Slam Dunk Festival is once again taking place across the May Bank Holiday weekend. Hitting Temple Newsham Park in Leeds on Saturday 25th May and then heading down South to Hatfield Park on Sunday 26th May, the countdown is on for one of our favourite weekends of the year. Any previous Slam Dunk goers might notice that this year there’s no Midlands show however with the festival growing in size and transport options aplenty to allow everyone to get involved, there’s no excuse to miss out. Wristband exchange opens from 9am, the main arenas from 11am and the festival will kick off at 11.45am wrapping up by 10pm for ease of getting the transport home.
In the run-up to the event we’re going to be providing you with helpful tips to have the best Slam Dunk day possible, a look back at some of the best moments in Slam Dunk history and today our top tips on who you should check out on the day. The festival takes place across nine stages and hopefully our recommendations will help you plan your day!
All Time Low
Headlining the Monster Energy Stage is none other Baltimore’s All Time Low. The band’s appearance at the festival is set to be their only UK headline shows in 2019 making this an unmissable set. This year also marks the ten year anniversary of their album Nothing Personal so we’re hoping for some throwback tracks to feature in their setlist.
As It Is
Also on the Monster Energy Stage is As It Is, following on from the release of their latest album The Great Depression it’s been almost non-stop touring for the quartet. Having been lucky enough to witness their live show recently we loved the mix of their older pop-punk material and the new, darker and emotive sound exhibited with their new music. As It Is are an ultimate festival must-see, check out their set and you’ll see why!
Less Than Jake
If you’re looking for some ska-punk goodness then the Punk In Drublic stage is the place for you at Slam Dunk. Less Than Jake are veterans of the genre who still after over twenty-five years on the scene are putting on phenomenal live shows and making new fans wherever they go because of it. If you’re wondering where to find the best pit of the weekend, our bets would be on this set.
Tigers Jaw
Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins make up the duo known as Tigers Jaw and prove that good things come in small packages. Their emotive tracks will see emotions running high and crowd participation being a set essential. Despite not releasing any new music since 2017 album Spin, tracks such as June and Window still remain a magical live experience. Catch them on the Dickies Stage at Slam Dunk Festival.
Milk Teeth
Staying on the Dickies stage, Milk Teeth will be bringing some feisty musical goodness to your day. This is the trio’s second time at the festival so expect to hear sing-along tracks such as Swear Jar and Vitamin. We have a feeling this is going to be a chaotic and packed out set at the festival, so be sure to get to the stage early to be part of the action.
Plain White T’s
Now we know Plain White T’s have more than one song but if we said we weren’t incredibly excited to hear Hey There Delilah live we’d definitely be lying. If you want to take part in potentially the biggest sing-along of the weekend and be thrown back to 2005 then be sure to catch them on the Marshall stage.
Trophy Eyes
Last year Australia’s Trophy Eyes released their phenomenal album The American Dream, when we’ve previously caught them live one thing we noticed was that if you want to see gang vocals done well, they’re the experts. Vocalist John Floreani will not only be performing on the Marshall stage but will be taking to the acoustic stage to show off his solo ‘acoustic emo’ project.
IDKHOW
Since the release of Choke, we’ve been hooked on I Don’t Know How But They Found Me and their singalong-friendly sound. Topping the bill at the Left Key Stage the festival will mark the start of the duo’s UK and European tour. Having gathered a huge following since the release of their debut EP 1981 Extended Play last year, we can’t wait to witness an IDKHOW live set for the very first time.
Lights
Back in 2017, we fell in love with Lights’ album Skin&Earth thanks to its scene setting, synth vibed tracks taking us on a rollercoaster journey. We now cannot wait to see these brought to life over on the Right Key stage at Slam Dunk Festival. Recently released track Love Me is one we’re certain will set the festival alight getting everyone into the party spirit for the evening’s festivities.
Liam Cromby
To many Liam Cromby is a name associated with We Are The Ocean, we’re definitely still not over them splitting up in 2017 but let’s not talk about that… Doing it solo over on the acoustic stage Liam looks set to bring something special to the weekend and is guaranteed to win over the hearts of both old and new fans with his soulful tones.
These are just ten of many great sets which will be taking place across the weekend with the likes of Bullet For My Valentine, Waterparks, Gallows, Real Friends and Press To Meco amongst many more completing the line-up. Slam Dunk Festival takes place on the 25th and 26th May. Tickets are still available for both dates, for all the details you need about the festival, afterparties and more head to the Slam Dunk website.