Dear Download

The chatty trekker Joe Butler - Instagram  

This episode we chat about everything else you can find going on at Download Festival 2026, from the District X line-up, to food and much more in between.  Thanks again to our sponsor Broken Day Clothing. You can find them, along with our new colab T-shirt right here. Broken Day Clothing Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema Simons Vinted

This episode we discuss every band playing on the Sunday at Download Festival 2026.  Sunday at Download Festival 2026 is shaping up to be one of the festival’s strongest days for modern rock and metal, headlined by Linkin Park, whose set is expected to combine classic nu-metal favourites with newer material from the band’s current era featuring Emily Armstrong. Other standout acts include Bad Omens, known for blending metalcore with huge melodic hooks and atmospheric production; Ice Nine Kills, famous for their theatrical horror-inspired live shows; The Pretty Reckless, bringing a more classic hard rock sound led by Taylor Momsen’s vocals; Kublai Khan TX, delivering some of the heaviest breakdowns of the weekend; and Bloodywood, whose fusion of metal and Punjabi folk has made them a major festival favourite. The Sunday lineup overall leans toward modern alternative metal, emotional heavy music, and high-energy live performances to close out the weekend. Thanks again to our sponsor Broken Day Clothing. You can find them, along with our new colab T-shirt right here. Broken Day Clothing Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema Simons Vinted

This episode we discuss every band playing on the Saturday at Download Festival 2026.  Saturday at Download Festival 2026 is headlined by Guns N’ Roses, bringing a classic, stadium-rock feel with their biggest hits. The day mixes modern heavy acts like We came as Romans and Architects with established names such as Trivium and Drowning Pool. There’s also a blend of alternative and crossover appeal from The All-American Rejects, Bush, and BABYMETAL, alongside heavier acts like Decapitated and Behemoth, making it a diverse day that balances nostalgia with modern metal. Thanks again to our sponsor Broken Day Clothing. You can find them, along with our new colab T-shirt right here. Broken Day Clothing Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema Simons Vinted Trivium Playlist

Join us in this bonus episode where we speak with Lais Martins Waring about PR and her involvement with Download Festival - what she does in the lead up to the festival and her role on site as well.  

This episode we discuss every band playing on the Friday at Download Festival 2026.  Friday at Download Festival 2026 is led by Limp Bizkit as headliners, with major acts like Cypress Hill, Pendulum, and Electric Callboy setting a strong rap-rock and nu metal tone. The lineup is rounded out by popular rock and metal names such as Halestorm, Periphery, alongside heavier and cult acts like Corrosion of Conformity and Creeper. Overall, the day blends nostalgia with modern metalcore and alternative sounds, creating a high-energy start to the festival. Thanks again to our sponser Broken Day Clothing. You can find them, along with our new colab T-shirt right here. Broken Day Clothing Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema

This episode we talk all about what we can expect at Eddfest this year which is being held at Knebworth on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July. We also revisit our top 10 Iron Maiden albums for the first time in almost 5 years.  Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema

This episode we dive into the history of Limp Bizkit, the headliners for Friday at Download Festival 2026. Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema

This episode we talk all about Download Festival 2026's Saturday headliners Gun N' Roses! Beginning with the beginning, we also touch upon all of their albums, some of the problems the band has faced over the years and what to expect from them this year. Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema Simon's Use Your Illusion

This episode we talk all about Linkin Park, who are headlining Download Festival 2026 on the Sunday! We discuss their history, their albums, our opinions on them over the years and what we might expect to see at Download this year. Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema Linkin Park Spotify playlist

This episode we chat about our memories of Download Festival 2009, we look at the line up, the map, the Red bull bedroom jam . com stage and some of the other things that were happening at the time. Dear Download Linktree Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie YouTube channels Simon Bond Critical Pit Simon Says cinema

This episode we chat about what 2026 will hold for us, for festivals, for music releases and also films and other bits in general. Dear Download Linktree Simon's YouTube Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie

This episode we announce the winners of the Dear Download awards for 2025. We had more votes than any previous year for more accurate results. We also celebrate hitting 50,000 all time downloads! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Dear Download this year. Dear Download Linktree Simon's YouTube Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie

CLICK HERE TO VOTE Vote here We've got this episode out early to give you all a little bit more time to cast your votes. This episode we are back with our 4th annual DD awards covering best and worst albums, best live performances and much more. Get your votes in before Thursday, which is when we will record and reveal the winners.  Dear Download Linktree Simon's YouTube Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie

