Blab Music
Those Damn Crows Return to Download Festival 2026, Hint at New Music and Tour Plans
On 20 June 2026, drummer Ronnie Huxford celebrated his birthday backstage at Download Festival in Donington Park before the Welsh rock band Those Damn Crows took the Apex main stage. The group, which has appeared at the festival on five or six different stages over the years, used the performance to look back at its long‑standing relationship with the event and to tease what lies ahead.
Those Damn Crows formed in Bridgend, Wales, in 2014. The current line‑up consists of vocalist Shane Greenhall, guitarist Ian “Shiner” Thomas, bassist Lloyd Wood, drummer Ronnie Huxford, and second guitarist David Winchurch, who joined after the first two albums. In May 2018 the band signed a worldwide, multi‑album deal with Earache Records. Their debut, Murder and the Motive, entered the Official UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart at number 5 in October 2018, while the follow‑up, Point of No Return (2020), peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. A year later, God Shaped Hole topped the UK Albums Chart, marking the first number‑one album for Earache.
Download Festival, held each June at Donington Park, is the United Kingdom’s largest rock festival, drawing between 75 000 and 80 000 attendees. The event features multiple stages and a broad spectrum of acts from classic rock to contemporary metal. Those Damn Crows have been a regular presence, performing on several stages over the years, and their 2026 appearance on the Apex main stage placed them among the festival’s headline acts.
In an interview after the set, Huxford reflected on the festival’s importance to the band. "When we were younger it was always the bucket list to play Download," he said. "The fact we’ve done it this many times, it’s a real honour." He also highlighted the role of the fanbase, the Crow Family, describing it as an organic community that began in 2014. "We’ve been very truthful with them. If something’s not going right, Shane will address it. If we have a bad time, we let them know, and they share our highs as much as our lows," Huxford explained. The Crow Family’s support, he added, helped the band reach its number‑one album, a milestone that attracted industry attention.
Huxford offered a brief overview of the set. He noted that the recent tour had introduced a slower groove for “Night Train,” allowing him to “get in the pocket with Shane, feeling the mood.” He contrasted this with the heavier track “No Surrender” and highlighted “Sin on Skin” from Point of No Return as the set’s highlight, a song that kept the crowd moving.
When asked about God Shaped Hole, Huxford described the album as a dark room that provides a sense of peace. He mentioned that the soundtrack for the record would be a podcast or a wrestling program, reflecting his interest in spoken word, and added that the scent of tequila and the atmosphere of rock and roll were integral to the album’s feel.
Looking ahead, Huxford said the band has been quiet but is preparing to release new music soon. "We’ve been the quietest we’ve ever been, but we can officially say new music is coming soon. We’ve been busy in the background, loads of demos sounding incredible," he said. No release date or title has been announced.
In addition to new material, Those Damn Crows will support American rock band Shinedown on a tour in October and November 2026. The band confirmed that the Crow Family will attend in force, underscoring the strong bond between the group and its fans.
In summary, Those Damn Crows returned to Download Festival 2026 with a performance that underscored their history at the event and their ongoing relationship with their fanbase. While new music is on the horizon, the band’s next public engagements will include a supporting slot with Shinedown and continued touring. Fans can expect further details on the release of new material and additional tour dates in the coming months.
Those Damn Crows formed in Bridgend, Wales, in 2014. The current line‑up consists of vocalist Shane Greenhall, guitarist Ian “Shiner” Thomas, bassist Lloyd Wood, drummer Ronnie Huxford, and second guitarist David Winchurch, who joined after the first two albums. In May 2018 the band signed a worldwide, multi‑album deal with Earache Records. Their debut, Murder and the Motive, entered the Official UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart at number 5 in October 2018, while the follow‑up, Point of No Return (2020), peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. A year later, God Shaped Hole topped the UK Albums Chart, marking the first number‑one album for Earache.
Download Festival, held each June at Donington Park, is the United Kingdom’s largest rock festival, drawing between 75 000 and 80 000 attendees. The event features multiple stages and a broad spectrum of acts from classic rock to contemporary metal. Those Damn Crows have been a regular presence, performing on several stages over the years, and their 2026 appearance on the Apex main stage placed them among the festival’s headline acts.
In an interview after the set, Huxford reflected on the festival’s importance to the band. "When we were younger it was always the bucket list to play Download," he said. "The fact we’ve done it this many times, it’s a real honour." He also highlighted the role of the fanbase, the Crow Family, describing it as an organic community that began in 2014. "We’ve been very truthful with them. If something’s not going right, Shane will address it. If we have a bad time, we let them know, and they share our highs as much as our lows," Huxford explained. The Crow Family’s support, he added, helped the band reach its number‑one album, a milestone that attracted industry attention.
Huxford offered a brief overview of the set. He noted that the recent tour had introduced a slower groove for “Night Train,” allowing him to “get in the pocket with Shane, feeling the mood.” He contrasted this with the heavier track “No Surrender” and highlighted “Sin on Skin” from Point of No Return as the set’s highlight, a song that kept the crowd moving.
When asked about God Shaped Hole, Huxford described the album as a dark room that provides a sense of peace. He mentioned that the soundtrack for the record would be a podcast or a wrestling program, reflecting his interest in spoken word, and added that the scent of tequila and the atmosphere of rock and roll were integral to the album’s feel.
Looking ahead, Huxford said the band has been quiet but is preparing to release new music soon. "We’ve been the quietest we’ve ever been, but we can officially say new music is coming soon. We’ve been busy in the background, loads of demos sounding incredible," he said. No release date or title has been announced.
In addition to new material, Those Damn Crows will support American rock band Shinedown on a tour in October and November 2026. The band confirmed that the Crow Family will attend in force, underscoring the strong bond between the group and its fans.
In summary, Those Damn Crows returned to Download Festival 2026 with a performance that underscored their history at the event and their ongoing relationship with their fanbase. While new music is on the horizon, the band’s next public engagements will include a supporting slot with Shinedown and continued touring. Fans can expect further details on the release of new material and additional tour dates in the coming months.
