Festival Preview: Slam Dunk Festival 2025

The festival season is fast approaching, and for many, it always kicks off with the Slam Dunk Festival. Known for hosting some of the best rock, pop-punk, emo, metalcore, ska punk, and punk rock every year, 2025 sees them going above and beyond with a stacked lineup that covers all of the aforementioned.

After sitting out last year’s festival, Already Heard will be heading to the South leg of the late Bank Holiday gathering. To get you prepared for a weekend full of massive songs, big hooks, and feel-good riffs, we’ve picked ten must-see bands.

Stage Times | Clashfinder

A Day To Remember

It is safe to say A Day To Remember‘s debut at Slam Dunk is long overdue. Nevertheless, it’s finally happening, and rightly s,o they’re one of the main headliners. Returning to the UK off the back of releasing ‘Big Ole Album, Vol. 1’, ADTR have a point to prove after some relatively absent years. However, with new songs such as ‘All My Friends’ and ‘Make It Make Sense’ being added to their arsenal of bangers, the Florida group have what to takes to close out the day.

Where and When: Main Stage West – 9:00pm – 10:15pm

Alkaline Trio

Returning for a third stint at SDF, Alkaline Trio‘s back catalogue is stacked with dark pop-punk gems. Last year’s ‘Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs’ saw the Chicago-founded band return with a cohesive set of songs that brought Trio‘s blood-drenched punk up-to-date, yet retained the familiar sharp songwriting. 

Aided by the dual vocal work of Dan Andriano and Matt Skiba, along with drummer Atom Willard, Alkaline Trio has more than enough festival-ready material at their disposal. From ‘Stupid Kid’ to ‘Armageddon’ to ‘Mercy Me’ to ‘We’ve Had Enough,’ and beyond, you’re sure to be left more than satisfied with Trio’s set on the Monster Energy stage headline set.

Where and When: Monster Energy Stage – 8:40pm – 9:40pm

Electric Callboy

These German party metallers have become one of the must-see acts in recent years. Their combination of crushing metalcore and euphoric EDM has seen them packing out venues all over the place. Rarely a band to take themselves too seriously, their live shows are more often than not a rapturous party. Pumping electro beats and heavy breakdowns are what Electric Callboy serve up in abundance. 

Whether you’re there for the breakdowns, the big choruses, or just to dance like nobody’s watching, Electric Callboy‘s live set is guaranteed to be one of the most fun, unpredictable, and talked-about sets at Slam Dunk Festival. It’s also a rare chance to catch the sextet, with only a date at London’s Ally Pally in November being the other chance to see Electric Callboy in 2025.

Where and When: Main Stage East – 7:45pm – 8:55pm

Finch

Besides showcasing the best relevant bands in the alt music scene right now, the folk behind Slam Dunk knows nostalgia is one hell of a drug. In short, they love to bring back some influential bands that rarely hit these shores now. Alongside The Starting Line, Hit The Lights, The Ataris, and Homegrown, Slam Dunk 2025 will welcome Finch back for the first time in a decade.

The Californian post-hardcore band delivered two outstanding albums in the early to mid-2000s with ‘What It Is to Burn’ and ‘Say Hello to Sunshine’. The former has often been celebrated with its title track and ‘Letters To You’ often found in “2000s emo” playlists aplenty. 

Blending soaring melodies with cathartic screams, Finch‘s return is sure to raw, emotional, and powerful.

Where and When: Main Stage East – 5:05pm – 5:50pm

Neck Deep

These UK pop-punk kings are no strangers to Slam Dunk. For the best part of a decade, Welsh wonders Neck Deep have stacked up a barrage of anthems, ready-made for big stages.  Last year’s self-titled album saw them return to form in a big way, with tracks like ‘Heartbreak of the Century’ and ‘Dumbstruck Dumbf**k’. highlighting their hook-filled pop-punk power. 

While past performances have occasionally been hit or miss, Neck Deep have the songs (and the fanbase) to more than justify their slot near the top of the bill. As SDF regulars, they’re sure to feel right at home and with the crowd firmly on their side, they will deliver a set that will perfectly warm up the masses for A Day To Remember.

Where and When: Main Stage West – 7:20pm – 8:30pm

New Found Glory

Returning to Slam Dunk for the first time since 2019, New Found Glory probably don’t need an introduction. Nevertheless, in short, they’re pop-punk legends on par with Blink-182 and Green Day. It’s no surprise, then, that NFG are often cited as one of the genre’s most influential bands. 