This episode we talk about 10 iconic albums that turn 10 this year. Killing Joke - Pylon Three days grace - Human Soilwork - The ride majestic Fear Factory - Genexus Soulfly - Archangel Shinedown - Threat to Survival Fightstar - Behind the Devil's back Ghost - Meliora Bring me the horizon - That’s the Spirit Cradle of Filth - Hammer of the witches Linktree Simon's YouTube Mercury Knight Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie  

This is by far our most in depth analysis of Download Festival's first band announcement, it may well be the most in depth analysis of the DL2026 first announcement so far. Join us as we talk about all of the bands that stand out to us so far, and take a deep dive into the lineup as a whole, the curveball, and what the future holds for Download festival headliners. Linktree Simon's YouTube Broken Day x Dear Download hoodie

This episode we talk about 10 iconic albums that turn 20 this year. Bullet for my Valentine - the poison Trivium - Ascendancy DevilDriver - The fury of our makers hand Porcupine Tree - Deadwing Mudvayne - Lost and Found Story of the Year - In the wake of Determination Funeral for a Friend - Hours Paradise Lost - Paradise Lost Static-X - Start a War Korn - See you on the Otherside Linktree Simon's YouTube Simon's Paradise Lost playlist

This episode we talk about 10 iconic albums that turn 30 this year. Faith No More - King for a day At The Gates - Slaughter of the Soul Death - Symbolic Fear Factory - Demanufacture Gamma Ray - Land of the free Iron Maiden - X-Factor Ozzy Osbourne - Osmosis Paradise Lost - Draconian Times Rammstein - Herzslied Deftones - Adrenaline Linktree Simon's YouTube Simon's Paradise Lost playlist

This episode we discuss all the news from all the recent festival announcements including Rock am/im Park/Ring, Ressurection fest, Nova Rocks, Tons of Rock, Tuska, Copenhell, Rock for People and Sonisphere. And we speculate how Download festival 2026 might look compared to these festivals.  You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn

This episode we discuss our predictions, and look back at the headliners from the last 10 years for all the regular festivals the come up on the podcast, including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air Festival, 2000 Trees, Slam Dunk festival and Reading and Leeds. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn

This episode Simon tells us all about his time at Bloodstock festival this year.  You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn

This episode we take a walk down memory lane, talking about some of our favourite episodes, some of the amazing people we've met through doing the podcast, a brief look at where we may be going over the next 4 years and as always, give ourselves a pat on the back. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn

This episode Simon tells us all about his time at 2000 Trees festival 2025. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn

This episode Simon talks about one of his favourite fastivals of the year - 2000 Trees - and gives you all the reasons why you should go too! 2000 Trees info You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram

This episode we discuss everything we experienced on the Saturday and Sunday at Download Festival 2025, plus many many other tid bits from this years festival. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we discuss everything we experienced from the Tuesday to the Friday at Download Festival 2025! You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

Good morning Download Festival 2025.

This episode we discuss everything else that's going on accross the weekend of Download Festival 2025 that isn't the arena bands. We dive deep into the map and talk about some new things that have been added, we discuss our own set on the Dear Download stage in R.I.P, as well as some of the things happening in District X.  Dear Download stage bands The Takeover on Wednesday You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

In this episode we take the time to interview Harry White - the Suit wearing Managing director, CEO, Owner and top bloke of Hammerdown Festival. Hammerdown is one of the fastest growing festivals of the UK currently and we had the chance to sit down with Harry to learn about some of the history, behind the scenes, general running of the festival and much more. Find all information about the festival here Hammerdown Website Hammerdown 2025 Spotify playlist Hammerdown Tickets You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox  

This episode we listen to and discuss every single band booked to play on the Sunday at Download Festival 2025! CLICK HERE FOR OUR STORE! OPEN 1st MAY 2025! BROKEN DAY CLOTHING! ALSO FROM 1st MAY You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Emma Sturman Youtube vlogs Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we listen to and discuss every single band booked to play on the Satrurday at Download Festival 2025! CLICK HERE FOR OUR STORE! OPEN 1st MAY 2025! BROKEN DAY CLOTHING! ALSO FROM 1st MAY You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Emma Sturman Youtube vlogs Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we listen to and discuss every single band booked to play on the Friday at Download Festival 2025! To be a part of the exclusive Dear Download podfest 2025 t-shirts join up to the patreon here. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Emma Sturman Youtube vlogs Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode is a follow on from our last episode of tips tricks and life hacks of how to survive the weekend at Download Festival. To be a part of the exclusive Dear Download podfest 2025 t-shirts join up to the patreon here. Ashes by Dawn - Metal 2 the masses gig. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Emma Sturman Youtube vlogs Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox Download festival for a beginner. Beginners guide to download festival my first time going to download festival my first festival

