Having just celebrated Record Store Day 2025 (see our recommended best release pick up’s for that on this post), the Download Festival team have another glut of announcements for everyone! This includes the full District X programme – but more on that later! The one that ties in most closely to RSD 2025 is the fact that Raven Records – the Independent Record Store, Coffee Shop and non-alcoholic Bar – will be hosting a pop up shop at Download Festival 2025!
The Raven Records pop up will be offering far more than excellent CD’s, Vinyl’s and beverages at Download 2025. It will be a hub of activities, offering everything from battle jacket meet up’s and sewing lessons (get those patches on!) to heavy metal therapy sessions, Satanic recovery meetings. Slam poetry competitions and late night DJ appearances will also be on the agenda.
Download’s senior booker Kamran Haq had this to say about the latest addition to this years’ event:
We’re really happy to have Raven Records onboard this year, as we think it’s so important to support independent businesses and for non-drinkers at Download to have a safe space. We have several no/lo-alcohol offerings at Download and we’re always looking to build on that, as well as our onsite wellness offerings.
The wellness offerings at Donington this year also expand beyond the Raven Records pop up. Blink will be hosting multiple sessions in the now legendary District X, including talking therapy and other mindfulness activities. Flowstate will also be on hand, offering activities ranging from Yoga to guided meditation along with sound baths and more. Diverse UK will also have two sensory calm locations at this years’ Download. These will be spaces for people to take a breather if the sights and sounds of Donington get a bit much temporarily for anyone.
District X at Download Festival 2025
Along with the wellness aspects of Download 2025, we also have the full after hours entertainment schedule! District X looks like it is going to be another highlight of the festival once again. Fresh from the news about The Vengaboys playing Download, we’ve got the full District X schedule.
As with last year, District X will play home to an excellent selection of special performances, guest DJ appearances, acoustic performances – some of which will be secret sets, quizzes, karaoke and more! Our good friend Jon Mahon will be hosting The Doghouse – the main club tent venue of District X, acting as master of ceremonies and we’re sure playing a few tunes himself too! Download favourites and vets like Alex Baker, Zoe London, Hang The DJ’s, Sophie K, Tasmin Taylor and She They Press Play (featuring our own Charlotte Claber) are all returning for what will be excellent DJ sets. We have guest DJ sets from the likes of dubstep legends Modestep and Cradle Of Filth mastermind Dani Filth. Also onboard behind the decks are McFly’s Dougie Poynter, Cancer Bats’ Liam Cormier and Kids In Glass Houses Aled Philips!
Elsewhere, Funeral For A Friend continue their partnership with Holding Absence frontman Lucas Woodland for a very special acoustic performance. Various podcasts will be holding special live editions. This includes The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins bringing his excellent Justin Hawkins Rides Again to District X! The legends of On Wednesdays We Wear Black will also be returning for a new live episode. That’s only the beginning! Check out the full District X line up on the poster below.
All of the above will take place in addition to the actual main line up of the 2025 Download Festival. Headlined by Green Day, Sleep Token and KoRn – the first full new set of Download headliners since 2010! They top the line up of approximately 100 bands taking to the stage at Donington Park, the spiritual home of rock and metal in the UK.
Limited tickets, including day tickets, remain for Download Festival 2025. If you are still in need of tickets to Download for this year, then don’t delay and get them now on this link!
Stay tuned for the latest news on Download 2025 (and other festivals) right here at Rock Sins!
