars, and everything inābetween. Hereās your stage-by-stage guide, complete with band bios to stoke that hype.
š± Apex Stage ā 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 āTheāÆRumblingā (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. Theyāve 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 depthāperfect prelude to heavier acts.
Rise Against (16:10)
Chicago’s crusaders of socially conscious punk-rockāanthemic, fierce, and unforgettable.
Jimmy Eat World (17:30)
Emo-tinged alt-rock icons behind āThe Middleā and āSweetness.ā Their nostalgic melodies remain evergreen.
Weezer (19:00)
Power-pop titans mixing arena-ready hooks with meme-worthy charmāa guaranteed fun-filled fest experience.
Green Day (20:50)
Pop-punk legends closing the nightāexpect energy, anthems, and moshpit madness. š»
š Opus Stage ā The Heavy & The Haunting
The Scratch (13:00)
Bright and bold indie-punkājust the spark you need to launch the day.
Starset (13:50)
Sci-fi inspired rock with cinematic flairāa bold sensory experience in sound and visuals.
Dirty Honey (14:55)
Los Angelesās bluesy hard-rock revivalists, rising fast: first unsigned band to top Billboardās Mainstream Rock chart with āWhen Iām Gone.ā Their gritty ā70s-inspired grooves and soulful vocals have powered headline spots and festival slots worldwide
Northlane (15:50)
Australian progressive metal outfitācomplex riffs, atmospheric depth, and a serious sonic exploration.
Myles Kennedy (17:00)
Chris Cornell alum and Alter Bridge vocalist/guitaristāhis solo work is a mix of heartfelt ballads and rip-roaring rock.
Opeth (18:15)
Swedish prog-metal maestrosāepic 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 melodiesācinematic intensity meets killer chorus hooks.
ā” Avalanche Stage ā Fresh, Fast, Fierce
Kickoff starts midday, featuring the next wave of heavy hitters:
- Karen DiĆ³ (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 twistāBritish pop-rock veterans bringing singalongs and sunshine vibes
š¦· Dogtooth Stage ā Dark, Dirty, Undeniably Cool
Heavier, moodier, and daring lineupāperfect for those who love the dark side:
- Apocalyptica: Finnish cello-metal pioneersāclassical meets crushing riffs.
- EivĆør: Faroese ethereal folkāotherworldly vocals and haunting tone.
- Alcest: French blackgazeādreamy, melodic, and deeply atmospheric.
- Vola: Danish progressive metalāintricate 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-metalāemotional, intense.
- Riding The Low, Gore., Battlesnake, The Haunt: gritty and undergroundāperfect for late-night discoveries.
š¤ The Doghouse, šøļø The Den, š² The Outpost ā After Dark & Rising Talent
Late-night havens featuring:
- Breakout artists
- Experimental sounds
- Underground vibes
āŗ Ideal for discovering your new favourite act in an intimate tourāstyle setting.
šÆ Festival Hacks for Friday
- Pace the pit: Hop from SiMās eclectic fusion into Boston Manorās 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.
š¤ Final Word:
From genre-smashing openers to symphonic grand finals, Downloadās Friday lineup is a sonic rollercoaster. Whether you’re chasing sing-along choruses or cellodriven doom, you’re in for an unforgettable start.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene specialāfrom legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether heās battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, heās always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When heās not writing or interviewing artists, youāll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than musicātheyāre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatās exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. š¤
Comments