FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Slam Dunk Festival 2021
It’s been two years since we’ve been singing our hearts out at the Leeds and Hatfield legs of Slam Dunk Festival thanks to a certain global pandemic. The festival has been rearranged more than once, and the line-up has changed more times than we’ve had hot dinners – even losing headliner SUM 41 late on. But it’s happening and it’s a stacked line-up of pop-punk royalty, post-hardcore heroes, ska-punk legends and a whole host of up-and-coming talent. 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 get to it!
Rock Scene Stage
Slam Dunk’s Main Stage is a hotbed for world-class pop-punk from both sides of the pond. Having climbed the slots since their first appearance ten years ago, headliners DON BROCO’s set promises Amazing Things ahead of the release of their fourth album. Stateside heroes WATERPARKS and STATE CHAMPS bring the party with a modern pop-punk masterclass, whilst emo-pop poster-boys MAYDAY PARADE come over with the classics.
WE ARE THE IN CROWD dust off the sneakers and skinny jeans for their first show in six years. They’ll be running through their best bits (…so far!) with the likes of Rumour Mill and Kiss Me Again bound to get some of the day’s biggest pops. CREEPER will bring their brit-pop horror-punk theatrics to Slam Dunk Festival following the release of their American Noir EP. We’re keeping the hope alive for vocalist and keyboardist Hannah Greenwood to steal the show with Ghosts Over Calvary in THAT wedding dress.
There’s a whole host of British pop-punk to open proceedings with AS IT IS, ROAM and THE BOTTOM LINE whilst HELLOGOODBYE bring the Californian sun alongside their indie-pop hits.
Punk In Drublic Stage
The princes of punk rock, NOFX, continue their SLAM DUNK residency with another year of their Punk In Drublic tour. Curating a line-up of folk-punk royalty, ska-punk superstars, and some new kids on the block, it’s sure to be a celebratory return to live music as the dancing gets underway.
FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS continue their run of summer shows and sing-alongs, teasing out next year’s FTHC with the post-pandemic anthem The Gathering. If the likes of Recovery and I Still Believe don’t get the vocal chords warmed up, nothing else will.
Let out of their studio lock-up, BLINK-182’s Matt Skiba makes the most of some time off to bring ALKALINE TRIO back to our shores for a full-on greatest hits set. The big names continue as ANTI-FLAG preach their political punk with last year’s 20/20 Vision, THE SKINTS step up the punky reggae party, and playmates of the year ZEBRAHEAD look to bring the fun for one of their first shows with new vocalist Adrian Estrella. Rounding out the stage are ska-punk veterans CAPDOWN and SNUFF and newcomers THE BABOON SHOW and DAYS N’ DAZE.
The Jägermeister Tent
If you’re looking for the heavy stuff, it’s the double-staged no-clashes Jägermeister Tent you’ll want to hang out at all day. Flying the flag for British metalcore, WHILE SHE SLEEPS and BURY TOMORROW headline each side of the tent. Both bands come in hot following last year’s chart-invading new albums Sleeps Society and Cannibal and will be clear highlights.
Special guests are always popping up at Slam Dunk, and this year they’ve outdone themselves as ragga-rock legends SKINDRED bring the party whilst post-hardcore legends FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND bring the sing-alongs. Trash Boat try out their new stuff as they continue a summer-long victory lap, whilst hardcore punk heavyweights YOUR DEMISE return for their first shows in six years in celebration of ten years of The Kids We Used To Be. Keeping the hardcore punk pits open for business, COMEBACK KID, MALEVOLENCE, DEEZ NUTS and BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL are set to bring the ruckus. Having both pulled out of Bloodstock thanks to COVID-19 incidents, genre-hoppers LOATHE and grime-metal pioneers HACKTIVIST hit Slam Dunk Festival with their high energy alongside BLOOD YOUTH.
The Key Club Stages
Just like The Jägermeister Tent, there’s not one but two Key Club Stages this year showcasing the best up-and-coming talent from the alternative scene. With a special guest headliner closing the Left Key Stage, it’s down to album of the year-contenders HOLDING ABSENCE to headline the Right Key Stage. There’s no doubt in our minds that Afterlife will offer one of Slam Dunk Festival’s biggest sing-alongs ever.
VUKOVI, STATIC DRESS and WARGASM represent the future of British alternative music, promising some of the weekend’s wildest sets with their off-the-wall styles whilst legends like [SPUNGE] and A bring out the hits. If that’s not enough, there’s a secret special guest slotted in midway through the day on the Right Key Stage to get you even more excited. If you wanted a glimpse into the future of music, simply check out NORMANDIE, LIZZY FARRALL, WEATHERSTATE, THE HARA and FOR YOU THE MOON. Rounding up the stage are DOLL SKIN, NOAHFINNCE, and POPES OF CHILITOWN.
Slam Dunk Festival 2021 promises to be the party of the year. We’re stoked to sing our hearts out and get the blood pumping all day and night. 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 North will take place on Saturday September 4th 2021 at Temple Newsam and Slam Dunk South will take place on Sunday September 5th at Hatfield Park. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here.
For more information on the festival like their official page on Facebook.