Slam Dunk Festival has had a couple of rocky years of late (if you'll pardon the pun), but one thing you can always count on is those in the North making the most of whatever hand they're dealt - and 2025 was no different.
It just so happens that this year's edition of the festival managed to avoid the increasingly typical rain and boggy conditions and, instead, gig-goers were finally treated to some pretty consistent sunshine, warmth and, most importantly, dry land.
We kicked the day off by trying to sprint through the gates to catch Movements, but even the early crowds had already started picking up so quickly that making it to the main stage proved a challenge.
However, we did manage to get a great lay of the land, with this year's festival site marking a noticeable improvement upon recent years in terms of layout extras besides the stages, with more food and drink vendors than ever.
After catching a few Rain City Drive tunes, we paid a visit to local Leeds legends Crash Records, who were slinging out signed LPs, bargain bin band tees for just a fiver and plenty more, before making a beeline for Hot Mulligan's set.
The Midwest emo archetypes didn't disappoint, both in terms of those instantly recognisable screeching vocals and being their usual silly selves on stage - we just wish they were given a longer slot.
It was also fun to just stop and look upon the sea of black that had descended upon the fields for the iconic festival every now and again, which only got better as the sun continued to drop.
Thank you Slam Dunk North 🖤
And thank you everyone for an amazing Slam Dunk Festival 2025 weekend.
— Slam Dunk Festival (@SlamDunkMusic) May 25, 2025
That being said, we did get a truly terrific, technicolour set from fellow Northerners Neck Deep, a.k.a. the pop-punk princes of Wales, who booked one of the main slots on the Main Stage West just a few short years on from playing the smallest one.
Now that's a narrative we can get behind.
For context, one member of our party (naming no names) had been a big fan for a long time but had never been to a solo show as he'd heard 'they're not that good live'; meanwhile, his Hoot tour guide for the day was on her ninth Neck Deep gig.
Unsurprisingly, the latter knew way better, and the former was proven a fool who was given some of the worst and most unreliable information on Earth. Let's just say I—sorry, THEY* will never make the same mistake ever again...
Not only were they on top form but frontman Ben Barlow made sure to use his platform to touch on important issues and "get just a little bit political", sending the crowds away with one key message:
There were so many bands we wanted to make more time before the first-world problem of having to choose between so many people's favourite bands all in one place will never be lost on us.
Last but not least, we got to see American rock giants A Day To Remember headline the night and, obviously, they drew the biggest crowds of the whole day.
Once again, it's our ultimate privilege to be invited along to festivals like this, and we always see Slam Dunk North as a very special celebration of all things alternative.
Here's hoping the rare Slam Dunk sun is a good omen for the rest of festival season; we can't wait to be 'Right Back at It Again' next year.
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is heading to Roundhay Park in Leeds for a headline festival performance.
Lewis Capaldi is officially back and this time he's headlining a brand-new festival in our very own Roundhay Park.
Lots of Leeds music lovers might be flocking to the beloved park this weekend, and if you are then we've got all the details you need.
Let's get into it...
Gig guide | Pitbull at Roundhay Festival, Leeds
Lewis Capaldi will be performing at Roundhay Festival this Saturday 4 July 2026.
Are there any tickets left for Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Park, Leeds?
Yes, there are still tickets available.
General admission standing tickets cost £92.95 and you can get yours here.
Lewis Capaldi setlist for UK festival tour
Of course we can't say exactly what Lewis' set list will be, because he's not done it yet.
However, he has been kicking off his festival tour over in Dublin so we've got a rough idea of what he'll be treating us to.
Hollywood
Grace
Heavenly Kind of State of Mind
Wish You the Best
Love the Hell Out of You
Almost
Forever
Bruises
Go Your Own Way(Fleetwood Mac cover)
Pointless
Something in the Heavens
Before You Go
Fade
The Day That I Die
Hold Me While You Wait
Forget Me
Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Survive
Someone You Loved
What other artists are on the 4 July Roundhay Festival lineup?
Conan Gray
Jessie Murph
Jacob Alon
Kerr Mercer
Nieve Ella
Ber
Maya Lane
What are the stage times for Lewis Capaldi's headline Roundhay Festival?
Last entry for all shows is 8.30pm with box office closing slightly earlier at 8pm and any headliner expected to wrap up their set by 10.30pm.
Getting to Roundhay Park
Car
Just a 10 minute walk from Roundhay Festival's West Entrance is Connaught Fields which is the closest parking option.
Or, if you're up for a walk and want something more cost-effective, Fearnville Park and Stride is a 30 minute walk away, with parking spaces on the grass fields and a scenic country path which leads you to the festival.
Accessible parking can be found on Mansion Lane with a clear pathway to the event with spaces needing to be pre-booked when purchasing your ticket at no extra cost.
