SLEEP TOKEN MAKE HISTORIC HEADLINE PERFORMANCE ON DAY TWO
OF DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2025

★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

CROWD SURFING ON SATURDAY AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2025
PHOTOCREDIT: CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI

Day 2 started off with sun, had a bit of rain, but ended on a blue sunset. This day – headlined by Sleep Token – was one of the most anticipated dates of the festival, as the headliner band had caused a lot of noise and polarised opinions. But before we get to that, here are some highlights from the day.

Storming the stage early in the afternoon with a lot of drama and energy, Kim Dracula brought theatrics and saxophones mixed with drag and metalcore to Donington. A unique sound, a commanding stage presence, a mix of clean and screamo vocals and changes in the sound going from heavy to mellow, Kim Dracula and the band caught everyone’s attention. It was an incredible set and one that definitely made an impact amongst the festival attendees.

Following their small and intimate UK tour ahead of their main stage performance, Don Broco took the stage with fire and fervour. The performance had everything the crowd needed to dance and have a great time – a blend of rock and alt-pop, pyro, energy, and hit songs that prompted a lot of sing-alongs, crowd-surfing and non-stop crowd interaction. The band was very excited to take on the main stage, and they thanked their audience for allowing them to deliver their high-octane performance on such a level. They were one of the hottest performances of the weekend, and one that will definitely earn them a festival-must-have spot in the future.

A band known for their sensual energy, theatrical swagger and tight musicianship, Palaye Royale had one of the largest crowds of the weekend. Having fans sing along to anthems such as ‘Lonely’ and ‘Nightmares’, Palaye Royale knew how to work their audience and get the crowd excited in the British summer. Armed with glam punk energy, restless running around the stage and rock n roll attitude, the band are not just a festival main-stage act, but a future headliner. Can we get a round two asap please?

Loathe’s mid-day Apex performance was a masterclass in ambience. Their set delivered atmosphere and metalcore aggression at the same time, whilst the on-stage dancing complemented the dust-filled moshpits in the crowd and the synchronised headbanding on the barricade. Loathe are a band that have been playing the same setlist for a while, yet they never fail to deliver – and the crowd cannot get enough. Their set flew by so quickly, leaving people wanting more despite how early they were on at the bill, they definitely left an impression. Following that set, they went on to do a secret set at Outbreak Festival, pleasing not only one but two different crowds on the same day.

A band that has been climbing the rock ladder slowly but steadily, the alt-rockers brought uplifting energy in the tent that features a set of fan favourites and rock anthems which earned a lot of cheers from their audience. For a band that has reached great numbers in the UK album charts and has recently reunited, they have reached new highs during the last two festival seasons so they were a great band to join the Download bill this year. They will definitely start playing larger venues very soon, because the crowd just can’t get enough of them.

Veteran rockers Shinedown delivered a pyro-filled and polished rock performance, filling their set with power ballads and adrenaline-filled anthems alike. Their sound was incredible, reminding the crowd of stadium-level performances, whilst also having a large audience watching their set ahead of the main headliner. Shinedown really know how to deliver a performance of a large scale – it was one of the day’s most talked about bands and one that should definitely make a Download comeback in the future.

Opening up the day in the small tent, Zetra are slowly gaining a very large following. Having people sport Zetra banners all weekend during the festival, they bring aggressive and intense metal energy coupled with intricate riffs and an even more mystical stage presence. Guitar breakdowns are complemented by tight instrumentation and keys, drawing a fervent response from the metalcore crowd. We are looking at a band that will slowly start making waves and attracting hardcore fans in the future, and their set was testament to how good their show was, even if short.

Rock n roll swagger, flamboyant glam, crowd-surfing by the lead singer and pyro on stage are only the start of how dazzling a Darkness performance is. Theatrics are not even enough to cover how great of a show the band can pull off, no matter what the venue is. Having completed their recent UK tour to promote their newest album, The Darkness know how to bring old-school rock n roll back and create a legacy that has been missing from the scene for too long. Their set is fun, playful, filled with banter, jokes, crowd interactions and sing-alongs of songs such as ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’ and ‘Rock n Roll Party Cowboy’. They were one of the greatest performances to watch on Saturday, and the band really knows how to entertain their audience. Whoever missed their set really missed out on a great act.

Not even leaving the Opus stage, Frank Carter took over from Justin Hawkins to make history. With raw power and punk energy, the band unleashed a fiery set of fan classics, sparking chaos and circle pits alongside crowd interactions. Bringing back iconic tracks, Frank Carter has resurrected the Sex Pistols and the punk scene with energy that has been missing for decades. And of course, there was no better place to do it than Download Festival. It was another must see performance of the day, and a band that should not be missed live.

FRANK CARTER & PAUL COOK, STEVE JONES & GLEN MATLOCK OF THE SEX PISTOLS PERFORMING ON SATURDAY AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2025
PHOTOCREDIT; CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI

One of the most ambiguous headliner choices, Sleep Token went from Dogtooth to Apex in zero time due to their meteoric rise following their latest two albums. Even In Arcadia was an album that topped American and UK charts, and a lot of people had really high expectations for a band that is crowned the greatest metal act of its generation. The stage production was incredible, with a stage built entirely to match the band’s lore and their headliner slot was mesmerising. Waterfalls on stage, smoke, immersive backtracks and a set that started off behind a curtain, creating an audio experience before the stage was revealed made the audience hold their breaths until the masked collective was visible. Sleep Token’s setlist was also a feast for the ears of their listeners, containing songs that spanned the band’s 10-year career, from ‘Thread the Needle’, one of their first songs ever released, to fan favourites such as ‘Caramel’, ‘Alkaline’ and ‘The Summoning’. With soaring crescendos, intense vocals and ambience, Sleep Token definitely delivered a performance that was festival-headliner worthy.

There were however a lot of mishaps, from a delayed start to a lull between the songs. Critics of the band cited lack of crowd interaction – something that people who do not know the lore and philosophy of the band found odd – the sound being less grande than their indoor arena gigs last year and lack of energy from the crowd, especially in comparison to the energy that Green Day brought the day before. Fans of the band definitely had a great experience, but it was difficult for the band to win the crowd over, especially for people who did not know the deal of Sleep Token. Despite the audience being attentive to the set and songs, I definitely heard a lot of people commenting negatively on their performance. It remains to be seen how the band will win new fans over in their upcoming tour, but the performance was definitely one that has marked Download’s history.