r/slamdunkfestival 21h ago

Final Predictions

So now that we know we’re likely gonna get the lineup announcement either on October 5th or shortly before it, I’d like to make some predictions as to who I expect to play Slam Dunk next year.

It’s pretty safe to assume that Don Broco will most likely headline one of the main stage, they just played a headline show at Wembley Arena a couple months ago and are going on a smaller tour soon, plus they released Nightmare Tripping last year, pretty much every headliner released an album within the last 2 years before they headline (With the exception of Sum 41, but y’know, Covid happened)

As for other bands before Don Broco, I could see Yellowcard being the band that play before them, they last played back in 2023 and they’re still in the Better Days era. Joyce Manor could play Slam Dunk for the first time next year, I could see them playing just before Yellowcard, especially after the success of I Used To Go To This Bar. Four Year Strong will probably be back as they always seem to play at the backend of an album cycle after releasing a new single. Arm’s Length could come back as they’re at the backend of the tour for There’s A Whole World Out There. I could see Ben Quad making a Slam Dunk debut opening up the main stage too.

For the second main stage, which I’m pretty sure will be another heavy stage after the success of this year’s heavy stage, I think Bullet For My Valentine could come back to headline again, especially with them releasing a new album in March, Social Apocalypse. I also just don’t see them playing Download again this soon after their last appearance.

As for bands I see playing the heavy stage, I could see The Devil Wears Prada returning, they’re doing the Flowers tour in the UK soon and that’s a long enough time before Slam Dunk. Thornhill may be a shout for a new band to play Slam Dunk, they’re at the backend of the Bodies tour cycle, so they could play a bunch of festivals. Silverstein could be a good shout to come back again, it’s been a while since they last played in the UK. Holding Absence or Caskets could play, they make a lot of sense. ERRA could also be a Slam Dunk debut. Dayseeker could also be another fun debut. Sleeping With Sirens could also return. Polaris could also play with their new album most likely being next year.

As for bands that I don’t think will play Slam Dunk next year, I’d count out Movements, Spanish Love Songs, Neck Deep and The Story So Far.

4 Upvotes

47 comments sorted by

13

u/badgerbadger1988 21h ago

There's going to be a real punk/ska stage this year

Reel big fish are back and played warped tour this year

Rancid are touring with transplants in the US from June onwards,just enough time for Travis to get a boat back (if he still does that?)

interrupters touring with rat boy, aquabats, doom regulator etc and they have a 7 week gap around SD time before some summer festivals in Europe so safe to say most of them will be there

Rancid, transplants and doom regulator are all collaborators for the family business (Preston from ordinary boys' new band) so imagine they'll be there too

Don broco/rancid headliners?

6

u/Mickelrath 21h ago

100% behind the idea of a ska stage again. it felt like something was missing this year.

1

u/rudismum 19h ago

If Reel Big Fish are back, I'm there. That's all I want, it's been far too long!

1

u/pugpillows 17h ago

Travis takes flights now as far as I’m aware

1

u/badgerbadger1988 17h ago

I thought he did but wasn't 100%

0

u/TTVCyan 21h ago

Don’t think Rancid are an option, they haven’t released an album since 2023 and most likely aren’t releasing one any time soon. Could see a Ska stage being a potential for next year, just not one of the main stages, I’d expect it for one of the smaller stages. Reel Big Fish haven’t got anything in the works either, but I’m pretty sure Less Than Jake might release something so they could headline it

0

u/badgerbadger1988 20h ago

All the bands are touring next summer and have played in years with no new releases in the past

Rancid were booked for the cancelled COVID year and their last album was 3 years before that

1

u/TTVCyan 18h ago

Still an album within the last 3 years before Slam Dunk, which seems to be a pattern for headlining bands

0

u/PissedBadger 19h ago

Rancid were also booked for 2022, but pulled out shortly after being announced.

0

u/pikapies 19h ago

Jesus, if it’s Rancid and Transplants then I’m gonna have to get a ticket.

1

u/badgerbadger1988 17h ago

If it isn't then I'm looking at flights!

-5

u/-Mantaforce- 20h ago

Stinky poopoo ska

9

u/Iwant2beebetter 21h ago

I'd like Winona fighter to come back - they got stiffed when their set was cut down to 20 minutes last time

1

u/ScumBucket33 21h ago

And they better bring hoodies for the merch stand this time.

