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The iconic Slam Dunk Festival is back for 2025 – and the Vans-wearing, Monster-drinking, pizza-eating elder emo’s will arrive in their droves to Leeds and Hatfield to kickstart the beginning of festival season. Headlined by the phenomenal A DAY TO REMEMBER, the Floridian five-piece will set the tone for the nostalgic barrage of pop-punk that sets the high standard across the weekend. Amongst the checker-printed chaos, the festival also champions metalcore, Midwest-emo and the brightest rising stars the alternative scene has to offer. As one of the strongest lineups yet, here are 10 bands you should not miss at Slam Dunk Festival this year.
LANDMVRKS – Main Stage East
The French are magic when it comes to metalcore, and Marseille-based LANDMVRKS are one of the strongest and most dedicated players in the game. After the release of their monolithic new album, The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been, expect a high-intensity set, brimming with confidence, emotional depth and some gloriously heavy riffs. The festival is one of the band’s favourites and an opportunity to connect with their pop-punk roots, which is no doubt fuelled by their collective love of BLINK-182.
DELILAH BON – The Key Club Stage
As the people’s princeless princess, DELILAH BON is a must-watch. Her unique blend of fierce feminist hip-hop and punchy brat punk is a deliciously unique addition to the lineup. In the anticipation of her new fantasy EP, she is out for blood, destroying the patriarchy with her quick-witted lyrics. Get ready to rage!
THE USED – Main Stage East
The elder emo’s of Slam Dunk would be remiss not to make their way over to Main Stage East in time to catch festival veterans THE USED. These kings of emo need no introduction, and show no signs of slowing down despite 25 years on the scene. We cannot wait to scream our hearts out to the anthems of our misspent youth once again. Yes, your bones may ache after a few minutes in the pit these days, but we can almost guarantee that it will be worth it all for The Taste Of Ink.
AS IT IS – Kerrang! Stage
It’s been ten years since the release of AS IT IS’ career-defining release, Never Happy Ever After, the band are back to bring some much-needed nostalgia. As the defining band of 2010s British pop-punk, we’ve missed their uplifting choruses, introspective lyrics and gut-punching breakdowns. There’s magic to be made with their return to the Slam Dunk Festival stage – and we can’t wait to be lost in the moment.
SCOWL – The Key Club Stage
Fancy some hardcore? Playing late in the day, Flatspot Records darlings SCOWL, will be making their presence known at the festival. The California collective is fierce, with their latest album, Are We All Angels, a gloriously sharp addition to their setlist, blending poppy lyrics with all things extreme. Expect a great crowd, great stage presence and great music.
MOUTH CULTURE – The Key Club Stage
A rising star of the alternative scene, MOUTH CULTURE have been on its monumental rise over the past year. Since being added last minute to the Download lineup last year, their catchy lyrics and goofy charm have cemented their place in heavy music. With only two EPs to their name, 2024’s Whatever The Weather and 2023’s Mishaps Of My Mid Twenties, the band fill their set with their small but impressive roster of future hits. If this band is not on your radar, by the end of the weekend, it definitely will be.
MOVEMENTS – Main Stage West
It’s time for a pink cloud summer. The Orange County emos MOVEMENTS will provide a set that will hit you in the feels. A slower, emotionally charged palate cleanser to a full-on weekend, this band are immaculate in a live context. There will be heartfelt lyrics, tears in the audience’s eyes and moments to listen and reflect on the beauty of festival season.
NECK DEEP – Main Stage West
NECK DEEP are textbook Slam Dunk Festival. With lyrics about love, loss and leaving your home town, Wrexham’s pop-punk titans are having a victory lap after their Dumbstruck Dumbfuck tour earlier this year. The band are tight, emotionally driven and will be received exceptionally well. No doubt a future headliner in the making. Just you watch this space.
GRAPHIC NATURE – The Key Club Stage
A relentless force in the underground scene, GRAPHIC NATURE are the dark horse on this year’s lineup. A chaotic blend of industrial sludge, extreme breakdowns and mind-melting metalcore, the band have a dangerous SLIPKNOT-esque aura to them. As one of the most aggressive bands to come out of the recent underground music scene, they have captured the hearts of the UK greebo scene, winning awards and challenging stereotypes of mental health in the community.
STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO – Monster Energy Stage
Having recently announced their first album in 12 years, New Jersey’s finest ska punk outfit STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO will once again return to Slam Dunk Festival for what promises to be a hugely exciting performance. The band rarely perform outside of the US and, with rumours swirling that they will be debuting new material from the upcoming The Place Behind The Stars (releasing in June) alongside a slew of fan favourites, we would not miss this big brassy bonanza for the world.
Words: Amber Brooks and Alex Morgan
SDF South will take place on Saturday May 24th 2025 at Hatfield Park, Hatfield and SDF North will take place on Sunday May 25th 2025 at Temple Newsam, Leeds. Tickets will be available from Friday, September 6th and can be purchased here.
For more information on the festival like their official page on Facebook.
The post Top 10 bands you must watch at Slam Dunk Festival 2025 appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
