Slam Dunk isn’t the first festival of the year, but it is the first festival of the year. It signifies the end of May, the beginning of Summer and the fact we can all leave the house in less than six layers for a few months. In theory anyway.
2024’s edition was a weekend of contrasts. Whether it be the contrast between the organisation of 2023 verses 2024, the weather in Hatfield verses Leeds or the contrast of the lineup, with one notable artist missing the North event. Our recap video gives you a little taste, stick around below for a more considered recap though.
The first impressions of Slam Dunk 2024 were of a much improved, though slightly more sparse site. Parking was a doddle at Hatfield, though the pesky British weather put paid to that in Leeds the following day. Both sites felt the effects of a couple of fewer, as well as smaller stages. The Key Club’s twin and the main tent not having stages at either end meant there was less on offer in terms of constant stimulation, though that didn’t stop the stages from bleeding all over each other. On the whole though, a bit of sound bleed is a small price to pay for having constant access to drinking water and food vendors.
As Everything Unfolds (GoPro Stage, Hatfield; Kerrang! Stage, Leeds)
Opening up the GoPro stage for the day is five-piece As Everything Unfolds. Kicking off the day at a festival could be daunting, but AEU’s phenomenal stage presence gets the entire crowd moving and moshing at 11.30 am on a Saturday in blaring heat. The band blast through a set containing ‘Slow Down’, ‘Flip Side’ and ‘Ultraviolet’, the title track from their most recent album.
Charlie Rolfe’s vocals are powerful and demanding throughout the set, capturing the crowd with ease, as the first mosh pits of the day unfold. With pure vocals and gut-wrenching screams complimenting the heavier riffs as they set in, it’s a combination that truly thrives. They didn’t let their slight technical issues interfere with the performance, as guitarist Adam Kerr quickly runs off the stage to fix the guitar issues. Finishing their set with ‘On The Inside’, a track from their 2021 album Within Each Lies The Other, As Everything Unfolds prove their place on this large stage. (written by Jasmine Marceau)
Artio (Kerrang! Stage)
Leeds quartet Artio opened up the Kerrang! Stage for the weekend with a fiery and energetic set. With their debut album ‘Babyface’ fully on display, they kicked things off on a high note with vocalist Rae Brazill’s impressive vocal range shining even when plagued with minor technical issues and the crowd is bopping along and getting excited for the day ahead.
Their electronica-inspired rock truly made the morning at Slam Dunk feel like an exciting new level of a retro video game. If you did not know who Artio were and simply stumbled into the tent to hide away from the sun you definitely left with a new band to check out. Powerful vocals, groovy riffs and energetic drums meant the Leeds quartet warmed up the crowd in preparation for a music-heavy day. (written by Alex Velikova)
Caskets (GoPro Stage)
Second on the GoPro stage were Leeds-based alt-rockers Caskets. Fresh from the Deathless tour with Set It Off and their own headliner in Australia, there’s no rest for Caskets. Taking to the stage with one of their most popular songs from their 2021 album Lost Souls, ‘Drowned In Emotion’. The crowd do not hold back as the energy is immediately beaming.
Vocalist Matt Flood commands the stage with ease, powering through their packed set containing tracks from their most recent release Reflections, ‘More Than Misery’, ‘Guiding Light’ before ending their set on ‘Glass Heart’, taken from their 2021 album. Caskets made it clear they’re not going to be stopping anytime soon. (JM)
Honey Revenge (Kerrang! Stage)
Keeping the energy going, American pop-rockers Honey Revenge had the whole crowd dancing. Their entire set was polished from the opener, ‘Seeing Negative’ through to closer ‘Distracted’. Both Devin Papadol and guitarist Donovan Lloyd were beaming at the crowd, infecting everyone with their energy and their bubbly personalities translating on stage beautifully, leaving it hard not to crack a smile while watching them. The band is so incredibly animated as they mix bubblegum pop with early 2000s alt rock.
The only thing which let the set down was the choice to close their festival debut with anything other than current viral single ‘Airhead’. It was obvious by the reaction that it was the true star of the setlist. However, Honey Revenge showed the crowd that they are one of the new-age bands to look out for and, at what was their first-ever festival show, Papadol let the crowd know they lit up the tent. (AV)
Guilt Trip (Key Club Stage)
When shoes start flying while the band is still finishing tuning up, you know you are in for an incredibly fun show. Guilt Trip, who travelled all the way down to Hatfield to perform before the Slam Dunk crowd for the very first time. One of the North’s new, most hardcore bands really did not mess around once they arrived on The Key Club Stage. Lead singer Jay Valentine was absolutely electrifying on stage beckoning the crowd closer and orchestrating some of the most hardcore pits of the day.
