Let’s cast ourselves back to the muddy fields of this years rendition of Download Festival and remember some artist highlights despite the wind rain and mud. Spoiler alert… It wasn’t this years headliners that caught our eye at AMPED!

by Josephine Best | 26th June, 2024

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DREAM STATE

A major highlight on Friday at Download was Dream State. Showing immense skill at captivating the audience with their high-energy, fronted by female vocalist Jessie Powell, the band showcased their unique blend of post-hardcore and alternative rock, making a significant impact and mark on the festival’s lineup for 2024.

Powell’s commanding stage presence and vocal prowess was a standout of the performance, demonstrating the growing influence and representation of women in the rock and metal music industry. Her ability to convey emotion through her vocals added depth to the band’s performance, resonating strongly with the crowd.

Dream State’s performance at Download Festival 2024 not only solidified their place in the rock and metal scene but also underscored the importance of female representation in these genres, inspiring many and leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed.

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

A last-minute edition to this years lineup, was that of Funeral For A Friend who stepped up to fill Friday nights Opus Stage headline slot following Bad Omens dropping out due to burn out of vocalist Noah Sebastian.

Fronted by Lucas Woodland of Holding Absence, who stepped in following his debut with the band at Slam Dunk 2024, the Welsh post-hardcore legends took to the stage with a palpable energy despite the weather. Woodland’s performance was nothing short of impressive, demonstrating that he was not only once again up to the task but thrived in the role. The set leaned heavily on the band’s first two albums, much to the delight of long-time fans which felt fitting for the Download crowd. A major highlight had to be the guest appearance by Charlie Simpson who had not long come off of stage with one of his bands, Busted for ‘All The Rage’ showcasing the ultimate bromance between Simpson and Woodland on stage.

Despite being a last-minute addition to the lineup, Funeral For A Friend delivered what many considered one of their finest performances to date. Their ability to step up and deliver a headline-worthy set on short notice showcased their professionalism and enduring appeal in the post-hardcore scene.

WARGASM

A band on our to-watch list this year was of course Wargasm. The band’s rapid rise to fame has been nothing short of remarkable. Since their formation, they have exponentially grown their fanbase, which has led to securing a coveted main stage spot at this year’s festival. Their ability to connect with fans and deliver high-octane performances has solidified their place as one of the most promising acts in the genre. This meteoric rise is a testament to their talent and the fervent support of their fans, making their performance at Download Festival 2024 a significant milestone in their burgeoning career.

Despite the heavy rain during their early main-stage set, they did not disappoint. Undeterred by the adverse weather conditions, the band’s ability to maintain such a dynamic performance in the rain, showcased their professionalism and dedication to the scene and festival, earning them high praise from all festival-goers.

FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES

In one of the first bouts of sunshine that blessed us on Saturday at this year’s rendition, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes delivered a blistering performance, cementing their status as a live act to watch in modern rock. Carter, described as a “national treasure” in the UK hardcore scene, commanded the main-stage with his trademark charisma and boundless energy. The set was a perfect blend of raw aggression and infectious fun, featuring both fan favourites and new material.

Carter’s connection with the audience was palpable throughout the performance. In a memorable moment, he orchestrated a female-only moshpit, demonstrating his commitment to creating inclusive spaces at his shows. The gesture aligned perfectly with Carter’s reputation for fostering a sense of community and empowerment at his gigs.

Despite having his gold chain stolen during a crowd-surfing moment, Carter didn’t miss a beat. He continued the set with undiminished enthusiasm, proving his dedication to delivering an unforgettable show regardless of circumstances. This incident only seemed to fuel the frontman’s energy, as he conducted the crowd’s chaos with expert precision. The Rattlesnakes provided a tight, powerful backdrop to Carter’s magnetic stage presence, creating a sonic assault that left the crowd in awe. Their performance was a sure highlight of the festival, showcasing why Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes continue to be one of the most exciting and relevant acts in contemporary heavy music.

ENTER SHIKARI

Yet another unforgettable set of Download 2024 was that, of course, of Enter Shikari, showcasing their unique blend of electronic and rock genres and politically charged lyrics. The band took to the main stage, captivating the audience with a set that spanned their extensive discography and highlighted their musical evolution.

Frontman Rou Reynolds led the charge with his diverse vocal range, effortlessly switching between melodies and guttural screams. The band’s energy was infectious, with Reynolds even embracing this year’s edition of “brownload”, throwing himself into the mud and interacting closely with the crowd.

