Download Festival 2025: Vengaboys, Justin Hawkins’ podcast and Funeral For A Friend announced for ‘District X’

nme.com:

Download Festival has shared details about the 2025 edition of ‘District X’ – with appearances from Vengaboys, Justin Hawkins and Funeral For A Friend.The instalment is described as a “festival within a festival” and will take place alongside the main bulk of Download, which is going to be held this June at the usual Donington Park site.Now, with less than three months until this year’s edition kicks off, organisers have shared details about what fans can expect from the ‘District X’ site, including an unexpected appearance from the Dutch Eurodance music group Vengaboys.While not the traditional artist set to ignite the stage at the metal festival, the group are set to take to the stage at the ‘District X’ area thanks to fan demand and expected to bring their usual high-energy performance to the stage.A number of DJ sets are also planned for the area, including one from Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth, who is predicted to bring “a nightmarish mix of gothic anthems and metal classics”, one from Aled Phillips from Kids In Glass Houses, and one from Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats.Elsewhere, it has been confirmed that Welsh post-hardcore icons Funeral For A Friend will be breaking out a specially-curated acoustic set for the ‘District X’ site.

On top of that, live podcasts will be making their debut in the area, including that of The Darkness’s Justin Hawkins, who will be bringing his acclaimed YouTube series, Justin Hawkins Rides Again to the stage.Other highlights include DJ sets from McFly’s bassist Dougie Poynter, a ‘Now That’s What I Call A 00’s Mixtape’ throwback party hosted by Sophie K, Emo Drag Karaoke, Silent Disco and quizzes centred around some of the biggest metal bands of all time.Find out more about ‘District.