After confirming the rumour that UK’s Download Festival would come to Australia, we’ve been eagerly awaiting any news of who the headliners will be. Today we can finally announce who they are.
Prophets Of Rage
The rap-rock supergroup, featuring members of Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Public Enemy and Cyprus Hill, are coming down to play their first Australian headline show ever. Expect the best elements of each member’s origins to combine into something totally different as they bring their politically charged rhythm & rhyme to the festival stage. Their headline shows are in Sydney on 22 March and Brisbane on 26 March.
Good Charlotte
A band that needs no introduction, Good Charlotte are most likely the band that inspired or furthered your teenage emo phase. With six albums under their belt, including two that went platinum, the band have a huge global following. They’re bringing their refined pop-punk sounds to Sydney on 26 March and Brisbane on 28 March, with special guests Neck Deep, Falling In Reverse, Issues and Chase Atlantic.
Amon Amarth
You’ll want to fill your horns with mead and get your shields out for this one. Amon Amarth, the prolific Swedish metal band known for their tales of viking mythology, are next up in the headline acts. Their dramatic and melodic metal will come thrashing into Sydney’s Roundhouse on March 25 and Brisbane’s Tivoli on March 27.
The Story So Far
From Vans Warped Tour to the Download Festival, The Story So Far are at the forefront of a current pop-punk revival that’s promising to be authentic and down-to-earth. Expect to hear honest lyrics and sounds inspired by Blink and Green Day when they hit Brisbane on March 23 and Sydney on March 25, with special guests Slowly Slowly and Easy Life.
Nails
Whether it’s death metal, sludge metal, or grindcore, Nails don’t compromise their fast, thrashing sound for the sake of being categorised. Their songs don’t sit comfortably anywhere – some are a minute long, some 8 minutes long. Be blown away by the “angriest band in metal” in Brisbane on March 22 and Sydney on March 23.
Neck Deep
The final headliner for Download 2018 is Welsh pop-punk band Neck Deep. They’ve been on an incredibly successful run since forming in 2012, scoring Kerrang! and APMA awards and getting to work with Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus. You can see them making noise about the struggles of life at The Gov, March 25 in Adelaide.
All headliners will play at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Saturday March 24.
Download Festival Headline Show Dates
Thursday March 22
Prophets Of Rage: Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
Nails: Crowbar, Brisbane
Friday March 23
The Story So Far: The Zoo, Brisbane
Nails: Red Rattler, Sydney
Sunday March 25
Amon Amarth: Roundhouse, Sydney
The Story So Far: Factory Theatre, Sydney
Neck Deep: The Gov, Adelaid
Monday March 26
Prophets Of Rage: Riverstage, Brisbane
Good Charlotte: Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
Tuesday March 27
Amon Amarth: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Wednesday March 28
Good Charlotte: Riverstage, Brisbane