Photo Credit: Ant Hunt (Slam Dunk South)
This May bank holiday weekend, we took to Slam Dunk North returning to Leeds Temple Newsam and what a line up it was. Stacked with bands across from genres like pop-punk (going back to its main routes) to metalcore. It was definitely a line-up that catered for all fans alike.
Everyone was excited for the day as we travelled up by the Big Green Coach, full of other festivals goers and the spirits were high. Initially, the weather couldn’t make up its mind during the start of the day. As it went from wind, sun, to rain, but no matter what, people still turned up to see the music, showing dedication and passion for live music.
Starting off with seeing our first band of the day, Brighton’s alt-metal and hyper-pop duo Lake Malice at the Kerrang! Stage. Even though it was before midday, everyone was here nice and early, ready to kick-start the high energy that continued throughout the day. The band started off their set with Blossom, which is a fitting opener for the band because it establishes Lake Malice’s sonic identity from the start, making it an explosion of colour and defiance. It blends gritty riffs with catchy hyper-pop melodies, accompanied by choreographed dancers that keep the performance engaging and energetic. Giving it a J-pop sense of feeling, which the band themselves have said to be influenced by Japanese anime when it comes to their style and writing.
Alice Guala exclaimed, “This is your wake-up exercise lesson”, as the song ended. Bloodbath was the last chance for the audience to show what they were made of, as this was when we saw the first crowd surfer of the day. It was a great way to end the set, as it left on an intense note, marked by brutal riffs and inner turmoil. For being the first band of the day, Lake Malice brought to the stage a mixture of everything from clean to scream vocals to fast-paced. It formed a whole package of what you want to see from a band live, and so it started the day off on a strong note.
Next up was Dream State, a four-piece independent alternative rock band from Swansea. They took to the Main Stage East and started their set with Still Dreaming, making for an emotionally uplifting and anthemic track, where vocalist Jessie Powell’s brings charisma and energy to the stage and perfectly introduces her soaring vocals to the audience. During Bloom, Powell exclaimed that, “It’s time to wake up and I wanna see the biggest mosh pit”. The crowd followed suit and formed a circle pit, where even a child joined in by sitting on their parent’s shoulders, showing that festivals can be a place where families form memories.
During the song, Powell showcased melodic vocals in time with the drum solo from drummer Tom Connolly. They performed their newest song Bittersweet Scars of My Past, which depicted themes of resilience and was fast paced in terms of the instrumentals because it was full of relentless guitar riffs and underlying tone of synth sounds. At the end of the song Powell showed her love and appreciation for the crowd. As she raised her hands and formed a heart with them. Powell also took this time to share some humour, by mentioning the fact that she had little sleep the night before, as she thought she saw a ghost in her room.
Dream State ended their performance with their well-known song Primrose, which placed them onto the music scene. It made for a perfect closer for the band since it encapsulates the emotional depth of the band and you could see how the song impacted Powell, when she sang the lyrics of, “I’m naked, misunderstood/I know and I can’t, I can’t let go”.
We were excited to catch Imminence, a Swedish genre-defying metalcore band, on the Main Stage East. As they continue to perfectly blend intense and ambient orchestral soundscapes with raw and visceral screams from vocalist Eddie Berg. Showcasing an undeniable and intense stage presence, one that captivates the audience as they watch in awe and wonder, to then unleash mighty power through the sound of crushing guitar riffs and relentless drumming. Death by a Thousand Cuts is a song that never fails to disappoint, the song blends a mixture of soaring melodies with brutal screams from Berg. When it comes to the chorus, the audience always passionately sings along, creating a unified moment.
We were finally able to hear God Fearing Man live for the first time, and it lived up to its high expectation. It is a song that starts off slow and then builds momentum with the dominating violin tones, giving a cinematic feel. Berg captures vocals that move between a whispered despair to a desperate scream. Everyone is then waiting for the moment when guitarist Harald Barrett takes centre stage with his dramatic guitar solo, gripping the audience as they watch. Imminence ends their performance with the track The Black, leaving on a piercing note with haunting melodies and Berg’s final gut-wrenching scream into the violin leaving a chilling effect in the air.
