Slam Dunk Festival: Ones To Watch
It’s that time of the year again where fields and parks are filled with tents, stages, and, of course, live music. As always, the UK festival season curtain raiser, for most anyway, kicks off across bank holiday weekend, and this year is a little special – Slam Dunk Festival will celebrate 20 incredible years of being one of the best festivals in the game. Taking place in Hatfield for the south edition before heading up north to what is now regular home at Temple Newsam in Leeds.
The line-up is one of the most stacked Slam Dunk bills in the festival's history, and that’s saying something because they never ever miss when it comes to booking the bill. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, 'Who do I see?' Fear not, I’ve got you covered. I’ll be taking you through some of the must-see bands taking to the stage across the weekend. Whether you’re north or south, these are bands you simply can’t miss.
Getting the ball rolling with a band who have been making a name for themselves with their fast-paced thrash and frantic riffs. Leeds-based Pest Control not only will be making their Slam Dunk debut but will also be opening up the dedicated heavy stage that is jam-packed with some tasty names. A Pest Control live show is nothing short of spectacular. It may be early, but there is no harm in getting some morning cardio in to get your day started.
Sticking with the heavy stage and the UK hardcore scene, there’s one band that will set this stage off from start to finish, and that’s Manchester’s Guilt Trip – fresh off of their mammoth co-headline tour across North America with another band taking to the Slam Dunk stage in Malevolence, Guilt Trip is one of the most captivating live bands in the scene and are just going from strength to strength – days after tearing up Slam Dunk, they’ll be dropping album number three, Armour of Angels, on the 5th of June.
Across on the Monster Energy Stage you really are spoiled for choice with who to see across the day – legends, Set Your Goals, deserve every single person's attention. Their Californian punk rock charm brings endless amounts of energy to any stage, and a mix of sing-a-long pop punk and upbeat hardcore-style breakdowns make their live shows so infectious and leave you itching for more. Joining them is another band with infectious pop-punk energy, State Champs. They are well-loved in the UK, and this will be a set you just know will go off with an explosion of happy vibes and a good old dance as the headline of this stage. A notable mention to Aussie icons Stand Atlantic, who always know how to work a crowd in any capacity.
The festival won’t be the only celebration of the weekend – Slam Dunk regulars Trash Boat will be celebrating 10 years of Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through playing the album in full on Scott’s Key Club Stage. Over on the Monster Energy Stage, Blackpool royalty Boston Manor will also be celebrating 10 years of their debut record Be Nothing – it's just one big birthday party.
The entire line-up is stacked from top to bottom with names I could sit and talk about all day. There is one band I need to shout out who have built their way up the bill year by year and crushing it every time, and that’s North Ayrshire’s finest, Vukovi. The duo continue to show the world why they are one of the best and most exciting bands to emerge from Scotland. Their latest record My God Has Got A Gun is proof of just how strong they are right now. Second from the top on Scott’s Key Club stage, the electrifying pair will bring an experience you will not get anywhere else on this line-up. Trust me.
Rounding off, we can’t forget the big names appearing at the top end of the festival. Knocked Loose headlining the heavy stage is certain to be an explosive experience. For those of you who don’t know, I’ll just leave it for the surprise of what’s in store. Finally, my last shout-out really doesn’t need any introduction or notes on why you need to see them because we all know they can’t be missed – pop punk royalty, Good Charlotte, returns to the UK for what will be a very special performance. Having only played the festival once before in 2018, closing off the 20th anniversary just seems fitting.
The countdown is well and truly on till Slam Dunk opens their gates for the 20th time – it will be a day jam-packed full of the very best. Maps can be found below to plan your routes, plan your bands and get a feel of what’s in store.
North? South? Or both. The fields await.
