Wireless is predominantly a festival celebrating rap and hiphop music, taking place in London’s Hyde Park. Following supposed leaks and rampant speculation, rumours at the start of the month that Ye would be booked for Wireless were confirmed yesterday by the organisers. Following last year’s format that saw Drake perform at the end of every night, the festival’s only confirmed act so far is Ye across the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wireless Festival (@wirelessfest)

West’s last headline show at Wireless was in 2014 following Drake’s withdrawal from the bill, but it received negative press for being a poor choice of replacement and for West’s mid-set rant about his treatment by the media. This was followed by a Glastonbury headliner in 2015, currently his last festival show on British soil, that saw a 130,000 strong petition attempt to remove him from the bill due to his egotistical preaching.

Ye’s hate campaign against Jewish people began in 2022, when he first started sharing offensive opinions and antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media. He was suspended by both Instagram and Twitter (now X), as well as losing significant business partnerships with companies like Adidas. More recently, he openly referred to himself as “a Nazi”, in addition to penning the single ‘Heil Hitler’ in 2025 and attempting to release 2026 album ‘Bully’ with a swastika as its artwork. This January, West made an attempt to apologise by purchasing a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, in which he blamed his bipolar disorder, and reiterated that he loved Jewish people, though this did nothing to dissuade public opinion.

Since the Wireless Festival announcement yesterday, several Jewish rights bodies and activist groups have come out in force against both the festival and West. The Guardian published a statement from the Jewish Leadership Council, a charity protecting Jewish interests in the UK, which reads “It is deeply irresponsible for Wireless festival to be headlining Kanye West. The UK Jewish community is facing record levels of antisemitism, including a terrorist attack in Manchester, the attack on ambulances in Golders Green and foiled plots which would have killed many more. West has repeatedly used his platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Nazi messaging. His most recent apology must be considered in the context that he went on to sell swastika T-shirts and release a song called Heil Hitler after apologising previously. Any venue or festival should reconsider before providing their platform to Kanye West to spread his antisemitism.”

Kanye West is set to headline all three nights of Wireless festival this year, here in the UK.

It would mark his return to the UK music scene after an eleven-year hiatus, since headlining at Glastonbury in 2015. Since then, he has dedicated years of his life to trying to incite… pic.twitter.com/4bHOQGkMgP
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) March 31, 2026

Charity organisation Campaign Against Antisemitism also issued the above message on social media site X, saying “It is disappointing that venues have been so quick to invite someone who was so recently peddling conspiracy theories, Hitler worship and bigoted lies – including now one of the UK’s biggest festival stages. His cycle of apology and relapse has become a routine, and we must wait to see if this time is any different. What is notable is that the latest apology came on the eve of the release of a new album.”

Indeed, despite multiple setbacks, West released ‘Bully’ on the 28th of March, which appears to have shed his hateful messages in favour of concentrating on the music. Wireless have claimed Ye’s “UK comeback will be an extraordinary chapter in Wireless’s story”, which will be told in London’s Finsbury Park from Friday the 10th to Sunday the 12th of July

His music career speaks for itself – his 24 Grammy Awards won and 160 million records sold make Ye one of the most successful US artists of all time. His first six albums are all considered peaks of hiphop, with Rolling Stone featuring all of them on their 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time list. West’s style of socially-conscious melodic rap became a defining sound of the 2000s and 2010s, cited as an inspiration for a new generation, including Drake, Travis Scott, and Nicki Minaj.

However, Ye’s fall from grace has been very public and nigh-impossible to explain. Previously merely a divisive figure, his past discretions faded away with time, be it his public feuds with artists like Taylor Swift or uncomfortable remarks on matters of race. In the 2020’s though, West has made himself possibly the most notorious public figure in music. Blaming factors like his high-profile divorce from TV personality Kim Kardashian and mental health problems stemming from his diagnosed bipolar disease, he has spouted antisemitic bile, harassed hundreds of former professional associates, and engaged in wildly inappropriate public behaviour. His account on social media site X, formerly Twitter, was weaponised to spew offensive claims – in particular disgusting conspiracy theories about Jews, which upset millions around the world and earned him public shaming as a “Nazi”. It is estimated that he lost over $1.4 billion in personal wealth since 2021 due to the damage he inflicted on his working relations with brands such as Adidas.

