On the 10th anniversary of the first ever Slam Dunk event, Slam Dunk Festival 2011 is officially set to go! While bands and stages start to take shape, the festival is ready to announce the first batch of acts for the 2011 event.

Following a sell out 2010 event that saw the likes of New Found Glory, Alkaline Trio, Against Me!, Young Guns, Devil Sold His Soul, My Passion, Your Demise and Four Year Strong, Slam Dunk Festival 2011 will be the best yet and further strengthen it’s position as one of the best small UK festivals.

On the year of its 10th anniversary, Slam Dunk will look to bring back some of its first ever acts booked to truly mark this special occasion.

As with last year, the festival will once again set up across the final May Bank Holiday weekend hitting Leeds University on Saturday the 28th and then just on the outskirts of London, Hertfordshire University in Hatfield on Sunday the 29th.

Organiser and Slam Dunk founder Ben Ray explained about this year’s set-up;

“Being the 10th anniversary of Slam Dunk it was important for me to have a lineup that truly represents the way the scene has evolved over the last 10 years. I am extremely happy to have some of the bands that inspired me to start the club night from which the festival evolved from.

Returning to Leeds University for a 5th year, 2011 will not doubt surely see a another repeat of one of the best Festival atmospheres at any rock festival anywhere in the world. Going back to Hatfield for it’s 2nd year any teething problems of last year’s event have been ironed out with a different layout and the main stage and merch village being outdoors. Increased and improved security will ensure a smooth flow of people between all the stages. The dates have also been swapped around to give the venue time to recover from it’s Summer Ball on the Friday night which caused us problems last year.”

So who is set to take to the stages this year?

The joint headliners come in the form of Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish, who shall play together in the UK for the first time!

3oh!3 shall be bringing the party to Slam Dunk this year.

An exclusive re-union shall take place from American favourites The Starting Line!

Also from the States Slam Dunk favourites Mayday Parade shall join Framing Hanley and MC Lars.

The first UK acts to be announced this year are Deaf Havana and We Are The Ocean.

With the first announcement complete, it seems Slam Dunk 2011 is set to the best year yet!

Tickets will cost £32.50 and will be available this Friday (February 18th) at 9am!