Adam Vallely
May 16, 2026

Slam Dunk 2026 – The 12 Bands You Cannot Miss

Entering its 20th year, Slam Dunk has grown vastly since its humble beginnings at Leeds Millennium Square in ’06. An annual celebration of punk, ska, emo and everything in between. We pick out 12 bands we think you must see at Hatfield Park or Temple Newsam. Words by Cece Lawless, Emily Simister, Esther Domnu & Adam Vallely.

Broadside

Fresh from the release of Nowhere, At Last, Broadside head into Slam Dunk with some of the most immediate and infectious material of their career. Tracks like ‘Dead Roses’ bring a sharper, faster edge to the band’s sound, whilst ‘Blissed Out’ already feels built for summer festival season. Throw in fan favourites like ‘Coffee Talk’ and their set could easily become one of the weekend’s most underrated highlights. ED

Guilt Trip

After kicking off the year with four new tracks from the upcoming album No Love Lost, the Manchester hardcore group sounds heavier than ever. Their blend of metallic hardcore and outright aggression feels perfectly suited to Slam Dunk’s heavier side. This set is going to be carnage from start to finish. ED

Knocked Loose

If there’s one set all but guaranteed to leave Slam Dunk in pieces, it’s Knocked Loose. Over the last few years, the band have gone from hardcore favourites to one of the biggest names in heavy music altogether, even joining Metallica on tour along the way. Their live shows carry chaos, with constant crowd surfers, countless mosh pits and an atmosphere that never really lets up. Expectations for this headline slot couldn’t really be much higher. ED

Angel Du$t

Angel Du$t is a driving force in pushing hardcore into new territory, despite criticism from purists who view experimentation as straying from its roots. Their music still carries the spirit of punk at its centre, while freely pulling from pop-punk to surf rock. Fundamentally, Angel Du$t makes heavy music that feels unpretentious and genuinely exciting. Closely connected through years of crossover and collaboration, the Baltimore hardcore scene has long produced bands capable of breaking beyond underground circles onto international festival lineups and major tours. Originally formed as a side project alongside Trapped Under Ice, Angel Du$t grew naturally out of that close-knit community, driven by a desire for complete creative freedom. This free spirit bleeds through their live performance, which is a masterclass in dynamic, high-octane fun. Angel Du$t’s latest LP, Cold 2 The Touch, continues the band’s trajectory as the embodiment of fearless self-agency, and it will be exciting to see how these new tracks translate live to their set at Slam Dunk this year. ES

Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional is one of the most popular bands from the early 2000s wave of acoustic-driven emo artists – spearheaded by vocalist Chris Carrabba, formerly of Further Seems Forever fame. The band’s stripped-back instrumentation pushes Carrabba’s emotional intensity and lyrical candidness to the forefront of their sound, and tracks like ‘Hands Down’ and ‘Vindicated’ continue to resonate with fans seeking vulnerability and relatability internationally. The minimalistic sound and open, accessible approach also mean that Dashboard Confessional feel at home within a wide range of line-ups, demonstrated by their support slots with the likes of The Fray and, most recently, The Goo Goo Dolls. Their set at Slam Dunk will be a singalong of nostalgia for the masses. ES

Hawthorne Heights

One of the flagship bands blending post-hardcore intensity and emotional vulnerability, two decades on, Hawthorne Heights’ influence continues to be felt within the new wave of Emo today. Producing some of the biggest songs in the genre, Hawthorne Heights’ shows are the epitome of nostalgia and rediscovery – their 2004 breakout hits, ‘Ohio Is For Lovers’ and ‘Niki FM’ put them on the map and solidified them as pacemakers of the scene. Hawthorne Heights make their return to Slam Dunk as part of their Lonely World tour – in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their second studio album, ‘If Only You Were Lonely’. This album was the soundtrack to many formative years, through both the highs and lows, and its legacy still resonates with fans old and new alike. In the face of tumultuous events, Hawthorne Heights are the face of resilience – and their latest single, ‘Like A Cardinal’, is a testament to that, with whispers of a new album already on the horizon. Hopefully their set will treat us to a new track or two. ES

Dying Wish

Metalcore from Portland, Oregon, this five-piece will be bringing the screams and a hefty dose of unfiltered rage to Slam Dunk. This group comes to life when they play, becoming even more brutal and intimidating on stage. Catch them to let loose in the ‘pit and experience collective catharsis at Main Stage East. CL

Malevolence

Sheffield live circuit stalwarts Malevolence are no stranger to Slam Dunk since making a huge impact on the festival in 2023. The five-piece play fast and loose live, exhibiting a high level of technical prowess and a brilliant sense of humour to every stage they grace. CL

Saosin

Founded in 2003, Saosin know their craft. This is post-hardcore/emo for the OGs, for the Millennials who built their music taste after the death of nu-metal and craved something a little more emotional. Saosin have released new music this year, updating their sound and appealing to those whose bones are a little younger. CL

unpeople

Noizzefest headliners in 2025, unpeople, are a band on the rise. Recently dropping the new single ‘clouds’ a potential teaser for their eagerly awaited debut LP. Having impressed live since their formation and amazingly ending up supporting the likes of Metallica much like Knocked Loose, they will be taking to the stage early on both days of Slam Dunk to set the tone. The tone is high energy, with big choruses and a hella lot of fun. AV

Motion City Soundtrack

I’m on fire, but are you ready to bust a move to Motion City Soundtrack? After a short hiatus they returned with last year’s The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World, proving that almost 30 years since their inception in Minneapolis, Minnesota, these pop-punkers continue to bring their A game. Even with new material, let’s hope for bangers from their back catalogue, which will be a sure-fire way to get Leeds and Hatfield hyped! AV

Goldfinger

Go pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, and open your eyes to watch California’s legendary punks on the Main Stage West. Remember the goddamn singer wrote (some) of their songs. Including top 10 hits such as ’99 Red Balloons’, ‘Superman’, ‘Here In Your Bedroom’ and many, many more bops. Guaranteed to have the fields skanking along to those inverted rock beats. AV

# Music, Noizze, Slam Dunk, Slam Dunk Festival