Slam Dunk Festival is ALMOST here!
Without question, this is always our favourite festival and this year is shaping up to be better than ever. To get you in the mood, we’ve put our heads together and built a list of our “must see” acts – see what you think and tell us who you’re most excited to see!
Fenix TX (Fireball Stage @ 13:25)
It feels like Fenix TX never received the recognition they deserved during their peak years. As strong a pop punk band as any other from the Drive Thru era; they even had the customary Mark Hoppus cameo…yet never QUITE hit the mainstream. They’re opening the Fireball stage and well worth checking out.
Less Than Jake (Fireball Stage @ 20:20)
On a stage packed with the best ska punk bands of the genre, arguably any of them can be considered the “must see”. But, we can only choose one and we’ve gone with Less Than Jake. Masters of their genre, with a slick, fun live show – we’ll definitely be there in our dancing shoes!
Crossfaith (Jaegermeister Stage @ 14:30)
I know, we’re meant to be a pop punk fan site and here we are recommending a metal band… But trust us, irrelevant of genres, these guys are f*cking INCREDIBLE live. There won’t be many others on the day who’ll be able to match them for sheer energy. Think of Prodigy; only faster, harder and without a silly haircut.
The Movielife (Monster Energy Stage @ 8:20pm)
We can’t wait to watch The Movielife! we grew up with them and most of the bands on Drive Thru, so seeing them at Slam Dunk is going to be like time travelling back to when we were 15 and singing “Hand Grenade” at the top of our lungs
Enter Shikari (Jägermeister Stage @ 9:25pm)
When I first saw Enter Shikari, my jeans were so tight you could see the hairs on my legs and my fringe covered 60% of my face. It was in the Birmingham academy 3 with around 60 people and Take To The Skies was being toured. Ten years later, they’ve evolved as a band and still put on one of the best live shows in the country, so I’m so psyched to watch them play this album again!
Boston Manor (The Key Club Stage @4:20pm)
I’ve seen a lot of great music come out of the UK recently and Boston Manor are one of those bands who made a name for themselves, tweaked their sound and really impressed me. They’ve just finished a big US tour so I’m looking forward to seeing how that’s impacted their live show
Andrew McMahon (Jägermeister Stage @ 1:30pm)
I genuinely can’t think of a better way to start a festival. I adore everything from Something Corporate, Jacks Mannequin to Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. The guy is an incredibly talented musician and if you’ve never seen him live you’re missing out…
The Ataris (Fireball Stage @ 2:25pm)
These guys are a very nostalgic band for me, So Long Astoria is an absolute classic. I’m excited for a dose of nostalgia.
Madina Lake (Impericon Stage @ 8:40pm
2007 these guys emerged with the cracking From Them Through Us To You. Expect to see me losing my shit to Here I Stand. Hoping they get a good crowd, because I am hyped to see these guys again.
Milk Teeth (Signature Brew Stage @ 3:10pm
The grunge scene is growing strong and these guys are at the forefront, lead by the beautiful Becky Bloomfield these guys have a huge thick sound live and we can’t wait to hear the new single ‘Owning Your Okayness’
Trophy Eyes (Monster Stage @ 2:35pm
An exceptionally tight band and the passion that frontman John Floreani delivers live is incredible. Not seen these guys since they toured with Neck Deep so looking forward to hearing their new grunge album tracks live and seeing how they compare to their previous releases.
Puppy (Signature Brew Stage @ 1:20pm
Three words – Loud.Grunge.Metal. The way these guys blend between smashing pumpkins-esk chorus’s and riffs which sound like they are from James Hetfield’s back pocket, these guys will blow your face off.
And don’t forget to come see our DJ’s on the Uprawr stage from 5pm till 11pm every day!