Slam Dunk Festival, the UK’s favourite and biggest independent touring festival is back for a 9th year. Not only does it return to run over 3 days - Leeds, Hatfield and Wolverhampton- it will be the biggest yet!
The 7 stage event uses a combination of indoor and outdoor stages across urban sites to create a totally unique festival experience.
Saturday 24th May: Slam Dunk Festival North. Leeds University. Sunday 25th May: Slam Dunk Festival South. The Forum, Hertfordshire. Monday 26th May: Slam Dunk Festival Midlands. Wolverhampton Civic.
This year’s headliner are the platinum selling, The All American Rejects. This will be their only UK performances of 2014, playing a plethora of hits from their four albums which have sold over 10 million copies worldwide including ‘Dirty Little Secret’, ‘Gives You Hell’, ‘Swing Swing’ and more.
Slam Dunk Festival organiser Ben Ray says:
“I am happier than ever to finally announce the lineup for this year’s Slam Dunk Festival. With such big hit singles, The All American Rejects are a massive headliner for us. I wanted a band who haven’t just toured the UK earlier in the year, or doing other dates around the festival so they are perfect to make the festival unique!
It’s taken me a bit longer to book this year, but really appreciate everyone’s patience and the belief that we will deliver the best event of the summer! There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that the fans don’t see... bands are only allowed to play one, maybe two festivals in one country over the summer period, and with so many festivals fighting for bands, it’s gets difficult for all of us! It was so important to build on the massive success of last year’s events, I had a lot of sleepless nights! Midlands was especially a great last year as it was the first time we had done the 3rd day of the festival. Not only did it sell out but people were amazed to see the full festival site, including the roads closed off with stages in the middle of them in the city centre of Wolverhampton! Tickets go onsale at 9am Friday 14th February, so they are perfect for a Valentine’s gift to the one you love!”
The All American Rejects say “Its been a while since we have been in the UK so we are looking forward to coming back and headlining Slam Dunk Festival 2014. We've heard it’s always a big party and as it will be our only festival over there this year, make sure you come and hang with us!"
2014 will see the return of Letlive. whose live show is always one of the most electric. Singer Jason Butler made a surprise visit to Slam Dunk 2013 by performing with Pierce The Veil, and clearly had such a good time, he is bringing his own band back.
Carrying on flying the flag for the heavy stage will be The Ghost Inside who say “It's a huge opportunity for a band like us to be able to play Slam Dunk. To play this massive UK festival is something we've really been looking forward to for a while now. The UK almost feels like a home away from home for us. Ever since our first tour there with Architects to our most recent headline tour, people have been incredibly supportive. Whether we play old stuff, new stuff or anything in between the UK always comes out with smiles on their faces. It's always a good time”
"We're bloody stoked to be a part of 2014's slam dunk festival line up!” says Australia’s I Killed The Prom Queen. “We've always seen the line ups in previous years and wished that IKTPQ could play and be a part of such a prestigious metal and hardcore festival in the UK. You will be seeing a lot more of us in 2014!"
Keeping with tradition, Slam Dunk Festival will be hosting some of the hottest pop-punk and classic ska bands including Goldfinger, Zebrahead, and more. Americans Real Friends say
“I think I can speak for everyone in Real Friends (I mean I am anyways in this case) when I say that we are elated to play the Slam Dunk Festival this year. Everyone that I’ve talked to about the festival has had pretty much the same reaction: “holy shit, you guys are going to have a crazy time.” We’ve heard nothing but good things about the crowds, the rooms, and the experience in general among other things, but nonetheless we are extremely humbled and grateful to be coming over to the UK for a second time to be a part of such a revered festival. I think I also heard from someone that Buddy from Senses Fail climbed on a chandelier last year during their set at one of the Slam Dunk dates, so assuming it lives up to that hubbub I think we’ll have a “smashing” time.”
Published on 12 February 2014 by Ben Robinson
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