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Jun 10, 2019 Download Festival By Dom Gourlay Photography by Mick Carroll

This weekend sees the return of Download, arguably the biggest rock and metal festival in the world. Now in its seventeenth year having initially emerged in 2003, Download is situated on Donington Park in the Leicestershire countryside just a stones throw away from East Midlands airport and takes place from Friday June 14 to Sunday June 16. Rising from the ashes of Monsters of Rock, it’s gone on to become a global brand in its own right with events in Australia and Japan having already taken place earlier this year, and another scheduled for Madrid at the end of the month.

As with previous years, the organizers have assembled a stellar line up from the world of rock and metal encompassing a variety of sub-genres while booking artists old and new to create a bill that’s as mouth watering as it gets for fans and critics alike. Under the Radar will be onsite throughout the entire weekend, so without further delay, here’s the 10 acts we’re most looking forward to seeing.

Carcass

(Saturday 15th, 1940-2025, Dogtooth Stage)

Having initially formed in 1985, Liverpool’s Carcass first came to prominence thanks to their debut LP Reek of Putrefaction three years later. Fusing grindcore with death metal, Carcass have been a groundbreaking force in metal for over three decades. With two founder members still on board and an avalanche of material to choose from, their Saturday night set is not to be missed.

Conjurer

(Friday 14th, 1600-1625, Avalanche Stage)

This Rugby based four-piece are one of the brightest young bands to emerge from the UK underground metal scene in years. Comparisons to Opeth and Mastodon aren’t far off the mark. Last year’s excellent debut Mire came out on Holy Roar Records to widespread critical acclaim and we’re sure their mid-afternoon slot on Friday’s bill will be one of the weekend’s main talking points.

Def Leppard

(Friday 14th, 2110-2250, Main Stage)

One of the most commercially successful metal acts on the planet with 1987’s Hysteria having shifted over 25 million copies worldwide alone, Def Leppard were at the forefront of the new wave of British heavy metal in the early 1980s and have been one of the genre’s most well respected ambassadors ever since. Playing the aforementioned Hysteria in full alongside a selection of songs spanning their career makes for an unmissable headline experience.

Die Antwoord

(Saturday 15^th, 1840-1950, Main Stage)

This South African duo fuse hip hop, punk, metal into and pop into an exciting melange of sounds and styles that would be just as much at home playing any other festival. Fortunately for those of us at Donington Park, it’s Download who’ve snared the UK exclusive and it goes without saying we’re all in for an unpredictable yet thoroughly exciting treat.

Kvelertak

(Friday 14th, 1450-1525, Zippo Encore Stage)

Regular visitors to Download, Norwegian six-piece Kvelertak have been known to cross-pollinate genres at the drop of a hat. So don’t be surprised to find elements of punk, post-rock, black metal, and avant-garde noise at various points here. This will also be new vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen’s first Download with Kvelertak, which should make this an extra special event for both band and audience.

Queen Zee

(Saturday 15th, 1345-1410, Dogtooth Stage)

Liverpool’s Queen Zee have been compared with everyone from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rachel Stamp to The Stooges and New York Dolls. One thing that is for certain is to expect the unexpected from what’s sure to be an electric Download debut performance.

Slash & Myles Kennedy

(Friday 14th, 1900-2010, Main Stage)

As if having one of the most iconic guitarists in the history of rock wasn’t enough, add one of the most charismatic frontmen in the world right now and it can only be a recipe for greatness. Slash first collaborated with Myles Kennedy back in 2009 when he wrote and sang the closing number on the Guns N’ Roses guitar player’s debut solo album. Since then, they’ve worked together on a number of projects culminating in last year’s Living the Dream. Which is what those present for their hour and ten minutes here are about to experience.

Slayer

(Sunday 16th, 2045-2215, Zippo Encore Stage)

And now the end is near for what has probably been the longest farewell tour in history. Having commenced this series of shows last year, they still have a few more left to go until the end which is scheduled for the early part of next year. Nevertheless, this will be the last opportunity a UK audience gets to pay its respects to arguably the most innovative and influential band to have ever emerged from the world of metal.

The Smashing Pumpkins

(Sunday 16th, 1910-2020, Main Stage)

The rebirth (or should that be revitalization) of The Smashing Pumpkins continues. With James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin now back in the fold alongside mainstay Billy Corgan, there’s definitely a renewed energy about the band, both on stage and in the studio. Last year’s Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 had more than its fair share of great moments while their back catalogue is simply to die for.

Tool

(Sunday 16th, 2125-2255, Main Stage)

There’s no finer way to close a festival than be played out by Maynard James Keenan and co for what is a bonafide UK festival exclusive, being their only scheduled show this year on British soil. Another band whose influence throughout rock and metal can be traced back three decades. This bares all the hallmarks of being one of the festival sets of the summer.

www.downloadfestival.co.uk

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