Download Festival 2015 Headline Announcements

What is up my people!? MoshNet is back after a slight absence, you know uni deadlines and what not.. but while we have been away there has been some BIG FUCKING NEWS from the people behind Download Festival, the headliners are here!!

Download Festival 2015 Friday announcement

First of all, I think every man and his grandma had a sneaky little feeling that Slipknot would be on the bill, and sure as hell they’re confirmed to close the opening night. Too most this is brilliant news, and don’t get me wrong I FUCKING LOVE SLIPKNOT, but I can’t help but be a little disappointed. Let me explain. The last time I was at Download was 2013, where Slipknot also headlined. Download13 was my first time seeing the Iowan metal heads and I absolutely loved it, it was insane. So much so, that as soon as I heard that Slipknot’s new Prepare For Hell Tour would be hitting the UK, I jumped at the chance for a ticket and got one straight away. After seeing the new stage show which debuted at Slipknot’s very own KnotFest, and how awesome the new masks and new members fit into the mix, I got so god damn excited for January.

Me and my pals had been guessing at who was going to be announced for Download before the first names dropped, and we were throwing around names like Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, Five Finger Death Punch (called it), and we were specifically saying, I kinda hope it’s not Slipknot… But fuck it what the hell, no doubt after that show in January I’ll be itching to see them again, and I’ll fucking love it. As for the rest of the Friday announcements, I’m sold!!

Five Finger Death Punch were phenomenal in 2013 and they have lots of new material to play this time around. Judas Priest are one of the heavy metal giants that I simply must see, I need to experience the wrath of the Halford. Next on the bill is Kentucky rockers, Black Stone Cherry. I fucking love these guys, I have done since the early days, and every possible time I could’ve seen them, I’ve missed out. I was praying they would be returning to Download next year so I can finally see them bust out a killer show, and thats what I plan to do.

Now, Saturday…

Download Festival 2015 Saturday announcement

To be honest, I was very bummed out about this headliner. Really guys, Muse? Yes they have had numerous decent tunes over the years like: Supermassive Black Hole, Plug In Baby, Uprising.. theres a fair few. I’m just not feeling it for Download. I honestly think Muse would be better suited at Reading & Leeds. I will eat my Nike SB beanie if I end up seeing Muse and love them, just they didn’t live up to my expectations, I really wanted it to be either AC/DC, Foo Fighters or someone like Machine Head. But Robb shot that dream down prematurely. Bugger.

I can imagine some people are going to crucify me for what I’m about to say, but the announcement of Faith No More returning didn’t tickle my man parts either, they’ve never really been a band I payed much interest to. However, I did listen to the new track “Motherfucker” that dropped today, I thought it was garbage, freedom of speech yo. Marilyn Manson and A Day To Remember were a pleasant surprise mind. As much as he creeps me out I think Manson is an absolute genius in what he does, and I’d love to see him perform As for A Day To Remember (who I’m also seeing this Sunday and I’m very excited) I think it’s about time they were on the main stage at Download. The reception they got on second stage in 2013 was fantastic and they played an absolutely killer set featuring bangers such as: All I Want, Downfall Of Us All and Violence (Enough Is Enough).

Finally, today’s announcement made me a bit cross to say the least…

Download Festival 2015 Sunday announcement

After hearing a certain Mr. Simmons claim that rock is dead a couple of months back, I’d be even more pissed if I was one of the other acts performing at Download before KISS close the final night. I can imagine that Corey Taylor will have a few choice words to send Simmons during their Friday show, because we all love that CT sass. Now, obviously I acknowledge that KISS are a logical choice for a headliner, due to their immense contribution to rock and roll history, but again I’m not that bothered, sorry chaps. I can imagine KISS to be the act I catch the end of after the second stage headliner has ended, and I’m totally fine with that, I wouldn’t feel like I’d missed out at all.

The rest of the Sunday acts though made me very happy! Mötley-fucking-Crüe I was bouncing. Crüe are one of those old school giants I simply have to see live, I’ve had Girls, Girls, Girls as a part of my getting ready for a night out playlist for ages now, proper bad boy rock and roll, I’m stoked! Also, the success massive success of Apocalyptic Love and the more recent World On Fire, Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators are a must see. There’s something so badass about Slash’s guitar skills and the monumental vocal performances of Kennedy, that just make me feel like a god damn rock star man. I fucking love it, get me there now.

And last but by no mean least its UK giants, Enter Shikari. Shikari are no strangers to rocking a good festival to it’s fucking knees. I remember seeing them at Leeds 2012 (although I did leave halfway through for Billy Talent, sorry lads) and the crowd went absolutely apeshit. With the new Shikari album “The Mindsweep” dropping in January I’m sure there’s gonna be some colossal tunes ready to shake the ground of Donnington Park, and I’m itching to clap along to “Sorry You’re Not A Winner”.

Well, that’s as much as I can work with. Download Festival 2015, what do you think? Will you be attending? Or has that beautiful HellFest lineup enticed you too? Who else would you like to see at Download Tweet us!!

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Luke (@MosherLuke)