Head banging, crowd surfing, mosh pits and thousands of like-minded music lovers.
Slam Dunk Festival North is back for another year and there's a huge line-up to look forward to. Set in the heart of Temple Newsam, one of Leeds' best known festival venues is the hosting a one day set of metal, emo, punk and ska music from some of the industry's biggest names.
Dates for the diary...
The actual festival itself takes place over a single day, but there's a full two days of alternative music and festival antics to get through before the day itself.
Wednesday 1 June- You Me At Six at Temple Newsam.
Popular band You Me At Six will take over the Temple Newsam site to perform a special one-off set in honour of the ten year anniversary of their album Sinners Never Sleep. This might not be affiliated with SDF itself, but the 2021 headliners are long standing favourites of the festival so the band are certain to set the scene for the weekend's festivities.
Thursday 2 June - SDF22 North Launch Party Club Night at Leeds Beckett Student Union.
Mayday Parade, Real Friends and As It Is will be bringing irock/alt/emo/indie-pop tunes to Leeds the night before at Leeds Beckett SU. This incredible lineup will unite long-time music lovers with groupie newbies for one night only- and entry is under £10.
Friday 3 June - Slam Dunk Festival 2022 North at Temple Newsam.
The one-day festival kicks off on the bank holiday Friday, with live performances across five stages at Temple Newsam. Expect huge headline acts like Neck Deep, Sum41 and ALEXISONFIRE, amongst other exciting names (see below for the full list of acts).
The Wonder Years will be playing songs from their Upsides album at Slam Dunk Festival North (Leeds) whilst their album Suburbia will be played instead at the festival's southern location exclusively).
Streetlight Manifesto, Point North, Pinkshift, will perform make their European festival debuts whilst Smrtdeath, Meet Me At The Altar, Kennyhoopla and Deathbyromy will experience their first UK or UK festival respectively. For emo-infused alternative-rock Beauty School, the band will be making their first-ever festival performance.
Slam Dunk Festival is also hosting an array of exciting new talent, and for many this will be their first performance this side of the pond.
Tickets
Image: Slam Dunk Music
Tickets start at £69, but you're likely to get a ticket priced over £85 as the date gets looms closer.
Those looking for VIP entry tickets can pay £129 for entry to the VIP Guest area, VIP toilets and guest bar.
Big Green Coach Services is providing the coach travel for those trekking from further afield, but for us in Leeds, shuttle buses will be available from Sovereign Street in the city centre with a choice of booking in advance or on the day.
Car parking at Temple Newsam costs £5 per vehicle.
We're almost half way through the year, so let's see what else we've got to look forward to...spoiler alert, it's a lot.
So far we've had everything from ice bath cafes to listening bars open up in Leeds, and it seems like 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving.
Allow us to get you excited about what's coming to the city...
Dishoom
68–78 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one is a biggun' as the ever so popular Indian restaurant is set to open this August in a beautiful Grade-II listed building on Vicar Lane which was formerly Flannels.
First opening in London, Dishoom now has restaurants dotted all over the UK including a huge site in Manchester. The group is famed for its lavish and grand interiors, as well as its home-style curries, grills and breakfasts including its legendary bacon naans.
Acai and the Tribe
88 Vicar Lane
Image: The Manc Group
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
This Japanese restaurant serves a menu full of sushi as well as grilled meats on sticks, sharing sides and build-your-own hand rolls. All of this is wrapped up in the most gorgeous interior, which you can see from their jaw dropping new Manchester site.
Occupying the Grade II-listed space on Vicar Lane, the three-storey building will include a 220-cover dining room, 30-cover terrace and an upstairs bar.
New York-style pizza pop-up, Edges Pizza, is set to open in Leeds.Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residences across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat. Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June.
Okay, this one might not be happening this year...but we still had to mention it so please forgive us.
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Featured images - The Manc Group
Leeds
Pioneering Bradford artist David Hockney has passed away aged 88
Clementine Hall
David Hockney, one of Britain's most influential and recognisable artists, has sadly died.
Born in Bradford in 1937, David Hockney built a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
He was best known for his vibrant paintings, from the iconic swimming pools of Los Angeles to the sweeping landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy.
And of course you can't forget the adorable paintings of his sausage dogs Stanley and Boodgie.
This morning on Friday 12 June, it was sadly announced that David Hockney had passed away - just one month prior of his 89th birthday.
Admired by critics and the public alike, Hockney's work was exhibited around the world and attracted record-breaking prices, cementing his place as one of the defining artists of the modern era.
Most recently, his incredibly immersive exhibition 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)' was a hit across the country, proving his work still resonated with the people of today.
His work at Salts Mill has remained in exhibit for years, including his special digital drawings that he did on his iPad.
His death marks the end of a truly extraordinary career, but his influence on British culture and contemporary art will endure for years to come.
A true West Yorkshire icon that will be missed by many from across the globe. RIP David.
Sophie Smith -
29th April 2022 
