To celebrate this weekend’s always-awesome Slam Dunk, we asked some of our favourite bands on the line-up to reveal what’s to come from their sets, give us some festival tips, and find out who’s planning a “conga pit”.
It’s Slam Dunk time again! As we head to Leeds and Hatfield for another lovely day out in the (hopefully) glorious sun, what better way to get in the mood than catching up with Neck Deep, Scowl, NOAHFINNCE and more to find out what they’re going to be bringing to rock’s first outdoor bash of the year?
Not so much regular visitors to Slam Dunk these days as part of the infrastructure, Neck Deep’s return is going to be a massive one. And, says Ben Barlow, they’ve got their eye on the big gig for their next appearance…
Back at Slam Dunk again! How does it feel to have a fest like this that’s always got a place for Neck Deep?
“I’m always stoked to be at Slam Dunk. It’s a mainstay for us, and we’re a mainstay for Slam Dunk, too! We’re the house band at this point. It’s been awesome to rise through the ranks over the years, from getting voted on, to being so high up on the main stage, and everywhere in between. Headlining one day would be the dream.”
What makes Slam Dunk such a special place?
“It’s truly the only dedicated pop-punk fest in the UK. And over the years it’s expanded so that there’s a place for everyone within the alternative scene. I’ve always said it’s like the UK’s Warped Tour and it’s gotta be protected! That’s what makes it, along with the fans who attend. It’s good vibes all round, and a fest that always has a solid line-up, no matter what kind of music you’re into.”
What set are you planning?
“I’m actually stoked on the set we’ve put together this year. It’s truly a mix of our best stuff throughout the years – I think we’re playing something off every record. There’s gonna be a good amount of Life’s Not Out To Get You stuff too, to partially celebrate the 10-year anniversary. But we’ve tried to make it as fun and high-energy as possible – as always, really.”
Who else are you planning to watch?
“Definitely New Found Glory. They’re one of my all-time favourites, so to be sharing the stage is wild. And the same goes for The Starting Line and Alkaline Trio. Knuckle Puck, Heart Attack Man, Scowl and Sweet Pill are also on the list.”
Go on: Leeds or Hatfield?
“Being a Northern boy I’d have to say Leeds! It’s also the hometown show for Slam Dunk, so I’ve gotta go with the hometown heroes.”
Kerrang! Stage headliners Hot Milk are always a good bet. Expect to see singer/guitarist Han Mee in typically quiet, reserved form…
Slam Dunk: what are Hot Milk bringing to the fest?
“Jet lag, probably. Nah, you’ll see the Hot Milk Of Yet To Come… a fuckin’ proper show, not for the wet lads.”
This is coming after your U.S. tour – what’s the difference between British and American fests?
“Americans are softer and more scared. We have to coax them out like timid snails. When we come home all bets are off. Our people are our people, and we both see what needs to be done.”
Who else are you going to be watching at Slam Dunk?
“Stray From The Path is probably my only personal goal that day. I wanna catch up with all my mates in the guest area, really, as we will have been away for so long. It’s like a wedding and I love it.”
Leeds or Hatfield?
“I can’t remember which is which, because I’m usually half-cut by 4pm…”
Complete the line: People have to come and see Hot Milk because…
“We’re actually gonna make you feel something.”
Lovely NOAHFINNCE is only doing one gig this whole year. What better place to put in the lone shift than on our stage, bang in the middle of the day? And, he’s got some sensible survival tips, too…
Slam Dunk is going to be your only gig of 2025 – how are you going to make it, ahem, a day to remember?
“I’m just going to try not to get heat stroke!”
Who else are you going to be checking out?
“I obviously can’t miss Neck Deep, Hot Mulligan or As It Is. Seeing Knuckle Puck play the entirety of Copacetic is gonna be insane as well. Also, I can’t wait to catch Sophie Powers and see how her set has developed since touring with her in 2022. I’ve not seen Stray From The Path since 2017, so I’m excited to see them.”
What’s the most important part of a NOAHFINNCE show?
“Honestly? The vibes. I’m incapable of taking anything seriously, so the main focus is on people having fun rather than trying to be a caricature of a rock star that a lot of people try too hard to be.”
What’s your top tip for surviving the elements at a festival?
“Chugging water all morning and eating a decent meal before you actually go outside. Also keeping suncream on you at all times, obviously. Bonus points if you get your boyfriend to carry it.”
What is it that makes Slam Dunk such a special fest?
“It’s one of the few times where the scene actually feels like it’s a big community. Growing up, I didn’t have people around me who were into the same music, I had to meet them online, so actually seeing fans of the same shit in person is exciting.”
