Emily Armstrong has led the revival of the group after the passing of their iconic lead singer, Chester Bennington. Whilst the nu-metal infused band wasn’t founded with female members, their headline slot represents a change that was needed to come for women in the music industry. A new barrier has been broken down, and an old tradition is now futile. 

Some fans have praised the festival and believe this is a positive step for women reaching the same heights as their male counterparts in the music scene. Having said that, there are other people who believe that this is the bare minimum that festivals should be doing to bridge this gap. Notable mainstream festivals have started to see women headlining as becoming the norm. Reading and Leeds saw Paramore back in 2014 and have since had the likes of Billie Eilish as well as Chappell Roan take a coveted spot at the top.

When considering the possibility of a female-fronted Download headliner, it is clear that the organisers have been giving women and non-binary people increasingly more space and time. In recent years, the likes of Spiritbox, Poppy, Wargasm, and Jinjer have all played the main stage. Some of these artists have even done it multiple times and continue to climb the ladder of the festival’s setlist. 

The quantity and quality of the women within the metal and alternative scene right now defy the age-old myth that there aren’t enough candidates to fit the bill. Increasingly, women are finding their footing within a scene that has progressed into a welcoming and safe space. Opening the doors to Emily Armstrong and the rest of Linkin Park will, without a doubt, begin a trend that hopefully continues. 

Metal and alternative communities have progressed massively in the past twenty years. The spaces are increasingly safer for all communities, and now more than ever, there are female-fronted bands who are making waves across the world. Amyl and the Sniffers come to mind when considering bands who may follow in Linkin Park’s footsteps. Amy Taylor is a dominant force on stage who delivers an exceptional performance, whether you’re a fan of her take on punk or not. Seeing artists such as her be taken seriously and allowed to have the creative space they deserve is a positive step forward.

It’s also important to note that Download’s 2026 lineup is stacked with incredible female and non-binary performers throughout its bill. Some personal highlights include The Pretty Reckless and South Arcade. It’s important to make sure bands are uplifted and promoted from the beginning. To ensure we continue to see women in well-deserved headline spots, they need to be supported and enjoyed right from the beginning of their musical career. A diverse and uplifting music scene is built on the foundations of a diverse and uplifting community.