Slam Dunk Festival is back this weekend and bigger than ever—and we’ll be in Leeds, soaking up the riffs, sweat, and chaos right alongside the crowd. Whether you’re there for the legends, the rising stars, or just looking for your next favorite band, this year’s lineup is absolutely stacked.
We’ve picked ten must-see sets you won’t want to miss—and when to catch them:
Heart Attack Man
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 2:25 PM – 2:55 PM (The Key Club Stage)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 4:05 PM – 4:35 PM (The Key Club Stage)
Cleveland’s finest are bringing their signature mix of sarcasm and sincerity to Slam Dunk. With a discography that keeps leveling up (and mosh pits that follow suit), they’re guaranteed to leave a mark—literally and emotionally.
WARGASM
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 7:40 PM – 8:25 PM (Kerrange! Stage)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 7:40 PM – 8:25 PM (Kerrange! Stage)
If you’re not ready for one of the wildest sets of the weekend, you’d better get ready. WARGASM’s industrial-meets-nu-metal chaos is tailor-made for festival stages, and we’re expecting pure carnage. Noise, neon, and neck-breaking energy.
Finch
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 5:05 PM – 5:50 PM (Main Stage East)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 5:05 PM – 5:50 PM (Main Stage East)
Yes, that Finch. The post-hardcore legends are back, and seeing them on this lineup still feels surreal. “What It Is to Burn” live in 2025? You’ll find us front and center, reliving every emo memory we ever repressed.
South Arcade
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 4:55 PM – 5:25 PM (The Key Club Stage)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 1:35 PM – 2:05 PM (The Key Club Stage)
One of the UK’s most exciting newcomers, South Arcade blend glossy pop hooks with sharp alt-rock edges. Think Paramore energy with a Gen Z twist. If you haven’t caught their live set yet, now’s the time—these songs hit even harder in person.
LANDMVRKS
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 2:50 PM – 3:30 PM (Main Stage East)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 2:50 PM – 3:30 PM (Main Stage East)
French metalcore rarely goes this hard. LANDMVRKS have been quietly (well, loudly) climbing the ranks, and their presence at Slam Dunk feels like a full-circle moment. It’s going to be fast, furious, and gloriously heavy.
Free Throw
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (The Key Club Stage)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (The Key Club Stage)
Emo’s not dead, and Free Throw are living proof. With gut-punch lyrics and guitar lines that ache in all the right ways, their sets are cathartic as hell. Expect crowds yelling every word like their lives depend on it.
Point North
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM (Kerrange! Stage)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM (Kerrange! Stage)
If you love big hooks, emotional lyrics, and the kind of choruses that beg for festival singalongs, Point North are your band. Blending pop punk and alt-rock with a modern shine, they’re destined to level up even more in 2025.
Dream State
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 12:40 PM – 1:20 PM (Main Stage East)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 12:40 PM – 1:20 PM (Main Stage East)
The UK’s own post-hardcore hopefuls are finally back and looking sharper than ever. Dream State’s resilience is just as powerful as their music—raw, emotionally charged, and impossible to ignore. A comeback set with something to prove? Count us in.
Mouth Culture
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 4:05 PM – 4:35 PM (The Key Club Stage)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 2:25 PM – 2:55 PM (The Key Club Stage)
Hailing from Leicester and bursting with potential, Mouth Culture are carving out their own lane in the alt-rock space. Their sound is melodic, moody, and magnetic—don’t be surprised if they steal the whole weekend.
Home Grown
Hatfield – Saturday, May 24: 1:40 PM – 2:15 PM (Monster Energy Stage)
Leeds – Sunday, May 25: 1:40 PM – 2:15 PM (Monster Energy Stage)
Pop punk royalty. This is not a drill. Home Grown’s reunion is one of the biggest curveballs on the lineup, and it’s going to be one of the most nostalgic sets of the festival. Expect throwbacks, deep cuts, and a whole lot of crowd surfing.
See you in the pit!
