Download Festival have confirmed that London-based heavy metal record shop, coffee shop and alcohol-free bar Raven Records will have a pop up at this year’s festival, which will feature a curated selection of metal music, merchandise, a wide range of alcohol-free drinks, and metal-inspired coffee.
In addition to the record shop, coffee shop and bar, Raven Records will also host a full events programme, including Heavy Metal Therapy meetings (mental health peer support), Satanic Recovery meetings (secular addiction recovery support), Download’s best battle jacket competition, battle jacket meet ups and sewing workshops, Slam Poetry competition and workshops, a late night DJ and much more.
This will be the first time a record shop features on the Download Festival roster, and the first time addiction recovery and mental health peer support will be provided for festival attendees. Founded in 2023 by Chloe Marlow and Ben Dean, Raven Records has quickly built a reputation for reimagining how metal culture can look and feel. “We created Raven Records for fans who want to experience heavy music without needing alcohol to feel part of the scene,” says co-founder Ben Dean.
“We’re looking forward to bringing Raven Records to the festival and showcasing what we are all about,” adds co-founder Chloe Marlow. “Our slogan, ‘Join the conspiracy,’ is more than just a tagline — it reflects our commitment to building a community: a true conspiracy of ravens.”
Download promoter Kamran Haq says: "We're really happy to have Raven Records onboard this year, as we think it's so important to support independent businesses and for non-drinkers at Download to have a safe space. We have several no/lo-alcohol offerings at Download and we're always looking to build on that, as well as our onsite wellness offerings."
Elsewhere onsite, Flowstate will be providing a full programme of guided meditations, sound baths, yoga, nervous system regulation and more. Blink have also been confirmed for 2025, hosting wellbeing tents in District X, which will include mindfulness activities, talking therapy, and a place to chill. Diverse UK will be hosting two sensory calm spaces onsite too.
DLXXII will see Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn headline the festival with the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Rise Against, Shinedown, Bullet For My Valentine, Spiritbox, Don Broco, Palaye Royale, Meshuggah, Within Temptation, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Steel Panther, The Darkness, Eagles Of Death Metal, Myles Kennedy, McFly, Jerry Cantrell and many more joining them on the bill.
Book your tickets now: www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
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