Of all of the music festivals kicking off the summer this bank holiday weekend, Slam Dunk is probably the least well known, but this year’s line up has caught my eye and is particularly spectacular this year.

Slam Dunk Festival? What is this? I hear you cry. If you like pop-punk bands then you probably are well aware (and pretty sad about not going).

Slam Dunk has been an annual event since 2006, when none other than Fall Out Boy topped the bill in Leeds with label mates, the recently disbanded The Academy Is… also making an appearance.

Since then, the festival has been expanding every year. In 2010 the event was introduced in Hatfield and now a date has also been included in Wolverhampton – creating Slam Dunk North, South and Midlands. The brand has also branched out with separate, smaller line ups in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

This year, Slam Dunk is every fan of pop punk music’s dream. An impressive 7 stages see bands such as All Time Low, Deaf Havana, Kids In Glass Houses, Four Year Strong, Pierce The Veil and Cancer Bats give a night that caters to many rock tastes. There are also solo performances from Andrew McMahon (of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin), Gavin Butler (of The Blackout) and most excitingly to many William Beckett (of The Academy Is… back in the UK for the first time since the band toured in 2008) on an acoustic stage.

Unsurprisingly, Slam Dunk North and South have both sold out this year, leaving many disappointed. It seems likely that the festival will continue to grow and attract fans every year, considering the impressive line ups they’ve given us over the past few years. Hopefully, one day the festival will be held in bigger venues, meaning that more fans can have the experience of so many amazing bands all in one place.

Although other festivals take place this weekend, such as Radio One’s Big Weekend, it’s arguable that Slam Dunk is the place to be on the bank holiday at the end of May.