Their set truly hit its peak when the band played ‘Sweet Dreams’ a track originally featuring LANDMVRKS. Once the first words of the song were spat into the crowd you could just see a rush into the pit. Despite sometimes having his vocals drowned out Jay truly knows how to control a heavy crowd and show that they are ready to put on even bigger gigs.
A great introduction to the Manchester hardcore scene for everyone who may have not previously encountered it. Definitely, someone to check out next time they decide to bring carnage near you. (AV)
Head Automatica (Slam Dunk Stage)
One thing that never fails to make a festivals special is a rare appearance. Whilst Mallory Knox reforming was certainly good news for the UK music scene, a trip across the waters for Daryl Palumbo and Head Automatica takes some beating. Whilst it was evident throughout the set that maybe the band members weren’t all on the best of terms, there’s nothing that could have happened to dampen the spirits as ‘At the Speed of a Yellow Bullet’ kicks off a raucous set that took in their infamous Decadence album in most of its glory.
Palumbo proved why he is so adored in the post-hardcore scene and beyond, with infectious dance moves being spattered throughout a fourty-minute set. When he wasn’t impersonating aeroplanes or have a shmoozy dance for one, tracks like ‘Graduation Day’ were belted out with those signature vocals being as strong live as they are when polished in the studio. Finishing on ‘Beating Heart Baby’ left everyone wanting more from a band that gave everything they had. (written by Dan Hemming)
Bob Vylan (Kerrang! Stage, Hatfield Only)
Where to start with the grime-punk duo known as Bob Vylan? There was a huge buzz around as the tent filled up for the duo and from the moment they set foot on stage the crowd was theirs. Spreading themselves across the three albums to date, though with focus on 2024’s Humble As The Sun, there was an air of rebellion that everyone was getting high off. Following their standard set opener of a bit of meditation and stretching, all hell broke loose for ‘GYAG (Get Yourself A Gun)’. This was the match that the kindling of anticipation needed and then the track’s chorus let loose so did the crowd.
As the energy levels rose, so did the heat on stage. Dissent was aimed at the music media that Bobby Vylan feels have avoided giving the pair the attention they deserve, but nothing compared to the exception that has been taken to Slam Dunk. “It’s only taken two top 20 punk albums for you to allow us on your lineup” laments the charismatic vocalist. Whilst it has undoubtedly been too long, their performances alone prove just what this duo bring to an industry desperately in need of a revamp. Finishing a set with ‘We Live Here’, ‘He’s A Man’, ‘Hunger Games’ and ‘Wicked & Bad’ prove that this is still the beginning of something special. Just a shame that backstage shenanigans of some sort deprived Leeds of a performance that could have seen the band go down in Slam Dunk folklore for the right reasons. (DH)
The Blackout (GoPro Stage)
Hitting the GoPro stage with a bang after their comeback tour at the beginning of the year are The Blackout. The crowd packed out instantly and were ready and waiting, and they made no disappointments as the band open up with ‘STFUppercut’, sending the crowd into nostalgic chaos. Vocalist Sean Smith announces As Everything Unfolds’ Charlie Rolfe to the stage to join them in ‘Save Our Selves’, a Blackout favourite. Both Sean and Charlie beam and dance around the stage, radiating happiness as they sing and scream the track.
The band power on through the remainder of the tracks on their 2009 album The Best In Town, as Sean Smith makes jokes throughout the set on how much time has passed and how old he is, but the crowd is flooded with emo millennials and newer fans alike!
The Blackout definitely live up to the expectations, the sentimental energy everyone at Slamdunk needed was filled to the max. (JM)
Against The Current (Kerrang! Stage)
It’s Against The Current’s first Slamdunk experience, and they fit this line up perfectly as the crowd fill in those small gaps nearing the front half of the tent. Vocalist Chrissy Costanza bounces onto the stage as they burst into their first couple of tracks ‘silent stranger’ and ‘“good guy”’, two of their newer releases. There are a couple of technical issues to get through, as the band can’t hear themselves throughout the first couple of songs, and vocals cut out for a few bars.
Original Against The Current fans are treated with tracks ‘Gravity’ and ‘Running With The Wild Things’ remaining firm on the set list. Their League Of Legends track ‘Legends Never Die’ and ‘lullaby’ lowers the pace of their set, before ending on a fan favourite ‘weapon’.
