Download Festival

We’re backstage at Download Festival, and under the warm glow of a glorious sun, spirits are high and riffs are even higher. For Eric Bass - Shinedown’s bassist, producer, and creative linchpin - festival sets are more than just a gig. They’re a proving ground.

Backstage at Download Festival, life has barely been better. The sun isn’t just shining, it's bathing us in its warm embrace, and we have just watched GORE. dominate the Dogtooth Stage like veterans of the industry. The American newcomers just came off the biggest show of their lives - their 22nd gig ever - and they already sound like a band plotting even bigger things.

Amongst the smell of warm cider, dry grass and feverish anticipation, Eicca Toppinen - towering cellist, founding architect of Finnish symphonic juggernauts Apocalyptica - meets us for a chat ahead of the band's performance at Download Festival.

It might have been the third day at Download but despite all the miles, all the hills, all the foot stompin’ and all the sunburn on my neck, Alien Ant Farm relit the fuse inside me as they tore up the stage like it was 1999. After their set BringTheNoiseUK waded through the chaos to catch up with the band's Dryden Mitchell and Terry Corso.

Unprocessed aren’t just riding a wave. They’re creating one and now they’re lighting it up one stage at a time. We caught up with them at Download Festival to find out more...

We were back for another glorious weekend at Download Festival.

The truth is, Download is changing. Slowly. Carefully. But undeniably. It’s not just about what’s selling tickets now - it’s about building the scene, the industry, and the culture for the years to come. Because if we don’t, the future will be nothing but tribute acts and cover bands on the big stage. And that, friends, would be a tragedy.

DLXXII is just around the corner, we take a look at the line-up and what the weekend will hold.

Many more names have been confirmed - read on for more details!

By the time we meet Kelsy Karter & The Heroines backstage at Download, not only are the gang still in