An extensive stage-by-stage guide to Slam Dunk Festival ’17
Having been nominated for ‘Lineup of the Year’ and ‘Promoter of the Year’ at the 2016 Festival Awards, Slam Dunk Festival is surely living up to its name with their 2017 lineup.
With less than a month to go, eight stages are set to showcase and honour all variations of alternative music from across the world.
Held over the May Bank Holiday weekend, the festival joins us in Birmingham first on Saturday 27th May and will be held across the Genting Arena, the NEC, and outdoor stages nearby. All the bands in this year’s brilliant lineup will be playing all three days; Leeds City Centre on Sunday 28th and the University of Hertfordshire on Monday 29th are further dates for your calendar. The festival runs from 1pm to 11pm each night, with after parties finishing at 3am.
Jägermeister Stage (Main stage)
Leading the main Jägermeister Stage is none other than Enter Shikari, who will be marking ten years of their debut album ‘Take to the Skies’ as well as their own Slam Dunk debut. Hailing from Hertfordshire, the band will be returning to their hometown on the third day of the festival. With an eclectic mix of musicians from home and abroad, Slam Dunk is sure to boast some of the best alternative music from all over the globe.
The diverse sounds kick off with Crossfaith, a Japanese electronicore band from Osaka. Joining them on the main stage are home-grown rock favourites Deaf Havana and Don Broco, as well as American metalcore band Beartooth and singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon. Unfortunately, the crowd will be some of the last to witness a live show by Loughton’s We Are the Ocean, who will be saying goodbye after their last ever shows at Slam Dunk.
The Fireball Stage
The Fireball Stage, headed by Wichita rock band Bowling For Soup, houses American ska and punk this year. There’s definitely an abundance of California ska punk, brought by Goldfinger, who have recently begun working on their first album in 9 years, Reel Big Fish, and Mad Caddies. Less Than Jake from Florida join the fun alongside American rock bands Zebrahead and The Ataris, and Texan pop punk band Fenix TX.
Monster Energy Stage
Monster Energy Stage brings all forms of pop punk. Pop punk heavyweights and headliners Neck Deep from Wrexham have recently finished their new album, still untitled, with producer Mike Green (Pierce The Veil, All Time Low). With the follow-up to 2015’s Life’s Not Out To Get You, these Welsh natives are certain to generate endless excitement. Joining them on stage are prominent American alternative rock and pop punk bands The Movielife, We The Kings, Cute Is What We Aim For and The Maine, whose sixth studio album was released this month and is already generating attention on the US Rock charts. Mixing it up are Trophy Eyes, a punk rock band hailing from Newcastle, Australia and Canadian rock band Like Pacific. UK band WSTR will also perform alongside some of their American pop-punk influences.
The Key Club Stage
The Key Club Stage has a lineup packed with some of the most popular contemporary rock music. Lead by Tonight Alive from Sydney, the stage hosts fellow Australian band With Confidence and rock bands Set It Off, Seaway, Boston Manor, Black Foxxes, Decade and Fort Hope. Also gracing the stage are Waterparks, having recently been on their first Rock Sound magazine cover and finished a tour supporting All Time Low, they’re a band who are definitely creating noise in the alternative music scene.
Signature Brew Stage
American punk rockers Against Me! and The Bronx co-headline the Signature Brew Stage, which houses all things punk. Also performing are Frank Iero (previously rhythm guitarist for My Chemical Romance) and The Patience, with Sorority Noise, Turnover and Citizen providing more energetic American rock. British bands Milk Teeth and Puppy, as well as hardcore punk band Crime In Stereo complete the lineup.
The Impericon Stage
The Impericon Stage, known for some of the heaviest acts in the festival, is being lead by the renowned American metalcore band Memphis May Fire, who are also in the lineup for the 2017 Vans Warped Tour. Madina Lake are set to give a special reunion performance alongside the first time ever Slam Dunk appearances of Counterfeit and Too Close To Touch. They’re joined by American metalcore bands Stray From The Path, I Prevail, and Ice Nine Kills. Representing their hometown of Birmingham on this stage are metalcore band Oceans Ate Alaska, signed with Fearless Records, and rock band SHVPES.
Rock Sound Breakout Stage
If that doesn’t sound like enough, this’ll be the first year of the Rock Sound Breakout Stage which will host their own selection the hottest new bands on the scene. Pumping up the energy are British rockers Area 11, punk band Homebound, and Brighton natives The Gospel Youth, recently signed to Rise Records. Casey and Makeout will be making Slam Dunk debut performances, with Australian group Ocean Grove and Scottish experimental rock bought by Vukovi. Joining them are New York hardcore band Sylar of Hopeless Records, alongside a competition winner.
Rock Sound Magazine is giving one lucky band the chance to win a slot on the Breakout Stage of Slam Dunk 2017 via a competition. The vote closed on Sunday 9th of April, with a shortlist of five bands for each date to be announced on the 24th. Festival goers will then be able to decide on a winner for each site. The final Uprawr Stage will feature acoustic acts and DJs, to be announced.
For more information, please visit slamdunkmusic.com.
