Download Festival will take place this weekend and fans are abuzz with speculation after it was revealed a “big band” will be playing a secret set.
This year’s event will mark the 21st edition of Download, which has long been considered Britain’s premier metal festival, with headliners including Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold.
Despite a number of acts dropping out due to the festival being sponsored by Barclaycard, other bands set to perform include Royal Blood, The Offspring, and Limp Bizkit.
In addition, Ireland’s Eurovision entry Bambie Thug is on the lineup as well as Pantera, who will make their first UK appearance in 20 years at Download.
Ahead of Download 2024, event booker Andy Copping revealed that there will be secret sets at the festival – including a “big band”.
In an interview with Planet Rock, Copping said: “One thing’s for sure, you’ve got to keep your eyes and ears peeled for this year at Download because, yes, we have another band coming in doing a secret set. Something very, very special. Big band. So look out for that.”
Bands who have previously performed secret sets at the festival include Metallica, Enter Shikari, Creeper and Black Stone Cherry. With the festival running from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16, thousands of fans are already flocking to the event in the East Midlands.
But which acts are being rumoured to perform a secret set at Download 2024? Here we take a look at some of the bands which could perform at this year’s festival – including Paramore.
13. Biffy Clyro
Another act being rumoured to play a secret set at Download is Biffy Clyro, with the Scottish band having played the festival for the first time 20 years ago. It also coincides with the 20th anniversary year of Infinity Land. | AFP via Getty Images
14. Slipknot
With Corey Taylor already performing at Download, fans are speculating that the rest of Slipknot could join him for a secret set. However, the artist has pulled out of two European shows due to illness and may not be able to attend the festival after all. | Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
15. Sleep Token
When looking at other secret sets from across the years, some fans have hazarded a guess that Sleep Token could be a good bet to perform for Download 2024. The band’s schedule appears to be open with no shows until November this year. | Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
16. Bullet For My Valentine
Along the same lines, many Download 2024 attendees are hoping that Welsh band Bullet For My Valentine will take to the stage for a secret set ahead of their tour with Trivium next year. | Getty Images