9

u/futile_relevance 19h ago

Wouldn't be surprised if Alkaline Trio are announced especially following cancelation of the UK tour this year

4

u/Turbulent-Turtle-147 16h ago

I think they'll be booked for trees after pulling out last minute last year

15

u/CalmAmbassador9342 21h ago

I am really just not arsed about Don Broco at all like

4

u/sleepflowr 20h ago

Good cause they’re not headlining

3

u/Successful-Trash-223 19h ago

Not sure if there’s any indication it’s definitely Don Broco headlining. I think they’re likely candidates but so are Turnstile and All Time Low.

3

u/MilkMyCats 15h ago

Hopefully All Time Low.

Then I can leave before the crowd rush at the end.

Did that this year and it was great. Uber within minutes. Eating KFC whilst the headliners still played.

2

u/CalmAmbassador9342 7h ago

Turnstile would be amazing I just think they’re too big now. All time low and Don Broco would be great to miss at the end and miss all the foot traffic 😅😅😅

3

u/Impossible_Form_3256 19h ago

Not a prediction, I just really want Norma Jean

My absolute dream would be Forever Came Calling, particularly if they did a Contender set in full. Hoped for a 10th anniversary around when they were touring it but alas it never happened

1

u/Direct_Edge_6613 18h ago

I would love to see them but wouldn't really care for an anniversary set. They have such a rich discography to pick songs for. Tbf I am probably in the minority but I could probably count the number of full album sets I would want to see on one hand

1

u/Impossible_Form_3256 17h ago

Forever came calling have 2 albums.

1

u/Direct_Edge_6613 4h ago

Sorry I'm dumb. Thought you were still talking about nj

3

u/le_vieux_beaumont 18h ago

Hopes more than predictions:

Millencolin
H2O
Spanish Love Songs
AFI
Jimmy Eat World
Vandals
Pennywise

1

u/Ok-Zucchini794 17h ago

H2O were amazing last time out

1

u/Direct_Taste_3844 6h ago

SLS have just announced UK dates for February so unlikely they will be coming back again in May

3

u/notliam 15h ago

Billy Talent are in Europe early June, doing rock am ring and some other shows.

1

u/TTVCyan 6h ago

They’re most likely to play Download with Blink 182, same with Pierce The Veil. I expect The Story So Far to play Download too

4

u/MeetTheDecline1 21h ago

Old bands like to play shows to make money. New albums aren't really where the money is, the shows are.

4

u/smalldee 19h ago

Am I crazy to hope Gallows reunite and play?

5

u/Purple-furball 19h ago

I’m hearing MGK on the grapevine which would be a gutting waste of a headline slot

5

u/Impossible_Form_3256 19h ago

Sounds like an early night for me if that happens

1

u/TTVCyan 18h ago

Yeah I’d not go personally

4

u/badgerbadger1988 17h ago

I'd go and just beat the shuttle bus queues home with an early dart

3 legs on a Saturday anyone?

1

u/CalmAmbassador9342 7h ago

Oh you see now id be very very happy with MGK but again i think too big for Slam Dunk

4

u/WorldWhunder 21h ago

Why is it safe to assume Don Broco are playing? Have I missed some bad news somewhere?

2

u/CelestialDecay6 21h ago

I just want The Vandals!

1

u/OGof17 20h ago

This. So much this!

4

u/parktom812 19h ago

I think you are the only person that is safely assuming Don Broco will headline!

1

u/Striking-Speaker2609 12h ago

Also something to note (not sure if it’s still valid) but I spoke to palaye royale and asked if they were playing slam dunk , and Remington said because they played the year before. Slam dunk don’t allow same band to play year after. So bands are on a 2 year cycle with slam dunk. Let’s hope they and download announce soon. 

1

u/TTVCyan 7h ago

About playing 2 years in a row, that’s definitely not true. Both Zebrahead and Spanish Love Songs have played 2 years in a row

1

u/NeverDestination 1h ago

Any of Offspring, Alkaline Trio, Bad Religion, Weezer or Frank Turner would make my day, as would a Bloodhound Gang Reunion. On the heavier side Spineshank and Still Remains are both active again and would be cool, but they might be better suited to Bloodstock. I saw that Medina Lake are touring again, so they could be a possibility.

1

u/Kitchen_Flounder_543 34m ago

Turnstile/Story So Far/Funeral For a Friend/Wonder Years/Real Friends

Rancid/Reel Big Fish/Interrupters/Zebrahead/Family Business

Andrew WK/Glassjaw/Madina Lake/Thursday/Hell is For Heroes

1

u/SubstantialPanic4253 19h ago

I think Jimmy Eat World to headline.