There’s something about the first summer festival of the year that hits differently. The sun is (mostly) out, the air’s buzzing with adrenaline and Monster Energy, and the Slam Dunk crowd is ready to scream, sweat, and skank their way through one of the most stacked lineups in the UK alt scene. For me, Slam Dunk 2025 wasn’t just about catching long-time favourites, it was about new discoveries, mosh pit therapy, and a day spent both behind the scenes and in the thick of it.
This year, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Futuresound, stationed at Main Stage East until 5pm. Being rooted there gave me the chance to watch the full daytime run of bands on that stage, none of whom I’d seen before, making it a crash course in fresh noise and first impressions. Here’s how it all unfolded.
Defects – 6.5/10
Opening the Main Stage East is no easy feat, but Defects took the challenge in stride. With a blend of melodic metalcore and socially conscious lyrics, their set was tight and technically sound. While the crowd was still waking up, Defects earned their stripes with some chunky riffs and heartfelt vocals. A promising start to the day, even if the energy took a bit to build.
Dream State – 6/10
Following on, Dream State delivered an emotionally charged set that walked a line between catharsis and chaos. Jess Hickman’s vocals were raw and impassioned, but the band felt slightly disjointed at times. There’s no denying the potential here, but their set didn’t quite land as hard as I’d hoped, perhaps a victim of early set timing and a still-warming crowd.
Imminence – 8/10
Now we’re talking. Imminence brought atmosphere, theatricality, and breakdowns in spades. The inclusion of violin in their metalcore sound set them apart immediately, and Eddie Berg’s charisma elevated the set to something really memorable. From orchestral swells to punishing screams, this was a performance with real dynamic range. A standout surprise.
Landmvrks – 8/10
Landmvrks followed with blistering intensity. Their set was aggressive, polished, and infectiously energetic. Frontman Florent Salfati commanded the stage with ease, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. The mosh pit finally kicked into full gear during their set, and from where I was stationed, it was glorious chaos. Another band I’ll be diving into post-festival.
Stray From The Path – 7/10
A masterclass in politically-charged hardcore. Stray From The Path delivered punchy, groove-heavy anthems with no room for subtlety. Their Rage Against the Machine influence was worn proudly, and Drew York’s confrontational style had the crowd barking every lyric back at him. A strong set that scratched the itch for fans of heavy and socially aware music.
Finch – 7.5/10
The first injection of nostalgia hit hard with Finch. Playing tracks from their seminal album What It Is to Burn, their set was equal parts emotional and energetic. The crowd reaction suggested I wasn’t the only one reliving my teenage years. Nate Barcalow’s vocals held up surprisingly well, and the band brought just enough modern edge to their early-2000s emo to make it land.
Post-Volunteer Freedom: Stage Hopping and Bucket List Bands
With the shift over and the sun still hanging in the sky, I set off across the festival site to soak up the rest of the madness. Slam Dunk has always excelled at booking genre-spanning lineups, and this year was no exception.
Twin Atlantic – 7/10
First up in my post-volunteering wander was Twin Atlantic. It’s been a minute since I checked in with the Glaswegian alt-rockers, but they delivered a solid set. Sam McTrusty remains a commanding frontman, and the band’s blend of anthemic choruses and gritty riffs filled the tent with singalong moments. It wasn’t the wildest set of the day, but it was a tight, enjoyable watch.
Streetlight Manifesto – 6/10
Over on the ska stage, Streetlight Manifesto brought the brass. Their musicianship was undeniable, but the energy felt a bit flat compared to the chaos I’d just left. That said, seeing a circle pit attempt to erupt to a saxophone solo is always a surreal delight. Fans of the genre were loving it, but as a casual observer, it didn’t quite click for me.
The Used – 8/10
Back to business. The Used came out swinging with a set that was as theatrical as it was tight. Bert McCracken has a unique ability to be both completely unhinged and utterly magnetic, and this performance was no exception. From classics like “The Taste of Ink” to newer material, their set was an emotional rollercoaster. A real highlight.
Neck Deep – 7.5/10
Welsh pop-punk royalty Neck Deep brought the sunshine vibes and circle pits in equal measure. Their newer material has taken on a slightly more mature tone, but they still know how to tap into the fizzy chaos that defines the genre. The crowd response was massive, and you could feel the love for this band radiating back to the stage.
New Found Glory – 7/10
Pop-punk pioneers New Found Glory delivered exactly what you’d expect, fun, bouncy, and full of dad jokes. Their setlist was a nostalgia bomb, and Jordan Pundik’s energy was contagious. While the performance didn’t quite hit the emotional highs of some others, it was impossible not to smile and jump around to the likes of “My Friends Over You.”
Scowl – 8/10
Over on The Key Club stage, Scowl delivered a shot of pure adrenaline. Their hardcore-meets-punk energy was visceral, raw, and impossible to ignore. Vocalist Kat Moss owned the stage, and the crowd responded with some of the most intense pits of the day. A band on the rise, and one I’ll be watching closely from here on.
Less Than Jake – 10/10
Ska-punk legends Less Than Jake delivered the set of the day, hands down. From the first blast of brass to the final chorus, they were a nonstop party. Charisma, crowd engagement, and absolute mastery of their sound made for a joyous, high-energy celebration of everything Slam Dunk is about. Whether you were a diehard fan or just there for the vibes, it was impossible not to be won over. Easily a 10/10.
Electric Callboy – 7/10
Equal parts chaos and comedy, Electric Callboy were one of the wildest sets of the day. Their brand of party-metalcore is ridiculous in the best way, think neon lights, techno beats, pyro, and deathcore breakdowns all thrown into a blender. It was the band everyone was at Slam Dunk to see but sadly being on the stage that seemed to get dominated by sound from all the other four corners of the festival, fell a little flat. Still undeniably entertaining and a visual spectacle from start to finish.
Hot Milk – 9/10
Saving the best for last? Hot Milk absolutely owned their headline set. Their blend of pop-punk, emo, and alt-rock is delivered with fearless confidence, and the connection between them and the crowd was electric. Han Mee and Jim Shaw’s dual vocals soared, and their stage presence was second to none. It was a euphoric end to a day full of new discoveries and unforgettable moments.
Final Thoughts
Slam Dunk 2025 was everything a good festival should be: chaotic, cathartic, loud, and laced with the unexpected. Volunteering with Futuresound added a unique perspective and gave me front-row access to bands I might have otherwise missed. From there, bouncing between nostalgia and brand-new noise made for a perfectly balanced day.
My takeaways? Imminence and Hot Milk were the MVPs, Scowl is the future, Less Than Jake were the kings of the party, and festival season is well and truly back. Slam Dunk, you’ve outdone yourself again.
THE FRONT ROW 
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