FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Slam Dunk Festival 2019
Slam Dunk Festival looks stacked this year. And whilst this is something that gets said about almost every festival every year, there is a very good reason for saying it about Slam Dunk this year. The festival has a clear finger on the pulse, and the understanding that diversity can indeed be the biggest strength when booking events like this. As such, the punkest punk bands will be performing alongside some of the heaviest acts on the circuit and one pop act that no one ever saw coming with the PLAIN WHITE T’S. We wanted to go through every stage and give you a run down of what to expect, and who to check out if you ever feel overwhelmed by the impressive amount of choice, so let’s go!
Monster Stage
The main stage for Slam Dunk has a stellar line up of some of the hottest, and best, pop punk the world currently has to offer. With ALL TIME LOW delivering a headline set that will most likely be the best source of fun all day, there is a lot to be excited with this stage. NECK DEEP will be bringing their world conquering sound, and hopefully that cover of Torn as well, in what we anticipate to be an immensely high energy 45 minutes. BOSTON MANOR have a new album of bangers to showcase to the crowd, and WSTR are fresh off the release of their Identity Crisis record and a successful Christmas UK tour meaning their momentum will be white hot going into Slam Dunk. With the final acts being made up of pop punk legends NEW FOUND GLORY and SIMPLE PLAN alongside newcomers WATERPARKS and AS IT IS providing another high burst of energy and the main stage this year looks set to explode.
Impericon Stage
The heavy stage for all the angry punks, the Impericon Stage will be the place where the pits will most likely be found, for anyone eager for a bit of action so to speak. ANGEL DU$T and TURNSTILE will kick up a huge fuss and cause more two steps than a unlicensed garage rave, and KNOCKED LOOSE have every potential to start an outright riot given the quality of their recent three track release, Mistakes Like Fractures. When you throw THE BRONX, CANCER BATS, GALLOWS, and GLASSJAW into the mix as well, and you have a stage that will be raging from start to finish, and one of the finest heavy line ups Slam Dunk has ever put on. If you’re looking for a relatively gentle way into this scene then be this lineup is a sure-fire way to introduce you into a scene that is currently healthier than it has been for a while. You can cherry pick any of these bands and guarantee yourself a rawkus time in the mosh!
Key Club Stage
For sheer variation alone, the Key Club Stage boasts a line up that would sell as a fantastic day fest! With a full spectrum ranging from the brutishly heavy in EMPLOYED TO SERVE and KUBLAI KHAN through to the calmer, more poignant noises of MICROWAVE and LIGHTS, this stage will be a roller coaster through the entire day. With EMPLOYED TO SERVE dropping an album of the year contender in Eternal Forward Motion we will fervently recommend you take the time to witness the decimation, but HOT MILK are some very welcome newcomers with a fresh take on the pop rock formula who also deserve all the time in the world. For any hardcore aficionados, CRUEL HAND will likely be the band of the day for you, so get there early!
Punk in Drublic Stage
After a nearly career ending joke, NOFX still live on and they bring with them their Punk in Drublic tour to Slam Dunk. But given they weren’t happy just swinging through, the band have taken an entire stage for themselves, and are bringing some equally legendary acts with them. BAD RELIGION really need no introduction, and their classic riff led, break neck punk rock will undoubtedly provide a life affirming set. ANTI-FLAG will open the day with a healthy dose of anger towards the government, and then LESS THAN JAKE will be the best band of the festival to drink a beer in the sun too. NOFX headlining will be incredible, but given their track record, don’t go if you’re easily offended.
Jagermeister Stage
Yes, it is true. All of the early 00s emos will be coming out the woodwork for STORY OF THE YEAR at the Jagermeister Stage this year, and with good reason. As well as the emotionally charged legends, ATREYU will be reminding everyone just why they’ve become so beloved over the years. THE WORD ALIVE will be a fantastic display of the capabilities of modern metalcore, and THE PLOT IN YOU’s take on heavy pop music will be an obvious highlight for fans looking for a darker edge on traditionally lighter music. This of course all culminates with the mighty, mighty BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE headlining, and bringing with them all the riffs, solos, and heavy metal that comes with it! Having gathered a strong following and amassing a deep and varied back catalogue, this will be a chance for the Welsh veterans to show a new crowd exactly what they’re capable of.
Dickies Stage
An emotionally charged stage filled with the most poignant bands on the line up, the Dickies Stage will host some of the most intimate performances of the whole day. TOUCHE AMORE are going to make a b-line to steal the whole day, like they always do, so if you want to witness a band at the height of abilities and popularity then make time for this. Fresh off a headline announcement for This is Hardcore, SAVES THE DAY will bring a veterans performance of classic post-hardcore as a warm up before the headline performance later in the year. MILK TEETH are hot with hype from every corner of the industry, and their punk sensibilities mean that they pack a punch as well. With them starting your day and THE MENZINGERS ending it, the Dickies Stage will be a source of constant highlights at Slam Dunk this year.
Marshall Stage
The biggest surprise of the whole festival is also one of the biggest draws for the Marshall Stage. Yes, the PLAIN WHITE T’S are going to be asking how Delilah is doing over in New York in what will be one of the most surreal, and excellent, performances in the festival history. TROPHY EYES will be a sure fire good time, as will SEAWAY and REAL FRIENDS, who are both some of the finest purveyors of the soppiest pop punk on the scene. Regardless of how sugary sweet this stage seems to be, there is a tremendous amount of value to be found, and it serves as the icing on top of an already deeply varied and delicious looking cake.
2019’s Slam Dunk Festival is set to be epic, and we cannot wait to get the blood pumping and tear our voices singing along with every single band. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our review if you can’t make the date, and if you can, then we can’t wait to join in having a fantastic time!
Slam Dunk Festival 2019 takes place on Saturday May 25th in Leeds and Sunday May 26th in Hatfield. Tickets priced at £59 are on sale now and can be purchased here. Get ready for Slam Dunk Festival 2019 with our curated Spotify playlist!
For more information on the festival like their official page on Facebook.