This episode we are joined by our boy Stu again to go over some of our best tips tricks and hacks for surviving the weekend at Download Festival. We have almost 60 years of expierience between the 3 of us, so we wanted to sit down and document as much information as we could that could be used by veterans and beginners alike. We cover any and everything we can think of from the time you buy your ticket, to when you get home on Monday and everything in between. To be a part of the exclusive Dear Download podfest 2025 t-shirts join up to the patreon here. Ashes by Dawn - Metal 2 the masses gig. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Emma Sturman Youtube vlogs Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox Download festival for a beginner. Beginners guide to download festival my first time going to download festival my first festival

This episode we go back 17 years to take a look at Download Festival 2008. We discuss the memories we have and the bands we saw, and read out some stories from some of the band members, as well as some of our listeners memories too. To be a part of the exclusive Dear Download podfest 2025 t-shirts join up to the patreon here. Ashes by Dawn - Metal 2 the masses gig. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we are joined by our boy Stu to dive into the music and history of Korn, this years Download 2025 Sunday headliners. We discuss every studio album as well as what we might expect from them live this year. If you like what you hear from Stu, you can find more of him on his Youtube channel SMTV and his podcast Trash Talkin'. SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Ashes by Dawn To be a part of the exclusive Dear Download podfest 2025 t-shirts join up to the patreon here. Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we take a deep dive into the music and lore of Download 2025's Saturday headliners, Sleep Token.   If you like what you hear from Stu, you can find more of him on his Youtube channel SMTV and his podcast Trash Talkin'. SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube To be a part of the exclusive Dear Download podfest 2025 t-shirts join up to the patreon here. Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we are joined by our boy Stu to dive into the music and history of Green Day. Not only are Green Day playing at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park for the very first time, they are headlining it on the Friday of Download Festival 2025! If you like what you hear from Stu, you can find more of him on his Youtube channel SMTV and his podcast Trash Talkin'. SMTV Youtube Trash Talkin' Podcast Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube To be a part of the exclusive Dear Download podfest 2025 t-shirts join up to the patreon here. Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we reveal the winners of the Dear Download awards of 2024. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we go over the nominations for the Dear Download awards 2024. To be part of it join the Discord in the link tree below. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we discuss what we think of the Download Festival 2025 lineup so far. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we are joined by the one and only Rob Kellas from TPDTV to talk about all things Download Festival. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we discuss who we want to see, who we expect to see and who we really don't want at Download Festival 2025. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we are joined by my friends and old members of Men Podcasting Badly, Dan Cross and Rich Cooke, to play some old games and talk about them. The games played this episode are Hannah Montana spotlight world tour for the Nintendo Wii. Earache Extreme metal racing for the PC. Spice world the movie for the PS1 and Kiss Psycho Circus the nightmare child on the Dreamcast. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we discuss everything that's been in the news recently including Linkin Park's reunion, adding Emily Armstrong to the band, the Oasis reunion and how David Grohl has been a very naughty boy indeed. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we are joined by Stu Reid from the Top Turnbucle podcast to talk about all things wrestling and the crossover it has with rock music in general. You can find them in these places: Spotify Facebook Instagram And you can find us here: Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode Simon tells us of his experiences attending Bloodstock festival 2024. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode Simon tells us about his most recent festival 2000 Trees. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

This episode we talk about the bands on the Saturday and Sunday at this years Download Festival 2024, as well as everything else we didn't talk about in part 1. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox

In this episode we cover most of what we experienced at Download Festival 2024 from the Wednesday - Friday, including the car parks, the Dear Download meet up, our live show on the courtyard stage, the tornado that is the Tazmanian Chidzvidz, some of the bands from the Friday and much much more. You can find us here Linktree Simon's YouTube Stu's YouTube Stu's Tiktok Stu's Instagram Here are some youtube channels of our listeners too. Please check them out and give them the support they deserve! George Butler YouTube Metal Daz YouTube The Alt Pulse Project YouTube Also, if you need a new kitchen see Wil C in our Discord. Credits: Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/RunnerPack/sounds/87039/ Explicit Intro - https://freesound.org/people/simplewave/sounds/372876/ Intro music - Simon Bond Intro robot voice - Adam Cox