Slam Dunk, the UK’s biggest independent rock festival, has delighted fans today, announcing a surprise second wave of artists for 2027, just two weeks after its first line-up drop. 18 NEW ACTS JOIN THE BILL including Billy Talent, Cobra Starship, Superheaven, Joyce Manor, The Paradox, Amira Elfeky, Forever The Sickest Kids, The Family Business Ltd, Ben Quad, Games We Play and more. They line up alongside previously announced Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Sleeping With Sirens, The Used, The Front Bottoms and more. The response to the first announcement has been huge, with VIP tickets already sold out, and all remaining tickets selling fast.
Making their much anticipated Slam Dunk return, Canadian punk-rock heavyweights Billy Talent bring more than two decades of explosive anthems to the bill. Renowned for their electrifying live performances, the band has built a reputation as one of punk rock’s most enduring live acts. With a catalogue spanning fan favourites including “Red Flag”, “Fallen Leaves” and “Try Honesty”, their second appearance at Slam Dunk is set to deliver a celebration of the songs that have soundtracked generations of alternative music fans.
Cobra Starship return to the UK for the first time in 17 years, bringing their infectious blend of pop, rock and electronic dancefloor energy for an exclusive UK appearance, only at Slam Dunk Festival. The band behind era-defining 00s anthems “Good Girls Go Bad” and “Snakes On A Plane” helped to soundtrack a generation of festival sing-alongs and alternative club nights. Cobra Starship’s return promises to be one of the festival’s biggest nostalgia-fuelled moments. For a generation of fans who have waited over a decade and a half to see them back on UK soil, this is a reunion years in the making. From the same era, pop-punk favourites Forever The Sickest Kids, whose high-energy sound made them a staple of the late-2000s scene also join the bill.
Playing at Slam Dunk for the first time, Superheaven bring their 90s-inspired grunge and alt-rock that has earned them a loyal following. The festival’s emo and alt contingent grows further with the addition of Joyce Manor. Known for their emotionally charged songwriting and chaotic live shows, they have earned cult status among punk and emo fans. Newcomers The Paradox have enjoyed a meteoric rise, going from viral sensation to Warped Tour in less than a year. Formed in 2024, the band captured the attention of music heavyweights including Travis Barker and Jack White, establishing themselves as one of the most promising new alt acts. Amira Elfeky, who mixes nu-metal with a gothic edge, brings her breakout track “Tonight” and much more to the fields of Slam Dunk.
New ska collective The Family Business Ltd land a spot on the bill, following the recent release of self-titled debut album on Hellcat Records. The second wave also spotlights a new generation of emo and pop-punk, including Ben Quad, who blend Midwest emo with pop-punk and come to Slam Dunk following the release of their second album Wisher and a successful first headlining tour in the UK. Games We Play, signed to Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz’s DCD2 Records and best known for viral hit “I Hope You’re Happy”, add to the line up along with viral sensation Super Sometimes, who arrive fresh from their debut album Show the World What’s Underneath, released earlier this year.
German emo-punk band Shoreline add some European flavour with their anthemic, sing-along punk, while Car Underwater, featuring members of Photographic Memory, Wisp and Ghostemane, make their Slam Dunk debut following the release of their EP Dagger Breaks Window. Also joining the line-up are nu-metal Las Vegas sisters Jyl and Jules Wylde, better known as The Pretty Wild. Fresh from the release of their debut album zero.point.genesis, the duo are quickly carving out their space in the heavy music landscape.
Rounding out the heavier end of the bill, Parisian metalcore band Novelists bring their riffs and melodies to Slam Dunk next summer, while masked nu-metallers BLACKGOLD draw on the genre’s early 00s golden age. Berlin post-hardcore band Future Palace join following their latest album Resurgence, and completing the second wave are Florida rock band The Haunt. With more still to come, Slam Dunk is not to be missed.
For 2027, Slam Dunk also introduces camping for the first time in its history. A limited number of pitches will be available at both Leeds Temple Newsam and Hatfield Park, including campervan pitches and pre-pitched tent options. Both campsites are within walking distance of the festival. They open at 4pm the day before the festival and close at 12pm the day after, so fans can wake up at Slam Dunk. Camping tickets for Slam Dunk Festival 2027 go on sale this Friday at 10am, and fans can read all further information at www.slamdunkfestival.com/
Slam Dunk Festival takes place at Leeds Temple Newsam on Saturday 29th May and Hatfield Park on Sunday 30th May 2027, with more names still to be announced. VIP tickets have sold out and all other ticket types are selling fast viawww.slamdunkfestival.com.