The Download Festival 2026 kicks off today, June 10, at Donington Park in Leicestershire. The festival will feature headliners Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park, each a UK exclusive for the year. Other big names announced for the event include Bad Omens, Cypress Hill, Tom Morello, Trivium, Halestorm, Pendulum, Mastodon, BABYMETAL, Architects, and Feeder. According to the BBC Weather forecast, there will be light rain showers throughout the five days of Download 2026, with a moderate breeze also likely to be present on each day. Festival organiser Andy Copping spoke to NME in 2024 about the importance of creating a platform for new and emerging talent. "I’ve always wanted to do that, and you can see it in how we’ve been developing the other stages like the Dogtooth stage and the Avalanche," he said. The weather forecast for each day is as follows: Wednesday, June 10, will have thundery showers and a gentle breeze, with rain looking likely all day. Thursday, June 11, will have light rain and a moderate breeze, with rain likely throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening. Friday, June 12, will have light rain showers and a moderate breeze once again, with lighter rain expected in the morning and lunchtime, but lower likelihood later in the day and into the evening. Saturday, June 13, will have sunny intervals and a moderate breeze, with sun breaking through the clouds. From 4 pm there will be uninterrupted sunshine, with temperatures from 12 to 21°C. Sunday, June 14, will have more sun with a moderate breeze, with a slight chance of drizzle between 2 pm-7 pm. Temperatures will range from 14 to 23°C. The festival will also feature secret sets that will be revealed on the weekend itself, as well as sets from TokenGrass – a bluegrass tribute to Sleep Token – and a Rage Against The Machine tribute act fronted by a Nicolas Cage impersonator, titled Nic Cage Against The Machine.

RedOctane Games, the company behind Guitar Hero, has announced a new rhythm game titled Stage Tour, set to be released for PC and consoles in the autumn of 2026. The game will feature songs by prominent bands such as Ghost, BABYMETAL, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. According to the announcement, Stage Tour promises to be "a redefining evolution of rhythm games". This suggests that the game will introduce new and innovative features to the genre, potentially setting a new standard for future rhythm games. The inclusion of BABYMETAL in the game is particularly noteworthy, as the Japanese metal idol group has gained a significant following worldwide. Their unique blend of heavy metal and J-pop has captivated audiences, and their presence in Stage Tour is likely to attract fans of the band to the game. Other bands featured in the game include Ghost, known for their theatrical live performances, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, a renowned rock band with a wide range of hits. The diverse lineup of artists in Stage Tour suggests that the game will cater to a broad range of musical tastes. As the release date approaches, fans of rhythm games and the featured bands can look forward to experiencing the new and innovative gameplay that Stage Tour has to offer.

In 2014, a viral song introduced metal to Babymetal. The band, consisting of Su-metal, Moametal, and Tsugumi, gained international attention with their unique blend of heavy metal and J-pop. According to an interview, 'Having people fire unfamiliar words at us was really frightening.' This quote highlights the challenges the band faced in the early days. The song 'Gimme Chocolate' became a viral sensation, bringing Babymetal to the world stage. With their debut album 'Babymetal' released in 2014, the band has since become a household name in the metal scene. The band's success can be attributed to their energetic live performances and catchy songs like 'Gimme Chocolate' and 'Megitsune'. As stated in an article by Louder Sound, 'one bizarre but brilliant song about chocolate brought Babymetal to the world - and confused the hell out of the heavy metal scene'. This statement showcases the impact Babymetal had on the metal scene, bringing a fresh and unique sound to the table. In conclusion, Babymetal's rise to fame is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their craft. The band continues to tour and release new music, solidifying their place in the metal scene.

HALESTORM's frontwoman Lzzy Hale expressed her excitement about the band's upcoming North American tour as the support act for BABYMETAL. The trek will kick off on September 2 at Denver, Colorado's Ball Arena. During an appearance on the May 10 episode of 'Whiplash', the 95.5 KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie, Lzzy Hale spoke about the tour, stating: 'I'm so excited about the idea because it's a little off center'. HALESTORM will be performing in various cities across North America, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. The tour is expected to be a unique experience for fans of both bands, with BABYMETAL's energetic live performances and HALESTORM's heavy metal sound. Lzzy Hale also mentioned that she is looking forward to performing with BABYMETAL, saying: 'It's going to be a really fun tour'. The tour will be a great opportunity for fans to see two of the most exciting bands in the metal scene today. With BABYMETAL's Su-metal, Moametal, and Tsugumi, and HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale, the tour promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch on May 19 for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, and its soundtrack has been revealed. The game will feature nine in-game radio stations, including Horizon Pulse, Horizon Bass Arena, Horizon Block Party, Horizon XS, Hospital Records, Gacha City Radio, Sub Pop Records, Horizon Wave, and Horizon Opus. According to Playground Games, "Music isn’t just at the backdrop of our games; it’s at the forefront." The soundtrack will include a wide range of artists, such as Turnstile, Biffy Clyro, Foals, Ninajirachi, and Spiritbox. BABYMETAL will be featured on the Horizon XS radio station with their songs "ー白炎ー (White Flame)" and "Gimme Chocolate!!". Other artists on the Horizon XS station include A Day To Remember, Rise Against, and Linkin Park. The full playlists for each radio station have been confirmed, with Horizon Bass Arena featuring dance icons like Confidence Man and Calvin Harris, and Horizon Block Party highlighting floorfillers from Little Simz and Public Enemy. Forza Horizon 6 promises to have the largest number of songs in a Forza title yet, with over 100 tracks across its nine radio stations. The game's soundtrack is expected to be a major part of the gaming experience, with Playground Games stating that "Forza Horizon has had it all, from global sensations and smash hits to hidden gems and genre-bending beats that have infused our iconic line-up of radio stations, expertly curated for your listening pleasure." Fans of BABYMETAL and other featured artists can look forward to enjoying their favorite songs while exploring the open-world of Forza Horizon 6. With its diverse soundtrack and immersive gameplay, Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to be an exciting experience for gamers and music lovers alike.