8 Bands We’re Most Excited to See at Download 2026

By Stuart Peach

Download Festival always feels like a different beast and this year is no exception. The scale and the history of Donington itself make it one of those places where bands either rise to the occasion or get completely swallowed up by it. Looking at this year’s lineup, there are a few artists who feel perfectly set up to meet that moment.

Here are just 8 of the bands we are most excited to catch at Download 2026!

Electric Callboy

Few bands have grown as quickly in recent years as Electric Callboy. From viral chaotic music vids to festival mainstays, they have turned what could have been just a novelty into one of the most in-demand live shows in heavy music.

Their second stage headlining set at Slam Dunk last year showed just how far they have come, stepping into a top slot at one of the UK’s biggest alternative festivals. Alongside that, recent singles like, “Tanzneid” and “Revery,” show they are still pushing forward after the success of Tekkno.

Download feels like the perfect setting for them now. Bigger stage, bigger crowd, and a show that is built for exactly that kind of scale, bring on the canons and pyro.

Feeder

For a lot of UK fans, Feeder are more than just another name on the lineup. As a Welsh band who have been part of the alternative scene for decades, they have built a catalogue that still resonates across generations.

They were one of the first bands I ever saw live, so there is something genuinely full circle about seeing them at a festival like Download. With albums like Torpedo proving they are still active and relevant, their set feels like it could land somewhere between nostalgia and a reminder of just how consistent they have been.

At a festival built on legacy, they fit perfectly.

LANDMVRKS

LANDMVRKS have been steadily building towards this kind of slot for years, and recently it feels like that momentum has properly taken off. Their latest album was met with a strong response, and their continued touring has only pushed them further forward.

That included a UK run in December, showing just how much their audience has grown on this side of things. Download gives them a chance to take that progress and scale it up again. They have already proven themselves in smaller rooms; now it is about translating that intensity to a much bigger crowd.

Thornhill

It feels like Thornhill are constantly back in the UK, and that consistency has made a real difference. Each tour seems to push them further, with growing crowds and a stronger connection with their audience every time.

Their latest album Bodies continues that evolution, building on the stylistic shift introduced with Heroine and pushing further into a more experimental, atmospheric direction. That growth has made them stand out from a lot of their peers, especially live.

Download feels like a natural next step. They have done the groundwork, and now they get to bring that to one of the biggest stages they have played here.

Tropic Gold

Tropic Gold feel like one of the more interesting newer names on the lineup, especially with how they blur the lines between alternative, electronic, and heavier influences. Their recent releases have leaned into that mix, building a sound that feels just as suited to big festival stages as it does smaller, more intimate shows. Their 2025 EP SICK TO DEATH OF EVERYTHING was a perfect blend of the sounds they’ve put out since 2019 and another one of my favourites of the year.

They are still earlier in their journey compared to some of the bigger names here, but that is exactly what makes a Download slot so important. It is the kind of setting where a band like this can win over a completely new audience in the space of half an hour.

South Arcade

South Arcade bring a completely different energy to the lineup, pulling heavily from early 2000s influences while still feeling incredibly fresh in 2026. Their sound leans into that nostalgic, synth-driven alt style, which has been gaining more and more attention recently within the scene.

With a growing online presence and a steady run of releases, they have been building momentum in a way that feels very in line with how newer bands break through now. Download gives them a chance to take that momentum and see how it translates to a live crowd on a much bigger scale.

Vianova

Vianova sit on the heavier and more experimental end of the lineup, bringing a mix of metalcore and electronic elements that feels chaotic in the best way. Their recent material has pushed that sound further, making them one of the more unpredictable sets across the weekend.

They are another band that have been steadily gaining attention through touring and releases, and Download feels like a real opportunity to push that even further. On a lineup this varied, they stand out, and that could work completely in their favour.

Their 2025 album ‘Hit It’ was a favourite of mine from the year and seemed to have done a lot for bringing the Berlin band into the forefront of a lot of new fans’ regular rotations.

Bad Omens

There are few bands on this lineup that have seen the kind of rise Bad Omens have had. Since The Death of Peace of Mind, they have moved from smaller venues to huge headline tours, with their fanbase growing at a rapid pace.

It has also been a while since their last full-length release, which makes their current run even more interesting. With newer singles starting to appear, Download could be one of the first chances for UK fans to hear that material live.

More than anything, this feels like a defining moment. They have already proven they can headline their own shows, but a Download crowd is something else entirely. If they pull it off, it will only cement their place at the very top of the current scene. (Let’s have the new album soon though please guys!)