Download 2026: Our must-see bands

Download Festival 2026 is going to be massive, so we decided to break it down for our first ever episode. We've taken a look at our top five must-see bands for this year, from iconic heavyweights we know will bring the party to the breakout acts ready to make waves over the weekend, we've picked the sets you absolutely can’t miss.Expect strong opinions, a few disagreements, and plenty of hype as we dive into who’s worth your time and who might surprise you. Whether you’ve got your ticket or you’re just watching from afar, this is our list of the essential acts of the Download weekend.