For many rock music fans, Slam Dunk weekend has become the de facto beginning of festival season, commencement of summer and ultimate bellwether event for any self-respecting pop-punk, emo or metal fan. The Hatfield based part of the festival has evolved over the years, adapting to rapid growth, location change and of course a pause during the pandemic. Every summer forever? Almost.
“I know it's an early set” Lake Malice singer Alice Guala admitted as she encouraged circle pits to get going straight away. Keen to make an impression, the Brighton duo embraced their early slot and brought not just the energy to open up the Kerrang! stage, but also a horde of silver clad dancers. We weren't however eased in slowly here, Mitsuko demonstrates the hectic, electronic metalcore of this young band perfectly.
While the weather seemed to still be deciding what kind of day we were in for, Defects provided the heavy riffs, taking inspiration from a whole spectrum of metal legends, with the heaviness of Machine Head, growling vocals, chuggy runs with a twist on more modern metalcore, the band wrapped up with Recurring from the 2024 album ‘Modern Error’.
Over on the Key Club stage Kid Bookie battled valiantly through sound issues to deliver a high energy set of metal infused rap, his artistry, stage presence and determination on full show. Introducing Stuck In My Ways, Kid Bookie explains; “This song features Corey Taylor. He couldn't be here today so let's make so much noise that fucker can hear us back in Iowa!”
Dream State lived up to their name with their apparent disbelief at the size of the stage they found themselves on over on Main Stage East. “What a privilege to be here. Thanks so much for coming out,” singer/screamer Jessie Powell grinned as the band launched into latest release; the relentless, Bittersweet Scars of My Past.
Winona Fighter pulled in a decently sized crowd on the Key Club stage. Flying over from Nashville, Tennessee for a run of shows that included supporting The Used and completing their first ever (and sold out) headline show in London. This is a band that are making all the right moves in the scene. “We're so beyond ourselves to be with you here today.” Frontwoman Coco Kinnon gushed before aggressively kicking her way around during a cover of the Beastie Boys classic- Sabotage. A big singalong to the massive HAMMS IN A GLASS saw them out.
Heart Attack Man followed on and brought the big bouncy pop-punk energy with a no-nonsense romp through anthemic emo bangers, demonstrated perfectly on the 2021 single Pitch Black.
Over on Main Stage West, The Starting Line brought even more unadulterated pop-punk energy to a chill as hell crowd, beginning a run on this stage of American emo veterans (with a brief pause for homegrown heroes Neck Deep).
By the time we got to Stray from the Path, the festival's overall vibe had properly picked up. The sun had finally made a convincing appearance and every stage was buzzing with keen throngs of fans moshing, crowd surfing and screaming along to their acts of choice. “This is the anthem for this fucking army,” Singer Andrew Dijorio preluded Fortune Teller which brought on an abundance of crowd surfers.
“Thank you so much for seeing me and not leaving.” NOAHFINNCE showed his gratitude to the crowd by delivering a sprightly run of indie-emo songs. PET WITH THE TISM gets the party going and after asking “Have any of you ever had worms?” The set wrapped up with WORMS (in my brain).
Continuing with the theme of modern acts from the TikTok generation, Oxford's South Arcade took it back to 2005 in a high energy, and packed tent. “This Slam Dunk crowd seems to be pretty good. That means if we play the new one you guys are gonna go off right?” Singer Harmony Cavelle teased before launching into the lively, Supermodels.
“We just finished recording our 11th album” New Found Glory's Jordan Pundik announced. “I was 17 when we started. It's incredible that you're all still out here after 11 records.” He mused before treating the crowd to the newest track 100%
Back over on Main Stage East The Used did something a little different. Playing three shows here in the UK, Slam Dunk South being the middle show between a headliner at The Dome in London and heading up for Slam Dunk North the following day, each date saw the band playing, in full, a different album. At Hatfield it was the turn of the 2004 record ‘In Love and Death’. Maybe a disappointment for more casual fans who would have wanted to hear a laundry list of the band's most famous tracks but perfect for The Used obsessives looking for a deep dive into the group's back catalogue.
Brat rocker Delilah Bon delivered a slap in the face, fast paced, aggressive experience for the keen fans at the festival. Unapologetically real, she connected seamlessly with the girl heavy audience. “Slam Dunk I have a question. Are you ready for some feminine rage?” Bon asked earnestly, and feminine rage is what she delivered, singing, screaming and growling her way powerfully through her set. New song, PRINCELESS PRINCESS continued what fans have come to love from Bon and we were warmed up perfectly to scream along to Dead Men Don't Rape.
“Did you come here to see pop-punk?” Wargasm's Milkie Way asked. Some confused cheers could be heard before she continued; “Too bad that was the last guys.” No hate to As It Is, who proceeded their set, but Wargasm are here for a different kind of party. High intensity, electronic metal with bags of attitude. A set highlight turns out to be Bang Ya Head, a track originally recorded with the legendary Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit and at Slam Dunk acts as an instruction manual for the gathered, the entire crowd nodding on cue.
Hot Milk have caused quite a buzz at the festival this year. Deploying a group of mysterious suited individuals to roam the site, putting up posters and handing out flyers, it's all in aid of getting the word out about the impending release of their second album ‘Corporation P.O.P’, coming 27 June. “This is mad, I've been coming to this festival since I was 16,” singer Han Mee beamed. Headlining the Kerrang! stage, the Manchester natives had drawn in quite the rowdy bunch to witness their set. Flitting between genres, from the anthemic power pop of Insubordinate Ingerland to the heavier metal inspired riffs of Bad Influence. Every song is united in packing a punch.
As A Day To Remember wrapped up the day across on the main stage, Slam Dunk South was done for another year. Complete with perfect weather, an improved layout and a stonking bill of beloved veteran bands, rising stars and new faces, it's hard to imagine a better way to start the summer.
Words Imogen Bird
Pictures/Interviews Martha Fitzpatrick
