FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Slam Dunk Festival 2017
Slam Dunk has consistently been one of the summer’s best festivals for the past few years and 2017’s iteration looks like it will be no different to the normal excellent standards. From ENTER SHIKARI playing a set sure to be packed full of early rarities, AGAINST ME playing some of the best punk rock songs of all time to a main stage packed with some of the best heavy bands of the last five years, the UK’s answer to Warped Tour is looking to remain on consistent form. Here, check out Distorted Sound‘s lowdown on this year’s lineup on who exactly we think you should check out at this year’s festival!
Jagermeister Stage
ENTER SHIKARI
This year’s Slam Dunk will be the first time for rebellious rockers ENTER SHIKARI – although they’ve DJ’d the festival before – it will also be the ten year anniversary of their debut album, Take To The Skies, so there is sure to be some of that album on the set list! What better way to celebrate? Known for being a bit of a wild card, both musically and lyrically, ENTER SHIKARI have tackled political issues and melded together a selection of contrasting genres in their punk, no cares given attitude for the last ten years and won the hearts of many fans. They have a new album in the works, hardly surprising with all the controversial happenings in the world at the moment; it will not be an album to miss. They have hinted that some of the new material may be played at Slam Dunk so their headlining performance is one not to miss!
Words: Dean Martin
BURY TOMORROW
Virtually Slam Dunk‘s house band by now BURY TOMORROW play a well-deserved mid-afternoon set on main stage. With their best performances invariably being at Slam Dunk, BURY TOMORROW might be a familiar face but that doesn’t detract from the real sense of occasion both band and fans seem to embrace at this festival. With songs from their fourth album, Earthbound to augment the set it’s sure to be a packed 45 minutes, and on the main stage no less!
Words: James Halstead
CROSS FAITH & BEARTOOTH
With CROSSFAITH and BEARTOOTH filling up spaces that, in other years, might have been reserved for bands on the lighter end of Slam Dunk‘s spectrum it’s a great chance to push heavier music up the line-up. BEARTOOTH blending the vitriolic hardcore riffs of the likes of EVERYTIME I DIE with the modern sensibilities of the Warped Core scene they’ve already amassed a sizeable following – undoubtedly also due to an utterly ferocious live show. CROSSFAITH, equally, are a band that are often discussed for their manic live show. Perhaps unfairly, considering the quality of their recorded output – melding the best elements of metalcore with those of dance music they’re a logical choice to play on a stage headlined by ENTER SHIKARI.
Words: James Halstead
Fireball Stage
BOWLING FOR SOUP
BOWLING FOR SOUP have been a constant presence in the pop-punk world for the last couple of decades, bringing humour and comedy elements to the stages all across the world which such hits as 1985, Girl All The Bad Guys Want, and High School Never Ends. This year they will be headlining the Fireball Stage and if you’re looking for a party, they are not a band to miss.
Words: Dean Martin
REEL BIG FISH
Having performed at the festival previously and a career spanning over two decades, American Ska Punk’s REEL BIG FISH are a sure fire way to get the party going on the Fireball Stage. With a vast back catalogue of original material alongside well-received covers of popular songs, REEL BIG FISH will produce endless smiles and good vibes at Slam Dunk.
Words: James Weaver
LESS THAN JAKE
Pop-punk surged in popularity since the turn of the century and LESS THAN JAKE have been on the scene’s biggest bands since forming in 1992. With a consistent back catalogue of records and a strong live reputation, the band are geared up to take Slam Dunk by storm. Sharing a stage with pop punk’s greats like BOWLING FOR SOUP and ZEBRAHEAD, if pop-punk or ska tickles your fancy then the Fireball Stage has more than enough to keep you entertained.
Words: James Weaver
Monster Energy Stage
NECK DEEP
NECK DEEP are one of the biggest bands in the modern era of pop-punk. The Wrexham rockers have built a solid reputation through relentless touring and consistent appearances on the UK festival circuit and their headlining slot on the Monster Energy Stage is more than evident of this. Despite only have two studio records, expect a plethora of fan favourites that will have everyone singing along.
