FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Slam Dunk Festival 2018
Once again, it’s time for Slam Dunk, the three-day bank holiday weekend that signals the start of festival season. Ever the melting pot, 2018’s lineup has something for everyone. From the acoustic stage to metalcore and pop punk to ska, the festival can never be accused of leaving a particular genre out. Spanning three days of the May bank holiday, Slam Dunk graces Leeds, Hatfield and Birmingham. Three days, eight stages and a whole lot of good music.
With JIMMY EAT WORLD, TAKING BACK SUNDAY and GOOD CHARLOTTE headlining the two main stages, there’s plenty to appeal to those missing that mid-00s emo boom. PVRIS make a return to Slam Dunk and, following their performance at Coachella, are almost the festivals pick for the “alternative pop” acts currently doing the rounds.
Up and coming British acts include CREEPER who make their second purple-clad appearance at the festival, and FRANK CARTER who is certain amuse and offend in equal doses. ROAM, TRASH BOAT, STATE CHAMPS and KNUCKLE PUCK both satisfy those adorned in plaid shirts and snapbacks. Slam Dunk also sees the reunion of pop punk/metalcore greats ME VS HERO – who have reunited and will perform their debut album Days That Shape Our Lives, in full over the weekend, certainly a tight fit for their eagerly anticipated return.
There’s a small Welsh flag being flown this year by HOLDING ABSENCE, DREAM STATE and ASTROID BOYS while the acoustic stage is littered with artists old and new: including FOUR YEAR STRONG, Slam Dunk veteran ROB LYNCH (who is there for the Nth year running) and newcomer LUKE RAINSFORD.
Of course, Slam Dunk is adept at representing the full spectrum of modern alternative music and EVERY TIME I DIE and COMEBACK KID are two worthy flagship acts to represent the heavier side of the festival. With THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, COUNTERPARTS, BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL and NORTHLANE helping fill out the rest of the Impericon stage it’s a worthy place to spend the afternoon if you’re inclined to the heavier end of things.
Slam Dunk is a great festival that offers up the full spectrum of exciting acts that modern alternative music offers and all for a really good price. There’s heavy, there’s poppy, there’s loud and there’s quiet. Plaid shirts and snapbacks, unite.
Words: James Halstead and Rhys Haberfield
Slam Dunk Festival 2018 takes place from May 26-28 2018 held at Leeds City Centre on May 26th, Hatfield Park May 27th and Birmingham NEC May 28th 2018. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
For more information on the festival like their official page on Facebook.