It’s that time of year again. Slam Dunk has arisen over the past nine years to the calendar highlight of the year for a whole host of alternative music fans. Starting life as a primarily pop-punk and ska festival, the most recent incarnation features a host of bands ranging from hardcore punk to pop-rock, and pretty much everything in-between. Whether heading up North to Leeds, the original home of the festival, down South to Hatfield for its not-so-little brother, or to the Midlands for the newest edition in Wolverhampton, there’s a whole host of bands to choose from across the seven stages.
With members of our team raring to go, gearing up to bring all the reviews, galleries and interviews from across the sites, here’s some of our top picks.
For accurate stage times, check out our printable Clashfinder.
Words by: TAMSYN WILCE, LAIS MW, SAM KANAL & JESS KEMPNER
Moose Blood
These emo boys are going from strength-to-strength and Slam Dunk is your last chance to catch the Kent quartet before they head off to show the US what they’re made of at Warped Tour. Headlining the smallest of the stages at Slam Dunk, expect an intimate affair with huge sing-a-longs and a raw energy like no other. [TW]
Architects
There’s a reason that Architects have recently been nominated for the best live band in the UK, with pummelling breakdowns and astonishing vocals, there’s no holding back when it comes to Architects’ live performances. Latest album ‘Lost Forever // Lost Together’ is packed with gut wrenching screams and an ferocious choruses, which will undoubtedly turn the Slam Dunk crowds into an almighty frenzy. [TW]
Neck Deep
Slam Dunk is ultimately the best pop-punk party the UK has to offer, so it’s only right that the best British pop-punk band around right now play the main stage at this year’s festival. Having recently announced details of their sophomore record ‘Life’s Not Out To Get You’, Slam Dunk could be the first teaser of new material and there’s no doubt that from start to finish it will be one hell of a party. [TW]
PVRIS
After releasing their storming debut album ‘White Noise’ back in November, PVRIS lived up to the hype with their first UK shows last month (both headline and as support to Lower Than Atlantis). There’s no doubt that kickass frontwoman Lynn Gunn and co will smash it once again, so we sure as hell have a treat ahead of us this weekend. [LMW]
Gallows
Even after being away for awhile, Gallows need no introduction. They’re well and truly back with their massive new album ‘Desolation Sounds’, and getting to see some of the new songs played live alongside some classic Gallows bangers is a pretty exciting prospect. Get ready to see everything torn to shreds. [LMW]
Don Broco
There’s one thing you’re absolutely guaranteed with Don Broco: an insane amount of fun. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible to have a bad time while they’re on stage. With new hits like ‘Automatic’ to add to an already brilliant repertoire, their set is guaranteed to be shockingly good fun. Yes! [LMW]
Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties
Dan ‘Soupy’ Campbell, frontman of The Wonder Years, has again stepped into his element with his solo project and alter-ego, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. Think of the honest, heartfelt tone of The Wonder Years but with a fictional setting, in which Soupy tells stories about a thirtysomething year-old divorcee from the Midwest. His voice manages to exude raw emotion – sometimes dark humour and sometimes pain, and that’s just on the recordings. So, seeing Aaron West tell his story about love, loss and longing in a live setting is going to be special. [SK]
The Wonder Years
Some pop-punk can be bland, derivative and overproduced, which makes it really hard to explain to people why The Wonder Years deserve peoples’ ears, whether they like the genre as a whole or not. Yet, their setlist will be full of songs which are written perfectly, with absorbing moments which were once personal to only Dan Campbell, and are now personal to so many of us. In a live setting, the band really can be explosive, showing just how emotionally invested all of them are – The Wonder Years are a headliner which you should definitely try to catch during Slam Dunk. [SK]
Comeback Kid
Canada’s Comeback Kid are raw and visceral on record, but on stage they take that to another level. At least, that’s to be expected from a band which has nailed an intense over their seasoned existence – one that has also been met with numerous changes in line-up, though the intact members seem to have been unfazed by all that. Not only should you expect a chaotic live performance from the hardcore veterans, the crowd should also be absolutely buzzing for this one. [SK]
H2O
There’s nothing clever or funny about saying “remember the nineties”, but a band like H2O must bring up so many great memories for those who were there when they rose to prominence. Skate punk filled with “woahs” and shout-alongs has somewhat died out, but seeing H2O at Slam Dunk will resurrect that, if only for a brief, but satisfying moment. [SK]
Taking Back Sunday
New additions to the Hopeless Records roster, but Slam Dunk old hands, Taking Back Sunday are bringing the essence of 2003 with them to Slam Dunk this year. Enigmatic and animated front man Adam Lazzara will be swinging his mic all over the stage bringing emo back from when you thought it may have died out in 2011. A guaranteed set full of bangers, and some of the biggest sing-alongs you’ll have all weekend – guaranteed. [JK]
As It Is
Having spent a year pretty much on the road, As It Is are playing their first ever Slam Dunk. After being the first British band ever to have signed to Fearless Records, Youtuber Patty Walters and his crew are set to fill the room, both with a massive crowd and some of the best pop punk you’ll hear from a British band for a long time. Fresh off tour with This Wild Life, with a debut UK Top 40 album under their belt, expect a finely tuned party for your eyes and ears.
