Slam Dunk Festival, the UK’s largest independent rock festival, has revealed its second and final wave of artists, completing the full lineup for its 20th-anniversary edition in 2026. Hardcore heavyweights Knocked Loose lead the announcement, joining previously confirmed headliners Good Charlotte and Sublime. The festival is scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend, taking place at Hatfield Park (South) on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, and Leeds Temple Newsam (North) on Sunday, 24th May 2026.
In a special celebration for its two-decade milestone, Slam Dunk will debut two new side-by-side main stages dedicated entirely to metalcore, hardcore, and post-hardcore. This new setup is designed to provide non-stop heavy music with zero set clashes. These stages will feature some of the genre’s most explosive bands, including the newly added Knocked Loose and Malevolence, alongside the previously announced Bury Tomorrow, Cancer Bats, and President.
Joining the top of the bill, Kentucky’s Knocked Loose have become one of the most talked-about bands in heavy music, known for their uncompromising energy and chaotic live performances. Their addition bolsters a stacked lineup that celebrates the festival’s history as a defining force in the UK’s alternative music scene since its first event in 2006.
The final announcement brings more than 20 additional bands to the fields of Hatfield and Leeds. This includes the return of pop-punk favourites A Loss For Words, emo veterans Bayside, and post-hardcore legends Saosin. Festival regulars Deaf Havana will also perform, celebrating the 15th anniversary of their album ‘Fools and Worthless Liars’, while pop-punk giants State Champs are set to deliver their high-octane anthems.
The full list of newly confirmed artists is:
- Knocked Loose
- A Loss For Words
- Angel Du$t
- Bayside
- Beauty School
- Boston Manor
- Call Me Amour
- Comeback Kid
- Currents
- Dead Pony
- Deaf Havana
- Dying Wish
- Guilt Trip
- Hands Like Houses
- Heriot
- Madina Lake
- Malevolence
- Origami Angel
- Pest Control
- Punk Rock Factory
- Saosin
- SiM
- State Champs
- Static Dress
- Trash Boat
- Vukovi
- Youth Fountain
The expanded lineup adds significant depth with hardcore heroes Comeback Kid, metalcore powerhouse Currents, and groove metal titans Malevolence. Rising UK stars Heriot and Manchester’s Guilt Trip also join the bill. Further additions include Boston Manor, Trash Boat, Japanese genre-benders SiM, and the chaotic live experience of Static Dress.
The announcement also features Baltimore’s Angel Du$t, rising UK alt-rockers Beauty School, and newcomers Call Me Amour making their festival debut. Australian post-hardcore five-piece Hands Like Houses, US rockers Madina Lake, emo-pop favourites Origami Angel, and Scottish alt-rockers Vukovi round out the comprehensive bill, ensuring a diverse offering of pop-punk, emo, ska, and metal.
Slam Dunk Festival began as a Leeds club night in 2001 before evolving into a single-day festival in 2006 headlined by Fall Out Boy. Over two decades, it has hosted iconic acts like Paramore, Panic! At The Disco, and Enter Shikari. With the 20th-anniversary lineup now complete, tickets are reported to be selling fast and are on sale now via the official festival website.
