With a plethora of acts spread across 8 stages for the 2019 instalment of Slam Dunk, festival-goers are spoilt for choice for who they want to see. 

The bank holiday weekend is creeping up, and we all know what that means – it’s time for the annual Slam Dunk Festival, which will be taking over Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park on May 25th and Hatfield Park on May 26th. As always, there’s a huge range of artists for what promises to be an unmissable event, and in preparation, we’ve picked our top 6 acts to catch.

6. Hot Milk

They seem to have come from nowhere, but Hot Milk have certainly been garnering a buzz about them and just one listen to their infectious tunes will explain all. You can’t have Slam Dunk Festival without a good dose of pop-punk, and these guys certainly know how to serve us with those irresistible melodies and charged-up energy. Catch them on the Left Key Stage for what is guaranteed to be an energetic set.

5. iDKHOW

iDKHOW, short for I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, are hopping across the pond from their base in Salt Lake City, Utah to join in this weekend of fun. With their swaggering melodies and jangly tunes, the duo have nailed the formula for uniqueness and charisma, creating a sound that can’t be pigeonholed into a genre. They’ll be the final set of a busy day at the Left Key Stage, so be sure to catch them in the evening.

4. grandson

grandson will be making his Slam Dunk Festival debut this year, and it’s sure to be a riotous time. Known for his raucous and unapologetically honest music that isn’t afraid to sink its teeth deep into the turbulent political climate of today, it’s empowering and refreshing as ever. Now, more than ever before, it’s important to listen to the message grandson has to say so go catch him on the Left Key Stage.

3. Boston Manor

Another act that hasn’t shied away from making a political commentary, Blackpool’s Boston Manor held nothing back on their sophomore effort last year Welcome To The Neighbourhood, resulting in a dark and captivating piece of work that will knock you off your feet with the sheer intensity of the underlying emotional turmoil. A commanding listen full of thought-provoking themes and scathing lyrics, it drives home a bleakness even the oblivious can’t ignore. Facilitating an unforgiving wake-up call, it’s an album full of surprises, sure to leave a lasting impact, and there’s little doubt that their live shows will be the same so catch them on the Monster Stage.

2. As It Is

With the release of The Great Depression last year, the Brighton-based quintet gave their first tease of what to expect from the live shows of this era with their Slam Dunk Festival appearance pre-album release. Now that it’s out in the world, this year’s set is only going to be more riotous than last year’s, so we’ll see you at the Monster Stage for some crowdsurfing action.

1. Waterparks

Houston’s Waterparks are back this year and for anyone who hasn’t been able to make it down to one of their energy-filled shows before, this weekend will be the perfect opportunity for you to go and witness them live. Balancing high-energy choruses with honest lyricism that pack a punch, and entertaining jokes and commentary thrown in between tracks, there’s no thing quite like a Waterparks show. Head down to the Monster Stage to catch them this weekend – trust us when we say they’re not a band you want to miss.