The headlines may have screamed about the sadly inevitable stormy weather, but there was much more to Download 2024 than an admittedly colossal mud fest. From Mike Patton taunting with Spandau Ballet to a "fucked up" Joshua Homme, and Pantera's first UK gig in 23 years, this year's Download Festival was a triumph against the odds.
A complete sell-out for only the second time ever after 2023's event, Download XXI kicked off on Friday 14th June. Although a yearly pilgrimage for many just for the event itself, it would of course mean little without the soundtrack, and the opening day saw the likes of The Struts, Black Stone Cherry, and Soft Play wowing the earliest attendees.
Moving into the evening, the always contrary Mr. Bungle took to the stage for not only their first UK festival appearance ever, but their first gig in the UK since 2000. With a rejigged line-up featuring original members Mike Patton, guitarist Trey Spruance, and bassist Trevor Dunn, along with thrash legends Dave Lombardo of Slayer on drums, and Anthrax man Scott Ian on guitar, the five-piece confounded with an utterly contrary set that went from pulverising thrash to soft rock covers with barely room for a breath.
Greeting the crowd the enigmatic Patton declared; 'we're Mr. Bungle, and you are muddy and smelly, and you want it, God damn it!" Having pummelled the crowd with the like of their own 'Anarchy Up Your Anus', they then dropped in their first surprising cover, in a tender 'I'm Not in Love' by soft rockers 10cc.
Switching gear, with Joshua Homme from headliners Queens of the Stone Age watching from side stage, a thundering take on Slayer's 'Hell Awaits' gave way to "another soft enema", in a faithful and unironic take on Spandau Ballet's 'True'; surely the only time we'll ever see Scott Ian playing something so schmaltzy.
Wrapping up their set as only Mr. Bungle can, a genteel 'All By Myself' was reworded to 'Go Fuck Yourself', with predictably hilarious results. Signing off Patton good-heartedly conceded; "[we] appreciate you putting up with our bullshit."
While divisive Avalanche stage headliners Busted proved seeing them was better than regretting, over on the main stage, with duo Royal Blood having proved the perfect warm up, Queens of the Stone Age took to the stage with a brace of their biggest hits in a thrilling 'Little Sister' and grooving 'Burn the Witch', and though they may have pulled a relatively modest crowd for a headline act, those who knew, knew.
Greeting the audience, band leader Homme said; "tonight we invite you to a night you'll never fuckin remember!", ahead of a majestic 'My God is the Sun'. Later commenting with a knowing wink about the "beautiful English weather we're having", the once-labelled Ginger Elvis led the desert kings through some of the slinkiest riffs and sexiest songs in their catalogue, from a juddering 'Smooth Sailing' to early hit 'Lost Art of Keeping a Secret'.
Commenting that; "I am stoned and fucked up and I feel amazing", Homme seemed to be having the time of his life, leading the crowd in a call and response vocal during an extended 'Emotion Sickness'.
With the set filled with classic tracks from a breakneck 'Go with the flow' to a sublime 'Better Living Through Chemistry', and a euphoric 'No One Knows', QOTSA proved that although unconventional, they had the songs worthy of headliner status.
Moving into the evening, the always contrary Mr. Bungle took to the stage for not only their first UK festival appearance ever, but their first gig in the UK since 2000. With a rejigged line-up featuring original members Mike Patton, guitarist Trey Spruance, and bassist Trevor Dunn, along with thrash legends Dave Lombardo of Slayer on drums, and Anthrax man Scott Ian on guitar, the five-piece confounded with an utterly contrary set that went from pulverising thrash to soft rock covers with barely room for a breath.
Greeting the crowd the enigmatic Patton declared; 'we're Mr. Bungle, and you are muddy and smelly, and you want it, God damn it!" Having pummelled the crowd with the like of their own 'Anarchy Up Your Anus', they then dropped in their first surprising cover, in a tender 'I'm Not in Love' by soft rockers 10cc.
Switching gear, with Joshua Homme from headliners Queens of the Stone Age watching from side stage, a thundering take on Slayer's 'Hell Awaits' gave way to "another soft enema", in a faithful and unironic take on Spandau Ballet's 'True'; surely the only time we'll ever see Scott Ian playing something so schmaltzy.