To no ones surprise, ‘Sorry You’re Not a Winner’ was a particular highlight, with everyone in sight of main-stage singing along. True to their reputation for addressing social and political issues, Reynolds took a moment to speak about the conflict in Gaza, expressing solidarity with people of all backgrounds. This commitment to social justice was further emphasised by the band’s influence in having Barclays removed as a sponsor for this year’s festival, due to the bank’s investments in weaponry and facilitation of war crimes against Palestine.

Enter Shikari’s set at Download 2024 not only satisfied longtime fans, but also likely won over new listeners, cementing their status in the scene.

WHILE SHE SLEEPS

While She Sleeps delivered a powerhouse performance on the Opus Stage this year, solidifying their status as metalcore heavyweight champions. The Sheffield quintet’s set was a perfect blend of aggression and melody, featuring fan favourites and new material that showcased their evolving sound. The band’s energy was infectious, with their passionate delivery igniting the crowd into a frenzy of mosh pits and crowd surfing.

Enhanced by impressive pyrotechnics, their stage presence was commanding and electric. Tight musicianship and raw intensity were on full display, demonstrating why While She Sleeps continues to climb the ranks of the metal scene.

In just a short time on stage, While She Sleeps proved they’re at the forefront of modern metal, leaving the Download crowd buzzing and cementing their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in the genre.

CREEPER

To no one’s surprise, Creeper delivered a captivating and theatrical performance on Sunday, enchanting the audience with their gothic flair and dramatic stage presence that matched the theatricality of their most recent album ‘Sanguivore’.

Frontman Will Gould’s charismatic stage presence and crowd interaction were on point, drawing the audience into the band’s dark, cinematic world. Despite the set being shortened due to earlier delays with the arena opening later than initially planned, Creeper made a lasting impression with their tight showmanship. The closing track, ‘Lovers Led Astray,’ featured a guest appearance by Dan Jacobs of Atreyu, adding an extra layer of excitement to the performance.

Creeper’s Download 2024 set showcased their growth and potential as a main stage act, leaving fans eager for their upcoming co-headline show with Black Veil Brides at Wembley later this year.

PARKWAY DRIVE

Parkway Drive delivered an unforgettable surprise performance at Download Festival 2024, taking the Dogtooth Stage by storm as the much-anticipated secret set on Sunday. Despite not being among the most rumoured bands for this slot, the Australian metalcore titans showed everyone why they’re one of the most exciting acts in heavy music.

The band tore through a compact but explosive six-song set, featuring more recent tracks like ‘Glitch’ and ‘Prey’ with old-school crowd pleasers like ‘Idols and Anchors’ triggered by frontman Winston McCall’s iconic line of “Jeff give me the fucking riff brother” in the intro to the much loved track. McCall, as per usual, commanded the stage with his charismatic Aussie presence, inciting chaos in the packed tent and even beyond, as fans stood several rows deep outside just to catch a glimpse of the action. The crowd’s response was nothing short of electric, with circle pits erupting and bodies surging over the barricade of the smallest stage of the festival throughout the set.

Their secret show followed their dominant main stage appearance at last year’s rendition, and the band’s ability to captivate audiences in both large-scale and intimate settings has only fuelled speculation about their future at the festival. Their performance left many wondering if Parkway Drive might be even be poised to headline in the coming years.

In just 30 minutes, Parkway Drive delivered one of the most talked-about sets of the weekend, reaffirming their status as one of the greatest heavy bands in the current scene, leaving fans eager for their potential return to the hallowed grounds of Donington Park.

LIMP BIZKIT

Perhaps the most anticipated act of the weekend for not just the AMPED! Team but all in attendance, Limp Bizkit delivered a show-stopping performance on the final day of Download Festival 2024, proving why they remain kings of nu-metal. As the sun finally broke through after days of rain, the band took to the main stage, creating an atmosphere that made everyone feel like, in Fred Durst’s own words “[we were] partying like it’s 1999”.

Opening and closing with their iconic anthem ‘Break Stuff,’ Limp Bizkit demonstrated their unique ability to whip the crowd into a frenzy not once, but twice with the same song. This bold move, which in all honesty only they could pull off, exemplified the band’s confidence and connection with their audience.

Fred Durst commanded the stage with his trademark charisma, joking further that he had “brought the sunshine from California” with them. The band tore through a setlist of fan favourites, with the crowd matching their energy every step of the way, we were defiantly getting Woodstock flashbacks.

Despite not being headliners, Limp Bizkit’s performance was widely regarded as one of the weekend’s highlights. Their set was so impactful that the festival’s booker Andy Copping suggested they should headline when they next return to Donington Park. The band’s ability to blend nostalgia with an unforgettable stage presence left the entire crowd in agreement; Limp Bizkit not only owned their slot but made a strong case for future headline status at Download.