It's that time again: a whole load of noise lands at Leeds' Temple Newsam Park for the return of Slam Dunk North, a.k.a. one of the best festivals in the North full stop.
The celebration of all things rock, alternative, pop-punk, emo and more marks nearly two whole decades of the music festival, which first started back in 2006 and has gone on to become world famous.
Best of all, you don't need to travel down to the capital or to another big city to get your fill of the action, because the much-loved event, as it has done since its inception, happens right here in Leeds every year.
So, for those of you heading to the headbang-fest this Sunday, 25 May, we thought we'd put together a handy little guide of everything you need to know for Slam Dunk North 2025. Very aggressive, double-time drum-roll, please...
Slam Dunk North - all the info you need, Leeds
Slam Dunk map
Ok, for starters, Temple Newsam Park is a pretty big place, and with five main stages at this year's festival, you might need a hand getting around.
You can see the full Slam Dunk North festival map down below.
Credit: Supplied
Are there tickets left for Slam Dunk North 2025?
Now, before we go any further, you might be wondering if there are even tickets left for this year's Slam Dunk lineup. Fortunately, we have good news, because there are.
But not loads - here's the deal: while complete, all-in weekend passes, VIP and accessible packages are already sold out, there is straightforward guest admission still available, as well as shuttle bus tickets for those needing a ride.
On to the really important stuff, i.e. who you'll be thrashing along to in the fields this weekend.
We're sure plenty of you have perused this year's lineup already, but since we now have the stage splits and the time
The best way to sort out your gig schedule (and lots of other key details) is to download the Slam Dunk app, but we've still chucked in the various bands' set times for you down below as well. You're welcome:
Main Stage West
Main Stage East
Monster Energy Stage
Kerrang! Stage
The Key Club Stage
Sweet Pill - 11:35-12:00 Hit The Lights - 12:25: 13:00 Knuckle Puck - 13:25 - 14:05 Movements - 14:30-14:05 The Starting Line - 15:35-16:20 Hot Mulligan - 16:45-17:30 New Found Glory - 17:55-18:55 Neck Deep - 19:20-20:30 A Day To Remember - 21:00-22:15
Defects - 11:45-12:20 Dream State - 12:40-13:20 Imminence - 13:45-14:25 Landmvrks - 14:50-15:30 Stray From The Path - 15:55-16:40 Finch - 17:05-17:50 The Used - 18:15-19:15 Electric Callboy - 19:45-20:55
The Meffs - 11:45-12:15 Save Ferris - 12:40-13:15 Homegrown - 13:40-14:15 The Ataris - 14:40-15:20 The Aquabats - 15:45-16:30 Zebrahead - 16:55-17:40 Streetlight Manifesto - 18:05-18:50 Less Than Jake - 19:15-20:15 Alaklino Trio - 20:40-21:40 Closing party (featuring Millionaires) - 22:00-23:00
Lake Malice - 11:40-12:10 Sophie Powers - 12:35-13:05 Point North - 13:30-14:00 I See Stars - 14:25-15:00 Rain City Drive - 15:25-16:00 Noahfinnce - 16:25-17:00 Twin Atlantic - 17:25-18:05 As It Is - 18:30-19:15 Wargasm - 19:40-20:25 Hot Milk - 20:50-21:50
Now, for those of you wondering how best to get to Temple Newsam in Leeds for this year's Slam Dunk festival, you'll be glad to hear that the organisers themselves have broken down the logistics for you, and we have some pointers too.
From Leeds
Coach travel is available 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. Shuttles will be operating from 8.30am-3pm and to Temple Newsam and then 8pm-1am back to the city centre.
As for those arriving by train, the nearest station to Temple Newsam is Cross Gates, where you can then grab taxis and bus services. Should you choose to walk, it'll take you around 40 minutes to get to the park.
From across the country
As often is the case with festivals, the Big Green Coaches are returning for 2025 and will provide travel from the likes of Barnsley, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bolton, Derby, Huddersfield, Hull, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Preston, Rochdale, Rotherham, Sheffield, Sunderland, Stafford, Stoke on Trent, Wigan and York.
These coach tickets do need to be booked in advance, however - you can reserve yours HERE.
— Slam Dunk Festival (@SlamDunkMusic) May 22, 2025
Parking
Although parking isn't advised for environmental and congestion reasons - not to mention to help maintain the condition of the wider festival site itself - for those who must arrive by car, there are spaces available.
However, all valid Slam Dunk parking MUST be booked in advance and via the official event partner, See Tickets. All parking will be on open grassy parkland and accessed on farm tracks. There are two different lots available for purchase.
Find out more details and grab your car park ticket HERE.
Lockers and other amenities
As for those of you who are concerned about bringing supplies/essentials with them on the day, you'll be glad to hear there are locker facilities to be found at the festival site, which can also pre-book to save faff on the day.
In addition to bag drop, there will also be three key information points around the park (see the map earlier in the article), along with accessible toilet options and those all-important Wi-Fi hubs located at each bar.