Despite being considered an untouchable pariah by the entire media industry, news published today implied he could be on the verge of returning to the stage. The article posted by The Sun’s “Bizarre” column editor Ellie Henman tells that a source aware of goings-on at London’s Wireless Festival has leaked discussions to book Kanye for this year’s iteration. The insider is quoted as saying “Ye and his team have been locked in final negotiations about headlining Wireless. The number of nights he’ll be performing is still being ironed out. Drake did three last year and Wireless are hoping Ye will commit to do the same.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wireless Festival (@wirelessfest)

While many would consider it madness to book the artist in the UK again following his negative reception at Wireless in 2014 and the 130,000 strong petition against his Glastonbury headline set in 2015, the insider gives an insight behind the rationale of the booking. “It’s been an incredibly turbulent few years for Ye, but he wants to get back on stage and prove he’s a serious musician. Wireless is a massive festival and for him to return and headline it would be huge. He lost support in the UK over his political views and statements, and he is hopeful this could bring his fans back into the fold. He has apologised profusely for his behaviour over the last few years and he wants a fresh start.”

Whether this reveal will materialise remains to be seen, as Wireless have currently made zero announcements for their 2026 lineup. As it stands the dates are not confirmed either, but are anticipated to fall around the 10th to the 12th of July. You can sign up for further announcements here.

Download is the biggest rock and heavy metal festival in the UK by attendance, averaging between 75,000 and 80,000 visitors across the site hosted on the Donington Park racecourse. Originally named Donington Monsters Of Rock, it ran under that pseudonym from 1980 to 1996. It was revived and modernised in 2003 as Download, aiming to capture the attention of fans of heavier music both young and old. This year marks the 23rd edition of the event, following up from last year’s success boosting British masked sensations Sleep Token to a headliner slot alongside Green Day and Korn.

So far 2026’s billing has already generated a lot of excitement with its top 3 bands alone. Limp Bizkit headline the festival for the first time on the Friday, Guns ‘N’ Roses make their third appearance on the Saturday, and Linkin Park’s Sunday set will be their fifth headline appearance, and first at Donington since lead singer Chester Bennington passed away in 2017. Further down are current popular names like Bad Omens and Electric Callboy, as well as less-conventional Download bookings like Cypress Hill and Scooter.

With just shy of 100 acts already confirmed in the first reveal in November last year, Download organisers teased a new drop of names with a Valentine’s day “save the day” card on social media, hinting that something was coming on the 23rd of February. Today they revealed the new additions, mostly aimed at beefing up the lower rungs of the bill and laying out the stage splits for the week.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Download Festival (@downloadfest)

No doubt the most popular announcement will be Ocala, Florida’s A Day To Remember, known for their exceptionally infectious brand of pop punk laced with metal and hardcore punk. Following on from 2025’s ‘Big Ole Album Vol. 1’ they set out on a tour of the UK and Europe last summer, including headlining the year’s Slam Dunk Festival in both Hatfield and Leeds. They will top the Opus Stage on the Sunday night.

Next up is Daughtry, the hard-rock vehicle of former-American Idol phenom Chris Daughtry. They’re currently on tour in Europe with Alter Bridge, playing 5 dates in the UK between the 25th of February and the 5th of March. Daughtry slot in just below Halestorm on Friday’s Opus Stage schedule.

