FESTIVAL REVIEW: Slam Dunk Festival 2024 – South
The bands at Slam Dunk Festival are always incredible, and with the best line-up and best energy, it could easily take the crown for most loved alternative festival. But, everybody who attended last year can admit that the organisation was a mess. With multiple different issues, Slam Dunk promised their fans that next year would be better, and for the first day at Hatfield House at least, they delivered. From the beginning, queues were moving swiftly to get everybody in, the site had an entire layout change, and while there was definitely still a huge amount of people, it felt like it was handled really well, rather than a hazard. With much to be excited about, and a whole host of bands and artists to look forward to, the day begins.
HONEY REVENGE – Kerrang! Stage
While HONEY REVENGE’S vocalist Devin Papadol repeatedly informs the crowd that this was their first ever festival set, there is no way that anyone would have ever known otherwise. With cool confidence and a steady stream of pop rock hits, they hype up the audience early in the day, bringing the energy and encouraging some singalongs. While they were undoubtedly nervous, this was nothing but charming, and when they had to stop the set to help somebody in the crowd, they handled it with ease. With incredible vocals and an upbeat stage presence, they had many fans watching despite being a smaller band, and are sure to have more after this performance.
Rating: 8/10
GUILT TRIP – The Key Club Stage
While it may seem like they’ve come out of nowhere, Manchester hardcore band GUILT TRIP are one of the most talked about hardcore bands in the last few weeks at least, probably due to their crossovers of thrash and metal, and this excitement is reflected in the crowd they draw to The Key Club Stage so early in the day. Playing tracks mostly from their 2023 album Severance, their heavy sound is welcomed, with the crowd not needing much encouragement from vocalist Jay Valentine to start some of the first pits of the day, but of course, he gives it anyway, riling everybody up just enough.
Rating: 7/10
HEAD AUTOMATICA – Slam Dunk Stage
Two decades have passed since HEAD AUTOMATICA’s debut album Decadence. A fitting title, as their set is a nostalgia-hit of the allure they presented all those years ago. Daryl Palumbo almost hovers around the stage with elegance, swaying in a long trench coat, delivering that fusion of post-hardcore with a funk groove he is so well-loved for. The charisma is effortless from the whole band, as they please their crowd with fan favourites. Opening with At The Speed Of A Yellow Bullet’ and closing with Beating Heart Baby solidified the band’s enduring appeal of mixing a cocktail of musical influences, and the audience at the Slam Dunk Stage certainly glugged it down with enjoyment.
Rating: 7/10
ONE STEP CLOSER – The Key Club Stage
Pennsylvania hardcore outfit ONE STEP CLOSER leap on to stage in the height of the new summer sun, setting the tone for the fellow ‘heavy’ bands that are to follow today on The Key Club Stage. Despite All You Embrace, their sophomore album released earlier this month, taking a lighter approach to their sound with more grunge and shoegaze elements; ONE STEP CLOSER still perform with the stamina of their 90s hardcore roots. The band seem to lap up the energy their given from the crowd, with circle pits aplenty. Vocalist Ryan Satviski can be seen soaking up the warm welcome in a few moments of smiles, glowing in the bright sunlight. This set hammers home the fact that ONE STEP CLOSER are one of the most versatile and relevant bands in the scene currently, and deserve this type of enthusiastic crowd every day.
Rating: 8/10
SET IT OFF – GoPro Stage
If you only know SET IT OFF from their hyper-pop days, it might come as a huge shock to see them walk out on the GoPro Stage in full emo attire, with a red and black stage and a whole new attitude. While they’ve never been ones to shy away from slightly darker themes in their songs, this new look is definitely a surprise, but one that really suits them. Playing mainly their new singles, they manage to draw a pretty big crowd, and keep them engaged the entire time. With calls for “the biggest mosh pit of the day” and even a wall of death at one point, singer Cody Carson is settling into his new role extremely comfortably, and his new-found talent for screaming is definitely not wasted. Towards the end of their set, they play Why Worry, one of their popular tracks from back in the day, and although it seems like an odd change in pace, it doesn’t fail to have everybody singing along. While they might not be a band for everybody, it is undeniable that SET IT OFF know how to put on a show.
Rating: 7/10
RØRY – Kerrang! Stage
RØRY takes to the Kerrang! Stage somewhat sheepishly at first, understandably overwhelmed by what is a feverishly supportive and huge crowd for an artist that is still establishing herself. That said, this set is one of an act that is vital to the audience that loves them. She delivers an honest, vulnerable performance that feels intimate despite a packed out tent. A stand out moment is Alternative, where RØRY appears to be trying to keep it together, reacting with high emotions to the audience out-singing her with “I hope she never has to meet this version of me”. There’s a charming authenticity to her stage presence, making the entire tent feel like they’re there to support and connect with a long-term friend. She embodies what it is to connect with one another through live music; and that is always a beautiful thing to witness.