Don't worry, no password required; Slam Dunk is trying to make things as stress-free as possible.
Slam Dunk afterparties
Rather fittingly, the penultimate thing on our Slam Dunk North 2025 guide is the last thing we plan to do before going to bed after a full day of moshing, and that would be the after parties at the likes of The Key Club, Santiago, The Social and more.
The popular Leeds city centre gig venue will each be hosting their own post-festival festivities from those who still have the energy left, and they're not to be missed if you can help it.
Having said that, the biggest and most official of those late-night affairs is happening at the Key Club - the ancestral home of Slam Dunk - and you can grab the exclusive tickets right HERE.
With gates opening from 9am and the main festival arena itself getting underway from 11am, and the afterparties running until as late as 4am, it's going to be a BIG day.
Good job there's a bank holiday Monday booked in after it, eh?
Just remember, be safe out there in the pits, pick someone up if they're down, consume plenty of food and fluids and, above all else, have a brilliant time whatever festival you're at this long weekend.
Ever-evolving Leeds music hotspot TESTBED is making its grand return to Leeds city centre with an impressive launch party lineup.
Recognised as a cultural venue for bringing people together via music, TESTBED has hosted a variety of club nights in its warehouse location since 2024.
Back in April, it was announced that the team behind this rave-centric club were transforming this space from it's 'Phase 1.3' to 'Phase 2.0'.
Now, TESTBED has released the full lineup for its upcoming launch party which will show off some of the venue's latest features like its 360-degree DJ booth, improved acoustics and 5,000 sq ft mezzanine and balcony area.
Annie Mac is headlining the TESTBED Leeds launch party joined by Horse Meat Disco / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Previous performers include Liverpool dance music duo Camelphat, house music DJ Alisha, Netherlands-own Chris Stussy and more, so it will come as no surprise that this relaunch features an equally-stellar lineup.
Fronting the bill for the TESTBED Launch Party is none other than EDM connoisseur and influential figure Annie Mac, who's hosted a variety of radio shows across the BBC as well as curating a set or two herself.
Also in attendance is Horse Meat Disco, a group who put disco and queer culture at the forefront of each and every high-energy set.
Irish selector Shee is also showing off his music expertise and already having collaborations with the likes of A-trak and Karma Kid, expect to hear some tunes.
Shee and Junior Simba will be taking to the decks to wow the crowds over at TESTBED Leeds / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Seasoned club DJ and presenter Marcia Carr, known for playing live sets with vinyl records, will also be soundtracking the night too, playing out everything from Afrohouse to dubstep.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Leeds-based party without some local talent courtesy of Junior Simba who's quickly become a key player in the house music scene.
And if that wasn't enough raving for you, TESTBED has already announced even more insane nights of music madness featuring ROSSI., Interplanetary Criminal and Obskür.
TESTBED's opening party is taking place on Saturday 3 October from 2pm til 12am and you can grab tickets from as little as £20 HERE.
Jane McDonald at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
West Yorkshire's very own Jane McDonald is coming to First Direct Arena in Leeds for a hometown show that's set to be spellbinding.
Making her British TV screen debut nearly 30 years ago on The Cruise, before joining the Loose Women panel and going on to present a whole host of travel shows including Cruising with Jane McDonald, now this Wakefield legend returns to First Direct Arena.
This latest tour titled after her 2026 LP Living The Dream, will see Jane singing hits from both past and present including a couple covers too.
Earlier this year, Jane's Mighty Hoopla performance went viral online after she commanded the stage in a red leather jacket, donning a singular rainbow hair extension while belting out RAYE's 'Where Is My Husband!'
Audio North even got the opportunity to interview this legendary lady when she visited her hometown HMV store in Wakefield for an exclusive album signing - Oh look, it's me!
The Wakefield wonder-woman's latest album Living The Dream was released in March and considering the tour is named after this impressive LP, we're sure fans can expect to hear quite a few tracks from this album.
Living The Dream
I'll Not Be Beaten
You Don't Know What You Got
Don't Mind If I Do
The Hand That Leads Me
Ain't Gonna Beg
I Will Always Love You
Islands in the Stream
Jolene
9 to 5
You're My World
Where Is My Husband!
Let the Light In
Cake by the Ocean
Jai Ho!
APT.
Right Where I Belong
How Do I Move On
Beautiful Soul
All By Myself
You Still Lead Me
Of course, Jane also loves to cover a tune or two, and we'll never forget her renditions of 'Cake By The Ocean', 'Jai Ho' or 'APT.'.
What are the stage times for Jane McDonald in Leeds?
The doors for Jane McDonald's Living The Dream Tour in Leeds are set for 6pm with the event set to start at 7.30pm.
First Direct Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you have enough time to dash home and eat 'Cake by the (Sofa)' before ringing in the new day.
How to get to First Direct Arena
Bus Station
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in LeedsÂ
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
Danny Jones -
23rd May 2025 
