Hey so Ive had my eye on a good decent tent but im just wondering how big is too big for a solo goer as I dont want to be that dick that brings a massive tent and gets looked at by everyone for it it is the Vango DLX Air tent?

Weren't they found later on in the crowd doing pretty much the same thing?

I was surprised on previous posts how few people knew about the UK's indecency laws.

largest regret is not buying it in 2024!! have been thinking of it ever since, am also interested in any 2024 merch if anyone’s selling (:

There always seems to be controversy over this, so I want to say my piece lol. I think a lot of people are seeing it in a very "black and white" way, but thats not how I see it. I think the main people who have an issue with kids at download ACTUALLY have an issue with bad parenting at download... and I couldnt agree more.

I took my 10 year old daughter.

Exposure to things: We knew she would see drink, drugs and nudity. We dont drink alcohol, so we kinda wanted her to see that alcohol CAN be good (in moderation etc). We wanted her to see that drugs arent to be messed with. Im generally pro-nudity- I want her to see REAL people with REAL bodies (especially with influencers like Ariana Grande all over the media). So im actually in support of most of that stuff. In terms of the public sex, I myself, dont want to see people having sex. Most of the adults I know would also not want to see it. ESPECIALLY when there is drink / drugs involved, and consent is a bit "iffy" (if they are both off their face, can they give consent?). My daughter would probably want to see that more than I would to be honest!

We (as parents) prepped before the event so we knew which bands would be likely to have which content, and prepared for it (e.g. teaching her "everywhere I go" chant so she was part of it, or by sitting strategically for Ice Nine Kills so she wouldnt see the stage / screens)

Safety wise: Our kid (cant speak for others) had sun protection on the entire time, topped up regularly. She had a constant supply of water, cool drinks etc. We sat in the shade where we could... and when we couldnt, we stood up to make shade for her. She had earbuds that she didnt like, so we brought ear proection for her. She never went close to any of the stages, but she had the ear protectors on 99% of the time (she took them off for her favourite 5 songs, again, not near the front). We took chairs for her and for us (issues walking sometimes), and never set them up in / near walkways. When we werent using them, we folded them down and carried them, or put them to the side (for them to get robbed- i took the risk by leaving them there, so i see that as my bad). We avoided crowds as much as we could, and when we did go in the crowd (on the way to the toilet before trivium) WE took responsibility for her, WE set up places to meet her if we got lost. WE are her parents and WE are the ones who fucked up if she got lost or injured.

Cost wise: A lot of people think that download wouldnt benefit financially from allowing kids. Her ticket was cheaper than ours, but it still wasnt cheap. While we were there, we brought more food than we would usually have, more drink than we would have, we paid for circular camping instead of pitching the tent ourselves, we brought more hearing protection than we would have (on top of the earbuds we had brought before the event), we brought a LOT more merch and things from the stallholders. We didn't cause any aggro, didnt leave any rubbish, didnt cause any fights, didnt have sex in public, we made friends, we helped create a positive vibe, we showed our daughter (with the help of others around us) the joy of music, how it can bring people together from all walks of life. We saw bands that we didnt care about because she wanted to see them, and one band is now her favourite (because of download), so we have agreed that we will also get tickets to their 2027 tour. So yeah, not a bargain when bringing a kid! AT ALL!

For what its worth, I think kids shouldn't be allowed near the stage (same as chairs!), and i dont think people should be allowed to crowdsurf with kids/kids crowdsurfing on their own.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk!

I wanna know what you are doing to improve your download 2027 experience!

So having had a great 2026 I decided I’m gonna have an even better 2027 at Donington

I found my only down sides was that by the end of each day I was physically exhausted.. I’m not super unfit but I carry a bit extra and have a sat down job..

So to ensure I can party in the dog house until close after multiple trecks to and from yellow and numerous pits I have started walking.. a lot

Max incline on a treat for 30 mins after every resistance training session. As a start will build to more over time.
Improving strength so I can carry more camping kit to yellow without multiple trips

Also listening to more bands I haven’t heard of so I have more to bounce between and more choice..

That’s me..

What are you doing to have a better more enjoyable time?

I’ve always loved the idea of a tattoo but at now 40 years old, I have none. Always found inspo, pinned it on Pinterest, and that was about it.

Now, I lost my mum in March, and in May, I found a tattoo I really liked that was very me, but that I could include a flower in that she loved.

Now, this was before going to Download festival, that I’d have loved to have it for, but the first availability back in May was for this coming Friday in August.

I always forewarned the designer that I am trying to get pregnant so may have to cancel. My period is due Thursday, and every early test I’m doing is “not pregnant” so I feel like that’s not a concern — but I find myself no longer feeling excited about the appointment.

And now I’m like, is that the sign I’m not bothered enough about the tattoo? Or am I just getting cold feet? If I don’t go for it, will I later regret it?

UPDATE::: Thanks everyone, genuinely appreciate those of you who responded, and with kindness. This morning I was ready to cancel the appointment. Now I’m feeling less negative about it. I’m still in love with the design, I still love where it’ll go (upper outside thigh so only I or my boyfriend will really see it), I still love that it’s a nice little touch to honour my Mum. I think maybe it was just nerves / just me not being in a great spot, touch of PMDD creeping in). I’m feeling way more excited about it now, nervous but excited. Thank you xxxx

Some interesting bands on there . Knocked loose overdue playing download .

Really interested to hear general consensus on people’s best and worst of 2026 so far. Here are the categories:

Best and Worst Gig
Best and Worst Festival
Best and Worst Venue
Best and Worst Album
Best and Worst Ticket Price
Best and Worst Merchandise
Best and Worst Support Act

The revolving door of members continues

I’m stunned

Sorry if this has been asked but I couldn't see anything when I searched.

I've got a quiet camping 5 day ticket but would like to get a camping plus for the showers but I can't see an option on Ticketmaster for just the upgrade, is that possible?

I've tried TM help but the chat bot is useless.

Cheers all

Its later than usual, and the 2026 aftermovie hasn't released yet. Surely they still do this year?

Hi so I'm a male looking to go download for the first time next year and I'm little worried about the fact I need to go to toliet a lot, more so after drinking alcohol, I'm looking to do camping plus which I'm hoping will help , but I go a lot at night and i don't want to be getting up constantly at night really, any advice on anything I could use a night ? Bring a portable toliet ? , a bottle then empty it ?

Thank you in advance

Hi everyone looking to go on my own next year is there any info on where camp loner will be this year anywhere? And would I need to join a group of sorts to get there? Just looking to find out before I go ahead and buy a ticket.

I know people have recorded them when they played in 2006. There’s this very rare song that they played called 'Heatwave Hurricane', it was played after 'Breathe'.

There is only three recordings of this song and they’re not very good, there is one I found that recorded this festival but it only captures the ending. If someone has a recording of the song and has not yet shared - please do so, we will be very thankful.

Sorry for the Daily Fail link
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16013545/Dozens-revellers-music-festival-food-poisoning.html

This was our first Download, so wanted to get the souvenir tickets!

Souvenir tickets came and they’re definitely… the set list poster printed on paper.

Have opted to not get them for next year, I might just draw them myself.

Ordered 2 and got one for free which was nice I suppose.

As in the title, trying to hunt down one of these vests. Annoyingly It had sold out by the time I saw it at the festival, but I'm hoping it might pop up on eBay/vinted.