Download Festival and Kerrang! are set to make Brighton rock once again at The Great Escape 2026, hosting a specially curated stage from Wednesday May 13 to Friday May 15.
Kerrang! Presents The Download Stage at TGE will showcase acts tipped for a bright future at Donington Park ahead of this summer’s DLXXIII. Native James headlines Wednesday, Comastatic takes Thursday and Oversize closes out Friday, with Frozemode, Eurotripp, Ally Nicholas, Heave Blood & Die, Mudrat and more filling out the three days of programming between 6-10pm.
Having been a pilgrimage for young rock and metal fans, many of whom went on to start bands and take the stage themselves, Download is in its 23rd year supporting the next generation of headliners via The Great Escape’s unrivalled network of support for independent artists and grassroots venues.
The Great Escape runs May 13-16 across 35+ walkable venues in Brighton, showcasing over 450 up-and-coming artists. Download DLXXIII itself sees Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses and Linkin Park headline, joined by Halestorm, Architects, A Day To Remember, Trivium, Bad Omens, Electric Callboy, BABYMETAL, Ice Nine Kills, The All-American Rejects, Behemoth, Black Veil Brides and many more. Final remaining Friday and Saturday day tickets are on sale now at downloadfestival.co.uk.
Wednesday May 13: Native James (headline), Frozemode, Mudrat, EMNW
Thursday May 14: Comastatic (headline), Eurotripp, Overgrown, Theboyshadow
Friday May 15: Oversize (headline), Ally Nicholas, Heave Blood & Die, East Exchange.
