Slam Dunk 2026: the Breakdown
Returning to Hatfield Park for a milestone year, Slam Dunk Festival celebrated two decades at the heart of the UK alternative scene with one of its biggest and most ambitious lineups yet. Despite temperatures soaring throughout the day and the insane heat testing even the most dedicated fans, nothing could ruin the atmosphere as thousands of music lovers joined for the festival’s 20th anniversary. From pop-punk legends and emo favourites to heavyweight hardcore and metalcore acts, the diversity this year was unmatched. Through the sun, sweat and non-stop music, Slam Dunk proved exactly why it remains one of the UK’s most beloved alternative music festivals.
Bayside (13:15 / Monster Stage)
After a chaotic morning of messed up trains and an Uber ride from who knows where, we finally made it to the festival just in time for Bayside’s 13:15 set. The slight delay to the start of their show proved to be a blessing, giving us a much-needed moment to catch our breath after all the rushing around. Despite the insane heat, the band sounded incredibly tight and delivered a strong performance throughout. Having not appeared at Slam Dunk for more than 10 years, Bayside were met with an enthusiastic reception that clearly caught frontman Anthony Raneri off guard. Taking a moment to acknowledge the crowd, he joked, “I’d have been watching Unpeople if I’m completely honest!”, drawing plenty of laughs from those packed in front of the stage.
Zebrahead (14:40 / Main Stage West)
Zebrahead delivered one of the most entertaining sets of Slam Dunk South, proving exactly why they were invited back for a second consecutive year. With them, you always know what you're going to get, but that's part of the appeal. Their blend of infectious pop-punk hooks, energy and constant jokes turned the field into a giant party from the first song to the last. Beach balls, inflatables and nonstop singalongs only added to the chaos. A surprise appearance from Goldfinger’s John Feldmann during ‘The Perfect Crime’ pushed the energy even higher. Fun, energetic and packed with nostalgia, Zebrahead’s set proved that punk is often at its best when it doesn't take itself too seriously.
Guilt Trip (15:30 / Main Stage East - Left)
Not even 30 degrees and no breeze was enough to stop the crowd pitting with all of their energy for the entirety of Guilt Trip’s set. Flinging around the stage showcasing his pit moves, vocalist Jay Valentine made the barrier feel indivisible. It was one big hardcore garden party with the Cookie Monster getting right involved! Raw disjoined riffs, and catastrophic breakdowns, they were well placed on the festivals dual heavy stages.
Comeback Kid (16:50 / Main Stage East - Left)
Comeback Kid brought nothing but pure hardcore with them. The Canadian veterans wasted no time, blasting through fan favourites with the same passion and precision that has defined them for over two decades. Andrew Neufeld kept the crowd engaged throughout and made sure the energy matched that of a hardcore show rather than a festival set. He stepped down to the barricade to sing with fans, further breaking down the barrier between band and audience. As expected, when ‘Wake the Dead’ hit, the crowd erupted, shouting every word back at the stage. Their performance was a reminder of why Comeback Kid remain one of hardcore’s most respected live bands.
Currents (17:30 / Main Stage East - Right)
Consistency is something the metalcore Americans can boast without question, and their performance at Slam Dunk was no exception. In the scorching heat of the field, a dependable good time is what you need! Leading by example Christian Pulgarino (bass, backing vocals) bounced around the stage in his infamous fashion, facilitating high energy. Alongside the distinguishable vocal range of Brian Wille, this was the afternoon pick me up that kept us going through the last hours of burning sun.
PRESIDENT (18:15 / Main Stage East - Left)
Whether you're a fan or not, PRESIDENT are clearly one of the most hyped acts right now. After an incredible year packed with successful rallies and growing momentum, fans were eager to see the band perform at Slam Dunk for the very first time. Unfortunately, just two songs in, during ‘DOOM LOOP’ and with the mosh pit finally opening up, a technical issue forced the band to abruptly leave the stage. Fans were left standing in the sweltering heat for more than 15 minutes with no explanation as to what was happening. Although the band eventually returned and managed to squeeze in three more songs, the interruption significantly cut into their set time and left many in the crowd disappointed.