We managed to catch the end of California’s post-hardcore and pop-punk band Movements set on the Main Stage West and was there for the last three songs and what we did see of them was enjoyable. As they slowed things down and they took the audience on a journey of heartfelt and relatable lyrics that they can connect to. Kept was a song that brought a cathartic moment, especially from vocalist Patrick Miranda as his vocals ranged from spoken-word, soft to the eruption of strong emotions. Next was Daylily, paving way for being Movements well-known and most beloved song as it contains a melodic sentiment and it is about resilience and healing. The audience felt emotionally connected to this song, as they sang along in harmony with the mid-tempo rhythm and shoegaze sounding guitar tones. I Hope You Choke! Was the last song of their performance and switched things up, it was filled with grunge-tined and distorted guitar tones and gritty vocals from Miranda making it one of Movements more fierce songs in their set.
French powerhouses LANDMVRKS made their presence known on the Main East Stage. As a band they never fail to disappoint the crowd with their fierce and energetic performances that get the audience moving by forming a mosh pit. They started their set with Creature, which sets the mood for an aggressive and fast-paced tone and includes a soaring and melodic chorus. Vocalist Florent Salfati shines through in this song because he goes from the of being emotionally driven to then showing full force with his screams, paring them with drilling guitar tones and dynamic drumming, which gives the crowd the perfect opportunity to headbang. Their newer song Sulfur starts off with a guitar solo then leads into a dominating sound of drumming, the song showcases a raw and visceral sound, especially when it comes to the chorus. They end their performance with Self-Made Black Hole, making it the last time that they can be destructive on the stage and where the crowd can match that energy during the insane breakdowns. Overall, LANDMVRKS are made for playing on a festival stage and we are excited to see what comes next for them in the future.
One of our most anticipated and favourite sets of the whole day was from New York hardcore band Stray From The Path, as it was the first time we had seen them in a live setting. Drawing in a big crowd (rightfully so) on the Main Stage East. They instantly came head-on with full force and power with the song Needful Things causing scenes of absolute chaos and mayhem. It makes for a confrontational and fiery tone, and from the get-go, there are both crowd surfers and mosh pits that never fail to die down. Vocalist Drew York commanded the stage throughout the set with non-stop high energy and drive. III is a song that is rap-infused and rhythmic and depicts political-themed lyrics of police brutality.
What we like about Stray From The Path is that they never shy away from talking about societal issues or political themes. During the set, they threw a couple of their new albums and a vinyl into crowd for lucky fan to get a chance to hear it before it comes out showing that they appreciate their fans and want to give appreciation back to them. Before the song Chest Candy, York asked for there to be one-hundred crowd surfers, a challenge that the audience immediately accepted. Shot Caller, which was a new song, became an instant hit with the crowd and it was full of distorted guitar soundscapes and groove drum sounds. Drew exclaimed, “I want to picture this as one battlefield, and we are all here to mosh and go wild”. The last three songs of Fortune Teller, Guillotine and First World Problem Child kept the relentless and angry energy going, with a special mention to Craig Reynold, who remained meticulous and performed with precision throughout the whole performance. York wanted to end on a positive note by spreading a message of peace and love to the audience. Despite the meanings behind their music, they wanted everybody to know that music is about coming together as a collective and using it as a powerful way to connect with people.
Known for their strange song titles and delving into the genre of Midwest emo, Michigan’s very own Hot Mulligan took to the Main Stage West with forty minutes of inviting us into a whirlwind of raspy vocals, clever lyrics, and summer-drenched nostalgia. They were another band on the line-up to draw in a massive crowd and during their set the sun was shining bright, which seemed like a fitting feeling in relation to how the music made the audience feel. How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shells was the first song that Hot Mulligan played, and it was guitar dominated and emotionally jagged. As the song hit the chorus that is when the dominating sound of the drums came through, adding another element. Drink Milk and Run fills the stage with indie-infused guitar tones and drumming beats, reminding us of the band Bloc Party.
One thing we noticed about Hot Mulligan, is that unlike the juxtaposition of their meme-like, humorous titles, their songs have an underlying theme of having a dark and pessimistic view on society and life, which the audience can relate to because we use humour to get through difficult times. *Equip Sunglasses* oozed a summery soundscape but still had a layer of melancholy underneath showcasing cathartic and scream-along lyrics, as it deals with themes of social pressure and self-identity. Hot Mulligan end their set with the track BCKYRD, where it makes for a messy and loud end leaving the audience in their feels, as the song is about the expectations and challenges of adulthood. Overall, this set made for a refreshing and palate-cleanser change after all the madness that was endured from the other bands that were seen.
