Back in 2001, The Slam Dunk brand was founded as a club night held at The Cockpit in Leeds.
It championed the pop-punk, emo, punk rock, ska punk, hardcore and metalcore music scene. In 2006 the first Slam Dunk Festival was launched in Millennium Square of Leeds City Centre as a single stage, one day event, headlined by Fall Out Boy.
Now, Slam Dunk Festival sets itself in its own league, appealing to all facets of the alternative community. Each stage is carefully curated around a specific genre within the scene, cementing Slam Dunk’s well-earned reputation as the UK’s biggest independent rock festival.
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The festival has just announced their second wave of acts for the 2024 show, and they’re not messing about.
Joining the stacked line-up are The Ghost Inside, State Champs, The Blackout, Against The Current, Taylor Acorn and Honey Revenge. They’re added to the bill alongside already-announced You Me At Six, The All American Rejects, I Prevail, Funeral For A Friend, Asking Alexandria, Waterparks, Palaye Royale, Pale Waves and loads more.
But, with a lineup that vast, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed – so we’ve tried to narrow down that list to this, One on One’s top picks of must see acts at Slam Dunk 2024.
The Skints
Mixing reggae, ska, dub, punk, rock, dancehall, soul and rap, The Skints have been described as the torchbearers for modern British reggae music. They are well known for heavy touring schedules. Despite a lack of attention from mainstream media outlets, they have gained a sizeable cult following over time. With all this experience on the live circuit, their show is not one to miss.
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Stick To Your Guns
Stick To Your Guns are an American hardcore punk band from California. With lyrics that address topics of self-reflection, political and social statements. If you’re after a mosh pit, then look no further.
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Palaye Royale
Calling themselves a “fashion-art rock band”, Palaye Royale have amassed an impressive resume since their first single under the name in 2011. Formed by three brothers, the band is named after the dance hall Palais Royale in Toronto, where their grandparents first met. They have just released their latest EP ‘Sextape’, and it includes their take on Depeche Mode’s Stripped.
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L.S. Dunes
L.S. Dunes is a supergroup fronted by vocalist Anthony Green (Circa Survive, Saosin, The Sound of Animals Fighting) with guitarists Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance) Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria) alongside bassist Tim Payne and drummer Tucker Rule (Thursday). Need we say more?
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The Ghost Inside
If you’re into American Metalcore, chances are that you’re familiar with The Ghost Inside. They have been around for a long time with various line-ups, although went on hiatus for a while in 2015 due to a fatal crash involving their tour bus. After this period off, the band returned and their first show sold out in less than 5 minutes.
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The All-American Rejects
We mean… How could you not?
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