VUKOVI (19:15 / Key Club Stage)
VUKOVI's set on the Key Club Stage at Slam Dunk South was easily one of the highlights of that stage all day. The tent was packed, warm and increasingly sweaty, but that only added to the atmosphere as the crowd sang, danced and embraced every moment. Frontwoman Janine Shilstone was endlessly entertaining, sipping champagne between songs and keeping fans laughing with her constant jokes and repeated cries of “holy fuck”. Her charisma and energy were impossible to ignore, while the band delivered huge riffs and relentless intensity throughout. It was a brilliantly chaotic, fun-filled set that perfectly captured VUKOVI's appeal.
State Champs (20:05 / Monster Stage - Left)
State Champs brought exactly the kind of energy Slam Dunk is all about. Closing the Monster Stage, they arguably pulled in the biggest crowd the stage had seen all day, with fans packed in well beyond the barrier. The crowd was locked in from the start, with constant singalongs and a steady stream of crowdsurfers. Tracks like ‘Mine Is Gold’ and ‘All You Are Is History’ got some of the loudest reactions of the set. Between songs, the band kept things light and fun, feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm. It never felt forced, just a band enjoying themselves on stage and a crowd happy to be along for the ride.
Malevolence (20:05 / Main Stage East - Left)
In their only UK show of 2026 so far, hardcore sensations Malevolence delivered a set for the ages, tearing through fan favourites ‘Trenches’, ‘Stay Away From Me’ and ‘If It’s All The Same To You’. Frontman Alex Taylor commanded an astronomical pit that swallowed much of the field, urging the crowd that those who have been in a Malevolence pit before “know what to do”. The energy never dipped, with fans hanging on every breakdown and singalong moment. As if the spectacle wasn’t enough, the Sheffield heavyweights were first joined on stage by Andrew Neufeld (Comeback Kid) and then later on by Bryan Garris (Knocked Loose) and Jay Valentine (Guild Trip), elevating an already explosive performance into one of the festival’s defining moments.
Knocked Loose (21:05 / Main Stage East - Right)
Returning for their third dose of Slam Dunk shenanigans, hardcore royalty Knocked Loose stepped up for their headline slot. Swinging the microphone around before declaring to the crowd, “for the next hour, you’re mine”, singer Bryan Garris and the Knocked Loose boys did not come to play. Treating fans to ‘Don't Reach for Me’ and ‘Suffocate’ alongside pulsating lights, plenty of pyro and Garris’ notorious screams and roars, it felt like an initiation ceremony into the scene. For a moment, you almost forgot you were standing in the middle of a field after battling the day's unholy heat. Whoever decided to close the side-by-side heavy stages with Malevolence on the left and Knocked Loose on the right deserves a pay rise, and that's exactly the standard they need to keep for 2027!
Good Charlotte (21:00 / Main Stage West)
Bringing Slam Dunk 2026 to a memorable close, Good Charlotte took over the Main Stage for their first UK performance since 2019. The Baltimore pop-punkers opened with ‘The River’, instantly sending the crowd into a frenzy. The set was packed with nostalgia, featuring fan favourites ‘Girls & Boys’ and ‘I Just Wanna Live’, alongside impressive pyro and the band's trademark larger-than-life production. While most of the set focused on classic hits, newer tracks ‘Bodies’ and ‘Rejects’ from their latest album ‘Motel Du Cap’ also made the cut. After a long day in the heat, Good Charlotte delivered the perfect headline set. A feel-good atmosphere spread across the festival as fans sang every word. The band's energy and charisma kept the crowd engaged from start to finish. The production added plenty of visual spectacle, but it was the connection between the band and the audience that stood out the most. The show ended with a powerful closing run of ‘Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous’ and the iconic ‘The Anthem’. It was a fitting finale to Slam Dunk 2026 and left fans excited for the band's return to London this winter.
