Slam Dunk hits a new stride for 2025

Running a music festival has never been more precarious. Since the pandemic, the industry lives under a looming sense of fragility, with many festivals just a single misstep away from collapse. Slam Dunk, for its part, readily admits its flaws. But this year, the event makes huge strides to feel wholly more enjoyable. Across both the Leeds and Hatfield sites, thoughtful changes make a tangible difference: improved parking, more spacious bars, better food options, larger stages, and - most importantly - a renewed commitment to what makes a ticket truly worth the price. No, they can't control the weather, and the price of a pint is getting ridiculous - but they make sure the lasting impression of the festival comes from the band in front of you.

And yet, none of that comes at the expense of the music. If anything, this year acts as a recalibration - a more modest line-up perhaps, but one that reflects the evolving identity of the festival.

Headliners A Day To Remember bring the fire to one of two Main Stages, backed by a bill that includes Neck Deep, Alkaline Trio, New Found Glory, The Used and Electric Callboy as standout acts. Almost all quintessential Slam Dunk names, though the undercard feels thinner than in previous editions. Rather than a wealth of mid-tier buzz bands, the line-up splits neatly between two camps: the nostalgia acts and the newcomers. That divide, intentional or not, speaks volumes about the state of the alternative scene currently - and Slam Dunk's place within it.

One noticeable shift is the shrinking presence of ska-punk, once a festival staple. Less Than Jake, The Aquabats and Zebrahead keep the flame burning, but it's clear the spotlight has moved. In their place comes a surge of electronic-metal hybrids - bands blending rave chaos with breakdown brutality, a reflection of the genre cross-pollination fuelling new fanbases.

The Key Club Stage, home to many of the most exciting new acts, experiences a festival of two halves. In Hatfield, technical issues plague the stage, forcing a truncated set from Winona Fighter and throwing the day's timings into disarray. There are silver linings - stumbling into Heart Attack Man when expecting to see Free Throw feels like a happy accident - but it also means rising stars like Scowl battle for attention against headliners on three other stages. Leeds, in contrast, runs smoothly. Greywind's emo bangers, Delilah Bon's blast of brat pop and Kid Bookie's genre-defying prowess all land exactly as they should, each earning new fans in the process.

Elsewhere, even more up-and-comers make sure the festival kicks off with real energy. The Meffs snarl with punk intent, Sweet Pill deliver their Philly emo charm, while Lake Malice and Sophie Powers hit with a one-two punch of hyperpop and chaos. Early in the day, the vibe is raw and electric, swelling with new bands and possibilities - precisely the kind of space Slam Dunk always excels at creating.

As the afternoon takes shape, the scent of nostalgia grows stronger. Home Grown's long-awaited return after a 19-year hiatus is met with open arms, while The Ataris coast through their set waiting for that inevitable moment - 'The Boys of Summer' - to remind everyone why they're there. The sunshine that song deserves doesn't arrive, but it does for The Starting Line; their Main Stage slot is met with cheers from those raised on LimeWire playlists and burnt CDs.

That same stage sees a new generation of pop-punk flagbearers take their shot. Movements don't get the pink cloud summer moment that 'Daylily' deserves, but the song still cuts beautifully through the gloom. Hot Mulligan make the leap from sweaty basements to a big-stage setting with confidence and bite. And then there's Knuckle Puck. Celebrating 10 years of their debut album, everything is truly copacetic for this early afternoon set - far too early, truth be told. They deserve more from the schedule, but the crowd is with them every beat, every chorus.

Across the field, Finch remind everyone that class is permanent. Their Main Stage set runs the gamut from early emo anthems to their heavier, experimental edges, with 'Letters To You' still cutting through like it did in 2002. Following them comes The Used, marking 25 years with a full run-through of their self-titled and 'In Love and Death' albums. It isn't the most festival-friendly move, but, for fans of those records, it's a set carved straight from memory.

Some bands, though, know exactly how to play to a festival crowd. New Found Glory's set is a greatest hits firework display, pulling from their self-titled record, 'Sticks and Stones' and 'Catalyst', with a Little Mermaid cover and their now-classic take on 'Kiss Me' thrown in for good measure. Alkaline Trio, headlining the Monster Energy Stage, feed off the crowd's energy, delivering a darkly thrilling set rooted in 'Crimson' and 'From Here to Infirmary'. Their latest album is hinted at with a track or two, but this is a celebration of their best - and they know it.

Other highlights include Stray From The Path continuing their rise with a blistering performance, As It Is marking a decade of 'Never Happy, Ever After' with a guest-packed set, and Hot Milk triumphantly closing their stage ahead of what promises to be a breakout summer.

And then come Neck Deep. Over a decade into their career, the Wrexham heroes take the stage like a band born to headline. With confetti, flames, and a setlist of absolute juggernauts, it feels like a coronation. When Ben Barlow shouts, "This is Neck Deep country," it rings not just as bravado - but as fact. Their ascent through Slam Dunk's ranks has been a long one, but they stand tall, ready to lead it into the future.

A Day To Remember follows with a career-spanning finale, complete with a cover of Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone' that still makes perfect sense. And just like that, the curtain falls on Slam Dunk 2025.

Looking ahead to 2026, the 20th anniversary looms large. But this year lays the groundwork for something special. The operational tweaks pay off. The festival moves with ease. Between sets, it feels communal, full of old friends and familiar faces. The line-up, while not flawless, shows a commitment to both history and progress. With a few more big hitters, Slam Dunk's 20th birthday could very well be its best year yet.