Over the past few days, the line up for the upcoming punk and hardcore Slam Dunk Festival 2010 has been finalized. Mind you, that's not before announcing the withdrawal from the initial line-up by The King Blues - it's good news in another way though since lead singer Itch's good lady is due to give birth during the festival weekend. Bless 'em all, but meanwhile the organizers will announce a replacement act in due course.

The festival itself has grown from a club-night to a one-day bash and now to a two-day event, covering the Hatfield Uni campus on Saturday 29th May and the familiar surroundings of Leeds Uni on the 30th. The line-up stays the same for both days. Tickets for each day's event cost £25, not bad for several bands.

Back to who WILL be there (babies permitting) and the lead attraction is New Found Glory from Florida. The punk-powerpop quintet has been caning the recent 2009 album, 'Not Without a Fight' around the globe, including the Reading and Leeds Festivals as well as just releasing a 10th anniversary special edition CD/DVD of their self-titled debut. Looks like Leeds is now set to welcome them back on the 2nd day of the weekend, as well as seeing Hatfield Uni for the first time, the day before.

Other confirmed snail-raisers include Capdown, a politically-driven ska-core and punk quintet from Milton Keynes (they've toured with Hundred Reasons, Less Than Jake and Bad Religion), melodic hardcore five-piece Four Year Strong (new album due next week!) who divided a metal nation with the album, 'Explains It All', which was a covers-album featuring their influences from the 90s (Nirvana, Pumpkins, Pantera - all good, but Del Amitri and Alanis Morrisette raised an eyebrow and a glass in equal measure though) and San Fran's Set Your Goals who have supported New Found Glory before (last year).

RX Bandits, Every Avenue and Out Of Sight are also due to crank it up with more acts to be given the nod pretty soon - and as soon as we find out, you will too!

Update: Slam Dunk by the Sea and Slam Dunk Scotland added for May 2010!

Not content with covering two English regions (Leeds and Hatfield), the 2010 event has been expanded with 'Slam Dunk by the Sea' and 'Slam Dunk Scotland' being added to the festivities!

Slam Dunk by the Sea will take place at Bournemouth's O2 Academy on Friday 28th May, featuring New Found Glory, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, Hit the Lights and Out Of Sight, with Slam Dunk Scotland taking place at the Glasgow Academy on Monday 31st May, featuring New Found Glory, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, Against Me!, Yashin and Hit the Lights.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at £20 + booking fee.