Slam Dunk Festival 2027 announces first wave: Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan and Killswitch Engage top the bill

# What was announced Slam Dunk Festival released its first wave of acts for 2027. The two-day UK run hits Leeds Temple Newsam on Saturday 29 May and Hatfield Park on Sunday 30 May. Headliners named so far are Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan and Killswitch Engage.

# Who's headlining and why it matters

Simple Plan also headline and are marking 25 years since their debut No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls. Their appearance is the band's first at the site in eight years.

Killswitch Engage are on the bill for the first time at Slam Dunk following the 2025 release of This Consequence, their first album in six years. Their inclusion shifts part of the bill toward heavier metal audiences.

# Notable returns, reunions and variety across scenes The announced roster spans punk, emo, ska and metal. Highlights include:

• Reel Big Fish: billed as a UK-exclusive reunion show after a hiatus that began in 2019.
• Ska and punk veterans: Less Than Jake and The Interrupters.
• Heavier acts: Beartooth, Wage War, The Amity Affliction, ERRA.
• Emo/post-hardcore and alternative names: Sleeping With Sirens, The Used, The Maine, Knuckle Puck, Trophy Eyes.
• Newer and scene-adjacent acts: Mouth Culture, Melrose Avenue, From Ashes To New, Hot Milk.

The list also includes Grade 2, Reel Big Fish, The Academy Is…, The Front Bottoms, Four Year Strong and several other bands covering multiple subgenres tied to Slam Dunk's established audience.

# Dates, locations and ticketing

• Leeds: Temple Newsam — Saturday 29 May 2027.
• Hatfield: Hatfield Park — Sunday 30 May 2027.

Pre-sale ticket options open Friday 2 October. General on-sale begins Monday 5 October. The festival's announcement directs readers to the ticketing page for purchases.

# What this lineup signals for attendees The first wave is broad by design: established 1990s/2000s acts with anniversary draws sit alongside heavier modern metal and newer punk/emo bands. Fans looking for reunion or anniversary sets (Reel Big Fish, Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan) should note the UK-exclusive angle and the mixed-genre bill when planning. Metal and hardcore fans get heavier choices with Killswitch Engage and Beartooth sharing the bill with Wage War and The Amity Affliction.

# How to follow next steps Expect additional names in later lineup waves. If you plan to attend, use the pre-sale window starting Oct 2 to access early ticketing options and mark the general on-sale on Oct 5.