Other noteworthy names include the return of UK goth-rock band Creeper, also on Friday’s Opus list, and the pairing of punky English groups Marmozets and Hot Milk on the Avalanche Stage for Saturday. A wild card selection is the first European appearance of Final Fantasy XIV composer Masayoshi Soken’s band The Primals, who will be playing live versions of the game’s acclaimed score on the Friday. The full list of acts announced today looks like this:

• Daughtry – Friday- Opus Stage
• Creeper – Friday- Opus Stage
• Silly Goose – Friday- Avalanche Stage
• Band-Maid – Friday- Dogtooth Stage
• Stampin’ Ground – Friday- Dogtooth Stage
• The Primals – Friday- Dogtooth Stage
• Hot Milk – Saturday- Avalanche Stage
• Marmozets – Saturday- Avalanche Stage
• Frozemode – Saturday- Avalanche Stage
• Conjurer – Saturday- Dogtooth Stage
• A Day To Remember – Sunday- Opus Stage
• Annisokay – Sunday- Dogtooth Stage
• Private School – Sunday- Dogtooth Stage
• Decessus – Sunday- Dogtooth Stage

A new batch of Download Festival 2026 tickets are available here, with 5 day camping options sadly sold out. You can keep up to date with the festival on their website and social media channels, before their gates open from the 10th to the 14th of June.

As we edge into January, concert goers and festival lovers will be starting to look at their calendars for 2026, anxiously planning for what their work leave or Christmas money can accommodate. No doubt some will be aiming to camp in their usual patch at Donington, or be taking deep breaths in preparation for the trauma of the Glastonbury ticket sale (it’s okay, you’ve got another year to brace for that one!). But some might be looking for a new experience or their first festival trip. This is what you can expect from the biggest festivals next year.

Glastonbury – oh have a year off will you?

Owing to the fact that the site at Worthy Farm works a day job as a dairy farm, it requires a fallow year every so often to give the fields time to recover from all the trampling. Glastonbury 2027 has been announced to fall between the 23 and 27 of June, with the first wave of acts being revealed some time in March 2027.

Download – this one’s for the Millenials

This year’s Download Festival is sure to delight fans of 00’s “nu metal”, with sets from both Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park. This will be the latter’s first UK festival appearance since singer Emily Armstrong picked up the microphone from Chester Bennington, who passed away in 2017. The top billing is rounded off by Guns N’ Roses, who are very familiar to the Midlands festival. Other highlights include German party mob Electric Callboy and an unprecedented appearance from rap legends Cypress Hill. It runs from the 10 to 14 of June.

Reading and Leeds – another year of testing boundaries- and our patience?

For the uninitiated, Reading and Leeds run the same lineup on alternating days across both sites. Historically they have booked a diverse assortment of music, from the biggest names in the charts, to rock royalty, to underground hiphop and grime. In recent years however, the diversity has been sacrificed in pursuit of a younger audience, rabid for only the latest trends. One of the things they always do well is championing British music, and 2026 is a landmark year for that. In lieu of any legacy act, all but one of their 6 headliners is from the UK, with that one being Ireland’s Fontaines D.C. Expect huge performances from Raye, Charli XCX, and drum ‘n’ bass icons Chase And Status on their dual main stages, from the 27 to 30 of August.

Isle of Wight – a great all-rounder for anyone

Held by the water near Newport on the Isle of Wight, this one can often be overlooked in favour of its more extravagant competition. But the next lineup is very robust, sporting big headliners from Scotland in the ever-endearing Lewis Capaldi, electronic chart-topper Calvin Harris, and England’s darlings, The Cure. A fantastic mix of old and new for families and all ages, including Rick Astley, and current favourites The Last Dinner Party. Runs 18 to the 21 of June.

TRNSMT – who needs vowels when you’ve got big acts?

Scotland’s biggest summer festival has been making statements in recent years, and in 2026 they’re looking to draw fans to Glasgow with the promise of Richard Ashcroft, formerly of The Verve, and Kasabian. Our friend Lewis Capaldi will also be headlining in his home city. While it may not be the sunniest place in the British Isles, people won’t miss a chance to dance to the likes of Nile Rogers & Chic or CMAT. Runs 19 to 21 June.

Wireless – radio silence?

