This year’s festival is taking place at Hatfield Park on Saturday, May 25 and Leeds Temple Newsam on Sunday, May 26!
The Dangerous Summer, Caskets and The All-American Rejects will all head to both sites, with You Me At Six also set to give their final-ever UK festival appearance in what will certainly be a performance for the ages.
Here are 5 must-see bands at Slam Dunk Festival:
The Wonder Years
20:25 The Key Club Stage
The Wonder Years are no strangers to Slam Dunk, this is their 5th year playing the festival and their 2nd time headlining a stage. With this year being their only UK shows of 2024 it is not a set to miss if you are a fan of the band. With a lot of recent shows focused on highlighting specific albums; 2022 at Slam Dunk playing The Upsides and Surburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing in full and a UK tour last November playing The Greatest Generation in full. Hopefully this set will give a chance to celebrate songs from throughout their career, as well as it being a prime chance to play their new single Year of The Vulture
Bob Vylan
15:20 Kerrang! Stage
Having just released their album Humble As the Sun Bob Vylans blend of punk and rap elements in their music mix together perfectly not only on a recorded record but when translated to their live shows. Expect a rowdy crowd and a lot of energy when they take to the stage. But beyond that with a strong message and politically charged themes in their music, having artists willing to take a stand and speak up for important issues is vital in live music for people to hear and continue to support.
As Everything Unfolds
11:40 Go Pro Stage
If As Everything Unfolds aren’t on your radar they need to be. The Buckinghamshire based band have been making their mark. After a successful tour at the start of the year in support of independent venue week followed by taking on arenas supporting Skindred they are consistently outdoing themselves and moving towards bigger things. Be sure to give yourself a chance to see their live performance for yourself at Slam Dunk and see a band who will no doubt do some great things going into the future.
Honey Revenge
12:30 Kerrang! Stage
After playing their first shows in the UK last December supporting The Used, Honey Revenge are back to make their UK festival debut at Slam Dunk. With the few headline shows they announced already selling out, Slam Dunk is a perfect opportunity to catch this band in action and see what they are all about.
You Me At Six
20:50 Slam Dunk Stage
A bittersweet set is to be expected from You Me At Six with their 5th and final year playing Slam Dunk. Recently announcing that they will split up next year Slam Dunk will mark their last UK festival performance. With Slam Dunk being a huge part of the band's career especially early on it feels only right for this to be their last UK festival. With over 20 years as a band, multiple charting albums they have been a core part of the UK’s alternative music scene, their set is a must see for people to bid farewell to this iconic band
and if you're not conviced, here's a quick run down of each band performing at their rightful stage:
SLAM DUNK STAGE:
With over 15 years experience The Dangerous Summer are no strangers to festival stages, it will be their second time playing Slam Dunk this year opening up the festival's main stage. Followed by As December Falls who have been making their mark on the UK scene with a packed touring schedule. After a decade long hiatus Head Automatica are back and giving the attendees of Slam Dunk a chance to hear their album Decadance in full to celebrate it’s 20 year anniversary. Pop punk legends We The Kings fit perfectly on this stage and will no doubt provide a great set for everyone watching. Another comeback with Mallory Knox announcing their reunion for Slam Dunk this year with original vocalist Mikey Chapman joining the band again. Pop Punk powerhouse State Champs are playing their 2013 album The Finer Things in full. With 2023 seeing them release new music for the first time in over 10 years Boys Like Girls are returning to Slam Dunk for the first time since 2008. To add to the list of iconic comebacks All American Rejects are also making their long awaited return to both Slam Dunk and the UK after nearly a decade. In contrast to the reunions and comebacks on this stage headliners You Me At Six, who recently announced they will be breaking up next year, will be playing their last UK festival shows at Slam Dunk. It will be a bittersweet way to close off the stage.
MONSTER ENERGY STAGE:
Opening up the Monster Energy Stage this year is Snuff the London based punk band have been actively touring and releasing music since the late 80s and will be returning to Slam Dunk for the second time on the back of their latest album release. Next up is US based Ska band Big D and The Kids Table who are also making a return to Slam Dunk after previously playing in 2015. Just releasing their 8th studio album Ska Punks Mad Caddies are another familiar face to Slam Dunk last playing the festival in 2019. The Skints are also returning to Slam Dunk bringing their unique blend of reggae punk to the festival for their sixth year playing the festival. The Selecter may be making their debut at Slam Dunk but with an impressive career spanning over 30 years the Ska band is a perfect fit for this stage. US punks The Bouncing Souls are also making their Slam Dunk debut this year after releasing their 12th studio album last year. A more familiar face to the festival Pennywise are making their second appearance at the festval after first playing in 2022. Goldfinger will be playing their first shows in the UK in nearly 5 years, this year will also mark their 5th time playing the festival so it’s a fitting place to make their UK return. Headlining the stage this year is The Interrupters having played the festival 3 times previously they are no strangers to the festival and will be a strong close to stage.
