Slam Dunk Festival is hitting Birmingham, Leeds and Hatfield this bank holiday weekend 27th-29th May.

We’re only one day away from the biggest pop-punk extravaganza that brings Slam Dunk Festival. The annual destination for all pop-punk and rock music lovers will get even bigger this year, expanding the festival sites and adding more stages respectively in Leeds, Hatfield and Birmingham, and yet again it will showcase a plethora of great bands.

This year we’ll witness some of UK exclusive performances, a lot of bands will mark their return and many will take to the Slam Dunk stages for the very first time. Nevertheless, over 60 bands across eight stages might come across as a little bit overwhelming. I totally understand that because when I was preparing my list of bands I needed to watch, I learnt a new meaning of the word ‘impossible’. I aimed for about 30 acts but somehow I managed to pick 10 you should definitely check out.

Enter Shikari

Of course Enter Shikari, because how could you not?! The headlining slot at this year’s festival edition seems to be a perfect way to honour a decade since the release of their debut album Take To The Skies. What’s more, the band will deliver an exclusive UK festival performance which means it’s going to be an amazing live experience.

Neck Deep 

The band is gearing up for the release of their third studio album The Peace And The Panic, and there’s no better way to celebrate that than spinning some brand new tunes at this weekend’s festival. Listen to their latest track below to get a taste of what’s coming.

The Maine

The Phoenix-based quintet has just released their sixth long player, Lovely Little Lonely, marking their 10 year anniversary. With the immense repertoire, their set will bring back all good memories and create some new ones as well. They don’t visit us often so don’t waste this opportunity and see them live.

Waterparks

Naturally, Waterparks. There’s no chance of missing these guys. The Houston-based pop-punk rockers released their debut album, Double Dare, last November and they haven’t stopped ever since. Having just rounded off their extensive tour with All Time Low, the trio will make their big return to Slam Dunk Festival sites spinning their infectious arena-size tunes. I’m gonna say this again, you don’t want to miss these guys.

With Confidence

The Aussie four-piece clearly knows how to throw a party. If you’re up for some crazy moshpit action, then go and check them out. There will be a few bodies flying around I’m sure. Their last year’s debut Better Weather possesses a sharp arena-worthy tone that successfully helps them stand out from the majority of similar-sounding bands within the genre. And their live shows are best example to prove it.

Black Foxxes

With an authentic and unadulterated rock and broad vocal range, the music sets they deliver are destined to grace much bigger stages. Therefore they’re on the list, and you just need to hear some of the tracks off their debut I’m Not Well in the live arrangement. So good.

Frank Iero And The Patience

Their second album Parachutes marks a change for the band and a chance to grow and evolve into something else. They certainly succeeded, spreading an absolute madness at their live shows. If you’re up for even more crowdsurfing mayhem, then don’t think too much and add them to your list. You won’t regret it.

Tonight Alive

Finally some girls. Australian punk-pop outfit released brand new single, World Away, last month which follows their most recent 2016’s album Limitless. With new record label (Hopeless Records) on board, it looks like there might be new material coming our way very soon. Perhaps we’ll hear some of it this weekend?

Counterfeit

With a fast growing fan base and a debut, Together We Are Stronger, filled with razor-sharp and straightforward offerings, Counterfeit have quickly become known to the rock music scene. As their live shows happen to get out of control very often, you might wan to experience one of them.

I Prevail

Returning to Slam Dunk Festival this year, Detroit rockers will shake things up with their debut album Lifelines. Watch their latest video below and get ready for the chaos.