Wrexham’s very own pop-punk band, Neck Deep, performed on the Main Stage West. Known for their early-2000 pop-punk sound and exploring themes of personal struggles, social and political commentary, youth and nostalgia. Neck Deep made one of the most fun and biggest performances of the day. Think bubble blowing, foam bricks flying, comedy and flames shooting from the pyro. Even though it started to rain at this point, everyone in the crowd was eager to smile and cheer when the band came onto the stage. Heartbreak of the Century was the first song on their set, given that this song is full of emotional intensity, as it is about heartbreak and relationships.
In contrast, it still led with uplifting tones and electric guitar riffs, as well as drum solos and beats. From the moment they began, they collectively knew how to bring energy and charismatic stage presence, including vocalist Ben Barlow. Before Take Me With You, Barlow asked the crowd who believes in aliens (as that is the main theme of the song), to which a lot of hands were raised (ours included) and jokingly said, “Would you rather, option one: have world peace, or option 2: have an alien invasion?“. Motion Sickness brought to the stage a mix of fast-paced and classic sounds from their pop-punk roots. You Should See Me Now brought sentimentality and confidence to the vocals and soundscapes, making it a cathartic release as the audience sang along. Barlow took the time to call for an all-girl mosh pit during the song, She’s a God, to give a chance for the women to come together and let them have their own special moment, which we thought was endearing.
As the performance drew to a close, Barlow made the most of the time he had left, speaking about feeling the unity in the air and that everyone is on the same side and should live the life they want to live. Ending with the song In Bloom, a soaring and reflective note where everyone comes together to sing their hearts out. We are sure that everyone agrees when we say that they are a band that will no doubt be a future headliner for the festival.
Lastly, the Floridan headliners, A Day To Remember, came to dominate on the Main Stage West. Their performance was filled with nostalgia, heavy crowd-surfing anthems and a great deal of joy from start to finish. It included Mario firing shirts into the crowd, inflatable beach balls and lots of fire and confetti to bring the party to Slam Dunk North. A Day To Remember brought memories of being a teenager, rocking out to their music. After all these years, the audience could question if these big pop-punk bands still have what it takes to perform. So, when concerning A Day To Remember, they still sound just as good and passionate about what they do when performing. Even though there is controversy with their newest album, Big Ole Album, Vol. 1, their setlist was stacked with old classics and new material. The Downfall of Us All opened their performance and immediately threw everyone back to 2011, making it the perfect crowd igniter as the crowd chanted “Da-da-da-da-da da”, instantly setting an electric yet nostalgic tone. Vocalist Jeremy McKinnon could feel the crowd’s elevated emotions as he said, “We are just getting started”, teasing that there was more to come. Bad Blood showcased their newer material, but this song did not disrupt the flow of the set. It still felt like the core sound of A Day To Remember, where it balanced aggression and melody, including a crushing breakdown.
Everyone is familiar with A Day To Remember’s cover of Since U Been Gone, which was at the request of the band’s touring bassist, Bobby Lynge. It made for a massive crowd participation when the chorus came along and for a light-hearted pause during the set. All My Friends, which is another new song of theirs, was a fun and anthemic song, showcasing a catchier and upbeat side to the band. It was at this point that McKinnon said, “We need to see the biggest mosh pit that Slam Dunk has ever seen“, to which the crowd obliged. If It Means a Lot to You, the acoustic ballad that everyone knows and loves, is the time when the crowd brings out their phone flashlights and takes the time to celebrate with loved ones, depicting a raw and sentimental pause as the night drew closer. All Signs Point to Lauderdale ended their set, leaving the performance on a timeless note and making the crowd revisit the good old glory days of pop-punk. Proving that they were the perfect band to end the night on and see Slam Dunk Festival out for the year.
As fans collectively leave Slam Dunk North, we think it is safe to say that we are all in agreement with that this year was much better. Especially, in terms of it being well-organised and managed. Making the anticipation for next year, given it is Slam Dunk’s 20th anniversary even more apparent, with fan already speculating about who might be on the festival’s line-up.
Written By: Zena Morris
