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.

@judaspriest at #downloadfestival next year and @thebandGHOST super fcking excited right now…dreams do come true ..i get to see my idol #robhalford #metalgod and attend my first #ritual #churchisin

— melissa pedder (@lookandsee34) September 18, 2018

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.

Well, what can I say… Your town no longer buys tickets to rock gigs. ?

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) September 18, 2018

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

Download festival Australia looks fucking peng. Ghost, Priest, The Fever 333, Alice In Chains, Code Orange, Converge… daaaaaamn son

— Nino (@NinoooCG) September 18, 2018

Download lineup is dopeeee

— charlie cheesman (@charliecheesman) September 18, 2018

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.

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A post shared by LineupsWithoutMales (@lineupswithoutmales)

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