WHAT WENT DOWN
Linkin Park closed Download Festival on June 14 and became the first band with a female frontwoman to headline the event in its 23-year history *. Emily Armstrong, who joined when the band reformed in 2023, fronted a 23-song set divided into four acts *†.
THE DETAILS
- The performance happened at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England, wrapping the three-day festival after Limp Bizkit and Guns N’ Roses headlined Friday and Saturday *†.
- This marked Linkin Park’s fifth time headlining Download since the festival began in 2003 *.
- The setlist spanned the band’s catalog and included a Fort Minor cover of Where’d You Go *.
- Mike Shinoda called for an all-woman mosh pit during Two Faced †.
- The show was part of the From Zero World Tour, which continues in France on June 16 and Spain on June 19 *.
THE TAKE
Download launched in 2003, and it took until 2026 for a woman to headline — Armstrong got there by stepping into one of rock’s most scrutinized roles and holding it down for three years *. Linkin Park has now headlined the festival more times than any act with a female frontwoman has headlined it once *.