Rating: 8/10
STICK TO YOUR GUNS – The Key Club Stage
Metallic hardcore giants STICK TO YOUR GUNS tear through The Key Club Stage at Slam Dunk Festival with ease. Guitarist Josh James can hardly help himself, with more time probably spent leaping into the air than with his feet on the ground. Frontman Jesse Barnett waltzes around the small stage, using the monitors as podiums to confront the crowd, holding out the mic to make them chant “you say fuck the world we say fuck you” on Empty Heads. STICK TO YOUR GUNS spend their short set reminding everyone present that while Slam Dunk Festival is often painted as a pop-punk festival, metallic hardcore is alive and well here. And hey, these pop-punk kids can mosh, too.
Rating: 7/10
BOB VYLAN – Kerrang! Stage
As the Kerrang! tent begins to fill up, the anticipation for grime-punk rockers BOB VYLAN is palpable. Starting their set with their usual routine of stretching and meditation led by frontman Bobby Vylan, you definitely get the feeling that this is the calm before the storm, and as they open with Bait The Bear and the crowd erupts, that is proven completely. While their most popular bangers go down as well as expected, they play many tracks from their new album, and there is a sense of familiarity and love for these songs in the audience, despite only being out for a few weeks. As Bobby crowd surfs for I Heard You Want Your Country Back and doesn’t miss a beat, it becomes obvious that BOB VYLAN‘s biggest strength is performing live, and they know how to engage the crowd incredibly well. He calls for an all-girl pit for He’s A Man, which is just as mental as the rest of their set, and it feels like the whole crowd is a mosh pit. Bobby mentions throughout the set that this performance is a long time coming, and we’re inclined to agree, as they went down so well it doesn’t really make sense that they haven’t played the festival before. As they overrun their set time to ensure they finish with Wicked And Bad as usual, it isn’t hard to imagine them headlining similar festivals in the near future.
Rating: 10/10
THE BLACKOUT – GoPro Stage
Slam Dunk Festival 2024 was the year for extra sentimentalism of our teenage years. THE BLACKOUT wasted no time in reminding the GoPro Stage just how many heavy-hitters sit in their back catalogue, with not one line of any song not being chanted back at them. Sean Smith hasn’t changed a bit, prancing about stage with a goofball energy as he poses and squirms for the cameras and fans alike. Their set would make you think that not a day has passed since their heyday, playing incredibly tight and Gavin Butler sounding better than ever. Charlie Rolfe of AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS joined the band for Save Our Selves (The Warning), making for a fun moment as Sean lays down conducting her for those “going outs” and “woahs”. It’s safe to say that clearly, no one forgot about this band, and they were welcomed back like heroes.
Rating: 8/10
THE GHOST INSIDE – GoPro Stage
THE GHOST INSIDE made their triumphant comeback after a significant time away with Searching For Solace last month. And their performance on the GoPro Stage at Slam Dunk Festival goes to show why they are held as one of the most prolific metalcore bands of today. Jonathan Vigil confronts his audience, ruling over them with parades the stage. The band storm through their heavy hitters, opening with Engine 45 and resurrecting fan favourite Mercy. Some may be disappointed however that their earlier discography pre-2012 was neglected entirely however. Regardless, THE GHOST INSIDE sound immense, with their guttural riffs and blasting drums ricocheting around this enormous turnout for their set.
Rating: 7/10
STATE CHAMPS – Slam Dunk Stage
At this point, New York-based pop-punkers STATE CHAMPS are almost Slam Dunk Festival royalty, and there is an extreme sense of familiarity as they walk back onto the main stage. While they are no strangers to this festival, their performance never seems to get old, with the crowd loving it from the second they start. This time, they are playing their 2013 album The Finer Things in full to commemorate its ten-year anniversary, and the theme of the set is definitely nostalgia. When playing an album in full, it would be expected that there would be moments that are less exciting, but the album holds up, and the band sound amazing, keeping the energy the whole time. Singer Derek DiScanio and bassist Ryan Scott Graham take a moment to thank the audience for listening to them for so long, and laugh about how they used to feel like a “baby band” but are now “old”. They end their lively set with Secrets, once again proving their place as one of the best fundamental pop-punk bands.
Rating: 9/10
LA DISPUTE – The Key Club Stage
LA DISPUTE were an integral band for so many of the festival goers today; and there’s no chance of forgetting that during their set. They feed the crowd with a perfect career-spanning setlist, opening with Such Small Hands. It feels as though the 40 minutes they play is a time capsule of healing for so many, as the entire crowd belts “all the secrets I keep, why are they secrets?” for The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit from their seminal 2011 album Wildlife. Jordan Dreyer appears more charismatic than ever, jolting about the stage, and even breaking the emotional persona for a bit of banter around his camouflage outfit. The ice-breaker doesn’t sit for too long though, as the band finish with cult classic King Park, where perhaps even the crowd at the main stage can hear the screams of “or was it last week?” in the first verse. This is a masterclass on emotional hardcore from one of the pioneers of the genre.