Taking place in London’s Finsbury park, Wireless Festival is typically a big deal. However there have been no confirmed dates or acts for July 2026. Watch this space if you enjoy contemporary rap and electronic music.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BST Hyde Park (@bsthydepark)

The 74-year-old joins a diverse list of headliners, with everything except the support acts for Wonder’s performance now in place. The full line-up consists of Olivia Rodrigo (27 June), Zach Bryan (28 and 29 June), Noah Kahan (4 July), Sabrina Carpenter (5 and 6 July), Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts (11 July), and Jeff Lynne’s ELO (13 July). Wonder’s performance will fill the gap between Neil Young and Jeff Lynne’s ELO, setting the final weekend up to be a nostalgia-filled celebration.  

This year’s festival has already generated considerable buzz, with Jeff Lynne’s ELO performance set to be his last before stepping back from playing live. Actor Hugh Jackman was also announced to be playing theatre standards, backed by a live orchestra, before pulling out and being replaced with pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.  

Wonder’s last UK appearances were both at BST Hyde Park, headlining in 2016 and 2019. The 2016 show was an extension of his Songs in the Key of Life Tour, with the musician playing the album in full, as well as a few extras. His 2019 performance was more well-rounded and closer to a greatest hits set, pulling tracks from a variety of albums from across his storied career.

His 2019 show received a four-star review from The Independent, with Kate Solomon saying: “If the first half of the set is about flexing his musical muscles, the second is about blasting Hyde Park with hit after hit.”   

Wonder’s touring schedule slowed considerably in recent years. Between 2013 and 2017, the musician played 167 shows, but from 2019 to 2024, the same amount of time, that dropped to just 50 shows.  

The BST Hyde Park appearance will be the final stop on the UK leg of his ‘Love Light & Song’ tour, which will see Wonder play shows in Lancashire (3 July), Manchester (5 July), Birmingham (7 July), and Cardiff (9 July). Tickets for all four shows go on general sale at 10am on Friday 21 March, though each venue has a variety of presale events, accessible through Ticketmaster.   

Superb news for Stevie Wonder fans. He’s set to play his first gig in Wales for more than 40 years!The Master Blaster will headline Cardiff’s new Blackweir Live series. His last Welsh gig was in Swansea back in ‘84.Surely no show Hotter than July 9th, this summer?!#StevieWonder

[image or embed] — Sue Charles (@suecharles.bsky.social) 17 March 2025 at 20:02

  Tickets for his Hyde Park appearance will also go on general sale this Friday (21 March), again at 10am, with prices starting at £79.95 plus booking fees. This price places Wonder in the middle price bracket, just below Sabrina Carpenter and Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, and Zach Bryan’s second show. The only cheaper tickets are for Noah Kahan (£69.95).  

The announcement of Wonder, and his wider tour, caused huge excitement online, with plenty of fans sharing their anticipation. In response to a question about whether the ‘Superstition’ singer still “had it”, one Reddit user quickly confirmed that he definitely did, explaining his own experience and saying, “Did Stevie struggle on a few runs? Yes, but he is also still going for the craziest vocal runs with no hesitation.”  

Comment byu/Edm_vanhalen1981 from discussion inMusic

Between Wonder slowing down his touring, and BST Hyde Park’s headliners selling out all but one show, fans wanting to see him live will have to act quickly to secure tickets. Although he has other dates around the UK, the London show will be the closest for any fans in the south of England. Tickets for his BST Hyde Park shows will be available here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Truck Monster (@truckfestival)

This announcement builds on the festival’s first announcement back in November. Despite the numerous additions to the lineup, the headliners remain unchanged. Nothing But Thieves will be performing their only UK show of the year, Bloc Party will be playing their iconic 2005 album, ‘Silent Alarm’ in full, and Kasabian and Courteeners complete the headline acts. Announced in the first wave were also variety acts such as Mr Motivator, Barioke and the Oxford Symphony Orchestra, all of whom are returning from the 2024 iteration.  

