Slam Dunk Festival 2017: Top bands not to miss

On may 27, Birmingham's NEC will play host to some of the leading rock and alternative bands from across the globe as well as up-and-coming acts beginning to make waves.

With over 50 bands playing, it is hard to make a choice on who exactly to catch - but never fear! Hear we have listed our top picks for each stage at this year's festival:

Uprawr Stage

I Am The Avalanche

New York punk heavyweights I Am The Avalanche will be treating fans to an acoustic solo performance by Vinnie Caruana.

I Am the Avalanche was formed by vocalist Vinnie Caruana after the break-up of his previous band The Movielife, and followed his short stint playing in Head Automatica.

In 2014, the band released their third studio album WOLVERINES that featured hit single The Shape I'm In.

I Am The Avalanche play the Uprawr Stage from 4.20pm to 4.50pm

The Blackfox

The Blackfox is the guitarist in Birmingham band Dearist and also one of Uprawr's home-grown DJ's.

He joined the team in the summer of 2013 through Tommy Conflict’s DJ programme and has quickly became a Birmingham resident and a fan favourite

Founder of The Pop Punk Days and resident DJ of its monthly pop punk night The Blackfox will get your feet moving with nostalgic pop punk classics.

The Blackfox will play the Uprawr Stage from 9.00pm until 11.00pm

Stokes Lets Go

One of Uprawr and The Pop Punk Days' finest DJs, Birmingham DJ Stokes Lets Go has played up and down the country, featuring at Slam Dunk Festival as well as playing various other UK festivals including Download.

He decided to pursue DJing four years ago, after being involved in the alternative music scene. He believes that DJing is the perfect medium to push new music into the public eye. His set will include a mixture of alternative music, drum and bass, mashups and dance tunes for party to.

Stokes Lets Go will play the Uprawr Stage from 7.00pm until 9.00pm

Mel Clarke

Best known for her shoots with Suicide Girls, Page 3 and FHM, Birmingham's Mel Clarke has delighted crowds worldwide with her DJ sets.

On top of being a successful alternative model, you can find Mel spinning tunes for The Suicide Girls and is a Resident DJ for Uprawr in both London and Birmingham.

Mel Clarke will play the Uprawr Stage from 5.00pm until 7.00pm

Rock Sound Breakout Stage

The Gospel Youth

Before heading to this year's Vans Warped Tour in the US, south coast favourites The Gospel Youth are set to rock Slam Dunk Festival.

Comprised from members of The Auteur and Fleeing From Finales, The Gospel Youth released a series on singles per month across 2016 and have this year released an official video for hit single The Miles We Are Apart.

The Gospel Youth will play the Rock Sound Breakout Stage from 7.55pm until 8.25pm

Homebound

Following the release of 2017 EP The Mould You Build Yourself Around, Farham's Homebound are set to rock crowds at this year's Slam Dunk Festival.

Talking of the release, Homebound said that: " We cannot explain how great it feels to finally have this out for everyone to hear and enjoy"

Touring with the likes of Set It Off and With Confidence, Homebound promise an energetic and unforgettable live performance.

Homebound play the Rock Sound Breakout stage from 5.10pm to 5.40pm

Casey

Making waves in the alternative music scene with their lucid and emotive music, Casey are set to take you on a journey.

For fans of Pianos Become The Teeth, Defeater and Caspian, Casey have embarked on various headline shows across the UK and describe themselves as a "means of self-expression created with no underlying motive, only the wish to experience and relate."

Casey are playing the Rock Sound Breakout Stage from 2.25pm until 2.55pm

Impericon Stage

SHVPES

Hailing from Birmingham and with a vocalist whose father is none other than Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, SHVPES have already carved a prominent name for themselves in the rock community.

These appearances come in the run-up to the release of their eagerly anticipated album Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair that includes hit single Skin and Bones.

SHVPES are a force to be reckoned with live, and they have toured with the likes of rock legends Finch and Fightstar.

SHVPES will play the Impericon Stage from 2.40pm until 3.10pm

Oceans Ate Alaska

Another Birmingham band, Oceans Ate Alaska have wowed crowds across the world as they have toured across the US and Europe.

Their name from the world's largest recorded mega-tsunami - measuring at 1,700 feet high - that demolished Alaska's coastline in 1958. The band was attracted to the natural disaster's national headline that read "Oceans Ate Alaska" where they decided to carry the name on a path to make their own history.

Their debut album Lost Isles is available now which offers a heavy offering of experimental modern metalcore.

Oceans Ate Alaska have appeared at various UK music festivals and toured with the likes of Bless The Fall, Stick To Your Guns and Emarosa.

Oceans Ate Alaska will play the Impericon Stage from 3.35pm until 4.05pm.

