Festival Review: Slam Dunk North // May 2026
It's May, it's a bank holiday weekend, it's time for the scene's biggest day of the year. For the twentieth year, the greatest gathering of punks, emos, metalheads and thrashers have returned to Yorkshire for the greatest and most sentimental event of the calendar. Slam Dunk are celebrating a major milestone in their 20th anniversary and as expected, they brought a combination of the highest rising stars right now and the greatest supernovas that have ever been to show the world just why they have been that staple of British festival culture for as long as they have been now. As the gates of Temple Newsam open and the fans flood in, with the sunshine glowing and the beers flowing, it's time for Slam Dunk North 2026.
HERIOT
One of the opening acts of the day is HERIOT, one of the UK's most exciting metalcore acts right now. Getting the crowd moving, they brought their all for the early comers of the festival; a tough spot for any act, new or seasoned, but they managed to get the energy and the enthusiasm they command. HERIOT are in a great position, making their return to Slam Dunk since their 2023 debut and coming back to follow PEST CONTROL in opening the Main Stage East for the latest iteration. With this trajectory in view, it won't be long until the Swindon act will be given the pleasure of closing the night out altogether. Watch out for these guys, they are only going up and up.
ANGEL DU$T
Following on Main Stage East is Baltimore hardcore act ANGEL DU$T. Marking their first time at the festival since the end of the 2010s, this is an act that is still on the rise across the water from the land they call home. Promoting their latest record Cold 2 The Touch, they took the chance to show how they've evolved since their last appearance on the Leeds line-up; playing new hits such as 'The Beat', 'The Knife' and 'I'm The Outside', the musical maturity and development at show was enough to cement their place as a main stage outfit.
Following the home-grown HERIOT with the American-born ANGEL DU$T, it is a perfect pairing of bands that were born and raised across the ocean from each other but still finding that equal grounding in their sound and style together. That unity is what makes Slam Dunk what it is: making dreams come true for musicians and music fans at the same time on the same day. That is magic.
HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS
Down at the Monster Energy Stage, it was time to take things back to the humblest beginnings for many of the long-time Slam Dunk fanatics. HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS have built their reputation of being that pioneer emo band that got many Millennials - and following on, Gen Z'ers - through the toughest times of their adolescence. Promising to bring the crowd back with old-school emo bangers, it's understood this is a promise that was always going to be fulfilled, especially from this band specifically.
Having played in Leeds for the first time over 20 years ago, this was a full-circle set for many of the elder punks in the pit. The ground around the stage and beyond filled past the imaginary brim, proving just how eternal the HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS effect truly is. As they close with the anthem of the century, 'Ohio Is for Lovers', the bond of that fleeting moment was felt by everyone watching, listening, dancing, moshing, or just standing in pure amazement.
That closing number alone will be remembered as one of the greatest moments of the festival in 2026. Possibly one of the greatest moments in Slam Dunk history. It's something that will be printed in every attending emo's heart forever and ever.
TRASH BOAT
It's time for some good British punk at Scott's Key Club Stage, as Slam Dunk welcomes back one of their regularly booked bands, TRASH BOAT. With 2026 being their fifth appearance at the festival since their debut performance back in 2016, they are one of the less surprising but nevertheless exciting acts. TRASH BOAT have made their name over the years with the help of Slam Dunk, and with a new EP just released at the beginning of the year, this was the best excuse to have the back where they belong.
Filling the tent-covered stage beyond capacity, it's a tell-tale of what their tenure has brought to both the festival grounds and their own notoriety. Even with technical issues leading to a delayed start of the set, this didn't hinder the experience and everyone still got what they expected: loud riffs, proud words, and the summer afternoon set to perfectly move the day on smoothly.
BOSTON MANOR
Back to the Monster Energy two-part stage for Blackpool stars BOSTON MANOR. One of the most anticipated acts of the weekend as they are kicking off their 10th anniversary celebrations for their debut record Be Nothing., they had a sizeable crowd coming for a setlist full of early hits and deeper cuts. However, due to an emergency within the crowd, the show had to be halted for a certain amount of time, leaving everyone confused and some frustrated; however, BOSTON MANOR being a band to never let a fan down, still manage to come back for three more tracks before the end of their allotted time.
Despite the unpredictable event that caused a pause of the set, this was still a good way for the northern rockers to kick off a decade since their debut. Their returning to finish the set, albeit shortened to accommodate the running order of the stage, is a testament to their dedication and gratefulness of their fandom that got them to the spot they found themselves on that very day. Ten years down, and many more years to go.
PUNK ROCK FACTORY
Scott's Key Club Stage now brings the pop-punk pop-culture blend that is PUNK ROCK FACTORY. A band that has found themselves making leaps and bounds throughout the 2020s due to their catchy covers of pop songs, television theme tunes and theatrical showstoppers, this was the moment all the kids were waiting for. The literal kids in attendance with their elder-emo parents and guardians, who are being led through this light-hearted gateway between Disney pop and Slam Dunk rock. Let the education begin.
PUNK ROCK FACTORY took this chance to play a mix of their cover-laden repertoire; with live staples such as ABBA's 'Mamma Mia' and the inter-generationally loved opening theme from SpongeBob SquarePants, they also played some lesser performed tracks such as the themes for Animaniacs and Thundercats, along with TOM COCHRANE hit 'Life Is a Highway'.
