The line up for Download Festival 2023 just got a hell of a lot bigger! Some huge names have been added to the already impressive set of bands playing Donington this Summer. With so many great bands joining the fun, it’s difficult to know where to start. So we’ll start with some favourites of ours here at Rock Sins – with US hard rock titans Alter Bridge and Halestorm both joining the party alongside Metallica on the Thursday of the festival. If their recent O2 arena show is anything to go by, Download attendees will be in for a very good time. US metal juggernauts Five Finger Death Punch also make their long awaited return to Download after an eight year absence. Ukrainian metal heroes Jinjer will also join the Thursday kick off, alongside the EDM stylings of Perturbator. For those who enjoy soulful, haunting music, the magical A.A. Williams will have you covered, while emo comeback kings Fearless Vampire Killers will fulfill the eyeliner quota on Thursday of Download 2023. Variety is in full flow, both on Thursday and across the full weekend of Download Festival 2023. Rounding off Thursday’s new additions are The Bronx, Caskets, Mimi Barks, Mom Jeans, Tigress and Mammoth WVH.
Joining Bring Me The Horizon on Friday of Download 2023 are a huge variety of acts across the musical spectrum. French synthwave Carpenter Brut are on board, as are Dutch symphonic metal favourites Epica. Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil’s new project Empire State Bastard makes its Download Festival debut in 2023 alongside pop punk stars Neck Deep and rising UK act Hot Milk. On the heavier end of things we have both Smash Into Pieces and Undeath, while Taipei Houston, The Warning and the genre bending favourites Pup round out Friday’s new additions.
Alongside round 2 of Metallica on Saturday, there are many noteworthy new additions to the line up. Prog favourites Coheed And Cambria return to Download, along with groove metal favourites Clutch, and horror metal rapidly rising stars Ice Nine Kills. Carcass return to Donington’s hallowed turf, representing the homegrown extreme metal contingent, while Bob Vylan continue their rapid ascent by taking to the stage at Download for the first time. US newcomer rock duo Antisaint will also make their Download debut, with “Hunstanton’s finest” Deaf Havana also onboard on Saturday’s line up. US metallers Bad Wolves and Spirit Adrift will also be playing, with former Dillinger Escape Plan frontman Greg Puciato making his solo Download bow.
Finally, on Sunday, coming to join the closing day of the party with headliners Slipknot is another assortment of bands all across the heavy spectrum. Hardcore legends Hatebreed always go down a storm at Download, and 2023 will surely be no different. Electric Callboy will bring their unique brand of party metal to Donington, and theatrics aplenty are guaranteed from Avatar. That description can also apply aptly to Palaye Royale, while The Hu continue their global rise by coming to Download 2023. The Amity Affliction join their compatriots Parkway Drive in representing Australia at this years’ Download Festival, while the line up is further bolstered by Green Lung, Beauty School, Joey Valance and Brae and Cleopatrick. For a full run down of the line up and which bands are playing which days, check out the poster below:
All of the above bands join headliners Metallica, Slipknot and Bring Me The Horizon, with Parkway Drive, Architects, Evanescence, Within Temptation, Simple Plan, Pendulum, Placebo and many more on the line up for the 20th anniversary of the Download Festival. Download 2023 takes place from the 8th to the 11th of June 2023 at the home of rock and metal, Donington Park. Campsite is open from the 7th – 12th of June. Last weekend tickets for Download 2023, along with day tickets, are available now on this link.
Stay tuned to Rock Sins for more from the Download Festival, including an exclusive interview with Download booker Kamran Haq, in the coming days!
Header image of KISS playing Download Festival 2022 by David Dillon, used with permission from the festival press team.
