The Essential Pop Punk Playlist

Last weekend I made a round-the-country trip to the Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds and Hatfield. While there were old and new bands blasting everything from hardcore to rock, metal and acoustic, what stood out to me was an abundant love for the cheery smiley energetic sounds of pop punk, sounds that are still being created and appreciated every day. With bucket-loads of bands and over 10,000 fans enjoying the tunes of the weekend, it inspired me to craft some kind of 20-song-strong Essential Pop Punk Playlist to soundtrack our arrival into the summer.

Subscribe to the Spotify playlist right here and check out some homemade liner notes below. Let us know your own faves below.

New Found Glory, 'My Friend's Over You'
The Florida band's most inspiring and anthemic bouncer.

The Starting Line, 'Best Of Me'
One of Slam Dunk's most popular bookings and still going strong.

Set Your Goals, 'Mutiny!'
San Fran rockers with more energy that a barrel full of squirrels.

Four Year Strong, 'Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die'
Massachusetts most bearded export, who'd of thought they'd be so smiley!

Blink 182, 'All The Small Things'
You know this song, and you love it, even if you think you don't.

The Ataris, 'San Dimas High School Football Rules'
Indiana crew maybe better known for their cover of Don Henley's 'Boy Of Summer'.

Fireworks, 'Detroit'
Michigan five-piece who released their new album 'Gospel' last month.

You Me At Six, 'Save It For The Bedroom'
Brit youngsters taking the world by storm. Hooray!

Hit The Lights, 'Drop The Girl'
Ohio collective who hooked in Valencia's Shane Henderson for this tune.

Fall Out Boy, 'Sugar We're Going Down'
Iconic pogo-ing into leads into this chart-bothering FOB classic.

The Wonder Years, 'Melrose Diner'
Philadelphia band who will release their third album 'Suburbia I've Given You All And Now I'm Nothing' this month!

Simple Plan, 'Addicted'
Canadian crew who recently joined forces with Brit pop princess Natasha Bedingfield for a new single. Loco.

Lit, 'My Own Worst Enemy'
This (almost) one-hit wonder from the Californian crew still gets blasted in clubs around the country.

Cartel, 'Honestly'
Lads from Conyers, Georgia (where?) who greatly impressed the hoards at Slam Dunk.

Paramore, 'Misery Business'
Hey lady! Hayley and co bring fizzing energy to this teenage anthem.

Valencia, 'The Space Between'
Pennsylvania crew who released their latest album 'Dancing With A Ghost' late last year.

All Time Low, 'Dear Maria, Count Me In'
Cheeky Baltimore potty-mouthed rockers who are now bloody massive.

Sum 41, 'Fat Lip'
Canadian rockers with the spiky haired Deryck Whibley up front.

Man Overboard, 'Fantasy Girl'
American group who released their new EP 'The Absolute Worst' earlier this year.

Good Charlotte, 'The Anthem'
The Maddens and friends rally the troops with this beast from their 2002 album 'The Young And The Hopeless'

What would be on yours?