This was a popular set for both core audiences for the Welsh outfit: kids in age and kids at heart.
TAKING BACK SUNDAY
As the evening comes on and the heat starts to wind down, it's down to Main Stage West for the emo legends TAKING BACK SUNDAY. Joining in with the anniversary celebrations, the New York natives were bringing their 2006 record Louder Now to the main stage to celebrate 20 years of its release while still giving some shine to their Slam Dunk hosts for their own 20th anniversary. With tracks from the hit album such as 'Liar (It Takes One to Know One)', 'Divine Intervention' and the fan-favourite 'MakeDamnSure', it was the throwback of the night as being a long-term staple of the weekend festival for nearly fifteen years, this is a band that thousands in the grounds spent either hours listening to endlessly, or many nights seeing them live doing what they do best.
Frontman ADAM LAZZARA is famous for letting loose on stage and being a quirky frontman, fumbling over his words and being taken away with the moments rather than focusing on his role on stage as vocalist. This was a night where he was playing down the singer role and playing up the true nature of his kooky personality; depending on the person watching, this may be a positive addition to the experience, or a negative drawback. However the jury rules it, this is TAKING BACK SUNDAY being the TAKING BACK SUNDAY they have always been known to be. Real, relatable, and rowdy as hell.
SUBLIME
Staying at Main Stage West, it was time to bring on arguably the most anticipated band on the line-up. It's hard to believe that California punk act SUBLIME have never played across the pond before; they made waves across the ocean with their innovative take on ska punk back in the 90s. This was what thousands upon thousands of old-school punks have been waiting their whole lives for. Now, the dream shall finally come true.
SUBLIME took the stage in the form of surviving members BUD GAUGH and ERIC WILSON, with vocals being taken over by JAKOB NOWELL, the son of the late founding frontman of the group. Being a pivotal moment of the band's history, performing on the 30th anniversary of their last show before former frontman's passing, this is likely one of the most important live sets in the band's and the fans' lives. Performing big hits such as 'April 29, 1992 (Miami)', 'Garden Grove' and the worldwide adored posthumous single 'Santeria', the sub-headline set transported everyone back to that time and place of these soft syncopated beats. The Long Beach sun, the coastal air, it was a holiday dressed in live music and everyone was at ease. Chilled back, loosened up, and living in the moment.
With bright psychedelic filters on the screens and an on-stage ornament built in tribute of band mascot and BRADLEY NOWELL's furry friend Lou Dog, this was a heartfelt tribute to the times, the sounds, the love and the light that made SUBLIME who they were and continue to be. For the checkerboard wearers, the bucket hat donners, and the free-living funky dudes, even when the sun explodes, SUBLIME will live on.
GOOD CHARLOTTE
The night comes to a close with the biggest act of the day. The band that do not visit across from the United States as often as fans wish they would, so bring a massive commotion when it's within their control to. This is one of pop-punk's best helpings in the form of Maryland band GOOD CHARLOTTE.
Being a regular act on everyone's iPhone, iPod, and MP3 Player, GOOD CHARLOTTE were a long-awaited band to return in any way, shape or form in the United Kingdom. Making their first appearance at Slam Dunk since their 2018 headline spot, it's been longer than long enough for them to come back bigger and badder than ever. Welcoming the entire Temple Newsam audience with their opening track of 'The River', everyone was running, jogging, sliding, sitting right in view of Main Stage West as this was the warning song. Once this ends, the main event will truly begin.
This headline show is the band's excuse to bring both their classic hits and their more recent releases together for their dedicated fans; something that can be polarising, but still meaning everyone gets something they love. GOOD CHARLOTTE have been around longer than many Slam Dunk attendees have been alive, so that blend of the old and the new is both a fun concept and a necessary move to keep everyone satisfied.
This aside, the laser-lights and the pyrotechnic visuals worked with the group's stage presence so beautifully, and added to their audible firepower. This was especially through their older and most memorable tracks, such as 'Girls & Boys', 'Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous', and their closer of the powerful and personal 'The Anthem'. As the set winds to a close and the lights switch off for the last time, it felt like every misfit kid just had their childhood soul fixed and healed. Holes sewn up and plasters placed over grazes. Just another piece of one's heart mended by the power of pop-punk, and that is Slam Dunk 2026.
And that brings Slam Dunk's 20th anniversary to an end. With a montage of the years past and a firework display over the grounds, the festival gives its thanks to everyone who ever attended over the years, and every band who ever took the stage. Slam Dunk, like any music festival, is only possible with the support of the public; something that has saved them over the last two decades through every change and challenge. With changing locations, changing dates, and changing days of the week, the one reason it has remained such a guaranteed staple of the live music calendar in the United Kingdom is because of their regular attendees.
No one should ever take live music for granted, and if possible, should always be giving their time and support to. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Slam Dunk and many other festivals were unsure of how they could bounce back from such a troubling time and how strong if they do; but a community always stands by their own, and the alternative subcultures of the UK will always stand by Slam Dunk.
20 years down, and infinitely many more years to go. Long live Slam Dunk.
Words by Jo Cosgrove
Photography by Katie Probert
