11 Bands You Definitely Don't Want To Miss At Slam Dunk This Weekend

As the May Bank Holiday weekend approaches, there’s only one thing on the minds of pop-punk, emo, ska and metalcore fans – it’s Slam Dunk time! This year’s travelling weekender looks set to be one of the best yet, with two main stages, co-headline sets from Jimmy Eat World and Good Charlotte and the return of some old favourites all serving as causes for excitement. There’ll be plenty of great bands to check out, so remember, these are just 11 of the acts you might want to make a note of seeing at Slam Dunk. 

CREEPER

Things have been pretty quiet in the weird world of James Scythe recently, but knowing that Creeper are once more going to be playing a festival main stage is something to be darn excited about. Everyone knows the Southampton six-piece are capable of putting on one hell of a show, with the conceptual nature of debut album Eternity, In Your Arms making for quite the spectacle in a live setting. Creeper have come a long way since appearing on Slam Dunk’s new band stage just two years ago.

GOOD CHARLOTTE

The Madden brothers will be celebrating over 15 years at the top of the pop-punk game with their co-headline slot this year. With bangers aplenty and potential new material in the works, the buzz around Good Charlotte’s appearance at 2018’s Slam Dunk should culminate in a euphoric set from the Maryland veterans. As long as they play all the hits, we’ll be happy.

FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES

Genuine question: have Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes ever played a bad show? The former Gallows man and his cohorts are continually lauded for their unrivalled live displays, and we’re betting it’ll be a case of glorious Carter-induced carnage once more at Slam Dunk. If you don’t get involved in a circle pit around the sound desk for this set, you’re doing it wrong.

EVERY TIME I DIE

Keith Buckley and co. come to Slam Dunk this year buoyed by the momentum of 2016’s superb album Low Teens. The hardcore titans now possess an arsenal of gargantuan tunes to call upon, and if you’re looking for a break from Slam Dunk’s trademark pop-punk and ska fare, Every Time I Die are the pick of the bunch on the heavier side of things. Just make sure you don’t try to take a selfie onstage….

PVRIS

One of the Slam Dunk scene’s break-out bands of recent years, alt–pop megastars PVRIS’ appearance is set to be a crowning moment for a group who’ve achieved so much since dropping debut LP White Noise in 2014. You And I, Heaven, My House, St. Patrick… the list of sure-fire crowd pleasers the trio can drop is mightily impressive. This performance could be something special.

JIMMY EAT WORLD

Fresh from releasing the killer double A-side Love Never/half heart, the emo kings are one of the most hotly anticipated sets of the weekend. With a plethora of songs from classic albums like Bleed American and Futures to call upon, Jimmy Eat World possess all the ingredients to conjure a killer headline show. You better start clearing your throat for the singalong to The Middle now….

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

The recent departure of guitarist Eddie Reyes is a blow, but that shouldn’t prevent Taking Back Sunday from lighting up Slam Dunk this weekend. Awesome cuts like You Can’t Look Back and the title-track from the band’s latest album Tidal Wave have bolstered an already stellar repertoire of songs, and at a festival where emo means so much, expect Taking Back Sunday to excel.

CAN’T SWIM

Can’t Swim are a must-see from the new wave of emo and pop-punk bands gracing Slam Dunk this year. 2017’s album Fail You Again is brilliant, and these guys have gone from strength to strength since dropping their debut. Don’t be surprised if this lot are on the main stage in a few years’ time.

PALAYE ROYALE

Love them or hate them, you can’t ignore Palaye Royale. Combining elements of emo heroes My Chemical Romance and Panic! At The Disco with the classic rock of Queen and the Rolling Stones, this band of brothers have cultivated one of rock’s most devoted followings. They put on one hell of a show, too.

STAND ATLANTIC

They’re the stand-outs from the latest batch of pop-punkers to come through, and Stand Atlantic look set for a rapid rise up rock’s ranks. With big choruses and a presence to match, the Aussie trio seem to garner excitement everywhere they go. As It Is and Tonight Alive fans should check these guys out at Slam Dunk.

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS

Now five albums into their career, Lower Than Atlantis bring over a decade’s worth of experience to their main stage set this weekend. The Hertfordshire boys should have little trouble getting the crowd on-side, and if Mike Duce and his bandmates bring their A-game, it could serve as an audition for a more prestigious slot at a future Slam Dunk. LTA are on the cusp of being a properly big deal. 

Words: Jake Richardson

Find out when and where all these bands and more are playing this weekend by downloading the handy Slam Dunk app on your mobile device of choice.