Madina Lake

Creator of hit songs One Last Kiss, Here I Stand and House of Cards - Madina Lake are reuniting to play this year's Slam Dunk Festival.

Madina Lake released their debut album From Them, Through Us, to You through Roadrunner Records and are now releasing new music to coincide with their reunion.

Madina Lake won Best International Newcomer at the Kerrang! Awards 2007 before the group disbanded in September 2013.

Madina Lake are set to play the Impericon Stage from 8.40pm until 9.25pm

Signature Brew Stage

Sorority Noise

Making their debut appearance at this year's Slam Dunk festival, Sorority Noise will appear in support of their brand new album.

Consisting of members from the bands Old Gray and Prawn, Sorority Noise released their first cassette titled Young Luck in 2013 and have since gone on to release debut album Forgettable, sophomore offering Joy, Departed and brand new release You're Not As _____ As You Think.

Sorority Noise have toured across the US with the likes of Knuckle Puck, Seaway, Turnover, Citizen and Fireworks.

Sorority Noise will play the Signature Brew stage from 2.15pm and 2.45pm.

Milk Teeth

Stroud heavyweights Milk Teeth are making a return to the Midlands on this years Slam Dunk Festival line up.

In 2016, Milk Teeth toured the US with fellow Slam Dunk line up bands Sorority Noise, Citizen and Turnover.

The band began producing music in early 2013, and released two EP's before signing to Hopeless Records and recording their follow-up EP Sad Sack in 2015.

Milk Teeth will play the Signature Brew Stage from 3.10pm until 3.40pm

Turnover

Providing both a raw and lucid live show, Turnover are set to captivate audiences at this year's Slam Dunk.

Turnover began in 2009 and released debut album Magnolia in 2013 before releasing celebrated follow-up album Peripheral Vision.

Turnover have toured with the likes of Citizen, Moose Blood, Major League and New Found Glory across the continents as well as many global festivals.

Turnover will play the Signature Brew stage from 5.05pm to 5.45pm.

Citizen

The minds behind smash hit albums Youth and Everybody Is Going to Heaven, Citizen are set to bring their crushing live show to Slam Dunk.

Forming in 2009 when they were still in high school, Citizen have achieved global success with their debut album Youth in 2013, and it's follow up release Everybody Is Going to Heaven in 2015 that charted at number two on the Billboard Vinyl Albums Chart.

Citizen have smashed stages on festival bills across the world and on tour with the likes of Turnover, Polar Bear Club and Hostage Calm.

Citizen will play the Signature Brew Stage from 6.10pm to 6.50pm.

The Key Club Stage

Decade

British rock heavyweights Decade are set to join the Slam Dunk festival line up in support of their second studio album Pleasantries.

Decade have recently toured across Europe with Counterfeit and kin the past, have toured with the likes of Set It Off and Lower Than Atlantis and are set to play this year's 2000 Trees Festival alongside Slaves, The Wonder Years, Young Guns and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes.

Decade will play The Key Club Stage from 2.30pm until 3.00pm.

With Confidence

Fresh from a headline UK tour accompanied by Broadside, Australia's With Confidence are ready for their debut Slam Dunk Festival appearance.

Forming in 2012, the band began posting YouTube videos including the release of their debut single Stand Again, which led to the release of their debut EP Youth.

The band have since released their debut album Better Weather and toured with the likes of Tonight Alive, Motion City Soundtrack, You Me at Six and Don Broco.

With Confidence will play The Key Club Stage from 5.20pm until 5.55pm.

Tonight Alive

Australian rock titans Tonight Alive are making their return to Slam Dunk Festival following their recent signing to Hopeless Records.

Tonight Alive have announced they are set to record their latest album this summer, which will be the follow-up record to 2016's Limitless.

Tonight Alive are often compared to fellow female-fronted pop punk band Paramore, and they have toured alongside the likes of Sleeping With Sirens, Mayday Parade, Set It Off and Decade.

Tonight Alive last played Slam Dunk Festival in 2013, sharing a stage with We Are The Ocean, Kids in Glass Houses, Deaf Havana and All Time Low.

Tonight Alive will play The Key Club Stage from 9.30pm until 10.30pm.

Monster Stage

Cute Is What We Aim For

Following the announcement of their reunion tour in 2016, pop punk favourites Cute Is What We Aim For are gearing up to return to Slam Dunk Festival this year.

Cute Is What We Aim For made waves in the alternative music scene when they released their debut album The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch featuring hit singles There's a Class For This and Curse of Curves.

They followed this release with Rotation before announcing their split in 2012.

In 2016 the band reconnected and announced their anniversary tour via their official Instagram before being announced for Slam Dunk Festival, playing their debut album in full.