Lower Than Atlantis
There is a reason that Watford’s finest hard men are on the bill at Slam Dunk this year. The riffs. Mike Duce’s way with words and expressions with his guitar are set to have you filled with whatever emotion it is that he wants you to feel, from newest Radio 1 loving single ‘Words Don’t Come So Easily’ to mega riff hit ‘Here We Go’ through to the most emotional ‘Love Someone Else’, they are set to blow your minds whatever you feel. [JK]
Slam Dunk Festival will take place in Leeds, Hatfield and Wolverhampton on the 23rd, 24th and 25th May. Hatfield has completely sold out, but Leeds and Wolverhampton still have some last minute tickets available.
For full details, head to the Slam Dunk website.
STAGE TIMES, COURTESY OF KERRANG! MAGAZINE:
Main Stage
You Me At Six – 9:20 – 10:45 (North and Midlands) 9:30 – 10:55 (South)
Taking Back Sunday – 7:50 – 8:50 (North and Midlands) 8:00 – 9:00 (South)
Don Broco – 6:40 – 7:25 (North and Midlands) 6:45 – 7:30 (South)
Lower Than Atlantis – 5:30 – 6:15
Neck Deep – 4:25 – 5:05 (North and Midlands) 4:20 – 5:00 (South)
We Are The Ocean – 3:25 – 4:00 (North and Midlands) 3:15 – 3:50 (South)
PVRIS – 2:30 – 3:00 (North and Midlands) 2:15 – 2:45 (South)
Set It Off – 1:40 – 2:10 (North and Midlands) 1:20 – 1:50 (South)
Monster Energy Stage
Architects – 9:35 – 10:40
While She Sleeps – 8:20 – 9:10
Finch – 7:10 – 7:55
Crossfaith – 6:05 – 6:45
Bury Tomorrow – 5:00 – 5:40
Thy Art Is Murder – 4:00 – 4:35
Beartooth – 3:00 – 3:35
The Color Morale – 2:10 – 2:40
Shvpes – 1:20 – 1:50
Ska & Punk Stage
Reel Big Fish – 9:25 – 10:30
Millencolin – 8:15 – 9:00
Goldfinger – 7:05 – 7:50
Zebrahead – 6:00 – 6:40
Mariachi El Bronx – 5:00 – 5:35
Lightyear – 4:05 – 4:40
Big D & The Kids Table – 3:10 – 3:45
Patent Pending – 2:15 – 2:50
Survay Says – 1:25 – 1:55
Macbeth Stage
The Wonder Years – 9:50 – 10:50
Fireworks – 8:50 – 9:25
Transit – 7:55 – 8:30
Such Gold – 7:00 – 7:35
Bayside – 5:55 – 6:40
A Loss For Words – 5:05 – 5:35
Cartel – 4:00 – 4:45
ROAM – 3:10
Knuckle Puck – 2:20 – 2:50
As It Is – 1:30 – 2:00
Impericon Stage
The Bronx – 9:45 – 10:45
Gallows – 8:35 – 9:20
H2O – 7:35 – 8:15
Comeback Kid – 6:35 – 7:15
Bane – 5:40 – 6:15
Stick To Your Guns – 4:45 – 5:20
Deez Nuts – 3:50 – 4:25
Trash Talk – 3:00 – 3:30
Being As An Ocean – 2:10 – 2:40
Dead Harts – 1:20 – 1:50
Fresh Blood Stage
Moose Blood – 8:45 – 9:15
Baby Godzilla – 7:55 – 8:25
Seaway – 7:05 – 7:35
This Wild Life – 6:15 – 6:45
Rob Lynch – 5:25 – 5:55
Fort Hope – 4:35 – 5:05
Only Rivals 3:45 – – 4:15
Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties – 2:55 – 3:25
Wind In Sails – 2:05 – 2:35
Trash Boat – 1:15 – 1:45
Uprawr DJ Stage
Mel Clarke – 9:30 – 11:00
Tek One – 8:00 – 9:30
Dani & Davyd Winter-Bates – 6:30 – 8:00
The Algorithm – 5:00 – 6:30
Terufumi Tomano – 4:00 – 5:00
Kyle Clingo – 3:00 – 4:00
Kerrang! Signing Tent
Neck Deep – 1.15pm – 45 minutes
Don Broco – 2.15pm – 45 minutes
Set It Off – 3.15pm – 30 minutes
PVRIS – 4pm – 30 minutes
Architects – 4.45pm – 45 minutes
Leeds only:
You Me At Six – 5.45pm – 45 minutes