Words: James Weaver
WE THE KINGS
WE THE KINGS have a lengthy slot on the Monster Energy Stage at this year’s Slam Dunk and the American rockers will provide their upbeat pop-rock to the masses consistently throughout their performance. With a healthy back catalogue of material on offer, including big singles such as Heaven Can Wait and We’ll Be A Dream, WE THE KINGS will appeal to the festival’s audience in abundance.
Words: James Weaver
Key Club Stage
TONIGHT ALIVE
Pleasing guitar riffs, cheerful vocals, and memorable lyrics all come together to create this Australian pop-punk band with attitude that’ll leave anyone with a smile on their face and some fight in their heart. To date, TONIGHT ALIVE have released three studio albums, with a new one in the works. They’ve come a long way since their inception in 2008, and there’s no telling how far they will go.
Words: Dean Martin
SET IT OFF
With plenty of cheerful bands gracing the Key Club Stage at this year’s Slam Dunk, American pop-rockers SET IT OFF will leave everyone feeling uplifted and beaming from ear to ear. Backed with an arsenal of anthems and the oozing charisma of frontman Cody Carson, the band are set to deliver a set that showcases why pop punk is so revered in the alternative community.
Words: James Weaver
Signature Stage
AGAINST ME
AGAINST ME are a band with a constantly enduring, and endearing, punk rock attitude with hooks that could put the FOO FIGHTERS to shame and one of the most inspirational figureheads of recent years AGAINST ME are a band that bring a real message alongside great songs to their performance. One not to miss at Slam Dunk!
Words: James Halstead
THE BRONX
THE BRONX are sure to be one of the day’s highlights with their riotous punk’n’roll sound. Another Slam Dunk regular with side project MARIACHI EL BRONX playing several years ago THE BRONX are almost certain not to disappoint.
Words: James Halstead
MILK TEETH
Having recently supported CREEPER on their UK tour, female fronted MILK TEETH are a pleasing blend of gentle and defiant with a good dose of quirky thrown in. Relatable lyrics delivered in a matter-of-fact manner are a winning combination for this British quartet.
Words: Dean Martin
PUPPY
Fresh off their support role on CREEPER‘s triumphant headlining run, PUPPY are sure to wow and bewilder with their eclectic range of influences. Huge SABBATHIAN riffs clash with DEFTONES and GHOST influence on the vocals in a truly bewildering melting pot. Mind you, there’s no messing with songs like Entombed.
Words: James Halstead
Impericon Stage
STRAY FROM THE PATH
Not that heavy music is entirely absent from the smaller stages; STRAY FROM THE PATH bring their considerable reputation as a live band alongside their no-nonsense hardcore infused with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE levels of bounce. A seasoned live band by now STRAY FROM THE PATH are one of the days sure fire success stories.
Words: James Halstead
SHVPES
Relatively new on the scene but SHVPES are well on the way to making a name for themselves having secured supporting spots on tour with BRING ME THE HORIZON, CROSS FAITH, and BULLET FOR MY VALETINE to name a few. Towards the end of last year they released their first full length album Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair. They are guaranteed to provide an energetic and passion filled show.
Words: Dean Martin
MADINA LAKE
Back from the dead, alternative rockers MADINA LAKE had an huge following in their heyday. Now, recharged and ready to return to the alternative musical world, the band’s performance at Slam Dunk surely will be a nostalgic and exciting experience for those in attendance. That and with new music on the horizon, Slam Dunk surely will reignite MADINA LAKE‘s campaign for dominance in alternative rock.
Words: James Weaver
There you have it! Distorted Sound’s breakdown on who we think you should watch at Slam Dunk Festival 2017. Let us know who you are most excited for in the comments below!
Slam Dunk Festival takes place on 27 May – 29 May 2017 at The NEC – Birmingham, Leeds City Centre, and the Forum – Hatfield. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
For more information on Slam Dunk like their official page on Facebook.