Alternative music fans from Europe are in for a big celebration at the end of May, with the 20th anniversary of Slam Dunk Festival. The British festival started in 2006 in Leeds, featuring a mix of punk, emo, metal and ska. Since 2010, they expanded south with an extra day in Hatfield, with both days featuring the same line-up.
In this anniversary year, to celebrate properly, they’re offering a bunch of special sets as well, with an European exclusive performance from Good Charlotte, Taking Back Sunday’s 20th anniversary of Louder Now, Deaf Havana’s 15 years of Fools and Worthless Liars, Cartel’s 20th year of Chroma and, last but certainly not least, Sublime coming to the UK for the very first time ever.
Of course there’s also plenty of other bands to pick from, no matter the genre you most prefer. The heavy stages are placed side by side, giving every metalhead a full day with back to back bands without clashes, with bands like Malevolence, Saosin and Comeback Kid. Pop-punk fans in turn have State Champs, Motion City Soundtrack and Tonight Alive to look forward to. Either way, there’s plenty of ways to toast to Slam Dunk, taking place on May 23 (Hatfield) and May 24 (Leeds).
Since last year, the festival also expanded into mainland Europe, this year sticking to Oberhausen (Germany) and Milan (Italy), featuring a handful of bands from the UK line-up like Knocked Loose, Stand Atlantic and Hawthorne Heights, with more acts to be announced.
Tickets for both the UK dates and the European dates on May 29 and June 1, are on sale through their website https://www.slamdunkfestival.com/.