The Slam Dunk festivals are back this year with editions in different countries for the first time: UK twice, France and Italy. But the main events still are the 2 British editions in Leeds and Hatfield/London. Spread over 6 stages, about 60 bands will play in one day. To help you, here are 10 young and promising bands you should watch there!
GIRLFRIENDS
You may have discover her or not as opener for Avril Lavigne this Spring. But one thing sure, you won’t forget this artist after listening for the first time. Don’t get misunderstand by the band name: it’s not a girl-band but a lovely new pop-act duo formed by Travis Mills and Nick Gross. Taking the good vibes of Blink 182 or Simple Plan without being cliché, they released a bunch of songs you gonna party on after a few seconds for sure! This post-Covid area is all about “Make pop-punk great again” and they are part of it!
Songs to listen to: Over My Dead Body, Life’s a Brittany, Live In The Azores, California…
HERIOT
Get ready for a sludge-hardcore-heavy slap in your face with Heriot! They might be the opener of the smallest stage of the festival, they aren’t the less interesting. On the contrary! Active as f*ck on tour since a few years, especially in the UK, it would be surprising if you’ve missed them until but here’s your chance to correct that mistake! The perfect warm-up is waiting you at 11.40am on the Knotfest Stage!
Songs to listen to: Demure, Profound Morality, Dispirit, Coalescence…
HOLDING ABSENCE
Slowly but surely, Holding Absence trace their way to the top! Right after ending a huge arena supporting Electric Callboy, the British will play on the Main Stage 2 aka Rock Stage presented by Amazon Music between 2 other very promising bands, Trash Boat and Wargasm. They released early April their brand new single A Crooked Melody and it only gave more hype around their upcoming album. Looking for a powerful post-hardcore show at Slam Dunk? Here you go!
Songs to listen to: Afterlife, Coffin, Gravity, A Crooked Melody…
LANDMVRKS
Do we still need to introduce the French band? Do we still need to say why you shouldn’t miss them? Well, as they’re not headliners on any stages yet, seems we have to! Their latest album “Lost In Waves” has been a massive breakthrough and became the leaders of this new generation of French metalcore bands including Resolve, Ten56 or Ashen. The band played a lot in Europe since 2 years: headliner tour in April 2022, Summer shows with The Ghost Inside or Bring Me The Horizon, a successful tour with Stick To Your Guns and Knocked Loose last November, Spring tour around Impericon Festivals right now… Who knows where they gonna stop?!
Songs to listen to: Lost In A Wave, Suffocate, Death, Say No Word…
LOLO
We discover Lolo when she’s been announced as opener on the Leah Kate European Tour end 2022 and she’s been on repeat on our Spotify playlists since then! Thanks to a huge success on TikTok, the Canadian singer is part of this young revival pop-punk scene next to other artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Leah Kate or Maggie Lindemann. Definitely give her a chance on the smaller stage of Slam Dunk this year because next time, she gonna play on bigger stages for sure!
Songs to listen to: Hurt Less, Death Wish, U Turn Me On, Sweater Collection…
SCENE QUEEN
If you love pink color, you gonna love Scene Queen! But don’t expect another lovely and kind pop-punk artist. Hell no! Behind her lovely face is hidden a heavy bimbocore music like she called herself. Heavy music with a pretty face? Remind us Poppy. Metalcore, trap, djent or rap vibes. It sounds fresh, it sounds modern and it sounds as a show you don’t wanna miss at Slam Dunk this year! Especially because the next time, she gonna be way higher than this early spot!
Songs to listen to: Barbie And Ken, Pink Rover, 18+, Pink Panther…
VUKOVI
If you’re looking for a band that can inject energy and excitement into your musical experience, VUKOVI is the band you’ve been looking for. The Scottish band, known for their energetic performances and eclectic musical style, is a must-see at this Slam Dunk edition ! With a mix of rock, punk, pop, nu-metal and electro, VUKOVI is sure to impress and leave a deep impression!
Songs to listen to: La Di Da, LASSO, Violent Minds, SLO…
WARGASM
Started in 2018, WARGASM has since gained a reputation as one of the most promising duo of the British scene! The band, who were on a US and European tour with Limp Bizkit this Spring, will come and shake up the Rock Stage with who knows : maybe a little featuring of Enter Shikari for their song The Void Stare Back?!
Songs to listen to: Spit., Salma Hayek, Post Modern Rhapsody, PYRO PYRO…
YOUTH FOUNTAIN
Emo, pop-punk, punk-rock? Youth Fountain is the successor of bands like The Story So Far or The Wonder Years. In a couple of years, 6 to be exact but pandemic included, they succeed to sign on Pure Noise Records, tour worldwide and get their best singles known in all the scene. Don’t miss their show on the Key Stage!
Songs to listen to: My Mental Health, Light Switch, Deadlocked, Letters to Our Former Selves…
ZAND
Last year we were charmed by the dark pop of DeathbyRomy, this year it’s ZAND coming to present us their ugly pop! Get ready because they is ready to wreak havoc with they uncompromising sound and his power. ZAND will have the heavy task of opening the Rock Scene Stage but we are sure that they will captivate the audience.
Songs to listen to: Slut Money, Religion, Boys Like U, I Spit On Your Grave…
Obviously, this list isn’t 100% objective and based – a little bit – on our own tastes. But we’d love to hear your thoughts and the bands you put on your list! Let us a comment on Instagram or Facebook about the 10 bands you wanna see at Slam Dunk UK Festivals in 2023!
