Download 2026 Lineup Announced: 11 Acts Who Play Grunge

The Download Festival remains one of the most successful rock gatherings in the world, and earlier this month, organizers announced a lineup of roughly 90 acts set to perform next June at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England. Next year’s headliners are Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park.

Among the diverse roster, several bands occasionally delve into grunge or post-grunge. Here are a few to look forward to:

• Ash – Though categorized in various ways, Ash initially made their mark with several successful post-grunge singles. Sometimes considered Britpop due to their Northern Irish roots, they’ve maintained a unique place in alternative rock.

  
  

• Bush – A leading force in mid-’90s post-grunge, Bush has sustained popularity through consistent touring and new releases. They rank among the genre’s all-time greats, with enduring hits still heard today. The Brits’ latest album, I Beat Loneliness, was issued earlier this year.

  
  

• Die Spitz – Often labeled punk, metal, shoegaze, or post-hardcore, Die Spitz is fundamentally grunge at heart. A fast-rising all-female band from Austin, Texas, they released Something to Consume in October.

  
  

• Dinosaur Pile-Up – This English grunge band from Leeds returned this year after a hiatus due to illness. Their new album, I’ve Been Better, is their first in six years. While primarily grunge, they occasionally veer into pop-punk territory.

• Drowning Pool – A metallic rock staple since 2001, Drowning Pool has long been associated with post-grunge. Though they’ve released a few singles recently, it’s been years since their last album or major hit. Still, their setlist includes several instantly recognizable tracks.

• Feeder – One of the standout post-grunge bands of the ’90s, Feeder continues to create music, though they now lean more toward pop/rock and hard rock. The Welsh band had numerous U.K. hits and a few in the U.S. as well.

  
  

• Halestorm – Blending hard rock, metal, and post-grunge, this Lizzy Hale-led band from Pennsylvania has been a festival favorite for years. Their latest album, Everest, was released earlier this year.

  
  

• James and the Cold Gun – An emerging Welsh band whose latest release, Face in the Mirror, has expanded their fanbase. They mix post-grunge with straight-up hard rock, similar to Feeder.

  
  

• Mammoth – Created by Wolfgang Van Halen, Mammoth is a hard rock outfit that frequently leans into post-grunge and radio-ready hits, with a sound closer to metal than punk. Their new album, The End, came out in October.

  
  

• The Pretty Reckless – Earlier this month, Taylor Momsen performed with Soundgarden members at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. On Halloween, the band released Taylor Momsen’s Pretty Reckless Christmas. Their sound blends post-grunge with general hard rock.

  
  

• Return to Dust – A rising grunge band, Return to Dust released their latest EP, Speak Like the Dead, earlier this year. They continue to tour frequently, steadily growing their fanbase.