Another year, another insane Slam Dunk Festival lineup — and 2026 is massive.
Slam Dunk Festival is turning 20, celebrating two decades of iconic music, crowd-surf chaos, sweaty mosh pits and unforgettable moments. To mark the milestone, Good Charlotte will co-headline alongside Sublime, whose set will be their first ever UK performance with the current lineup. And as if that wasn’t enough, this year’s ultimate headliner is Knocked Loose, fresh from being announced also for the Germany and Italy editions of the festival. Yes! Let that sink in.
Slam Dunk 2026 is stacked front to back, so we hit Instagram to ask which bands you’re most hyped for, and you didn’t hold back. Shout-outs popped in for Good Charlotte, Taking Back Sunday, Stand Atlantic, Set Your Goals, PRESIDENT, and that’s just scratching the surface. We’ve taken your must-see picks, thrown in our team’s ride-or-die favourites, and built the ultimate no-skips list, alongside a stacked selection of artists you’ll want to discover before they blow up even bigger.
Good Charlotte’s return to the UK is a huge deal. The band haven’t toured Europe since the ‘Generation RX’ EU run back in 2019, making this their first UK appearance in seven years. They dropped ‘Motel Du Cap’ last year, and honestly, they’re shaping up to be one of the most in-demand sets of the weekend. These days, the band keep things pretty balanced — touring isn’t their main focus, and most of their shows happen in the US. That makes Slam Dunk 2026 feel extra special for the UK fans, who’ll be fully soaking up every second of this long-awaited return.
Sublime, on the other hand, is set to deliver a truly one-of-a-kind experience, with their first-ever live appearance in the UK and Europe with this lineup. Yep, this is huge. Slam Dunk has absolutely smashed it with this bill. Following their 2024 reunion, the band are riding serious momentum, with a long-awaited new album ‘Till The Sun Explodes’ still to come. Now fronted by Jakob Nowell, son of the late Bradley Nowell, Sublime feel more iconic than ever — blending legacy, nostalgia and a fresh chapter all at once.
And of course, no list would be complete without the legends Knocked Loose. The Kentucky legends are pulling up, and you already know that means chaos in the pit. Twenty years is no small milestone — this is a full-scale celebration. And for sure most of you have already heard their new release, ‘Hive Mind’ featuring Denzel Curry, that dropped just recently. If you had any doubts about where they’re at heading into 2026… let us stop you right there.
Another OG stepping into the ring? Taking Back Sunday. Over two decades deep and still standing. Sure, there’ve been gaps, including a seven-year stretch without a release, and three years since the last record dropped. But with eight albums under their belt, these guys don’t need to prove a thing. Legacy secured, singalongs guaranteed.
This is especially exciting for the moshly team. Last year, we saw Malevolence headline their UK tour in London, selling out Brixton Academy with support from Dying Wish, who are luckily also playing Slam Dunk this year. Fans will get the rare chance to relive that tour, which is a real treat for hardcore enthusiasts. Their live performance was precise, energetic and compelling, showing why they’ve become a standout act in the British metalcore scene. A clear highlight of the lineup for sure.
Another standout addition to the lineup is the anonymous PRESIDENT. Emerging seemingly from nowhere, the band has sparked huge buzz with cryptic teasers and an anonymous image that has fans constantly speculating about who’s behind the masks. With sharp, unpredictable songwriting and an intense live presence, they’ve quickly become one of the scene’s most talked-about acts. One thing’s certain — their set at Slam Dunk Festival is a must-see moment that shouldn’t be missed.
But the festival isn’t just about the headliners. Slam Dunk 2026 is also packed with up-and-coming acts that are turning heads and building serious buzz. In our next article, we’ll spotlight the smaller bands you absolutely need to catch, those hidden gems that could be the highlights of your weekend. Stay tuned, because missing these sets would be a mistake.