Download 2023 Festival Lineup: Everything You Need to Know about the 20th Anniversary Celebration with Metallica, Slipknot, and More
Are you ready to rock? If you are a fan of heavy metal, hard rock, punk, or alternative music, you won't want to miss the Download Festival 2023. This is the UK's biggest and most popular rock festival, and it's celebrating its 20th anniversary with a massive lineup of legendary bands and artists. Download Festival 2023 will take place from June 8 to June 11 at Donington Park, the spiritual home of rock. The festival will feature four days of live music across four stages, with over 100 acts to choose from. Whether you are looking for classic metal icons, modern rock heroes, or emerging talents, you will find something to suit your taste and mood at Download. The festival has announced three headliners for its 20th edition: Metallica, Slipknot, and Bring Me The Horizon. Metallica will play two different sets on Thursday and Saturday, with no repeat songs. Slipknot will bring their signature masks and mayhem on Friday night. Bring Me The Horizon will close the festival on Sunday with their eclectic mix of metalcore, pop rock, and electronic elements. But that's not all. Download Festival 2023 also boasts an impressive array of sub-headliners and supporting acts, covering various genres and styles of rock music. Here are some of the highlights for each day and stage of the festival: ## Thursday, June 8
### Apex Stage
The Apex Stage is the main stage of the festival, where the biggest names and crowds gather. On Thursday, you will be treated to a double dose of Metallica, as they will play two sets with different songs. Expect to hear some of their classic hits like "Enter Sandman", "Master of Puppets", and "One", as well as some deep cuts and surprises. Before Metallica take the stage, you can enjoy some other great bands on the Apex Stage. Alter Bridge will deliver their powerful blend of hard rock and post-grunge, with soaring vocals from Myles Kennedy and shredding guitar from Mark Tremonti. Halestorm will rock your socks off with their catchy and energetic tunes, led by the charismatic Lzzy Hale. Jinjer will showcase their unique. - Jinjer will showcase their unique fusion of metalcore, progressive metal, and reggae, with the versatile vocals of Tatiana Shmailyuk. Mammoth WVH will open the stage with their debut performance at Download, featuring Wolfgang Van Halen, the son of the late Eddie Van Halen. ### Opus Stage
The Opus Stage is the second largest stage of the festival, where you can find some of the most diverse and exciting acts in rock music. On Thursday, you will be blown away by Five Finger Death Punch, the American heavy metal band known for their aggressive and anthemic songs. They will be joined by Puscifer, the experimental rock project of Maynard James Keenan, the frontman of Tool and A Perfect Circle. Puscifer will present their latest album, Existential Reckoning, which explores themes of alien abduction and conspiracy theories. Other bands on the Opus Stage on Thursday include Hundred Reasons, the British post-hardcore band who will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Ideas Above Our Station; The Bronx, the Los Angeles hardcore punk band who will unleash their raw and energetic sound; Cancer Bats, the Canadian hardcore punk band who will bring their heavy riffs and catchy hooks; and Cherry Bombs, the all-female rock dance group who will dazzle you with their aerial stunts and pyrotechnics. ### The Avalanche Stage hosted by KERRANG!
