With only four weeks between now and the deluge known as Download Festival, it’s about time we had a glance at who’s gracing the third and largest tent stage this year, entitled The Avalanche Stage and hosted by none other than Kerrang! Packed with acts that are seeing in their second Download and beyond, Donington is due for an ear-shattering tent throughout the weekend, so here’s our pick of the ten acts you shouldn’t miss this year.
Code Orange
On the back of their blockbusting new album ‘Forever’, Pennsylvania hardcore bruisers Code Orange take to the Avalanche Stage in front of more new fans than ever. Fresh tracks ‘Forever’ and ‘Bleeding in the Blur’ should cause a bit of havoc in the big blue tent this year, quite neatly offsetting fan favourites ‘My World’ and ‘I Am King’. We’re just hoping there’s no mud to dampen the atmosphere! Code Orange are an unstoppable outfit that’s taken huge risks already in 2017 – it’s anybody’s guess what they could pull out of the bag at Donington.
Issues
Making their first UK appearance since their second album ‘Headspace’ last year, boundary-pushing metalcore posse Issues are sure to bring their ever-contagious anthems to Donington. There’s no denying ‘Never Lose Your Flames’ will go down a storm in such an intimate setting, while ‘Disappear (Remember When)’ is sure to cause a few fist-pumping moments. With Messrs Carter and Bohn in charge, Friday afternoon is bound to be ‘The Realest’.
State Champs
Missing your pop punk fix ahead of the glorious British summer? Spend your Friday afternoon with State Champs in the Avalanche tent and compare how much you hate your town with everyone beside you. Now classic ‘Secrets’ and fan favourite ‘Elevated’ will echo around the third stage and even the campsite that night, but luckily there should be a pizza stand close by the tent to top off your experience with DiScanio and co.
Sleeping with Sirens
It feels like a century since the Michigan lot dropped last album ‘Madness’, but this headline slot in the Avalanche tent should assuage any trepidation you may have that the pop rockers are slowing down. Kellin Quinn and co. are due to make their first appearance at Download with a well-deserved third stage headliner. ‘If You Can’t Hang’, the tent has no doors to leave through, but we can pretty much guarantee SWS fans will be pleased to hear classics like ‘If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn’ and ‘Congratulations’ in such an intimate setting.
As It Is
Ever since ‘Never Happy, Ever After’ burst onto the scene in 2015, the UK’s been rather proud of pop punk exports As It Is. On the back of terrific new album ‘okay.’, Brighton’s very own boys take to the Download stage for the first time in 2017, bringing with them infectious hooks and contagious anthems to punch the air to. Watching these southern lads rocket through the atmosphere with classics like ‘Dial Tones’ and ‘Cheap Shots and Setbacks’ under their belts has been a treat for us at Rock Sins, we couldn’t be more proud that they are finally gracing Donington with their energy.
Every Time I Die
Buffalo bruisers Every Time I Die make their third appearance at Download this year on the Avalanche stage – not the smartest of moves given they could easily rip the roof off that tent. Whether you’re up for ‘Decaying with the Boys’ or ‘Bored Stiff’ by the other stages on Saturday, you can always rely on metalcore icons ETID to deliver a set with as much fervour as ever. Since storming the scene with their eighth album ‘Low Teens’ at the end of last year, 2017 is certainly keeping them busy but we have every faith they will in fact cause an avalanche at the Avalanche stage.
The Story So Far
Their self-titled smashing album has matured well over the last two years, so it seems fitting that The Story So Far make their Donington debut so close to the Saturday headline slot. Even if Download becomes Drownload, at least we can be sure the Avalanche stage can expect some ‘Quicksand’ from the ever-faithful pop punk purveyors. We won’t need a ‘Clairvoyant’ to tell us Saturday night will be spectacular to finally see these lads in such a close setting – Parker Cannon knows exactly how to handle festival behaviour after all!
Simple Plan
If you’ve been waiting to see Simple Plan as long as we have, ‘Welcome to My Life’. Simple Plan haven’t seen Donington soil since 2008, so it’s only fair they grace the Saturday headline slot for the Avalanche stage with plenty of wisdom and bangers under their belts. ‘I’d Do Anything’ is sure to end Saturday’s proceedings on a high with the typical energy from the Montreal legends – we’re betting ‘Shut Up’ will be this year’s chant on the way back to the campsite.
Blood Youth
Melodic boys Blood Youth take to the Sunday lineup of the Avalanche stage for their second Download appearance in as many years – a feat that’s even surprised the band themselves. If there was ever a ‘Reason to Stay’ at the barrier in the big blue tent this year, it’s Blood Youth, as talented as they are humble at their rise to success. Hot on the heels of April’s album ‘Beyond Repair’, we can assure you Sunday’s proceedings will ensure there’s no roof left on the tent once Blood Youth start ‘Making Waves’.
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Tissues at the ready for blood, sweat and tears – The Dillinger Escape Plan’s final UK appearance closes Download 2017 on a sentimental note. Their fifth and final set in Donington will call time on their twenty-year career raising the roof of every venue they’ve ever entered, often while Greg Puciato climbs the rafters. With last year’s storming release ‘Dissociation’ in the bag, it’s anybody’s guess how much of this set will focus on classics and new material. The population of the Avalanche tent for the final moments of the timeless will be ‘43% Burnt’ but at least this is the last opportunity to see their farewell set in such an intense, enclosed environment – you won’t want to miss this set for anything.
If that’s persuaded you to grab a ticket, you can find more information on the official Download Festival website. Keep your eyes peeled for more previews of the acts heading to Donington this year right here on Rock Sins!
