Slam Dunk Festival 2023 returns in just less than a week and a half for it’s latest iteration on the 27th (South) and 28th (North) of their single day festivals.
With a stacked lineup which includes, Enter Shikari, Millie Manders & The Shut Up, Creeper, Yellowcard, Zand and more, stacked doesn’t even cover it when describing the festival!
But if you’re stuck on just who to go watch this year, here are a few choices from Almost Anything Media.
Rockscene Stage
Zand (11:25 – 11:55)
The rising Alt-Pop star Zand is an artist which may have gone under some people’s radar but there’s more to the music than you’d expect and we’re tipping Zand as one of the next big acts with the last year being massive with an a rousing set at Rise Fest in Newcastle and opening for fellow Slam Dunk Fest band Vukovi. With the self-branded style of Ugly-Pop, there’s something for everyone in the catalogue of tracks with ‘Battery Acid’ as well as ‘Religion’.
Vukovi (12:15 – 12:50)
The Scottish Two piece Vukovi have just been going from strength to strength in recent years. They’re playing larger stages on their headlining tours and now they bring their energetic set to the Rockscene Stage at Slam Dunk. The band dropped their previous record, ‘NULA’ to widespread acclaim in 2022 where it has only helped them grow and make an even bigger name for themselves recently, where they’re nominated for Best Album, Act, Live Act, Production and Album Artwork at this years Heavy Music Awards making them the first and only band ever to receive five separate nominations in a single year! The future is Vukovi and they are set to crush the stage early in the day at 12:15.
Enter Shikari (21:00 – 22:15)
Of course we’re putting this band on the list, they’re one of the headliners after all! The Hertfordshire rockers known as Enter Shikari are one of the biggest names on everyone’s lips at the moments, putting on show after show in the last few months in support of their recently released No.01 Album, ‘A Kiss For The Whole World.’ Now with Slam Dunk Headliners on their resume, the sky’s the limit for the band.
The Dickies Stage
Millie Manders & The Shutup (12:00 – 12:30)
UK Ska Faveourites Millie Manders & The Shutup prepare to bring their niche sense of Ska and Punk to Slam Dunk Festival. After some extensive tours of the UK, the band are itching to perform this year and one I’m excited to take to a much bigger stage now and in the future.
Teenage Bottlerocket (12:55 – 13:30)
American punk-rock favourites Teenage Bottlerocket are bringing their classic punk sound to the UK, one which I’ll be happy to tick off the bucket list! 2023 will be their first ever visit to the Slam Dunk Festival stages since their formation in 2000, and they’ll have plenty to give the crowd which I’m sure will go down in fantastic fashion.
Bowling For Soup (19:40 – 20:30)
The legendary US band Bowling For Soup are no strangers to the UK audience, having played in the country numerous times throughout their career, it’s safe to say they’ll be some people’s favourites at this years Slam Dunk. With nearly 30 years of experience and 11 albums under their belt, the fans will be spoilt for choice of what to expect, but we’re sure some there’s at least one or two older faves in the setlist (fingers crossed for Punk Rock 101!).
The Kerrang Tent
Destroy Boys (12:00 – 12:35)
This is the US punks Destroy Boys first time at Slam Dunk Festival and they’re set to open things up on the Kerrang Sage (Left side). The band were nothing short of excellent in their previous UK run of headlining shows in 2022 where they also opened for Alkaline Trio and Taking Back Sunday, and their latest track, ‘Beg For the Torture’ has only ascended their growing reputation to sum up the energy they create in a live atmosphere. If you’re not keeping an eye on them, then you’re welcome for the introduction!
Yellowcard
This will be the first UK appearance for the kings that are Yellowcard since 2016, but let’s hope things go according to plan with the sound this time around. The band did call it a day back in 2017 but now they’re back to mark the 20th anniversary of their absolutely superb record, ‘Ocean Avenue’ much to everyones joy! Hopefully we’ll get some tracks sung back at them because then that might be the most beautiful set of the day. Let’s have em!
Spanish Love Songs
The Pure Noise Records treasures Spanish Love Songs are finally making their long await Slam Dunk Festival debut after all this time! They’re becoming a cult band at this point and people just can’t seem to get enough of the lovely punk group and now make their long awaited return to the UK as their powerful collection of tracks will keep the crowd warm and on edge throughout their set so we’re in for a good surprise from the band.