Cute Is What We Aim For are playing the Monster Stage from 4.35pm until 5.25pm

The Movielife

After an 11 year break up, The Movielife announced their official reunion in 2014, and are now playing this year's Slam Dunk Festival.

In 1997, The Movielife was formed and soon went from basement shows to supporting its debut album, It's Go Time before deciding to disband in 2003.

In 2008, vocalist Vinnie Caruana addressed rumours of a reunion by saying "The Movielife will not be reuniting. The Movielife has been offered ample opportunities to reunite for a show and no one wants to do it but me." before announcing their first reunion shows in 2014.

The Movielife will play the Monster Stage from 8.20pm until 9.10pm.

We the Kings

Returning to this year's Slam Dunk Festival, We The Kings will be performing their debut self-titled album in full for delighted fans.

They released We The Kings in 2007 featuring such hit songs as Check Yes Juliet and Secret Valentine.

The band toured with the likes of The Maine, The Cab, There for Tomorrow and Versaemerge in support of this album originally, which peaked at number 3 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Record Industry Association.

We The Kings will play the Monster Stage from 7.05pm until 7.55pm

Fireball Stage

Fenix TX

Punk legends Fenix TX will hit Slam Dunk Festival this year as part of a stint of rare UK performances.

Fenix TX originally split in 2002 citing creative differences before announcing their reunion in 2005 ahead of touring across the US and Japan.

They are famous for such hit singles as Threesome, All My Fault and Phoebe Cates, and have toured with the likes of Bad Religion, Against Me! And Blink 182.

Fenix TX will play the Fireball Stage from 1.25pm 2.00pm.

The Ataris

Another punk favourite, The Ataris are set to return to this year's Slam Dunk Festival.

Forming in 1995, The Ataris have released five studio albums, with So Long, Astoria certified gold.

They are best known for their hit cover song, originally recorded by Don Henley, The Boys of Summer, as well as for touring with the likes of Hawthorne Heights and Mest.

The Ataris will play the Fireball Stage from 2.25pm until 3.05pm.

Mad Caddies

One more unique UK performance, ska punk legends Mad Caddies will make their Slam Dunk Festival debut.

The Mad Caddies have influences in a range of genres - from reggae to jazz, from latin to pink and even in sea shanties - which makes for an exciting and eclectic live show.

Mad Caddies have released six full-length albums, one live album, and two EPs.

Mad Caddies will play the Fireball Stage from 4.35pm until 5.20pm

Reel Big Fish

Slam Dunk have brought together the twin forces of Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish once more to bring the party to the Fireball Stage.

Best known for their energetic live sets - Reel Big Fish are known for hit singles Sell Out, She Has A Girlfriend Now and Rick Astley cover Take On Me.

The band missed out on mainstream recognition but gained an underground cult following, touring with the likes of Less Than Jake, Zebrahead, Anti-Flag and Aquabats.

Reel Big Fish will play the Fireball Stage from 6.55pm until 7.55pm

Jagermeister Stage

We Are The Ocean

Waving goodbye to their fans, We Are The Ocean are playing their final shows this year before they disband.

Over the course of their career they have released four albums and toured with the likes of Pvris, Lower Than Atlantis and Yashin.

We Are The Ocean announced their disbandment and a farewell tour through Europe in February and March.

We Are The Ocean will play the Jagermeister Stage from 3.30pm until 4.10pm

Deaf Havana

After a four year break Deaf Havana have returned to the stages of Slam Dunk Festival with a bang.

The band was formed in 2005 at the King's Lynn campus of The College of West Anglia and have gone on to release four full-length albums, eight E.Ps and tour with acts such as The Maine, Canterbury, There For Tomorrow and You Me At Six.

Deaf Havana have recently released their fourth studio album All These Countless Nights featuring hit singles Sing and Trigger.

Deaf Havana will play the Jagemeister stage from 6.45pm until 7.35pm.

Don Broco

Festival favourites Don Broco will return once more to the main stage of this year's Slam Dunk Festival.

Don Broco have achieved success with hit albums Priorities and Automatic, as well as recent singles Everybody and Pretty.

Their festival appearances come ahead of their exclusive UK headline show at London's Alexandra Palace.

Don Broco will play the Jagermeister Stage from 8.00pm until 8.55pm.

Enter Shikari

It's been ten years since the release of hit album Take To The Skies, and this year, Enter Shikari will play it in full exclusively at Slam Dunk Festival.

Take to the Skies, was released on March 19, 2007 and on March 25 it reached number 4 in the UK Official Album Charts.

Enter Shikari are best known for the political content of their songs, and their wild live performances.

The album led to them playing the likes of Download Festival, Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury as well as releasing three further full-length albums albums and headline tours across the globe.

Enter Shikari will play the Jagemeister stage from 9.25 until 10.45