Review
Travel And First Impressions
I was lucky enough to get a lift to Slam Dunk North from St Jimmy & Rex, we found the directions somewhat lacking the closer we got to the venue but over all it was a fairly uneventful drive up.
After parking up we walked up a hill which honestly felt like Mr Everest, although I was grateful for it on the way back to the car at the end of the day.
Once at the top we were treated to the easiest entry into a festival I have ever had. A little searching and we were in. Slam Dunk had this little area before the main arena where there were merch stands (with no queue), food vendors etc. One nice surprise was the free can on Monster Energy which came in handy later in the day!
We were also given a printout of the days stage times, which was really handy to fold up and check between bands to find out where you were going next. Seriously other festivals need to take note as some of the above was real damn amazing!
Defects
I decided to kick my day off with some heavy metal, with a touch of the melodic side. Defects were a band that I was not actually all that aware of before Slam Dunk, but left with a new appreciation for. I particularly enjoyed the song “End Of Days” where I found their sound balanced the best. As things go a really solid start to the day.
Dream State
Having listened to Dream State extensively pre-festival, I have to admit I was rather disappointed. Their live sound was not even remotely close to their studio recording which are incredible. The pick of the bunch was “Primrose” but when St Jimmy & Rex came over even they were not impressed.
Imminence
Now this is more like it! The absolute opposite where a band sounds even better than on record. The energy of the band was absolutely incredible. I was also really into the violin, added a completely different dimension!
The Ataris
I spent the entire of this set trying to find my companions… I must have weaved my way around the entire crowd, alas all in vain. However it did mean I got cool viewpoints throughout and I found myself enjoying the performance much more than I thought I would.
Their cover of “The Boys Of Summer” is both popular and really damn great! I was that busy bobbing through the crowd that I forgot to get my phone out to take a photo. You’ll have to just take my word for it I was on the front row at one point!
Rain City Drive
I first heard this band entirely by accident as it was chosen for me at random on Spotify. I even featured one of their songs as my selected song for “This Weeks Tunes”.
They have a really great almost pop like quality to their songs which mean they appeal to a wide range of people. Performance wise they were alright but nothing special, I appreciated the songs but think they can up their live show.
Signing Tent Issues / Noahfinnce
I got in position for the singing tent where A Day To Remember were meant to appear. Unfortunately I found myself leaving before they even arrived due to how badly it was being organised. With the person in charge loving the sound of their own voice to say the least.
Instead I checked out a favourite of St Jimmy & Rex , Noahfinnce. I had obviously heard their music before from the reviews but never really gave it a fair chance. I now know I was totally wrong to do that. Energy, energy, energy. Stage presence was off the charts and to be honest even on a small stage absolutely incredible.
You might have noticed Lily in other photo above, but I spotted her coming out into the Noahfinnce crowd and knew I needed to introduce myself. She one half of the punk band The Meffs , and if you haven’t heard their music or read our interview with them. You need to…
Food & Friends
One thing that is really important at a festival is good food! Which to be honest I was blown away with at Slam Dunk. There was so many options that I found it really hard to actually pick what I wanted.
In the end I opted for currywurst which was both delicious and reasonably priced!
I also bumped into a long time social media friend of mine! The Moshpit Mime, who not only goes to an ungodly amount of festivals and gigs but also is a cracking fella! Click the Instagram link below to follow him!
Zebrahead
Having met up with St Jimmy & Rex again I joined them to see Zebrahead who were not on my list. They are a really fun band, with me finding myself laughing at the lyrics and the bands entertainment between songs. The tent was absolutely packed for them and I can totally see why! One I will be following from now on.
New Found Glory
This is a band that I have been wanting to tick off my list for a VERY long time! They did not disappoint. Performing all their biggest hits they did not miss a beat. We were fairly far away sat on the hill but the sound quality was still surprisingly great! That being said I feel like I have seen them now and If they played another festival I’d likely skip them if something else took my eye.
South Arcade
I was meant to see Neck Deep but to be honest after a single song I was bored. Maybe they were having an off day. I instead headed over to the other main stage to see Electric Callboy a good 50 minutes early. This resulted in me popping into this tiny tent to escape the rain. I am so glad I did.
South Arcade were already playing and the crowd were thoroughly entertained by the female fronted band. I remember thinking at the time that they are a band that I need to look into more. I haven’t done so yet, but this review has reminded me!
Electric Callboy
Finally the band that I had bought my ticket for! Having missed them at Download Festival 2 years prior and them dropping out last year. I knew I needed to see this band before I lost my chance.
The band accompanied by Sum41’s drummer treated us to some of the funkiest metal that I have ever witnessed. The crowd were somewhat annoying with several people being pushed over around me. But this can’t be held against the band.
With covers of Sum41 songs + a Linkin Park cover, it would be fair to say other than their own tunes they knew how to entertain. I actually had their songs on all the way home.
With pyro and confetti cannons it was not just a musical but also visual treat for the mind. My personal performance of the day, ps I need one of those silver helmets!
A Day To Remember
Finally the end of a long day was capped off with an excellent performance by A Day To Remember. I really enjoyed how heavy their new songs sound as well as a collectors item in their cover of Since U Been Gone. A song they have not played live apparently for a very long time.
I left around 25 minutes early so that we could head back home, something I normally wouldn’t be up for but as it’d been a fun packed day I honestly didn’t mind.
Closing Thoughts
There are some things that Slam Dunk do much better than any festival I have been at. The layout of the stages meant you were never far away from music. I also found that music bleed into the other stages was kept at a minimum. This was countered by the fact it always felt like you was walking uphill regardless of what stage you were walking to… With free drink provided on arrival and no queues for the merchandise it was a really great experience and one I am keen to repeat.
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