Slam Dunk Festival is back with another belting lineup.
Slam Dunk, the UK's biggest independent rock festival, has unveiled its first wave of artists - and its a lineup to get very excited about.
Hot on the heels of a milestone 20th anniversary this summer, the festival kicks off with Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Sleeping With Sirens, The Used and The Front Bottoms topping the bill.
This time, Slam Dunk is doing things a little bit differently, landing here in Leeds first at Temple Newsam on Saturday 29 May before closing the weekend at Hatfield Park on Sunday 30 May 2027.
Leading the festival are two of pop punk’s biggest festival favourites. Bowling For Soup return following a memorable 2023 appearance, whilst Simple Plan will be rotating headliners, returning to Slam Dunk after 8 years and whose debut album No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls also turns 25.
Elsewhere, ska-punk favourites Reel Big Fish return to Slam Dunk for an exclusive UK reunion show, Less Than Jake are also back on the bill, bringing more than three decades of anthems with them, while The Interrupters join a formidable ska-punk showing and Isle of Wight punks Grade 2 bring a dose of old-school punk to the bill.
And it doesn't stop there, with even more names still to be announced to the already star-studded lineup.
Pre-sale tickets are available via the Slam Dunk app for up to 48 hours (subject to availability) from 10am, Friday 2 October, with remaining tickets on sale from 10am on Monday 5 October through all other outlets. Get yours here.
BBC Introducing and Leeds promoter Futuresound have announced a city-wide takeover this November as part of their ‘Introducing Live’ event.
Taking place in ten towns and cities across the UK, Introducing Live will hit Leeds on Saturday 28 November and showcase some of the best emerging artists in the UK today.
Not only that, but it will be held in some of the city's most iconic independent music venues including The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.
The 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe will be home to an 'Introducing on Radio 1' showcase featuring a packed programme including the Egyptian born, Manchester based alt-pop artist Nxdia, Lincolnshire indie-pop quintet Cherryholt, dark pop artist Precious Pepala, Scunthorpe singer-songwriter Will Parker and many more.
Meanwhile, over at Belgrave Music Hall, Emily Pilbeam from Introducing's Mixtape on 6 Music will showcase black country duo GANS, the local 7-piece project Group A.D., underground group holybones and more.
Oporto, famous for hosting some of the biggest names in music during the start of their careers, will host a dedicated 'Introducing Rock' takeover with Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, with a line-up featuring Nottingham-formed rock duo Alt Blk Era, goth-grunge alt group Venus Grrrls, indie-pop BRIT School alumna jo from school, post-hardcore band Hollow Bloom, and Sheffield-based electro-metalcore band DUSTHOUSE.
Joe Hubbard, promoter at Futuresound Group, said: “We’re really excited to be working with BBC Introducing to bring this event to Leeds, for the first time! It feels a very fitting partnership after our partnership on Live at Leeds together over the years.
"Between headliners Nxdia, Alt Blk Era, Gans and Jaguar, I feel there’s something for everyone. I’m also really proud of the local offering we’ve got, with strong representation from BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield across the bill. There’s been months of work behind the scenes to make it happen, so it’s a great feeling to finally release the line-up to the world. See you in November!”
Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am and you can get yours here.
Audio North’s Artist of the Month – Kenzo Jae | September 2026
Thomas Melia
Kenzo Jae is a creative who wants to put Bradford on the music map through his alternative-rap tracksand now he's Audio North's Artist of the Month.
This multi-tasking mastermind doesn't only record his own music, he's also a digital illustrator and graphic designer - Oh, and he even directs his own music videos (Leave some talent for the rest of us - We're begging).
Embarking on The Sloth Tour with three UK based dates in Manchester, Leeds and London throughout October, where Kenzo Jae will be playing out hits like 'Softly', 'Chicken Bagel', 'End of the World' and more.
This storytelling songwriter now sits down with Audio North to chat all things Artist of the Month and share a little more insight into his music career so far.
Audio North's Artist of the Month - Kenzo Jae | Interview
How much does being from Bradford influence the music you release?
All aspects of my personality have been influenced by Bradford, and I’m never more myself than when I’m writing. So lyrically Bradford has had a big impact.
What’s it like being an artist from Bradford?
At first it felt like something I had to hide. Now it’s something I wear as a badge. There’s not many of us in the grand scheme of things. It’s a niche club and I love that. The underdogs.
What northern artists are you loving at the minute?
If you could describe your artistry in three words what would they be and why?
Honest - I try not to hide behind anything in my music even when it’s critical of myself. If something has happened to me or I’m feeling something, I’d rather put it into a song exactly as it is. Might take me a few years but once it’s in the song I can get over it
Colourful - The vision of the world of my music to me feels saturated and bright. the occasional darkness but for the most part.
Arrogant - I think it takes a level of arrogant to do and say certain things in my music. Even to do the visual aspects too painting myself pink, wearing a sloth hat etc Takes an arrogance to think yeah I can put myself in such a weird position and believe it’s going to work
You’ve already amassed over 100k streams on SLOTH - How are you feeling about its reception so far?
It’s been great to see that people have really resonated with the story and the arc I have been on. I want to push it further and hope it reaches everyone that needs it
How fulfilling is it for you to release the SLOTH mixtape, a title you’ve held onto since you were 16?
The most cathartic feeling. Especially when it’s you know you’ve made it exactly the way I intended. It’s also a learning curve for things I will do differently for the next one.
You posted a reel describing how you spent two weeks animating a music video for yourself- How important is being hands-on in all aspects of your music career?
I’m a control freak. And if something is in my head, it’s a lot easier to do it myself. Don’t get me wrong , I work with a lot of hard working talented people that I can now trust and delegate work to. But on this instant, I love animation and I find the most enjoyment in editing visuals
Since you have a track titled ‘Chicken Bagel’, where are some of your favourite brunch or general food spots in West Yorkshire?
I grew up on chicken shops and Salah's is the goat. In terms of restaurants, Classic Persian is the best for me.
You’re not afraid of risk-taking and standing out, even going as far as painting yourself pink for one of your visuals - what advice would you give to any emerging artists who want to be as confident as you?
You have to be willing to embarrass yourself. The stuff that feels slightly uncomfortable, is usually the stuff that people remember.
And confidence doesn’t necessarily mean thinking you’re amazing. Sometimes it’s just being willing to say, “I don’t care if this is weird, I like it.”
It’s also it’s just more fun to feel like your outside of the box
Clementine Hall -
30th September 2026 
