This weekend marks the annual pilgrimage to the UK’s premier, independent rock festival, Slam Dunk. Known for acting as a launchpad for many upcoming artists at the time, such as Neck Deep and You Me At Six; in particular within the emo, pop-punk and post-hardcore scenes. 2025’s line up, spearheaded by pop-punk come metalcore royalty, A Day To Remember is bolstered by a line-up of both established legacy acts within their respective scenes and exciting, upcoming artists. There is a tangible buzz surrounding talk about the festival, as Slam Dunk often marks the start of festival season for many alternative music lovers across the UK.
Our preview is written by Cece Lawless & Emily Simister.
Split Chain
Hailing from Bristol, this 5 piece beautifully blend shoegaze and grunge, transporting the listener to the early 2000s when Nu Metal reigned supreme and the trousers were baggy. First founded as a Deftones cover band, Split Chain have come a long way from paying tribute to metal gods and forged a path of their own. Cutting their teeth and honing their craft on the independent circuit for a few years, they also have proved they can step up, playing festivals such as Download and touring the US many times. Dream-like hits such as ‘Future’ and ‘Chalk’ beg to be witnessed live, in a sunshine drenched field. Where, When? – The Key Club stage at 5:45pm North and 7:25pm South (CL)
Imminence
Metalcore is not dead, and Imminence are here to remind you of that. Formed in Sweden in 2010 they blend heavy riffs with a melodic violin section, and they are no strangers to taking their listener on a journey. Imminence can be described as great for fans of Sleep Token who want something a little meatier, or a gateway for new metal heads into the genre. A perfect midday watch for those wanting something a little cerebral during the festival. Where, When? – Main Stage East at 1:45pm (both sites) (CL)
Movements
California based Post-Hardcore mammoths Movements are bringing their emotive sound once again to Slam Dunk. Formed in 2015, they are veritable stalwarts of live performance, taking their craft around the world year after year. Energetic and charismatic, this four piece is to be seen to be believed. Despite creating music that can take you on a deep emotional journey, they deliver their sound upbeat and exciting on stage. New and old fans can expect deep cuts and recent releases on their set lists, so no one is disappointed. Do not miss! Where, When? – Main Stage West at 2:30pm (both sites) (CL)
Kid Bookie
Proudly hailing from South London, Kid Bookie breathes fresh air into the UK rock and metal scene with his blend of hip hop and energised riffs. Bookie has quickly cemented himself amongst rock royalty, with Corey and Griffin Taylor featuring on tracks ‘Game’ and ‘Get Out’. These features are well deserved, as Bookie pushes the genre and steps into new pastures every time he releases a new track. Composed and dynamic during a live performance, you’ll be hard-pressed to not be whipped up by this charismatic artist. Where, When? – The Key Club stage at 11:55am South and 1:35pm North (CL)
South Arcade
Formed in Oxford during the dark days of the pandemic, South Arcade take listeners on a journey into the mid-2000s with their hazy yet upbeat sound. The band found fame after seeing their videos of their practises go viral on TikTok, and so, they harnessed the power of social media to let the world know who they are. Calling upon artists of yore such as No Doubt, Avril Lavigne and adding a modern spin, South Arcade are intrenched in the retro renaissance that is growing so popular. Expect to have lots of fun and dance your chunky trainers off. Where, When? – The Key Club stage at 4:55pm South and 7:25pm North (CL)
Scowl
Scowl make their Slam Dunk debut as part of their Are We All Angels tour, which marked a significant departure from their previous hardcore sound into a glossier, more melodic direction but still embedded with punk sentimentality. This can be seen demonstrated throughout their tour thus far, with the band embodying all the electric energy as can be expected from a Scowl show. Anthemic new tracks like ‘Special‘ and ‘Not Heaven, Not Hell’ truly soar in a live setting, creating euphoric sing along moments that contrast beautifully with the snarling intensity of older cuts like ‘Bloodhound‘ and ‘Opening Night‘. Rather than softening their edge, the melodic turns in their set only serve to make the heavy hits land harder. With this dynamic new sound and iconically explosive stage presence, Scowl feel like a natural and exciting fit for Slam Dunk’s ever-evolving line up. It is impossible to avert your eyes from vocalist Kat Moss, who commands the stage with natural ease, oozing charm and electric energy. Entirely at home in the live environment, she moves with purpose and gleaming confidence, forging her own space and effortlessly transitioning from snarling, ferocious vocals to soaring, melodic cleans. Scowl inject some much-needed hardcore grit amongst the line up and are certainly not ones to be missed. The Key Club stage at 8:20pm (both sites) (ES)
A Day To Remember
A Day To Remember are making their long-awaited return to the UK following the launch of their eighth studio album, Big Ole Album Vol. 1’which was surprise-released back in February.