KEY CLUB STAGE:
Opening the Key Club stage this year is the UK’s own Beauty School followed by US band Arms Length after a successful co-headline tour at the start of the year there is no doubt both bands provide a strong start to the day. Making their Slam Dunk debut in Manchester Hardcore band Guilt Trip followed by One Step Closer the melodic hardcore band also making their Slam Dunk debut. Alongside the newer bands on the stage New York's H2o with over 20 years of experience, they are returning to Slam Dunk for the first time since 2015 . Another classic hardcore band Stick To Your Guns also making a return to the festival for the first time since 2015. Despite a long career to back them up this year will mark La Disputes Slam Dunk debut, something which I’m sure many fans have been waiting for.L.S. Dunes also make their Slam Dunk debut, the supergroup while only formed in 2022 the bands has a ton of collective experience between them and know how to put on a good show. California band Mom Jeans. are guaranteed to put on a killer set with a ton of fan favourites and singalongs they will effortlessly be able to keep the energy on the stage going. Stage headliners The Wonder Years are no strangers to Slam Dunk with this year being the 5th time playing the festival and with Slam Dunk confirmed to be their only UK shows this year it’s a must-see set for any fan.
KERRANG! Stage
First up on this stage is Artio from Leeds after just releasing their debut album, their set will be a great chance for fans to enjoy the new material and for others to discover a new band. Honey Revenge will be making their UK festival debut at Slam Dunk after playing their first UK shows supporting The Used last year. Yet again highlighting more up and coming artists Taylor Acorn is returning to the UK specifically for Slam Dunk, as well as the UKs own RØRY who are all also making their Slam Dunk debuts this year. Despite playing a many UK festivals, this year also marks the debut of duo Bob Vylan with a reputation for having high energy shows they are a perfect fit to keep the energy high for the rest of the day. 10 years since the release of their debut EP Against The Current have a lot of stage experience to bring with them to the festival. Pale Waves popularity has skyrocketed over the last few years and with a lot of festival experience this is also their first year at Slam Dunk. On a stage full of bands making their Slam Dunk debut Palaye Royale are a familiar face, from opening the Rocksound Breakout Stage in 2018 their career has only grown. Stage headliners Waterparks have a similar story from first playing the Kerrang! Fresh Blood Stage in 2016 this will be their 5th year at the festival now headlining a stage. With a passionate fan base it will be a strong finish to the day.
GO PRO Stage
As Everything Unfolds is a band that should be on everyone's radar, the Buckinghamshire based band have been making their mark on the UK scene and are definitely worth getting to the festival early to see. Following is one great UK band Caskets the band have been touring the world but are back on UK soil for their second year st Slam Dunk. Better known for their debut album from 2006 The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus are returning to Slam Dunk for the first time since 2014 having been consistently touring it will be a strong comeback to the festival. This year will be Set It Off’s fourth time at Slam Dunk, with this being the only UK festival the band has played there is a reason they keep coming back. It’s been 15 years since The Blackout has played Slam Dunk and after playing their first headline shows in 8 years back in February the band is making the fans wait well worth it by playing 2009 album The Best In Town in full. Following the release of their new album Searching For SolaceThe Ghost Inside will be back at Slam Dunk for the first time in 10 years. Following the departure of founder member Ben Bruce, Asking Alexandria will be playing their first shows in the UK since his departure at Slam Dunk, with this year marking their Slam Dunk debut it will definitely be a stand out show for the band and fans. Funeral For A Friend have also recently departed with a founder member vocalist Matthew Davies-Kreye announced he was stepping away from the band late last year, however this came with the news that Lucas Woodland from Holding Absence would be stepping in to fill his place for Slam Dunk, giving fans to hear the songs in a new light. Headlining this stage is I Prevail first playing Slam Dunk in 2017 they have risen up the ranks to stage headliners the band hasn't had many chances to get to the UK and play shows so it’s the perfect opportunity for fans of the band to get the chance to see them live.
More info at https://www.slamdunkfestival.com/
