Slam Dunk South 2026 review

Slam Dunk kicked off its 20th anniversary weekend in Hatfield for its South leg of the festival on Saturday, 23rd May.

With a heavy line-up of big names and temperatures hitting 30 degrees, we've wrapped up the experience, including band reviews, highlights and issues we found on the day.

The Highs:

• This year's line-up offered great diversity between nostalgia and new acts. Although it was predominantly heavier than in other years, there were still plenty of pop-punk and emo acts on the bill.

• The new double-stage setup worked great to fit more bands in the timeframe, with only 5 minutes for the switchover. Plenty of thought went into who played on each stage, so many people could stay in one area without having to walk across the entire site to see the next band on their list. There were only a couple of instances of bands coming on slightly later than expected, so this easy switchover seems to be the way forward for scheduling.

• Each stage's sound quality was much better than in previous years.

• The food choices were varied and catered to different tastes, allergen-friendly options, and dietary requirements. Although some were quite expensive, the prices were definitely lower than at some of the larger festivals.

• The security teams and EMTs on site were fantastic for keeping fans safe during the day.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

The lows:

• Power cuts plagued the festival this year, cutting performances short for multiple acts. The lack of communication from the site staff during President was the biggest letdown on this front. One of the biggest crowds was left not knowing what was happening when they left, and no announcement was made. A simple message on the screens could have made a difference.

• The lack of WIFI and phone signal continues to be a major issue at Slam Dunk, making it difficult to find friends if you've separated or to simply meet up in the first place. There was a small amount of coverage at the entrances to ensure the ticketing app worked and at the bar areas, but as a cashless festival, it also makes it difficult for those who want to check funds before splashing out on merch.

• The bar staff were incredibly slow and unprofessional, even in the access queue; it took 30 minutes to get a single drink, with only 7 people in front of me. Those who were queuing for a drink missed entire sets, which ruined the experience for some. Given how incredibly hot it is, keeping people hydrated should be a priority.

• The lack of shaded spaces remains an issue, with nowhere to escape the heat. Having a couple of tents for seating would make a great addition in the future.

• Water stations were available but, again, had long queues, and the water was incredibly warm, so it was not ideal for people trying to bring down their body temperatures. A few of these, being right next to the toilets, were also a put-off for people.

• Getting out of the festival is a recurring problem; many people got stuck in their cars up to 2 hours trying to exit the festival due to a lack of stewards, or those that were there not seeming to know what to do themselves

Accessibility at Slam Dunk '26

• Slam Dunk continues to slack with its attention to accessibility for fans. The application process can't be faulted; they offer viewing platform tickets for those who need them and complimentary tickets for PAs, which is fantastic for those who need help to enjoy the day to the fullest.

• Getting to the access car parks was difficult - following the instructions on the parking permit to follow certain signage was the first issue, as these weren't seen anywhere on the way. After being directed to the main car park and checking with each marshal along the way, we were guided to the exit after a long drive around the park, only to be told we would have to go another way. The marshals didn't seem too clued up on the routes into the festival, which wasn't very reassuring.

• The access line to get wristbands was much better than last year, getting in with the correct wristbands in around 10 minutes.

• The access toilets were available in good locations and kept pretty clean.

• The viewing platforms had access issues this year, with people being turned away multiple times due to overcrowding. At the double stages, there was still only one platform, so demand outpaced availability, leaving many fans without their favourite acts.

• The separate queues for access customers for merch and food stalls worked fantastically this year, however at the bars, the queue times were far longer than acceptable

Our standout sets:

Beauty School:

Opening the Main West stage, the Yorkshire-based Beauty School had no issue drawing a large crowd so early on in the day. Mid set, they spoke on an emotional subject, dedicating a song to a friend who passed, "This one is in memory of Scott, who served pints at Slam Dunk. Go to the Key Club for him", the Key Club stage being named after him in his honour. For those who like their alternative rock with an emo edge, this is a band to keep an eye on; they maintained their energy and performance level despite battling the peak of the sun's heat.

Heriot:

Swindon-based metalcore band Heriot are paving the way for a new generation of female-fronted bands, matching the vocal scream ability of predominantly male-led bands. Debbie Gough's ability to cut beautifully harmonic vocals into deep growls and screams took me and many in the audience by surprise at her vocal power. The band's energy and flow on stage showed why they were billed for one of the Main stages, and it's clear we will be seeing them further up the bill at heavier-based festivals soon!

Madina Lake:

You couldn't get away from Madina Lake when turning on Kerrang back in the 2000's, and with one of the biggest crowds of the day, people were loving that hit of nostalgia! Bringing the classics such as 'House of Cards' and 'One Last Kiss', this set became an amazing sing-along, Nathan Leone still having as much animation as back in the day, crowdsurfing barefoot and having the crowds jump in unison. Madina Lake set the bar for the trip down memory lane that the Monster stage would provide across the day, and was one of the best sets from an audio standpoint, also.

Broadside:

Virginia-based Broadside packed out the Key Club tent and with good reason! A pop-rock band with insane energy, singer Ollie Baxter knows how to banter with the crowd while having as much fun on stage as the audience does while watching, laughing, "This goes out to anyone who's 30 and still trying to learn how to make a Tiktok!" before launching into 'One Last Time'. With a very distinctive vocal style, Broadside are your feel-good summer-vibe band to dance around to and a perfect fit for Slam Dunk.

The Home Team:

The Home Team is another rock band with a dancey edge from the States, hailing from Seattle. Drawing a crowd that spilt out of the Key Club tent, they showed off just why they were so popular. As soon as the first chord was struck, the crowd's screams and singing almost drowned out singer Brian Butcher. Butcher's vocals remained incredibly clean throughout the set, even during sections hitting higher notes, with a stylistic resemblance to Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump. 'Brag' had everyone dancing, proving this band could have easily packed out the larger stages.