Get Crunk for Slam Dunk!

If you’re in Leeds, Hatfield or Birmingham this May Bank Holiday weekend – you just got lucky!

Elise Harvey

You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard about the country’s leading pop-punk, rock and alternative music festival, Slam Dunk. Taking place in three locations over the May Bank Holiday weekend, Slam Dunk promises revellers a party like no other, with headliners coming from around the globe to stake a claim against the all-too-common mainstream music festival, proving once and for all that rock is definitely still rolling!

Split across several stages to keep festival-goers entertained from dusk till dawn, Slam Dunk has become notorious for showcasing the best in alternative music, so there’s sure to be something to tickle your fancy, whatever your musical preferences. So, whether you’re in Leeds, Birmingham or Hatfield, you’ve won either way, because Slam Dunk is taking over all three sites this May Bank Holiday weekend! Grab your wellies, your mates and don’t forget your tickets, because it’s time to get crunk at Slam Dunk!

The Jägermeister Stage

Arguably the biggest stage of the festival, The Jägermeister Stage is full to the brim with international recording artists that span the entire genre spectrum, from pop punk to post-hardcore. Most notably, internationally renowned rock band, Good Charlotte, will be taking to the stage with their only UK dates of 2018, so this is a set not to be missed! Alongside them will be American rock band PVRIS who are taking time out of their busy touring schedule to pay Slam Dunk a long-overdue visit. Also headlining The Jägermeister Stage is none other than English punk rock band, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, whose 2017 album “Modern Ruin” made waves in the UK punk scene, of which band forerunner – Frank Carter – has long reigned as king. As if all that wasn’t enough, The Jägermeister Stage will also be frequented by American rock band, Sleeping With Sirens as well as pop punk group State Champs. As you can see, Slam Dunk is already shaping up to be a killer festival, and we’re only on the first stage!

Monster Energy Stage

Next up is the Monster Energy stage, which we’re sure will be – for lack of a better word – energetic! Headlining this stage will be legendary rock band Jimmy Eat World, whose successful run of the music industry has lasted almost 25 years and counting. We know, we couldn’t believe it either! Alongside them will be New York born alternative rock group, Taking Back Sunday, who will drop by Slam Dunk mid-way through their highly anticipated world tour, as well as English indie rock band, Lower Than Atlantis, whose fifth studio album “Safe in Sound” is still hot of the press. The cherry on top of the “Monster Energy” cake (and what a cake that would be!) is a special performance from Scottish alternative rock band Twin Atlantic, who will take a quick stop off at Slam Dunk before resuming their UK tour.

Fireball Stage

The Fireball Stage is Slam Dunk’s homage to all things ska and punk, with performances from industry legends like American ska punk band, Reel Big Fish, and pop punk group, Goldfinger. Also dropping by the Fireball Stage will be punk rock royalty, Zebrahead, who – much like floral headbands and bum bags – are festival essentials. Now, you haven’t lived if you’ve never seen a festival set by The Skints, one of the only bands to successfully merge the sounds of reggae, ska, dub and hip hop into one truly unique and inescapable sound. As a long-time fan who first fell in love with the band during a festival performance in their early days, you have my word that this is a set not to be missed, and I can guarantee that you’ll have a new musical obsession after being introduced to The Skints at Slam Dunk.

Impericon Stage

Slam Dunk’s annual collaboration with merchandise specialists, Impericon, has become renowned for catering to those with a heavier taste in music, which is why one of their headlining performances is from none other than American metal-core band, The Devil Wears Prada, whose sixth studio album “Transit Blues” was credited as being a “reinvention” for the group. Performing alongside them will be fellow metal-core group, Every Time I Die, who have become notorious for their live sets which are every bit as intense as they are energetic. I hope you’re not getting tired of metal-core because, you guessed it, there’s more to come! The Impericon Stage will also be visited by Australia’s contribution to metal-core, Northlane, who are still in the wake of the release of their digital album, Analog Future. Amongst several others taking to the Impericon Stage is hardcore punk band, Comeback Kid, who will take time out of their busy world tour schedule to pay Slam Dunk a visit. How kind!

Signature Brew Stage

Craft beer and music festivals unquestionably go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise that Signature Brew and Slam Dunk have become the best of friends over the previous few years. The beer specialists return to Slam Dunk this year to present their very own stage which is packed to the rafters with talented musicians including Brighton’s finest pop punk band, As It Is, British Rock Band, Me Vs Hero and skate punk band Trash Boat. Need I say more?

I hope I’ve done well in proving my point that Slam Dunk’s lengthy reign as the UK’s leading alternative music festival will remain safely uncontested this year. With even more stages including The Rock Sound Breakout Stage, The Key Club Acoustic Stage and the Uprawr DJ stage, festival organisers have really catered to all musical tastes, so there’s only one decision left to ponder: how can we travel from Leeds to Hatfield to Birmingham three days in a row?

 

By Elise Harvey