Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • 5 Jeff Beck songs you need to hear
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software
  • 24 free chord lessons

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

The 9 must-see drummers of Download 2015

By Rich Chamberlain
published 8 June 2015

The sticksmen you have to check out

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
The 9 must-see drummers of Download 2015
(Image credit: Darren Staples/Reuters/Corbis)

The 9 must-see drummers of Download 2015

It's that time again: next weekend, tens of thousands of punters will head to the Midlands metal Mecca that is Donington Park for Download Festival.

Each year, the cream of the rock and metal worlds take to the myriad stages at the festival, and 2015 sees a startling array of drumming talent on show.

To help you to decide which of these dozens of top players you simply must check out, we've rounded up the nine potential drum stars of Download 2015.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Slipknot's masked mystery man
Slipknot

Slipknot's masked mystery man

When: Friday

Where: Main Stage

Ok, there isn't much mystery about this one anymore, with just about everyone convinced that the man stepping into Joey's sizable shoes is Jay Weinberg, but there still has not been official confirmation from the Slipknot camp.

One thing that is in no doubt whatsoever is that the 'Knot's new recruit is doing an incredible job, managing to nail Joey's blistering beats while also putting his all stamp all over the place. Slipknot always deliver at Donington, so this really is one not to be missed.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
JP Gaster
Clutch

JP Gaster

When: Friday

Where: Main Stage

Clutch's groove machine JP Gaster is a long-time favourite of the Rhythm team thanks to his deep pocket and impeccable feel. Miss him guiding Clutch through a set of groove-heavy blues-tinged rock at your peril.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Pat Lundy
Modestep

Pat Lundy

When: Friday

Where: Encore Stage

Premier player Lundy left Funeral For A Friend to concentrate on his work with this dubstep-metal mash-up, and his kit work seems to have jumped to the next level since doing so. Hard, heavy and full of massive kick.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Dom Howard
Muse

Dom Howard

When: Saturday

Where: Main Stage

Muse are back with a new album, Drones, and they'll be looking to prove that they are indisputably the UK's biggest rock band with this bill-topping set. Drummer Dom Howard is certainly one of the brightest stars of Britain's modern drum scene, and never fails to put on a hell of a show.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Christian Coma
Black Veil Brides
(Image credit: Press Line Photos/Corbis)

Christian Coma

When: Saturday

Where: Encore Stage

Black Veil Brides roll into Donington with their hoards of fans in tow. See what the fuss is all about by checking out drummer Christian 'CC' Coma in action. CC has the rock beats to nail BVBs 21st century pop metal, but he's also a huge fan of the legends - Buddy, Krupa et al.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Jon Tupper
Emp!re

Jon Tupper

When: Saturday

Where: Fourth Stage

Assembled from some of the finest musicians in the south west of England, Emp!re have built a name off their killer live shows and are one of the hottest new bands to see at this year's Download.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Tommy Lee
Mötley Crüe
(Image credit: Igor Vidyashev/ZUMA Press/Corbis)

Tommy Lee

When: Sunday

Where: Main Stage

Say what you will about Tommy Lee, but the man always delivers a show. Whether it be spinning drum cages, drum rollercoasters or hip-hop solos, Tommy is always on it. And given that this is part of Mötley's Final Tour, who knows what he'll have up his sleeve?

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Garrett Whitlock
Tremonti

Garrett Whitlock

When: Sunday

Where: Main Stage

As drummer for Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti's solo side project, Garrett Whitlock has shot onto Rhythm's radar over the last year or so. The band (which also features Wolfgang Van Halen on bass) are back with a new album, as Garrett helps Tremonti bring out his inner metal hero.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Shannon Larkin
Godsmack

Shannon Larkin

When: Sunday

Where: Encore Stage

Battling it out for showman of the day with Tommy Lee, Shannon Larkin will be backing up Godsmack's unit-shifting brand of US rock with stick flips and power a plenty.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Rich Chamberlain
Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).

  1. John Oates
    1
    John Oates on 10 albums that changed his life, and the guitar that now feels like a part of him: "I bought my ‘58 Strat in 1972 for a hundred and twenty-five bucks and I’ve played it ever since"
  2. 2
    Jeff Mills and Daft Punk's mastering engineer shares mixing advice with followers
  3. 3
    Gene Simmons explains what makes Abba great and why – if pushed – he’d take early Jeff Beck Group over early Led Zep
  4. 4
    "It's was written, recorded and mixed in about six hours" – Noel Gallagher names the Oasis and solo songs he'd take to a desert island
  5. 5
    16 inspiring guitar chords that are great for clean tones
  1. Metallica
    1
    Metallica unleash new single Screaming Suicide, a 5:39 min Hetfield masterclass in downpicking
  2. 2
    John Oates on 10 albums that changed his life, and the guitar that now feels like a part of him: "I bought my ‘58 Strat in 1972 for a hundred and twenty-five bucks and I’ve played it ever since"
  3. 3
    Jeff Mills and Daft Punk's mastering engineer shares mixing advice with followers
  4. 4
    Gene Simmons explains what makes Abba great and why – if pushed – he’d take early Jeff Beck Group over early Led Zep
  5. 5
    "It's was written, recorded and mixed in about six hours" – Noel Gallagher names the Oasis and solo songs he'd take to a desert island

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.