Download Festival announces the first headliners for its newly retooled DLXXIII edition, with Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park set to lead the bill. The 23rd edition of the iconic European festival embraces a refreshed identity while doubling down on its roots, spotlighting 90s-era influence across rock, metal, punk, emo, hardcore, alternative, and classic rock at Donington Park.
The first lineup announcement confirms a stacked and wide-ranging undercard, including Architects, Bad Omens, BABYMETAL, The Pretty Reckless, Bush, Electric Callboy, Trivium, Mastodon, Feeder, Halestorm, and Pendulum. The bill also features Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, horror-leaning metalcore favourites Ice Nine Kills, and Black Veil Brides, alongside landmark first-time appearances from Cypress Hill and Dogstar, featuring Keanu Reeves. The reveal was marked by an immersive launch event at the Barbican, complete with a bespoke short film, the unveiling of The Apex Rings created with The Great Frog, and a taste of the expanded District X experience planned for DLXXIII.