‘Slam Dunk 2026 reminded me what festivals are really about’ | Music | Entertainment

Slam Dunk 2026 was a bumper year for the festival. To mark its 20th anniversary, the annual, two-city event went bigger and better than ever. With a huge amount of stages, more vendors than ever before, and global pop-punk icons headlining the events, this was one to remember.

Reporters Lauren Edwards and Callum Crumlish attended Slam Dunk South and saw a whole host of bands. Below, they’ve picked out their favourites and detailed what made them so special.

State Champs

I’ve seen State Champs every single time they have performed at Slam Dunk Festival, and this was without a doubt their best entry yet. They have brought some incredible performances to the event in the past (especially that ‘The Finer Things’ playthrough), but this was frenetic and powerful. Headlining a stage for the first time cemented my thoughts on them: State Champs are a Festival Band; they’re empowered by the sun, the growing mosh pits, and the excitement their music inherently builds, song after song. They are one to watch, literally and figuratively, forevermore. (CC)

Unpeople

If you want to get people down to a festival early, hire Unpeople. They are, in my eyes, faultless. Their blend of music is familiar but also uniquely theirs. If you hadn’t heard them before, you’d quickly think you had – and that’s where the magic is. They deliver their set with passion, and while they’re no strangers to the stage (they’ve supported Metallica), perform it with ease. There’s no egos, and their message is clear; ‘We are Unpeople, you are Unpeople, we are all Unpeople’. They have the youthfulness and talent to headline in a matter of years – all they need to do now is release more music. (LE)

Broadside

Inside the hot, sweaty Scott The Key Club tent, the band kicked off their set shouting: “We’re Broadside and we’re from stupid-ass America”. They last played Slam Dunk eight years ago, and having never seen them live myself, I had conjured up an image of a somewhat melancholic Ollie Baxter shyly singing ‘Coffee Talk’. How wrong I was. There was no holding back from the frontman. He enthusiastically paraded across the stage, strutting from left to right while calling on the crowd not to be afraid to ‘shake their ass’. Their cheeky attitude was far from what I expected, and it was one of the funnest sets of the day. (LE)

Static Dress

I’m not a fan of Static Dress. Not that I dislike them, I’ve just never been able to get on with their music. It was too messy or too derivative for my liking – but I knew they were good, and that their fans are passionate. Regardless, I followed a friend to their set under the Main Stage East’s relentless sun, and I proceeded to lose my tiny mind. For me, Static Dress are that band you have to experience live before you really get it. And I’m so grateful I did, because their discography has not left my ears ever since. And discovering new bands, or rediscovering bands you had written off, is what festivals are all about, aren’t they? (CC)

For long-time Boston Manor fans, their Slam Dunk set was a real treat. Under the scorching sun, the band bashed out five songs from their debut album BE NOTHING, in celebration of its 10 year anniversary. I had a brief moment of panic when frontman Henry said they wouldn’t be celebrating 20 years; ‘that’s for sure’ before he quickly added new music was on the way. Each time I see them live, it’s hard not to mirror Henry’s onstage movements. They’re not brash or over the top — just uninhibited. For a guy who’s seemingly pretty reserved, you can almost feel the energy spill outward. And, like second nature, you’re doing the same. It’s why I always keep coming back. (LE)

Deaf Havana

I was worried my trip down memory lane for Deaf Havana’s Fools and Worthless Liars anniversary set would disappoint me; after all, these were sad songs, written at a sad time, by a sad guy whose had his ups and downs since. But I needn’t have worried. Bolstered by their new album – and a palpable sense of gratitude towards the crowd – there was a liveliness to them, and to the set itself. James’ cheerful undertone gave a joyous edge to songs I’ve cried to more times then I can count. That fun energy only ramped up when Sean Smith of The Blackout bounded on stage for a dynamic performance of ‘Friends Like These’. It felt like a spark had been reignited, and the band has a chance to recapture old fans and win over new ones. (LE)

Good Charlotte

The pop-punk icons that are Good Charlotte returned to performing in the UK in Hatfield at Slam Dunk Festival South on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – and I was there. While some could criticise that Good Charlotte only played their biggest hits during their setlist, at that point, it was all we wanted: a headline act with the guts to deliver their best songs while also dipping their toes in the water after seven years away from Britain. It was a dream to see them for the first time ever – but they weren’t perfect. Their chit-chat left a lot to be desired, and their sound mix wasn’t quite right. However, considering they have since confirmed a full UK tour is coming this year, I’m sure we’ll see Good Charlotte at their full potential when they hit arenas this year. (CC)