The Avalanche Stage is the third largest stage of the festival, where you can find some of the best bands in punk, pop-punk, emo, and alternative rock. The stage is hosted by KERRANG!, the UK's leading rock magazine. On Thursday, you will be entertained by State Champs, the American pop-punk band who will make you sing along to their catchy and upbeat songs. They will be followed by Mom Jeans, the American emo band who will make you laugh and cry with their witty and heartfelt lyrics. Punk Rock Factory, the Welsh punk rock band who will make you dance with their covers of classic songs from Disney, Pixar, and more. Fearless Vampire Killers, the British gothic rock band who will make you scream with their theatrical and dark tunes. Tigress, the British alternative rock band who will make you rock with their powerful and melodic sound. ### Dogtooth Stage
The Dogtooth Stage is the smallest stage of the festival, where you can discover some of the most promising and innovative acts in rock music. The stage is curated by Andy Copping, the promoter and booker of Download Festival. On Thursday, you will be amazed by Perturbator, the French synthwave artist who will transport you to a dystopian cyberpunk world with his retro-futuristic soundtracks. Haken, the British progressive metal band who will challenge you with their complex and technical compositions. A.A. Williams, the British singer-songwriter who will enchant you with her haunting and atmospheric songs. Caskets, the British metalcore band who will impress you with their emotional and energetic performance. Mimi Barks, the German rapper and singer who will surprise you with her fusion of trap, metal, and industrial music. Snayx, the British punk rock duo who will thrill you with their loud and fast music. ## Friday, June 9
### Apex Stage
The Apex Stage on Friday will be headlined by Slipknot, one of the most iconic and influential bands in metal history. The nine-piece band from Iowa will deliver a stunning show full of masks, jumpsuits, percussion, pyro, and of course, their signature songs like "Psychosocial", "Duality", and "Wait and Bleed". Slipknot are known for their intense and unforgettable live performances, so be prepared to witness a spectacle like no other. Before Slipknot take over the stage, you can enjoy some other amazing bands on the Apex Stage. Architects will play their first Download Festival since 2019, when they headlined the second stage. The British metalcore band have released their ninth album, For Those That Wish To Exist, which sees them experimenting with new sounds and styles. Pendulum will bring their live show to Download for the first time ever. The Australian drum and bass band have reunited after a decade-long hiatus, and have released new music that combines electronic elements with rock guitars and vocals. Neck Deep will represent the pop-punk scene on the main stage. The Welsh band have released their fourth album, - Neck Deep will represent the pop-punk scene on the main stage. The Welsh band have released their fourth album, All Distortions Are Intentional, which tells a story of love and escapism in a fictional world. Hot Milk will warm up the crowd with their catchy and energetic pop-rock songs. The Manchester-based band have been gaining popularity with their EPs, Are You Feeling Alive? and I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I'm Dead. Nova Twins will bring some diversity and attitude to the main stage. The London-based duo have been making waves with their fusion of punk, grime, and hip-hop. Their debut album, Who Are The Girls?, features collaborations with Fever 333 and Prophets of Rage. Stand Atlantic will open the stage with their infectious and upbeat pop-punk tunes. The Australian band have released their second album, Pink Elephant, which showcases their growth and maturity as songwriters. ### Opus Stage
The Opus Stage on Friday will feature some of the most legendary and influential bands in rock music. Evanescence will co-headline the stage with their symphonic and gothic rock sound. The American band have released their fifth album, The Bitter Truth, which marks their first original music in a decade. Parkway Drive will co-headline the stage with their metalcore and groove metal sound. The Australian band have released their sixth album, Reverence, which features some of their heaviest and most epic songs to date. Other bands on the Opus Stage on Friday include Ghost, the Swedish rock band who combine occult themes with catchy melodies and theatrical performances. Placebo, the British alternative rock band who have influenced generations of musicians with their dark and emotional songs. Fever 333, the American rap-rock band who have a strong political and social message in their music. The Pretty Reckless, the American hard rock band who have returned with their fourth album, Death By Rock And Roll, after a hiatus due to personal tragedies. Skillet, the American Christian rock band who have a loyal fanbase and a crossover appeal with their anthemic and uplifting songs. ### The Avalanche Stage hosted by KERRANG!
The Avalanche Stage on Friday will showcase some of the best bands in hardcore, metalcore, post-hardcore, and alternative rock. The stage is hosted by KERRANG!, the UK's leading rock magazine. On Friday, you will be blown away by Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, the British punk rock band who have a reputation for their wild and chaotic live shows. They will be followed by Enter Shikari, the British rock band who have a unique sound that mixes post-hardcore, electronic, and experimental elements. Sleeping With Sirens, the American post-hardcore band who have a loyal fanbase and a diverse discography that ranges from pop-rock to metalcore. Code Orange, the American hardcore band who have been pushing the boundaries of the genre with their innovative and experimental sound. Yungblud, the British singer-songwriter who has a rebellious and outspoken personality and a genre-bending style that incorporates pop, rock, hip-hop, and punk. While She Sleeps, the British metalcore band who have a DIY ethos and a passionate fanbase. Creeper, the British horror punk band who have a theatrical and dramatic flair in their music and performance. ### Dogtooth Stage
The Dogtooth Stage on Friday will feature some of the most brutal and extreme bands in metal music. The stage is curated by Andy Copping, the promoter and booker of Download Festival. On Friday, you will be crushed by Sepult