With the new additions, the 2025 lineup now consists of 87 musical/variety performers, and 16 comedy acts. This is significantly less than last year where they had more than 130 performers and 19 comedy acts. The announcement suggested that more artists would be announced between now and July, and organisers have yet to announce all of the stage splits. One X user queried whether Red Rum Club would be appearing after they were included on the festival’s official 2025 Spotify playlist, though no trace of the inclusion can be found now.

Are @RedRumClub playing? they’re on the spotify playlist

— a (@a56719286) February 26, 2025

One of the standout acts from the second wave is Fish56Octagon, a DJ with over 1 million followers across Instagram and TikTok. Often donning his dressing gown and eating Weetabix, the former marketer grew into a viral sensation by showcasing his extensive dance and electronic record collection, and has since played Glastonbury, Creamfields, and Boomtown, as well as touring the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fish56octagon (@fish56octagon)

Response to the headliners has been mixed; however the sub-headliners have drawn significant interest, with Redditors looking forward to sets by Sports Team, Hard Life and Maximo Park. The Slates will also be joining the festival for the second year in a row, and their announcement had plenty of fans excited, with one X user saying, “Cracking news guys! Last year was incredible.”

Comment
byu/SuccessfulKale9249 from discussion
intruckfestival

Truck Festival has an average attendance of 20-25,000, drawing in crowds from around the South East. Along with the announcement of the additional artists, Truck Festival also took to social media to announce that they had fewer than 200 tickets left, and despite the indifference shown by some toward the headline acts, a sell out seems likely.

The festival started in 1998 after the organisers felt that most major UK festivals had grown too mainstream. Like Glastonbury, the festival takes place on a working farm, limiting the size and any plans for expansion. The first year saw eight acts take to the only stage at the festival, though it had expanded by the second year, now featuring two stages and being held across two days. 1999 had 38 acts and tickets cost just £5, compared to this years £200+.

Taking place across the same weekend as Tramlines and Latitude Festival, Truck Festival will be hoping to provide a unique experience, blending rock, indie, electronic and comedy acts to an audience just as unique. Whether further surprises regarding the lineup are in store or not, anybody wanting to attend will need to act quickly to secure tickets.

Earlier this year AIF announced a campaign called Five Percent For Festivals , which should the government grant it, would temporarily reduce the VAT on festival tickets from 20% to 5% to alleviate some of the strain on the budget and profits of festivals across the UK. The government have yet to agree to this, though they recently announced investments in Liverpool and the West Midlands as they were deemed creative hubs. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has been involved with these investments and has commented on them – but the Autumn budget failed to discuss the issues the UK nightclub scene and grassroots venues continue to face.

A post shared by AIF (@aif_uk)

    The CEO of AIF, John Rostron has said: “This has been a devastating period for the UK’s festival organisers. Ours is a highly important sector that offers opportunities to artists, audiences, and develops creative skills and volunteering opportunities across all of the UK. The festival sector generates significant revenue in and around local economies as well as to the Treasury every year… We have campaigned tirelessly for targeted, temporary government intervention which, evidence shows, would have saved most of the independent events that have fallen in 2024. It is sad to see that this erosion has been allowed to continue under this government. We have great events, with great demand, and we’re doing all we can. They need to step up, and step up now.”

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AIF (@aif_uk)

UK music sector contributed £7.6 billion to the economy last year, yet the government continues to let grassroots venues and independent festivals suffer the consequences of the economic and financial climate. Earlier this year Readipop was cancelled, with other festivals added to the list including: Nozstock Hidden Valley (held for the last time in 2024) despite running 26 years, Bluedot (taking a year off), Pennfest (cancelled for 2024), Tenterden Folk Festival (shut down) which has run for 31 years.    

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by bluedot (@bluedotfestival)

Longstanding festivals such as these, and even newer less stable ones, are going to continue to cancel, postpone or shut down completely should the government not deal with the issue at hand. Associations such as AIF and UK Music continually release figures and suggest some solutions to alleviate the problem. If festival numbers continue to deplete it could be detrimental, even if the investments the government make are beneficial for those looking to get the training and start they need to work in the music career.  What awaits after training is not promising if the grassroots and independent festivals continue to suffer the way they have this year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Glastonbury Festival (@glastofest)

Rod Stewart shared his excitement on social media, saying: “I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ll be playing Glastonbury 2025! After all these years, I’m proud and ready to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury. I’ll see you there!”