The band is poised to take their upcoming Slam Dunk headline set into a myriad of directions through their diverse career-spanning catalogue. From the heavier, emotionally charged intensity of tracks like ‘You Should’ve Killed Me When You Had The Chance’ and ‘2nd Sucks’ to the high-energy, catchy singsongs of ‘All I Want’ and ‘Degenerates,’ whichever direction they swerve their set into it looks to satisfy different generations of alternative music fans. A Day To Remember truly embody the spirit of Slam Dunk Festival, and slot in seamlessly as this year’s headliners. Where, When? – Main Stage West at 9:00pm (both sites) (ES)
Neck Deep
Neck Deep stand as a cornerstone of the modern pop-punk scene, with a stacked back catalogue that weaves between no-frills, relentlessly fun anthems like ‘Dumbstruck Dumbfuck’ and emotionally charged singsongs on tracks like ‘A Part of Me.’ Slam Dunk feels very much like the band playing on their home turf and their set promises a mix of electric energy and feel-good nostalgia that will undoubtedly whip up the crowd into oceans of strained voices, flying limbs, and waves of crowd-surfing. Expect a set packed with earworm vocal hooks, heart, and the kind of communal catharsis only Neck Deep can deliver. Where, When? – Main Stage West at 7:20pm (both sites) (ES)
Finch
Californian emotional post-hardcore legends, Finch have made a marked return to the spotlight in recent years, a much-needed one in reflection of the recent resurgence in emotional post-hardcore scenes within today’s youth. After spending a decade away from the stage, Finch celebrated the milestone with a series of live shows that reaffirmed their status as enduring frontrunners in the post-hardcore scene. Their upcoming set at Slam Dunk feels like a convergence of eras, uniting long-time fans with a new generation of emo and post-hardcore listeners. Through songs like ‘What It Is To Burn’ and ‘Worms Of The Earth,’ we can expect a set that not only pays homage to their legacy but also reignites the passion that made them such a defining force to begin with within emo culture. Where, When? – Main Stage East at 5:05pm (both sites) (ES)
I See Stars
Electronic metalcore pioneers, I See Stars, were a vital part of the scene movement that shaped the early to mid-2000s. Tracks like ‘Murder Mitten’ and ‘Filth Friends Unite’ became anthems for a generation, to a backdrop of Kerrang! Posters, Gir plushies and the overpowering stench of hairspray, providing the soundtrack to countless formative years. Their music acted as a gateway to many young fans through the evolving landscape of alternative music and opening doors to new genres. With synths and dubstep-infused beats, I See Stars’ live shows promise nothing but pure fun and a trip down memory lane. Where, When? – Kerrang! Stage at 2:25pm (both sites) (ES)
Sweet Pill
Formed in 2018, New Jersey’s Sweet Pill craft a blend of emotional post-hardcore that infuses indie influences to create a sound that bleeds emotional depth.
Their debut EP, Starchild features tracks like ‘Eternal’ and ‘Chewed Up,’ which delve into themes of self-worth, anxiety, and personal growth through internal hardships, each set to a backdrop of dynamic soundscapes akin to the likes of Paramore, Citizen and Thursday. Where, When? –Main Stage West at 11:35am(both sites) (ES)