BEYOND THE MAIN STAGE: DOWNLOAD’S UNDERDOGS
The must-see artists at Download Festival 2026
Download Festival always has an incredible line up and this year is no exception. Yet I can’t help but notice that when people discuss it, they often only talk about the headliners or the acts on the main stage. But away from the main stage, there are so many more bands to discover. I wanted to talk about some of the smaller bands on the list who don’t get enough recognition.
Set It Off
Set It Off are a pop-punk emo band from Florida that formed in 2008. Their most well-known song will be their 2014 hit ‘Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing’ part of their second-studio album Duality, or they might be known for the re-recorded version of this single from 2024 ‘Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing [Reborn]’ which is arguably a better, more raw version.
After almost 20 years in their career as a band and six full-length studio albums later, these guys know how to hold an audience’s attention and put on one hell of a show.
Catch Set It Off’s set on Saturday at the Opus Stage at 3:50pm.
Hot Milk
Hot Milk are Manchester’s genre-bending alternative band formed in 2018. They’re known for their lyrics that address social and political issues alongside their life experiences. They’ve got some incredible songs including ‘Candy Coated Lies’ and ‘Insubordinate Ingerland’ and while I can’t tell you how good they’ll be live (as I haven’t managed to catch them yet) I do know that you don’t want to miss them.
You can catch Hot Milk’s set on Saturday at The Avalanche Stage Hosted by Kerrang! Radio at 6:30pm.
Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue are one of the newest bands on the lineup after only forming in 2022 in Sydney, Australia. They grew popular through TikTok covers and lead singer, Vlado Saric‘s X Factor Australia audition. The more music they release, the better they’re getting with ‘Bad Guy’ being the newest of the lot.
You can catch Melrose Avenue’s set on Saturday at The Avalanche Stage Hosted by Kerrang! Radio at 3:30pm.
As It Is
Brighton based pop-rock British American band As It Is formed in 2012. Gaining fame from YouTube videos, most notably from their cover of ‘Fat Lip’ by Sum 41 they spent their time building their career as a band with their own music.
In 2018 they set the unofficial world record for the most crowd surfers during an hour set at over 300 crowd surfers, which means I fully expect the same standards for their set at Download this year. The band went on a short hiatus in 2024 but they are back and better than ever with a new self-titled album due to be released on 17th July.
Catch As It Is’ set on Saturday at The Avalanche Stage Hosted by Kerrang! Radio at 4:25pm and have a little crowd surf for old times sake.
Dune Rats
Queensland’s own surf pop-punk trio, Dune Rats, will bring the vibes and (hopefully) the sun. After being in the game for 16 years, this festival will be no big deal to them but it will be a big deal if you miss it. They have incredible energy and catchy songs that will end up stuck in your head all day. Kick off your weekend properly by getting in that mosh pit and scream about ‘Bullshit’ and ‘Too Tough Terry’.
Catch Dune Rats at The Den on Thursday at 10pm.
Mouth Culture
Indie rock trio, Mouth Culture can play at almost any festival with their music style and we are so happy to have them back at Download this year. They’re a fairly new band (established in 2018) yet they are no stranger to big shows and festivals after performing at Reading and Leeds, Slam Dunk and supporting You Me At Six on their Europe farewell tour. Knowing that they have support from BBC Radio 1 and Kerrang after they both played ‘Ratbag’ and ‘Picking Wings Off a Butterfly’, you don’t want to miss out on seeing these before they blow up completely.
Catch Mouth Culture on Saturday at The Avalanche Stage Hosted by Kerrang! Radio at 2:35pm.
As Everything Unfolds
England’s own post-hardcore band As Everything Unfolds have been in the game since 2013 and have over 30 million streams of their whole catalogue. Their second album ‘Ultraviolet’ which was released on 21st April 2023 was nominated for ‘best album of the year 2023’ and no doubt they’ll be playing some of the absolute bangers from there during their set.
Catch As Everything Unfolds on The DogTooth Stage on Saturday at 3:50pm.
Last of all, I have an honourable mention as someone who grew up watching CBBC… UK’s own Dick and Dom are randomly doing their own DJ set after taking their unique raves to festivals, universities and clubs all throughout the country.
Catch Dick and Dom’s DJ set on Friday at The Doghouse at midnight.
See you in the fields!
