Born from a love of alternative music the Slam Dunk has risen from humble beginnings to become the UK’s premier metal, punk and hardcore festival. Held over the May bank holiday weekend, first at Leeds on Saturday 25th before the whole bill moves south to Hatfield on Sunday 26th.
A mixture of established bands and new blood keeps things fresh and this years line up is perhaps the heaviest yet with The Impericon Stage hosting The Bronx, Gallows and post-hardcore legends Glassjaw following in quick succession. Both Anti-Flag and Silverstein appeared at the festival in 2009 and they’ll be back in 2019 for repeat performances.
With an impressive 69 bands spread across 9 stages there’s a lot of variety on offer from the blackened rock n’ roll of Australia’s Pagan to the classic punk of Bad Religion and there’ll be genre bending hardcore from Turnstile and Angel Du$t. However you’ll have to choose between 1 of 3 headliners: Bullet For My Valentine will be topping the Jägermeister stage with their unique brand of metalcore. Rather fittingly American punk legends NOFX head the Punk in Drublic stage while alternative rockers All Time Low will close the Monster Energy stage.
After each day there will be after show parties at local clubs with special guests and DJs spinning tunes until late.
A variety of ticket and travel options are available at: https://www.slamdunkfestival.com/
See you in the pit!
Peter Dennis
