Slam Dunk Festival 2024 Preview

It’s almost that time of year again where the tents are brought out and dusted off for more fun in the fields but before we pitch up for 5 days in the mud, we turn our attention to the first day festival to kick off the season, at least for the alt community – it’s Slam Dunk.

It’s one of the most anticipated weekends of the year and from Hatfield to Leeds, this year’s bill is set to gather all the attention it deserves. Following the question marks over 2023, this year returns with a bigger and more spread out setup you can see from the site maps below with the additions of new named stages & vendors including the perfect energiser, Monster.

We’ll be taking a look at some of the must see acts across a stacked bill – from farewell shows to iconic albums in full, this lineup has the potential to be something special.

Kicking off the day we turn our attention to As Everything Unfolds who open the Go Pro Stage. The band started 2024 with a sold out intimate headline tour followed by a huge run with Skindred including their biggest ever show at Wembley Arena. Their live show is packed with action and energy and is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

Pennsylvanian pop punk powerhouse Taylor Acorn is quickly making a name for herself and this year see’s her make her Slam Dunk debut. Leaving her own stamp in the community and making sure her fans have a space to be who they want to be, the positivity carries from stage to crowd.

Some notable standouts throughout the day come lower down the bill as the hardcore scene takes its place once again with two step kings Guilt Trip taking to the Key Club Stage. Rising stars Bob Vylan will be over on the Kerrang! Stage to leave their own iconic mark having just unleashed some of their best work.

Welsh hero’s The Blackout mark a year since their comeback with a special performance of their most iconic album in full, The Best in Town. There will be more full album play-throughs across the weekend too with State Champs performing their album “The Finer Things” as well as Head Automatica celebrating 20 years of their album “Decadence”.

From big albums to a final UK festival appearance for veterans You Me at Six who be headlining the Slam Dunk main stage, the group will sadly bow out next year after a hugely successful career inspiring many to take to the stage and follow in their footsteps. The Slam Dunk stage will also host some elder emo favourites from the likes of All American Rejects, Boys Like Girls and We The Kings. Mallory Knox will also be making a return to the stage with original singer Mikey Chapman playing his first show with the band in seven years and Mallory’s first time playing since 2019.

The Go Pro stage will supplying you with a dose of heavy from the like of The Ghost Inside, Asking Alexandria and headliners I Prevail. The stage will also have a very special performance from Funeral For A Friend who will be fronted by Holding Absence singer Lucas Woodland.

American pop rock heroes Waterparks will be headlining the Kerrang! stage supported by a all star cast including Palaye Royal, Pale Waves and Against The Current. For all your punk, skater and ska needs make sure you head over to the Monster energy stage for the likes of The Interrupters, Goldfinger and Pennywise.

Between bands there’s also other places to venture to including the signing tents giving fans a chance to meet their hero’s with the likes of State Champs, Palaye Royal, As December Falls & The Ghost Inside there throughout the weekend. Vinyl lovers get their chance to browse and purchase records from Leeds local Crash Records who have a pop-up on both sites. Kerrang! will also have some limited merch for sale and a big shout out to the non drinkers who will have the 0% tent to enjoy some alcohol free booze.

There’s so much to do across the bill between the music and attractions so for those who will ascend on the fields of Hatfield & Temple Newsam the freedom is yours to find the hidden gems across the sites that makes Slam Dunk the special experience that it is.