Expect an hour of massive hooks, heartfelt guitar anthems, and the occasional hardcore breakdown

Where and When: Main Stage West – 5:55pm – 6:55pm

Imminence

Blending metalcore intensity with sweeping cinematic flair, Sweden’s Imminence brings a unique emotional weight to the Slam Dunk lineup. Dynamically blending delicate, string-laced melodies with bone-rattling breakdowns, Imminence‘s expansive brand of metalcore has seen them become a standout among their peers. 

Led by violin-playing vocalist Eddie Berg, their ability to compel audiences with atmospheric beauty and crushing heaviness has seen them become essential viewing. Don’t be fooled by the early billing, this is a band more than capable of delivering a main stage-calibre show, and one of the weekend’s most striking live experiences.

Where and When: Main Stage East – 1:45pm – 2:25pm

Scowl

Slam Dunk loves to highlight up-and-coming names, and this year is no different. Split Chain, Lake Malice, Sweet Pill, Mouth Culture, and South Arcade are just some of those emerging acts who will be looking to capitalise on being given a platform like Slam Dunk. Another one of the most noteworthy names with plenty of momentum behind them is Scowl. 

Having recently released their second album, ‘Are We All Angels,’ the Californian hardcore punks return to the UK with an infectious collection of songs. Blending alt-rock hooks with vulnerable lyricism and a familiar punk-infused bite, Scowl are destined for bigger things, so catch them in an (relative) intimate setting while you can (even if they clash with a “bigger” name).

Where and When: Key Club Stage – 8:20pm – 8:55pm

Knuckle Puck

Somehow, it’s been ten years since Knuckle Puck delivered ‘Copacetic’, but with the Chicago pop-punks set to return to SDF, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to play their debut album in full. With standout tracks such as ‘Disdain’, ‘Evergreen ‘, and ‘Pretense’ bursting with pure pop-punk vigour, expect it to go off during Knuckle Puck‘s early afternoon set. While album closer ‘Untitled,’ has all the makings of providing one of the day’s most poignant sing-alongs.

Where and When: Main Stage West- 1:25pm – 2:05pm

Less Than Jake

Come rain or shine, you can always rely on Less Than Jake to brighten up your day. As Slam Dunk Fest regulars, it’s clear the Gainesville, Florida natives are always welcomed with open arms, bringing their signature horn-filled sound and catchy melodies. Along with Streetlight Manifesto, Save Ferris, and The Aquabats, Less Than Jake represent the ska-punk genre at SDF25. 

With a wealth of material to pick from, Less Than Jake‘s shows are set to be insatiably fun, blending bright brass sections with infectious pop-punk hooks.

Where and When: Monster Energy Stage – 7:15pm – 8:15pm

Best of the Rest

With six stages to choose from, we couldn’t leave it at just 10 recommendations. Every stage has something to offer. Besides A Day To Remember, Neck Deep, and New Found Glory, Main Stage West will be home to pop-punks Hot Mulligan and post-hardcore outfit Movements. Both bands are sure to add an emotional layer to the pop-punk-heavy stage.

The East Main Stage will see The Used on the celebratory nostalgia train as they perform their albums, ‘In Love And Death’ at Hatfield, and ‘The Used’ in Leeds. Before them, you have the likes of versatile metalcore band Landmvrks and Welsh favourites Dream State aiming to leave their mark. 

If you’re looking for punk rock and ska punk, then get yourself to The Monster Energy stage. Along with Alkaline Trio and Less Than Jake, the likes of The Ataris and Zebrahead will add to the feel-good vibes. While up-and-coming duo The Meffs will be representing present day UK punk. And for those of a certain age, hearing Homegrown perform ‘You’re Not Alone’ is sure to be a highlight.

The Kerrang! Stage is where you’ll find a healthy mix of acts on the way up, with a touch of nostalgia. Names such as Hot Milk, Lake Malice, and Noahfinnce will be sharing the stage with Twin Atlantic and a reuniting As It Is (performing ‘Never Happy, Ever After’ in full). Likewise, the Key Club stage is a showcase of emerging names that arrive at SDF with momentum. Along with Scowl, you can check out sets from Split Chain, Heart Attack Man, Winona Fighter, South Arcade, Greywind, Kid Bookie, and Mouth Culture.

Stage Times

Clashfinder

When and Where is Slam Dunk Festival 2025?

Slam Dunk Festival will return to Hatfield Park, on Saturday 24th May, before heading north to Leeds, Temple Newsam on Sunday 25th May 2025.

Tickets are available here.