Against The Current have made it clear they should have been invited to Slamdunk a long time ago, but they definitely made it worth the wait. (JM)
La Dispute (Key Club Stage)
Post-hardcore darlings La Dispute played to one of the biggest The Key Club Stage crowds of the weekend, with a mixture of dedicated fans and passers by stopping by out of curiosity to see what the Michigan guys were offering.
Despite a set that could have unquestionably benefited from being longer, Jordan Dayer delivered an excitedly energetic performance, bounding around the stage whilst delivering his heartwrenching lyrics. Opening with ‘Such Small Hands’, it was evident that that even 20 years there is still so much left to see of these scene legends. The band devoured the stage with a sense of melancholy that it feels like only they can invoke while delivering punchy grooves. (AV)
The Bouncing Souls (Monster Energy Stage)
Come rain (North) or shine (South), and even after their tour bus caught fire at 6am between the sets, The Bouncing Souls brought boundless energy, with their debut at Slam Dunk not leaving anyone disappointed. Immediately getting the crowd going with ‘Hopeless Romantic’, even chants of ‘vocals up’ couldn’t dampen the atmosphere as they worked through the last 30 years of records. The slight sound level issues were quickly rectified, and the fun continued. Bringing the masses through chants of ‘East Coast Fuck you’, to lead singer Greg Attonito coming into the crowd to finish off by belting out ‘True Believers’, they really were the perfect addition to the lineup. (reviewed by Lizzie Sargent)
Asking Alexandria (GoPro Stage)
Asking Alexandria showed fans that they are still one of the most exciting bands in the scene playing a mix of both new and old tracks, making sure that there was something for all fans. They sounded crisp as they lit up the Go Pro Stage, while opening up with guitar-heavy fan favourite ‘Closure’. It was almost bittersweet seeing founding member Ben Bruce cheering them on from the sidelines, rather than tearing up the stage with them, but it shows that there is no bad blood following his departure earlier this year.
Danny Worsnop delivered powerful clean vocals as well as filthy screams keeping the crowd excited through the whole set. Even when they slowed things down with songs such as ‘Moving on’, there were no issues with bringing the energy right back up with heavy hitters like ‘The Final Episode (Let’s Change the Channel)’. Overall the only thing which let the set down was the removal of ‘A Prophecy’ from the setlist due to time constraints. (AV)
Funeral For A Friend (Go Pro Stage)
Returning to Slam Dunk for a third time in 2024, Funeral for a Friend (FFAF) were fronted by Holding Absence’s Lucas Woodland. Woodland was the perfect stand-in for previous vocalist Matthew Davies-Kreye who announced his departure from the band at the end of 2023. As a die-hard FFAF fan himself, Woodland brought passion, energy, and of course his signature high kicks to the show. His enthusiasm and love for the band was evident as they opened the set with ‘This Year’s Most Open Heartbreak’ and continued to flawlessly play hit after hit with ‘Juneau’, ‘Streetcar’ and ‘Roses for the Dead’ making an appearance. FFAF really know exactly how to engage the crowd, ensuring fans both new and old have the best time, and leave wanting more. And despite the mud in Leeds, the crowd danced, moshed, and sung their hearts out, welcoming Woodland with open arms and enjoying the show as they worked through their discography from the last 20 years.
Take a Bow Lucas Woodland, you really did the band and the fans proud and we would all be happy to witness that magic again. (LS)
The All-American Rejects (Slam Dunk Stage)
As the sun starts slowly setting and finally cooling everything down The All American Rejects, show Slam Dunk what the UK crowd has been missing for the last 10 years. It was obvious that they were one of the most anticipated artists of the day, as crowds started gathering from all sides of the festival.
Tyson Ritter’s exaggerated moans filled the speakers in between songs, something that albeit bordering a bit strange at times did manage to get the crowd going. There was plenty of ad-libs in between songs that left some chucking and other slightly baffled.
The guys knew exactly what a festival crowd woud want from them: all the songs that have been on repeat in every early 2000s pop punk mix. Opening up with ‘Swing Swing’, it was clear why they have managed to withstand the test of time. Even when they decide to slow down the set near the end by playing fan favourite ‘It Ends Tonight’ the evening air is filled with fans signing along. Truly a good welcome back for The All American Rejects. They showed that they are more than just a nostalgia act and still have a place high up on the bill. (JM)
Goldfinger (Monster Energy Stage)
The Monster Energy Stage is the one to go to when you just want to have a good old fashioned bit of fun and Goldfinger are one of a handful of quintessential ska-punk bands that guarantee said fun. No one can be sad while listening to ‘Here In Your Bedroom’ and whilst there were some deeper cuts as far as the big hits go, the band are just so energetic on stage that its easy for the crowd to get into each passing track.