With their 5/5-rated new album Are We All Angels getting glued to the ears of everyone who hears it, it’s going to be A Moment when Scowl hit the stage. Their advice? Dancing shoes at the ready…
Obvious question… are you excited for Slam Dunk?
“Of course we’re excited! We’ve been looking forward to this for quite some time and it will truly be a privilege to end the European and UK tour with Slam Dunk.”
How has the new stuff from Are We All Angels been going down live so far?
“It’s been a thrill to play the new songs – it’s been stressful and exciting all at once. We’re also playing our longest set length to date, which is entirely new territory for us…”
What do you remember about playing the UK for the first time as a band?
“Our first show in the UK was Outbreak Fest in the summer of 2022. We were in such a haze of extreme exhaustion and we had no scope for how that set would go down. Looking back, it was the warmest welcome we could have possibly achieved. Huge shoutout to Outbreak!”
What’s the best possible thing that you could see from the stage while you’re playing?
“The best view from the stage while we play is seeing everyone’s face singing our songs back to us, the dancers and stage-divers.”
There’s so many awesome bands playing. Who else are you going to be checking out?
“It would be a treat to be able to catch Alkaline Trio, Movements and Free Throw.”
German Tekkno-metallers Electric Callboy were robbed of a UK fest by bad luck last year. Which means there’s going to be twice as much electro-party-mayhem than usual…
What can people expect from Electric Callboy at Slam Dunk?
“Pure energy! Slam Dunk is gonna be our first festival show this year, and we’ll also bring our whole stage production and our newest songs with us. It’s gonna be a full-on party that we’re looking forward to so much. We’re beyond ready to create some unforgettable memories with everyone!”
You had to cancel your Download performance last year due to illness – are you excited to be finally getting your fix of British festivals?
“Oh, absolutely! We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. It honestly broke our hearts last year when we had to cancel. It’s the worst feeling when you know people were looking forward to seeing you, and you just physically can’t make it. This time around we will make it up to the people. We’re just so pumped to finally experience British festival crowds again and give everyone the show they deserve.”
Who else are you going to be checking out?
“There’s so much good stuff on the line-up. We definitely want to catch A Day To Remember, The Used and Stray From The Path, and honestly, any chance we get to discover new bands or just hang out side-stage watching other artists kill it, we’ll take it. Slam Dunk is stacked this year, and it’s going to be awesome just soaking it all in.”
What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever seen a British crowd do?
“British crowds are on a different level, that’s for sure! I think one of the maddest things was seeing a full-on circle-pit with loads of people dressed like us in our videos. I remember looking out and seeing some guy in an extra-tight gym outfit being chased by a girl with a moustache. It’s just so much fun, even for us onstage. Also, British fans seem to know how to party no matter what. Rain, mud, whatever – it only makes them go harder!”
Complete the sentence: people have to make it their business to come and see Electric Callboy at Slam Dunk because…
“Everybody deserves a little break from their everyday lives. We give our very best to put on a show where people can scream, dance, laugh and lose their minds all at the same time. We’re here to make sure you leave with sore legs, a hoarse voice and a huge smile on your face!”
Kicking off the Kerrang! Stage each day is a big job. Fortunately, rising Brighton stars Lake Malice are more than up to it. Get there early and join the party!
It’s your first time coming to Slam Dunk – excited?
Blake: “We’re beyond excited. I grew up listening to lots of the artists on the line-up, and have attended the festival as a fan multiple times. We’re so privileged to open the Kerrang! Stage!”
What kind of show are you going to be bringing?
Blake: “We’re always bringing loads of energy, and a sense of community and safety. We want people to find a space where they can be themselves and forget about their problems. There are lots of ways we help to instigate that space for people – through sing-alongs, jumping or getting in the pit. It’s a morning show, and this is the wake up you need.”
What is it that makes Slam Dunk such a cool fest?
Alice: “Before moving to the UK I didn’t have much of a chance to attend lots of festivals abroad. I always looked to Slam Dunk as a trend-setter, bringing the best out of the alternative scene, which is how I discovered tons of artists when I was younger.”
Who else are you going to be checking out?
Blake: “The line-up is amazing! Luckily we’re on early so we’ll be checking out as many bands as possible. I’m hoping to see our mates in Graphic Nature and Dream State crush it! Alice is a big A Day To Remember fan, so she’s not gonna miss them.”
Complete the sentence: people should come and watch Lake Malice because…
Alice: “Where else are you getting a conga pit and a guitarist who spends more time in the air than on the stage?!”
Slam Dunk takes place on May 24 – 25. Get your tickets now. This feature originally appeared in the summer 2025 issue of Kerrang!.
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