His set comes amidst a busy schedule, with two US tours, a European leg, and his final major show currently scheduled for St. Louis on August 15, 2026. The Glastonbury date, June 29, falls neatly between his Nevada (June 14) and North Carolina (July 8) performances.

Glastonbury’s ‘Legend’ slot, established in 1998 with Tony Bennett, has become a celebrated festival tradition, providing a Sunday afternoon highlight with veteran artists. Stewart’s only prior Glastonbury performance was as a 2002 headliner, alongside Coldplay and Stereophonics.

Emily Eavis announced Stewart’s return while reiterating that 2026 will be a fallow year, giving the land and festival team a chance to recover. It will be the first such break since the pandemic, aligning with Glastonbury’s sustainability efforts.

This has made the pain of not getting tickets all the greater — Scott Mottram (@scottmottram) November 26, 2024

Demand for tickets remains fierce, with this year’s allocation selling out in just 35 minutes. While many fans expressed excitement about Rod’s nostalgic appeal, others were less enthusiastic.

One Reddit user was disappointed by the announcement, stating that it means they can go watch other acts in response to another comment that criticised his 2002 performance. 

Comment
byu/thevortex23 from discussion
inglastonbury_festival

Speculation before the announcement centred on names like Cher, Stevie Nicks, and Kate Bush, which added to the many polarised reactions.

In 2026, Stewart plans to shift focus to intimate live shows, winding down his large-scale tours. However, his announcement left room for interpretation, ending it with: “But then again, I may not”. If true, this Glastonbury set could serve as a triumphant farewell to British festivals.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sir Rod Stewart (@sirrodstewart)

The Legend slot often closes Glastonbury with a touch of nostalgia, offering a change of pace from the festival’s younger headliners and emerging talent. Stewart’s extensive catalogue—spanning from ‘Maggie May’ to ‘Baby Jane’—is sure to have fans of all ages singing along, and he might even include some hits he recorded with The Faces, such as ‘Stay with Me’ and ‘You Can Make Me Dance, Sing, or Anything’.

As Glastonbury prepares for its fallow year in 2026, Rod Stewart’s return to the Pyramid Stage will serve as a fitting highlight for the last day of the 2025 festival. For one of Britain’s most enduring rock icons, it’s a moment to celebrate decades of music—whether it’s a final bow or not.

Green Day, a longstanding figure in pop-punk, headlines the festival’s opening night. Despite having been a fixture in rock for decades, this will be the band’s first performance at Download, and their new billing reflects a renewed relevance following the release of Saviors earlier this year. The album was widely praised, with Classic Rock’s Mark Beaumont describing it as “the sound of reassuring rebellion from the midst of the 21st-century breakdown”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Download Festival (@downloadfest)

Following Green Day, Saturday will see Sleep Token’s anticipated ascent to headliner status. The enigmatic UK band has seen a meteoric rise, moving from Download’s smaller stages to the pinnacle of its main stage within just a few years. Known for their atmospheric blend of metal, pop, and ambient music, Sleep Token gained substantial traction in 2023, largely due to viral exposure on TikTok, making their announcement today a surprising one to many metal fans. Their most recent album, Take Me Back to Eden, was released in 2024 to considerable acclaim. Download chief Andy Copping explained to NME that the decision to elevate Sleep Token stems from their recent success and popularity, saying, “It’s time. It’s Sleep Token’s moment,” adding that the festival has often led the way in breaking newer acts, from Slipknot to Bring Me The Horizon.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Download Festival (@downloadfest)

Rounding out the top of the bill is nu-metal stalwart Korn, who last performed at Download in 2022 as a main-stage support act. Although they have been part of Download’s line-up since 2004, 2025 will mark the first time Korn headlines the festival. Their career-spanning set is expected to draw from their 30-year history, including fan favourites from their recent Gunnersbury Park performance, which attracted a record UK crowd. The band is reportedly working on new material, adding further anticipation to their Download headlining debut.