Covering ‘Song 2’ by Blur was an interesting choice and may have been the lowpoint of a set, but the closing pair of ‘Superman’ and ’99 Red Balloons’ meant that it was forgotten and forgiven. Now, who is up for a bit of Zebrahead in this slot in 2025? It’s tradition at this point isn’t it? (DH)
I Prevail (GoPro Stage)
Headlining the GoPro stage are American rockers I Prevail, just coming off a few headliners in Europe. As their clean vocalist Brian Burkeiser is recovering from surgery, guitarist Dylan Bowman takes on clean vocal duties while singer/screamer Eric Vanlerberghe commands the stage.
Opening their packed out set with ‘There’s Fear In Letting Go’ and ‘Body Bag’ from their most recent album TRUE POWER, mosh pits immediately burst out into the field and erupt into chaos. The visuals playing behind the band are impactful and powerful, and sometimes displaying animations of the lyrics within the chorus – just incase you forgot!
To calm the set down a little, we hear their extremely popular Taylor Swift cover of ‘Blank Space’. Hardcore I Prevail fans can get on board even if they’re not a Swiftie, as Eric’s guttural vocals nearing the end of the track hit you straight in the chest!Partway through their set, their artwork behind them updates to the TRAUMA 2019 album, as we are left with three huge tracks ‘Hurricane’, ‘Bow Down’ and ending their set on ‘Gasoline’. Three colossal tracks with monstrous energy. Their set finished earlier to how it was scheduled on the planner, and I Prevail definitely left us wanting more. They’ll have to not leave it so long to come back to the UK! And when they do return, make sure you don’t miss it. (JM)
The Interrupters (Monster Energy Stage)
Hurling themselves up the lineup following 2022’s mainstage slot, American ska-punk outfit The Interrupters are cementing their name as one of the best ska-punk bands in the world right now. ‘Gave You Everything’ is a fantastic opener, getting the crowd singing along from the opening chorus and from there it was a whirlwind of an hour, spreading themselves across four albums as well as the odd cover.
‘Take Back The Power’ was the highlight of the first half, life-affirming and a call to arms, the track is the perfect skanking track for 2024 with frontwoman Aimee Interrupter showcasing everything that makes her the best vocalist on show at Slam Dunk. Infectious energy and a stage presence that allows all in attendance to just let go of what is troubling them, this is what music is all about. ‘On A Turntable’ and ‘She Got Arrested’ raise the energy even more before their cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘Bad Guy’ shows how you should treat other people’s music. ‘She’s Kerosene’ brought about the close of the Monster Energy Stage in such a manner that if this band become the new Slam Dunk house band, there wouldn’t be many complaints. Roll on next time! (DH)
You Me At Six (Slam Dunk Stage)
A heartfelt goodbye for one of the scene’s all-time favourites. You Me At Six kicked off their second to last ever festival show, with cult favourite ‘Save it For the Bedroom’. The whole crowd immediately singing along, the excitement almost wiping away the fact that this will be one of the last times that we will see this song performed live.
As the day slowly melts away, we are left reminiscing on a career spanning 20 years as we are taken on a trip down memory lane. By the time ‘Bite My Tongue’ rolls around everyone is sufficiently warmed up and ready to lose their minds and the light show that accompanies the show did not disappoint as the colours matched the vibe of each and every song.
With everyone screaming along to ‘Underdog’, the show felt like an ode to growing up. As much as it may be hard to think that one of the pillars of alternative music will no longer be around come Slam Dunk 2025 it is comforting to know that they said goodbye on such a high note. (AV)
With that people slunk back to their cars. Whether it be to the fields of Hatfield or the many, many shuttle buses of Leeds, people left their respective sites happy. Those on social media are always quick to cast a stone when they see things like car parks closing, but on the whole, this was a marked improvement in terms of organisation and one hell of a weekend for those in attendance. Elder emos were able to sing their hearts out to their favourites, say goodbye to scene staples and pick up something new. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of controversy?! Thank you. Slam Dunk. You are back to your wonderful best. Now, give us AFI and The Distillers in 2025 would ya!