Here’s How Australia Reacted To Download Festival’s 2019 Lineup

Now that Download Festival’s 2019 lineup is out in the wild, so are the reactions.

After the lineup was accidentally leaked an hour early by one of the artists performing at the festival, organisers confirmed their new roster 30 minutes earlier than expected, naming Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer and Judas Priest as headliners, and getting heaps of heavy music fans excited in the process.

https://twitter.com/lookandsee34/status/1042177977612566528

https://twitter.com/adamjaeger32/status/1042176600291209216

Given its long list of veteran metal acts — including the likes of Alice In Chains, Anthrax and Behemoth — the Download lineup has inevitably copped some flak from younger music fans, for obvious reasons.

https://twitter.com/somekindofzaid/status/1042175757848522752

https://twitter.com/Oli_gal/status/1042181900142432257

https://twitter.com/farfrommhome/status/1042179294674399232

Some social media users have also voiced their disappointment that Download will only hit Sydney and Melbourne in March next year, despite organisers previously sharing plans to eventually expand the event into a “nationally touring event”.

Responding to a Perth-based punter, Soundwave Festival promoter AJ Maddah (who isn’t involved in Download Festival in any way) put things bluntly.

While there were some not-so-positive reactions to the lineup, the overall response has been mostly positive…

https://twitter.com/charliecheesman/status/1042180849314062336
https://twitter.com/frizz_rizz/status/1042182190862200835
https://twitter.com/pleasedontatme/status/1042174658508800000

Around a quarter of the acts on Download’s first lineup announcement contain at least one female member, which isn’t great, but it’s still better than a lot of major metal festivals we’ve seen in the past.

There are also another 13 more acts still to be announced, according to organisers.

See more

Download Festival 2019 will be a two-date, five-stage affair, hitting Sydney’s Parramatta Park on Saturday, 9th March and Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Monday, 11th March (during a long weekend).

Peep the first lineup announcement in full and react for yourself, below.

UPDATE 25/01/19: International Act Cancels Download Festival Shows, Replacement Act Announced

UPDATE: Download Festival Australia Adds New Act To 2019 Lineup

Download Festival 2019 Lineup

OZZY OSBOURNE (Only Aus Shows)
SLAYER
JUDAS PRIEST (Only Aus Shows)
ALICE IN CHAINS
GHOST
RISE AGAINST
THE AMITY AFFLICTION (Only Aus Shows)
ANTHRAX
HALESTORM (Only Aus Shows)
BEHEMOTH
ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES
I PREVAIL
CONVERGE
FRENZAL RHOMB
LUCA BRASI
CODE ORANGE
ANDY BLACK
THE FEVER 333
WAR ON WOMEN
HIGH TENSION
OUTRIGHT
RUINS
ALIEN WEAPONRY

+ more to be announced

Download Festival 2019

Optus pre-sale begins 9am AEDT Friday, 21st September

Tickets on sale to general public 9am AEDT Wednesday, 26th September

Saturday, 9th March
Parramatta Park, Sydney (18+)
Tickets: Official Website

Monday, 11th March (long weekend)
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (18+)
Tickets: Official Website