Bus/ coach
A dedicated shuttle bus service has been set up to and from Roundhay Festival running every 20 minutes from 11am to 8pm on Sovereign Street, just four minutes from Leeds Train Station.
The last shuttle bus from Roundhay Park back to the city centre will depart at 12.30am with clear signposting and stewards on hand for any gig goers.
Roundhay Festival has also partnered with Big Green Coach meaning concert attendees can hop on from a wide range of pick-up points across the UK from Wakefield all the way to Coventry - more info HERE.
Car/ taxi drop off
Vehicles heading to Roundhay Festival should follow marked signs for 'Pick-up/ Drop-Off points'.
Drivers should not attempt to pick-up or drop-off from any of the nearby roads aside from those already designated via signage: North Pick-up/ Drop-off via Park View Crescent | South Pick-up/ Dro-off via Wetherby Road.
Extra Info
All travel updates and road closures on event days will be announced and regularly checked HERE.
Pitbull at Roundhay Festival, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more
Thomas Melia
Megastar Pitbull is heading to Roundhay Park in Leeds for a headline festival performance where you're sure to be yelling "Timber".
Lots of Leeds music lovers might be flocking to Roundhay Park for an outdoor gig like no other because this one comes with 'Hotel Room Service' - not literally, but the Cuban-American star will probably deliver a rendition of this smash hit.
Amid this current heatwave, we might even be able to change the 'International Love' lyrics from "Hotter than Miami" to "Hotter than Roundhay".
Pitbull playing out to a crowd of bald caps at Co-op Live in Manchester / Credit: The Manc Group
Pitbull UK tour dates
Tue 30 June - Belfast, UK - Ormeau Park
Wed 1 July - Bellahouston Park, UK - Glasgow Summer Sessions
Fri 3 July - Leeds, UK - Roundhay Festival
Sat 4 July - Cardiff, UK - Blackweir Fields
Sun 5 July - Lancashire, UK - Lytham Festival
Are there any tickets left for Pitbull at Roundhay Park, Leeds?
If you're up for singing"I'm on fiiiiiire" with the lively leeds crowd and Pitbull himself you can find tickets for his Roundhay Festival headlining slot HERE.
Oh and did we mention you can 'Talk Dirty' with Jason Derulo and 'Snap Yo Fingers' when Lil Jon takes to the stage, all in one day? This festival is top class.
Pitbull setlist for UK festival tour
These upcoming dates from the phenomenal Floridian are part of the Pitbull: I'm Back! tour which has already stopped off at a variety of venues stateside.
Here's all the tracks you need to get memorising ahead of Mr. Worldwide's British summertime shows:
Don't Stop the Party
International Love
Hotel Room Service
I Feel Good
Suavemente
Shake/ Culo
I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
On the Floor
I Like It
DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love
Feel This Moment
Gasolina
JUMPIN
Timber
Time of Our Lives
Fireball
Give Me Everything
What other artists are on the 3 July Roundhay Festival lineup?
Jason Derulo
Tinie Tempah
Lil Jon
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
Jazzie Martian
CJ. AllDayy
Dan Hills
DJ Flex
What are the stage times for Pitbull's headline Roundhay Festival?
Last entry for all shows is 8.30pm with box office closing slightly earlier at 8pm and any headliner expected to wrap up their set by 10.30pm.
Getting to Roundhay Park
Car
Just a 10 minute walk from Roundhay Festival's West Entrance is Connaught Fields which is the closest parking option.
Or, if you're up for a walk and want something more cost-effective, Fearnville Park and Stride is a 30 minute walk away, with parking spaces on the grass fields and a scenic country path which leads you to the festival.
Accessible parking can be found on Mansion Lane with a clear pathway to the event with spaces needing to be pre-booked when purchasing your ticket at no extra cost.
Bus/ coach
A dedicated shuttle bus service has been set up to and from Roundhay Festival running every 20 minutes from 11am to 8pm on Sovereign Street, just four minutes from Leeds Train Station.
The last shuttle bus from Roundhay Park back to the city centre will depart at 12.30am with clear signposting and stewards on hand for any gig goers.
Roundhay Festival has also partnered with Big Green Coach meaning concert attendees can hop on from a wide range of pick-up points across the UK from Wakefield all the way to Coventry - more info HERE.
Car/ taxi drop off
Vehicles heading to Roundhay Festival should follow marked signs for 'Pick-up/ Drop-Off points'.
Drivers should not attempt to pick-up or drop-off from any of the nearby roads aside from those already designated via signage: North Pick-up/ Drop-off via Park View Crescent | South Pick-up/ Dro-off via Wetherby Road.
Extra Info
All travel updates and road closures on event days will be announced and regularly checked HERE.
Danny Jones -
26th May 2025 