Wrapping up their set as only Mr. Bungle can, a genteel 'All By Myself' was reworded to 'Go Fuck Yourself', with predictably hilarious results. Signing off Patton good-heartedly conceded; "[we] appreciate you putting up with our bullshit."
While divisive Avalanche stage headliners Busted proved seeing them was better than regretting, over on the main stage, with duo Royal Blood having proved the perfect warm up, Queens of the Stone Age took to the stage with a brace of their biggest hits in a thrilling 'Little Sister' and grooving 'Burn the Witch', and though they may have pulled a relatively modest crowd for a headline act, those who knew, knew.
Greeting the audience, band leader Homme said; "tonight we invite you to a night you'll never fuckin remember!", ahead of a majestic 'My God is the Sun'. Later commenting with a knowing wink about the "beautiful English weather we're having", the once-labelled Ginger Elvis led the desert kings through some of the slinkiest riffs and sexiest songs in their catalogue, from a juddering 'Smooth Sailing' to early hit 'Lost Art of Keeping a Secret'.
Commenting that; "I am stoned and fucked up and I feel amazing", Homme seemed to be having the time of his life, leading the crowd in a call and response vocal during an extended 'Emotion Sickness'.
With the set filled with classic tracks from a breakneck 'Go with the flow' to a sublime 'Better Living Through Chemistry', and a euphoric 'No One Knows', QOTSA proved that although unconventional, they had the songs worthy of headliner status.
Photo: Press.
Saturday (15th June) saw the return of 2021's Download Pilot headliner Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes. Playing an early afternoon on the main Apex Stage, the main man dedicated 'Man of the Hour' to all of the other acts at Download 2024, while warning; "if you've got kids here, we'll, you shouldn't have brought them!" before an expletive ridden 'I Hate You'.
Festival favourites Baby Metal who followed meanwhile, had to pause their set due to a torrential downpour, however things got back on track with a bang and the pyro explosions of 'Ratatata', with the Japanese kawaii metal band going on put on one of the most dazzling visual spectacles of the day.
Festival favourites Baby Metal who followed meanwhile, had to pause their set due to a torrential downpour, however things got back on track with a bang and the pyro explosions of 'Ratatata', with the Japanese kawaii metal band going on put on one of the most dazzling visual spectacles of the day.
Photo: Press.
They were followed, over on the Opus stage by an incendiary set from Tom Morello. No stranger to Donington Park having headlined at various points with both Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine, the guitarist filled his set with tracks that took in all facets of his career.
Kicking off with the politicised hard rock of latest single 'Soldier in the Army of Love' - sample lyric "who needs a weapon when you were born one" - a burst of new songs was followed by a medley of RATM riffs that only served to leave the crowd wanting the full versions of these unbelievable bombtracks.
Dedicating a pensive 'Like a Stone' to his late band mate, the guitar originator said; "Audioslave headlined the very first Download Festival. On that stage that day was Chris Cornell. We're gonna play this prayer in his memory".
Throwing in a Bruce Springsteen cover in a jaw-dropping take on 'The Ghost of Tom Joad', Morello's set was one of the most varied of the weekend. Closing with an explosive 'Killing in the Name', during which the audience filled the role of front man Zack De LA Rocha, and protest classic 'Power to the People' featuring 14 year old prodigy Nandi Bushell on drums, the curtain came down on one of the most thrilling sets of the day,
Kicking off with the politicised hard rock of latest single 'Soldier in the Army of Love' - sample lyric "who needs a weapon when you were born one" - a burst of new songs was followed by a medley of RATM riffs that only served to leave the crowd wanting the full versions of these unbelievable bombtracks.
Dedicating a pensive 'Like a Stone' to his late band mate, the guitar originator said; "Audioslave headlined the very first Download Festival. On that stage that day was Chris Cornell. We're gonna play this prayer in his memory".
Throwing in a Bruce Springsteen cover in a jaw-dropping take on 'The Ghost of Tom Joad', Morello's set was one of the most varied of the weekend. Closing with an explosive 'Killing in the Name', during which the audience filled the role of front man Zack De LA Rocha, and protest classic 'Power to the People' featuring 14 year old prodigy Nandi Bushell on drums, the curtain came down on one of the most thrilling sets of the day,
Photo: Press.
