Launched in 2022, the Rock N’ Roll Circus is expanding with events in both Norwich and Sheffield this year, though due to other touring commitments, Queens of the Stone Age will only be playing the Sheffield leg of the festival. Their venue, the Don Valley Bowl, has a capacity of 7500, and will be the third time the venue has hosted the festival in as many years.

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Announcing the second night on their Instagram page, Queens of the Stone Age shared an updated poster which said, “new date added due to phenomenal demand,” as well as listing their support acts across both nights. They will be joined by Viagra Boys, Jehnny Beth, Big Freedia and more across both nights, with Shame and The Murder Capital as two new acts joining them on their second date.  

Festival director Ali O’Reilly said: “The response to Queens of the Stone Age’s first show was incredible. Tickets flew out in record time, and we are excited to give fans another chance to get tickets to see this huge show. It’s an honour to bring one of the greatest rock bands of our generation to Sheffield for not just one, but two nights at Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus. With support from Viagra Boys and The Murder Capital, these shows are going to be something truly special.”

This is going to be insane. Need to get to this. — Andy McElwaine (@andymcelwaine) February 21, 2025

 Queens of the Stone Age have only played in Sheffield once before, visiting the South Yorkshire city to play the Leadmill in 2000. Their return comes as part of a wider European tour, which kicks off 12 July in Slovakia. Their Rock N’ Roll Circus appearance will be the last in the continent before they return to their native US.

The band hasn’t played live since July 2024, though they haven’t released any new music in that time either. Their 2024 setlists comprised mostly of material from three albums: 2023’s ‘In Times New Roman…’, and more classic albums ‘Songs for the Dead’ and ‘…Like Clockwork’. Fans shouldn’t expect any major changes to the setlist; however the circus atmosphere and the intimacy of the venue will make it an unmissable night still.

Though the band hasn’t played in the UK since a Download Festival appearance in June 2024, founder and frontman Josh Homme was one of many musical figures who came together in December to celebrate the life of Mark Lanegen. Lanegan played with QotSA between 2001 and 2005, and introducing the evening, Homme said, “Mark would have pretended to hate this, but he would have loved to see you all here tonight.”

Despite being a relative newcomer to the festival circuit, Rock N’ Roll Circus has drawn some major headline acts in its short history. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headlined in 2022 and 2023, and the festival has attracted the likes of the Libertines, Natalie Imbruglia, and Gilbert O’Sullivan, as well as one of Sheffield’s finest exports, Richard Hawley, as support acts.

With its eclectic mix of live music and circus performances, Rock N’ Roll Circus has established itself as one of the most unique festivals in the UK. With their first performance selling out in record time and a festival like no other, fans wanting to see Queens of the Stone Age on their second date should act fast. Tickets can be found here.

All hands to the pump! Download have just announced their 2024 day tickets as well as the final remaining weekend tickets.

Day tickets for this year’s Download Festival have just literally gone on sale.

Along with the remaining weekend passes, the Donnington Park festival has now launched what is ostensibly a limited run of day tickets ahead of June.

So whether it’s Fall Out Boy that whets your whistle on Saturday’s, or if it’s Friday’s showing of the stellar Queens Of The Stone age that gets your focus, or if you’re after catching Avenged Sevenfold on Sunday you can, quite literally, take your pick—for now.

Naturally, there is plenty to pick from beyond the headliners. QOTSA day will feature the likes of Royal Blood, Polyphia, Bad Omens, Mr. Bungle and even a surprise Avalance Stage headline set from Busted. On Saturday, meanwhile, Fall Out Boy will be joined on the Apex Stage by The Offspring, Enter Shikari, BABYMETAL and more, while elsewhere that day will include While She Sleeps, Tom Morello, Billy Talent and Holding Absence. Then, there’s one massive party before A7X on the Sunday – with Bowling For Soup, Sum 41 and Limp Bizkit all getting things nice and warmed up for the Huntington Beach metallers. On the other stages you can catch fellow heavyweights like Machine Head, Corey Taylor and The Used.

Download Festival is a rock festival created by Terrance Gough, held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England (since 2003); in Paris, France (since 2016); at Parramatta Park, Sydney (since 2019); Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne (since 2018) and at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (since 2022).

Download at Donington is the most popular and has hosted some of the biggest names, including Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Metallica, Linkin Park, Korn, Soundgarden, Motörhead, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Kiss, Judas Priest, Rammstein, Status Quo, Mötley Crüe, Journey, ZZ Top, Whitesnake, Faith No More and Guns N’ Roses.

But hurry, I’m sure tickets won’t be on sale for long.

Get your Download Festival 2024 tickets now.