LINKIN PARK BECOMES FIRST FEMALE-FRONTED HEADLINER AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL

Linkin Park headlined Download Festival on Sunday night, marking the first time a female-fronted band has topped the bill at the event or its predecessor Monsters Of Rock. Emily Armstrong performed classics including Numb and Papercut alongside material from the band's recent album, with her harmonies complementing fellow lead vocalist Mike Shinoda. The performance took place at Donington Park in Leicestershire as part of the festival's weekend programme.

Download Festival began on Friday with Cypress Hill performing on the main stage, followed by Limp Bizkit as first-night headliners. Limp Bizkit's set included performances of Hot Dog featuring Lauren Sanderson and Break Stuff, with frontman Fred Durst demonstrating sustained energy throughout. The band paused during My Way after Durst identified an audience member requiring medical assistance.

The Wildhearts appeared on Saturday as a last-minute addition to the bill following guitarist Ginger Wildheart's recent cancer diagnosis. Download Festival has historically broadened its musical scope beyond traditional rock and metal offerings, incorporating genres such as hip-hop into its programming. The festival continued through the weekend with further acts performing across its main stages.