.@DownloadFest 2025? Fuck yeah!

Tickets on sale Thursday at 9PM here: https://t.co/aD8KptBxLT.#DLXII pic.twitter.com/MrgwvZdE2d

— The Darkness (@thedarkness) November 12, 2024

In addition to the headline acts, the festival will feature a diverse range of bands and artists, from punk to extreme metal. Notable inclusions are Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, The Darkness, Alien Ant Farm, Bullet for My Valentine, and Frank Carter’s collaboration with the Sex Pistols. Further down the bill, acts such as Cradle of Filth, Steel Panther, Meshuggah, Poppy, and McFly provide breadth to this year’s programming. “There’s something for truly everyone,” Copping remarked to NME, emphasising the festival’s need to adapt and sustain a broad appeal to survive.

But wait, there’s more! UK, you’re in luck because we’re playing @DownloadFest in June (!!!) AND a show in Halifax on 30th June @ Piece Hall. The mailing list pre-sale for all of the headline shows starts tomorrow at 10am GMT/11am CET. Sending the code out in 2 hours, sign up… pic.twitter.com/Ujk9v7MUE4 — weezer (@Weezer) November 12, 2024

Download’s organisers appear to be continuing a trend of expanding the definition of a “rock” festival, following a 2024 event marked by quarrels about genre and sponsor controversies. Last year’s line-up, headlined by Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy, and Avenged Sevenfold, was criticised for under-representing traditional metal acts. The event faced last-minute challenges, as multiple artists withdrew in response to Download’s sponsorship by Barclaycard, which later withdrew after facing scrutiny.

Photo credit: Raymond Flotat

According to the Guardian, Barclays have a 5-year sponsorship deal that was signed last year with Live nation and it is understood that this does not affect the whole duration of the contract.

a spokesperson from Live nation, who are the company which run these festivals, has told the Guardian that “Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of our festivals.”

A spokesperson for Barclays told the Guardian that “Barclays was asked and has agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024. Barclays customers who hold tickets to these festivals are not affected and their tickets remain valid. The protesters’ agenda is to have Barclays debank defence companies which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe.”

This all follows a huge boycott of Brighton festival, The Great Escape, last month where over 120 artists pulled out of the festival because of their sponsorship from Barclaycard and the move has since snowballed having an effect on Latitude, Download and Isle of Wight festivals, with 17 acts pulling out of Latitude alone so far which is set to take place at the end of July. Bands such as Scowl, Pest Control and Ithaca have all withdrawn for Download’s line-up taking place this weekend.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bands Boycott Barclays (@bandsboycottbarclays)

A spokesperson for Bands Boycott Barclays has said that “This is a victory for the Palestinian-led global BDS movement. As musicians, we were horrified that our music festivals were partnered with Barclays, who are complicit in the genocide in Gaza through investment, loans and underwriting of arms companies supplying the Israeli military. Hundreds of artists have taken action this summer to make it clear that this is morally reprehensible, and we are glad we have been heard.”

They further highlighted their message to Barclays “Our demand to Barclays is simple: divest from the genocide or face further boycotts. Boycotting Barclays, also Europe’s primary funder of fossil fuels, is the minimum we can do to call for change.”

Enter Shikari, who played at Download earlier today, came out via Instagram in response to Barclays withdrawing their sponsorship from this year’s festival: “There has been mounting pressure for bands to drop out of Download festival due to the involvement of Barclays Bank.”

“We have been in talks with Download themselves, expressing our serious objection at Barclays involvement. We have considered all options, and along with other artists have been working tirelessly on this.”

“We don’t believe in rushed reactions and always want the best outcome for all involved. Thanks to this collective pressure we now believe we have achieved that – Barclays have pulled out of Download Festival.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by enter: shikari (@entershikari)