This is the moment a pro-Palestine protester shuts down a gig at Download Festival. A man with a Palestinian flag forced a tent to be evacuated and the set to end early after climbing a pillar during a DJ set by Modestep.
The set by a member of the dubstep musicians started at about 1.30am on Saturday (June 14) at the late-night tent “The Den” at the three-day rock event at Donington Park, Leicestershire. Angry fans threw toilet roll and beers at the protester while the Modestep DJ urged him to climb down.
But the pleas were ignored, meaning the tent had to be fully evacuated.
Festival fans claimed he later climbed onto railings and began to move around on roof girders, after flashing the small flag on either side to the crowd.
After evacuating the tent, security staff said they weren’t legally allowed to climb up the railings to get the man down.
A number of bands referred to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza over the weekend, including British rock band Don Broco.
Singer, Frank Carter, who performed alongside a reformed Sex Pistols, pointed to rainbow and Palestinian flags, describing them as “the most punk things in 2025”.
Download Festival ends on Sunday (June 15) with Korn headlining at Donnington Park Raceway in Derby.
Saturday night saw Sleep Token headline while Friday’s main stage closer was Green Day.
The US band, whose hits include American Idiot, took aim at US President Donald Trump during their set.
Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong encouraged the crowd to chant “You fat b******” and described the US leader as a “fascist”.
Download Festival’s organisers have been approached for comment.