Rating: 9/10
L.S. DUNES – The Key Club Stage
After emo supergroup L.S. DUNES released their first album, Past lives, in 2022, the hype surrounding the band was just as you’d expect from a project with members of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, CIRCA SURVIVE and COHEED AND CAMBRIA, but being put on the smallest stage felt like a strange choice. As the crowd begins to accumulate anyway, the band begins, and it’s impossible to deny how good they sound. With incredible vocals from vocalist Anthony Green, and song after catchy song, everybody gets more into it. The band remain humble, despite probably being used to playing to bigger audiences, and repeatedly thank everybody for showing up. Unfortunately, their set is cut short for unknown reasons, and fans leave, somewhat disappointed.
Rating: 7/10
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND – GoPro Stage
Lucas Woodland joins FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND on vocals today following original frontman Matthew Davies-Kreye leaving the band after 20 years in December. Lucas told the crowd that he was “so nervous” about today’s set, and that he “had big boots to fill”. Well, he certainly filled those boots, and he didn’t even need his thick socks on. The set was wall-to-wall classics of this band’s phenomenal genre-defining career. The crowd is in the palm of their hands, as crowdsurfers surge over the barrier for Streetcar before thousands of hands sway in unison for Into Oblivion (Reunion). Nothing can stop this juggernaut of a band, who remain just as incendiary and indispensable as they were over two decades ago. Oh, and Lucas Woodland, it’s time to collect your flowers. You just claimed the title as one of the best lead vocalists in the UK.
Rating: 10/10
MOM JEANS – The Key Club Stage
Midwest emo royalty MOM JEANS draw a big crowd for The Key Club Stage at this year’s Slam Dunk Festival, which is only to be expected as they’ve been much loved in the scene for a while now. With vocalist Eric Butler inviting everybody to sit and chill for their set, their performance is a much-needed break for fans who have been in the pit non-stop all day, and MOM JEANS are definitely enjoyable to just sit and watch, with lyrics you just want to listen to, and bassist Sam Kless bringing infectious positivity and stage presence. As the set goes on, the audience pick up, with everybody interacting and singing along by the end.
Rating: 7/10
THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS – Slam Dunk Stage
After a ten-year long ban from the UK, and a hiatus, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS return to the country with their first performance at Slam Dunk Festival. The audience was lively the whole time, but definitely picked up when they played their pop-punk anthem, Dirty Little Secret, with everybody singing along. Their singer Tyson Ritter is an undeniably good frontman, engaging with the audience constantly and using breaks between songs to flirt with girls in the crowd. By the time they ended the set with Move Along and Gives You Hell, everyone was singing and dancing, and there was nothing but good vibes throughout.
Rating: 7/10
WATERPARKS – Kerrang! Stage
WATERPARKS feel like a testament to the current landscape of music. Slam Dunk Festival is often a festival that celebrates the classics – the bands who built the foundations for gateways into other avenues of alternative sub-genres. This is definitely the youngest crowd of the day, as WATERPARKS have a real cult following, with few casual fans. Naysayers may onlook with scepticism, unsure how to feel about a band that has a viral song on TikTok and a tongue-in-cheek Twitter/X presence. But fundamentally, the pathways to this band become irrelevant when you sit back and realise that this tent is full of people who connect to their music, made friends through this band, and have a bloody good time singing along. And that is something we can all agree we don’t want to change. Awsten Knight injects a bit of fun with his goofy stage presence, and conducts his crowd with ease on tracks like Blonde, with arguably the loudest crowd screams of the day.
Rating: 7/10
YOU ME AT SIX – Slam Dunk Stage
For many people, YOU ME AT SIX are their most anticipated band of the day, and as the crowd begins to gather for this year’s headliners, the air is buzzing with excitement. This is their last ever festival appearance before they break up for good, and while there is definitely a sense of sadness about this, the love for the band is felt from the beginning. As they start with Save It For The Bedroom, it’s clear that this is a setlist curated for their fans, and they prove it by playing banger after banger. While it takes a couple songs for the crowd to warm up, when it does there isn’t a second to breathe between pits, with the whole audience making their best of maybe their last chance to see the beloved pop-rock band. Mostly playing older songs, because perhaps they know their audience, they sound as good as they always do, and there doesn’t seem to be a single moment where there is any kind of lull in the set.
Vocalist Josh Franceschi charms the audience, taking every chance to express his gratitude, and announcing that the next portion of the show is labelled ‘the mosh pit’, and for the next six or so songs, he gives us the chance to express any frustration we need, and just let off steam for the last time today. The crowd does exactly that, and with a feature from Sean Smith of THE BLACKOUT, and the band playing their loved deep-cut The Swarm, there isn’t a single person who isn’t moving. Taking a breather, the band start to play some of their slower tracks, and emotions are high as they perform Always Attract, with Josh bringing his sister Elissa Franceschi on to stage, whose vocals are nothing short of beautiful. With Take On The World next, and a speech from Josh where he thanks everybody for allowing him to live out his dream, there doesn’t seem to be anybody who isn’t crying at least a little bit. Ending their set with a bang with Underdog and Beautiful Way, the energy is next level, and it’s clear that there is a joint sentiment of everybody watching: this is a band that is festival headline material, and it’s a damn shame that this is their last time doing it.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Millie Warwick, Dev Place
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