BABYMETAL, Download Festival 2026
LIVE REVIEW: “We are so happy to be back in Download… with sunshine!” SU-METAL smiles as BABYMETAL takes to the Apex Stage. Donington Park looks a little different right now than it did last time the trio were here. Back in 2024, their main stage set was cut short due to rain of biblical proportions, but today they’re back, and with nothing more than a light breeze to distract from their explosive antics. There’s one question they have to ask before that happens, though: “Are you ready to headbang?” The answer is a resounding yes, with the movements being made across the fields during ‘BABYMETAL DEATH’ guaranteeing an influx of chiropractor visits come Monday morning. After that, ‘PA PA YA!!’ and ‘METALI!!’ gets even the sleepiest of festival goers to their feet, and as the carnage ensues in front of them, SU-METAL, MOAMETAL and MOMOMETAL feed off of every last drop of intensity. Each note is pitch-perfect, and every movement is precise, whether they’re at their most blisteringly heavy or their most sugary sweet; the trio’s towering momentum doesn’t dip for a second. By the time we reach the pulverising likes of ‘Gimme Chocolate!!’ and ‘Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!’, the sing-alongs are loud enough to trouble your eardrums and the vibes are at an all-time high. For this one hour of power, Download Festival undoubtedly belongs to BABYMETAL.
✏️ Maddy Howell
📷 Carla Mundy
BABYMETAL chat Donington memories, their 15th anniversary as a band, working with Jordan Fish and Tatsuya Kitani and more, backstage at Download Festival.
WATCH: https://t.co/u5GoqBlruV