Download boss Andy Copping on the 2025 line-up: “The festival will die if we don’t move with the times”

nme.com:

Download boss Andy Copping caught up with NME to discuss the bill for the 2025 festival, as well as the decision to give Sleep Token their first headline slot at a major festival and who he thinks could step up to top the bill in future.Last night (November 12), Download announced the first wave of artists lined-up for 2025 at a launch party in London, with Sleep Token being joined by Green Day and KoRn as headliners.In total, over 90 artists were confirmed for next year’s edition – which will be held in Donington Park between June 13 and 15 – including Weezer, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Jimmy Eat World, Poppy, McFly,The Darkness, Spiritbox, Meshuggah, Steel Panther, Cradle Of Filth and Alien Ant Farm.“It was seeing their meteoric rise over the last two years that made me think, ‘This is a band that deserves to be elevated’,” Copping told NME, reflecting on the decision to have Sleep Token return to the site as a headline act. “They’ve got a sold-out arena tour in a couple of weeks which we already know will be a sight to behold.”“I think it’s important for the festival to bring new bands through to headline.

Back in the day, I did it with Slipknot. I did it with Avenged Sevenfold and Biffy Clyro. In 2023 we did it with Bring Me The Horizon.

Now, every one of those bands across the world is perceived as a festival headliner,” he added.“That’s what I felt this time with Sleep Token.

It feels like we’re the first major festival that’s taken the bull by the horns and gone, ‘OK, it’s time. Its Sleep Token’s moment’.