Boston Manor (16:15 – 16.55)
With the latest record Datura under their belt, Boston Manor look to cement themselves as mainstays at Slam Dunk Festival this year. With them not touring the new material as much recently where they’ve only had a handful of quite intimate shows under the records belt, will we see a lot more of the latest material during this set? Either way, the Blackpool based hitters are sure to bust out a great performance as they plot this what could be their country-wide domination plan.
Creeper (19:15 – 20:00)
One band that are definitely no strangers to Slam Dunk, Creeper return to Slam Dunk looking to cement themselves as one of the finest rock acts in the country (which they are, there’s no question). With the band having a dedicated fan base in just about every part of the country, the sky’s the limit for the Southampton-based emo troupe. With the band sure to pull out the favourites as well as their latest ‘Ghost Brigade’ they’re sure to be heard all over the festival grounds on the weekend in both field at the North and South dates.
The Key Club Stage
The Tyne (11:25 – 11:55)
Now how about a round of applause for Slam Dunk Records very own The Tyne! The band have an interesting year so far and still got a fair bit coming up. Firstly they dropped their lush EP, ‘Complaining. (But There Is Music), and are set to kick the proceedings off on The Key Club Stage and later this year opening for Busted! They’re going to be showing what it takes and I have no doubt from previous experience the band will be able to make waves for the other bands later in the day.
Girlfriends (12:35 – 13:05)
We’re finally getting a Girlfriends set! I’ve had this band on my On Repeat playlist on Spotify for a good while now and after their self-titled record back in 2020 as well as ‘(e)notion sickness’ last year, we’re ready for this band to storm their sets. With numerous larger touring credentials under their belt in the US, the band are prodigies waiting in the wings and ready to belt out with Slam Dunk this year.
Scene Queen (14:20 – 14:55)
Scene Queen is quite a rare oddity, people either love her for her call against the scene as well as her breakdowns which hit harder than most bands within the genre, or they hate her purely for all the pink. Nevertheless, this is an artist who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and this is exactly what the UK craves right now. With the last UK touring coming supporting Wargasm at the back end of 2022, the up and coming artist is one that’s made a mark with audiences last time out. Since then, there’s been a drastic upward in her trajectory, collaborating with Set It Off again as well as the release of her own material in ’18+’. It’s safe to say, you’re in for a hell of a time.
Noahfince (16:20 – 17:00)
This is Noahfince’s second go at Slam Dunk Festival, having previously played the festival back in 2021, the British Singer-Songwriter has won over fans time and time again with the fast-paced and energetic nature the songs provide which fits perfectly in line with the Key Club stage in 2023. Set to appear supporting Enter Shikari on their 2024 UK tour, this could prove to win over a good few fans now and later for those shows.
KNOTFEST Stage
Heriot (11:40 – 12:10)
One of the freshest bands on the Slam Dunk bill this year, Heriot have some great credentails beocming favourites in the hardcore scene with the band nominated for both ‘Best Breakthrough Album’ and ‘Best Breakthrough Live Artist’ at this years Heavy Music Awards. With their meteoric rise, they’ll be up there headlining one day soon but for now, this is the best way to be opening Slam Dunk North up!
Higher Power (12:30 – 13:00)
One of a few Yorkshrie based bands on the bill at Slam Dunk Festival this year, Higher Power are one of the hardest working, passionate and relentlessly touring bands out there in the world today. Moving from strength to strength in the last few years, the band haven’t had any new music out since 2021 so could we see some sweaty surprises in the mosh pits this year? WE HOPE SO!
Static Dress (15:05 – 15:35)
Another of the Yorkshire bands of the heavier variety, Static Dress are one of the most exciting bands we’re excited to see take to the stage this year. Based out of Leeds itself, the homegrown talent are expected to put on something incredible if their track record of social media posts is anything to go by. What you have to remember is that the band have some absolute rip roaring tracks in their catalogue and the energy they’ll give off? Probably the best description is sweat inducing from the moshpits alone and at the festival level, it shouldn’t be a problem to get the crowd going.
Malevolence (20:10 – 20:55)
Headliners to the KNOTFEST stage, Sheffield heavy htting Malevolence are the cherry on top of the icing for the festival today. The band dropped their latest record, ‘Malicious Intent’ last year as well as a split EP, ‘The Aggression Sessions’ with Fit For An Autopsy and Thy Art Is Murder earlier this year so there’s plenty of fresh material that the band can dive into. Be warned, things could get rough in this set!
Almost Anything Music 