Back on the Apex stage, US '90s punk kings The Offspring delighted with their infectious earworms and off-kilter sense of humour. Blasting through the hits including opener 'Come Out and Play' and spirited take on Ramones' 'Blitzkrieg Bop', the cheery Californians pulled one of the festival's biggest crowds.
It was the return of Pantera however that provided the greatest anticipation. With a huge crowd gathered in front of the Opus stage to watch their first UK appearance in 23 years, the four piece - vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, drummer Charlie Benante, and guitarist Zakk Wylde - proved utterly unstoppable as they ripped through the band's now legendary catalogue.
Kicking off with what else, but 'A New Level', their twelve-song set barely let up, with 'Mouth For War', 'Strength Beyond Strength', and 'Becoming' all following in quick succession.
Greeting the crowd, and paying tribute to Pantera founders the late Abbott brothers Dimebag and Vinnie Paul, Anselmo admitted; "its incredible to be here, it's an honour. Every note we play goes out to Vince and Dime, bless 'em".
With the brothers saluted throughout, a poignant run through 'Floods' in particular brought a tear to the eye, as images of the pair played out on the giant screens flanking the stage.
Taking to socials after the event, Benante said; "@panteraofficial at @downloadfest - now that was Fun! Hail to England for cheering us on and making it a full blown Rock show . My @adidas suffered from the mud but I think they’ll survive. Cheers!"
In a treat for those who grew up in the '90s, Fear Factory followed immediately after on the Dogtooth stage, with Dino Cazares leading his newest version of the techno metallers through some of the heaviest hitters of the weekend, including a pounding 'New Breed' and utterly respectable 'Demanufacture'.
Fall Out Boy meanwhile, wowed by closing out the night with a firework-filled spectacular soundtracked by the pop punk anthems that fuelled a generation.
With Avenged Sevenfold, Machine Head and Limp Bizkit, the youngest ever Download performer in twelve-year-old Harper, and an unannounced set from Parkway Drive seeing out Sunday (16th June), this year's festival has proven that as ever, Download continues to evolve and deliver.
Download Festival returns to Donington Park from Friday 13th June – Sunday 15th June 2025 for its 22nd outing. Limited Early Bird tickets are on sale at 12 noon on Monday 17 June from www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
It was the return of Pantera however that provided the greatest anticipation. With a huge crowd gathered in front of the Opus stage to watch their first UK appearance in 23 years, the four piece - vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, drummer Charlie Benante, and guitarist Zakk Wylde - proved utterly unstoppable as they ripped through the band's now legendary catalogue.
Kicking off with what else, but 'A New Level', their twelve-song set barely let up, with 'Mouth For War', 'Strength Beyond Strength', and 'Becoming' all following in quick succession.
Greeting the crowd, and paying tribute to Pantera founders the late Abbott brothers Dimebag and Vinnie Paul, Anselmo admitted; "its incredible to be here, it's an honour. Every note we play goes out to Vince and Dime, bless 'em".
With the brothers saluted throughout, a poignant run through 'Floods' in particular brought a tear to the eye, as images of the pair played out on the giant screens flanking the stage.
Taking to socials after the event, Benante said; "@panteraofficial at @downloadfest - now that was Fun! Hail to England for cheering us on and making it a full blown Rock show . My @adidas suffered from the mud but I think they’ll survive. Cheers!"
In a treat for those who grew up in the '90s, Fear Factory followed immediately after on the Dogtooth stage, with Dino Cazares leading his newest version of the techno metallers through some of the heaviest hitters of the weekend, including a pounding 'New Breed' and utterly respectable 'Demanufacture'.
Fall Out Boy meanwhile, wowed by closing out the night with a firework-filled spectacular soundtracked by the pop punk anthems that fuelled a generation.
With Avenged Sevenfold, Machine Head and Limp Bizkit, the youngest ever Download performer in twelve-year-old Harper, and an unannounced set from Parkway Drive seeing out Sunday (16th June), this year's festival has proven that as ever, Download continues to evolve and deliver.
Download Festival returns to Donington Park from Friday 13th June – Sunday 15th June 2025 for its 22nd outing. Limited Early Bird tickets are on sale at 12 noon on Monday 17 June from www.downloadfestival.co.uk.