Events

Raven Records Joins Download Festival with Wellness-Driven Pop-Up

“Our slogan, ‘Join the conspiracy,’ is more than just a tagline — it reflects our commitment to building a community: a true conspiracy of ravens.” – Chloe Marlow, co-founder of Raven Records

Cris Watkins

Published

April 12, 2025

DOWNLOAD 2023 - Credit - TODD OWYOUNG

Metal, Mindfulness and Merch: Raven Records Joins Download Festival’s Wellness Line-Up

Download Festival has revealed a major new addition to its upgraded wellness offerings for 2025 — a pop-up from London-based Raven Records, a heavy metal record shop, coffee house, and alcohol-free bar that’s rapidly becoming a cultural force in the UK metal scene.

Known for its bold approach to metal lifestyle without the booze, Raven Records is set to bring an eclectic mix of curated music, merch, metal-themed coffee and a wide range of alcohol-free drinks to the hallowed grounds of Donington. But this isn’t just about retail therapy — the pop-up will host a full schedule of community-focused events and support sessions that mark a first for the festival.

A First for Download

It’ll be the first time in the festival’s history that a record shop features on-site, and notably, the first time peer-support mental health and addiction recovery meetings will be offered. Attendees can join sessions like Heavy Metal Therapy (mental health peer support) and Satanic Recovery (secular addiction recovery), plus take part in a battle jacket competition, jacket sewing workshops, slam poetry events, late-night DJ sets, and more.

Raven Records was founded in 2023 by Chloe Marlow and Ben Dean with a mission to reshape how fans engage with metal culture — no alcohol required. “We created Raven Records for fans who want to experience heavy music without needing alcohol to feel part of the scene,” says Dean.

Marlow adds, “Our slogan, ‘Join the conspiracy,’ is more than just a tagline — it reflects our commitment to building a community: a true conspiracy of ravens.”

Wellness Gets Louder

Download Festival promoter Kamran Haq praised the addition, noting its alignment with the festival’s expanding wellness agenda. “We think it’s so important to support independent businesses and for non-drinkers at Download to have a safe space,” he said. “We’re always looking to build on our onsite wellness offerings.”

Alongside Raven Records, festivalgoers can expect a full wellness programme, including yoga, meditation, sound baths and nervous system regulation from Flowstate. Blink will return with wellbeing tents in District X, offering mindfulness and therapy zones, while Diverse UK will host two sensory calm spaces across the site.

DLXXII: A Massive Line-Up Awaits

This year’s edition is already shaping up to be historic. Green Day, Sleep Token, and Korn top the bill, with a stacked lineup that includes Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Rise Against, Spiritbox, Meshuggah, Steel Panther, and even the Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter. From veterans to new blood, Download 2025 promises a genre-spanning blowout with something for every kind of fan.