Yesterday (July 22), the festival’s official Instagram account posted an update with all the relevant information regarding entry into the festival. Perhaps surprisingly to some or greatly received by others revealing that attendees will not need to be double vaccinated to gain entry.

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A post shared by Slam Dunk Festival (@slamdunkmusic)

Headliners for the festival will include the likes of Sum 41 and Don Broco, with other big names on the bill such as Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Alkaline Trio, Funeral For A Friend, While She Sleeps, Comeback Kid, The Story So Far, We Are The In Crowd, NOFX and many more. The Event has two editions much like Reading and Leeds with the North edition of the event, held at Temple Newsam in Leeds will take place on September 4, while Slam Dunk South in Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire will take place on September 5.

As seen in the post at least one of the following criteria would be accepted in order to gain entry:

• Proof of a negative lateral flow or PCR test result logged within 48 hours of the event OR
• Proof of immunity based upon a positive PCR test result, clear of the 10 day isolation period, logged within 180 days of the event OR
• Proof of double vaccination, with the 2nd dose received at least 14 days prior to the event

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged nightclubs and any large events to check for ‘COVID passports’ now that the UK’s coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. At a Downing Street press conference last week, he stated: “As a matter of social responsibility we’re urging nightclubs and other venues with large crowds to make use of the NHS COVID pass, which shows proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or natural immunity as a means of entry.”

Since most people kept their 2020 tickets, organiser stated on their official Twitter channel that its “only right to try to bring back as many SDF20 artists as we could“. Tickets already purchased will be valid for 2021, and for a limited time more tickets are on sale for next year at their older price, starting from £75.90 and available at ther official website.

We are very pleased to confirm the final list of artists who were due to play SDF20 and who are able to come back to play SDF21 for you. As the vast majority have kept hold of your tickets for next year it seemed only right to try to bring back as many SDF20 artists as we could.. pic.twitter.com/YZS2Ea5yLD

— Slam Dunk Festival (@SlamDunkMusic) August 24, 2020

The 2021 edition will mark the 15th anniversary of the festival since its first show in 2006. Done under the slogan “A New Dawn“, the festival is promised to be “the biggest and best one yet“. With a line-up like this and with music fans across the globe getting hungrier for live events, the festival is sure to sell out very quick so get your ticket now to avoid disappointments. Additional information on transport and accomodation for both North and South shows, along with different merch and festival masks are all available online.

As confirmed, Canadians Sum 41 return as headliners along fellow compatriots Billy Talent and California punk rock veterans NOFX. The main British acts are Bedford rockers Don Broco and local metalcore favourites While She Sleeps and Bury Tomorrow. Joining them is a long list of both well established acts and fresh names from the international punk, rock, metal and hardcore scene. Among the seemingly endless line-up are The Used, State Champs, Pennywise, The Wonder Years, Code Orange, Reel Big Fish, and many many more.

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ALL 3 ARE BACK! Full and final list of returning artists from 2020 will be released on Monday at 5pm. Limited tickets remain on sale at 2020 prices, so get yours now from www.slamdunkfestival.com

Публикация, споделена от Slam Dunk Festival (@slamdunkmusic) на Авг 21, 2020 в 9:02 PDT

The fesitval is organised annually by independant label Slam Dunk Records. The idea was first born around the ‘Slam Dunk’ weekly event at Leeds’ Cockpit music venue (now operating as The Key Club) with the sole goal to “change the UK pop-punk scene forever“, and quickly transformed into one of the main annual events for punk and metal lovers. Ogirinally only held in Leeds, since 2010 the festival has turned into a two-day event with additional day added closer to London in response to growing popularity and demand.

Since most major events for this summer got cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 situations, festival organisers and promoters got busy with planning their schedule for 2021 and Slam Dunk is one of the latest to be finalised for next year. Assuming everything goes to plan and no external factors interfere, next summer is looking like one to remember. All everyone needs to do is keep a safe distance, wash their hands regularly and wear a mask so we can all go back to the live events we have missed for so long now.

Set to take place over two days as usual, Slam Dunk will kick off on 29th May in Leeds’ Temple Newsam, moving to Hatfield Park for the next day, 30th May. Ticket-holders can retain their purchases for next year, however they can also receive a refund from the point of purchase up until September of this year. On the other hand, prices have gone up for new purchases given the difficult circumstances, so it’s a good idea to hold onto them. Tickets are on sale now from the official website.

Acts to look forward to include Punk In Drublic, who were the first to be announced, as well as NOFX, Pennywise, Reel Big Fish, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, The Vandals, and Face to Face. Elsewhere, Comeback Kid, Days N Daze, and newcomers The Baboon Show will perform on a different stage.

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We are pleased to announce the first bands for 2021 alongside the European tour announcement of @punkindrublicfestival. We’re excited to announce @nofx, @_pennywise, @gimmegimmesband, @reelbigfish, @vandalsofficial & @facetofacemusic will be back joining us for #SDF21 Also on the tour but playing on other stages at Slam Dunk is @comebackkid_hc, @daysndazeofficial, and new addition @thebaboonshowofficial. Lookout for the next announcement coming next very soon. #SDF21

A post shared by Slam Dunk Festival (@slamdunkmusic) on Jun 15, 2020 at 9:00am PDT

Upon cancelling the event, Director Ben Ray wrote a saddening message to attendees, which reads “It is with a heavy heart I have to inform you that Slam Dunk Festival is postponed to 2021. We hung on to hope for as long as we could but with so many factors against us, we have had to accept the fact that it can’t go ahead.”

Luckily, many of the bands who were scheduled to perform this year are on board for next year as well, as he went on to explain. Very soon after the cancellation, it was revealed that plans for 2021 were already in the works, causing excitement amongst fans.

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It is with a very heavy heart we have to inform you that Slam Dunk Festival 2020 is postponed to 2021. Please read the image or visit www.slamdunkfestival.com for the full statement from our Festival Director.

A post shared by Slam Dunk Festival (@slamdunkmusic) on May 14, 2020 at 6:01am PDT

There are various options for tickets, while new merchandise has been released in preparation – since Slam Dunk is an independent festival run by a small team of people, buying t-shirts and tickets will greatly help to support an amazing event.

Originally the festival was postponed from May to September 2020, but upon Government advice, it was cancelled entirely. Established in 2006, it has never missed a year, being nominated for the UK Festival Awards for six consecutive years.