Festival season had finally begun, kicking off with Slam Dunk. The annual festival, now located in Hatfield and Leeds in the UK (after having been held in Birmingham and Wolverhampton for a number of years), celebrates alternative rock, ska, punk, and metal. With the return of Mallory Knox, a farewell to You Me At Six, and State Champs performing their debut album The Finer Things in full, these were just a few highlights from this year’s Slam Dunk Festival.
You Me At Six
The anticipation was over as Max, Josh, Dan, Chris, and Matt made their way to the stage, greeted with loud applause and cheers. They gave one of their last UK festival performances as a band. It was set to be an unforgettable evening for old and new fans. Opening with one of their earlier tracks, “Save It for the Bedroom”, they had the crowd singing back every word at the top of their lungs.
With a setlist consisting of older songs including “Kiss and “Tell” and “Jealous Minds Think Alike” to “Reckless” and “No Future? Yeah Right”, it was a sense of nostalgia and reflection of the band’s versatile and strong discography. Each member was as strong as ever. Their chemistry on stage was genuine and felt among the crowd. The crowd did not disappoint, singing back every lyric loudly, giving the band the send-off they deserved.
The newer material was given the same amount of love and appreciation as their older songs, which was a testament to the band’s musicianship and the longevity of their music after all these years. Standout moments included Sean Smith of The Blackout making an appearance for “The Consequence” and “Always Attract” performed with Josh’s sister, Elissa.
Ending the set with a fan favorite, “Underdog”, before transitioning into “Beautiful Way” captured the energy that You Me At Six brought to Slam Dunk and, most importantly, to the scene that they grew up with. A highly emotional moment for both band and fans as they reflected on their journey together but stood proud of everything they’ve achieved, saying a heartfelt goodbye to the people that stuck with them and made them who they are.
State Champs
Slam Dunk 2024 was filled with nothing short of nostalgia this year. State Champs graced the people of Hatfield with an energetic performance of their debut album, The Finer Things in full. In celebration of 11 years since its release, Derek, Ryan, Tyler, and Evan walked onto the stage to a sea of people cheering and applauding with excitement.
Just like every State Champs show, they gave it their all. Kicking things off with the track, “Elevated” and going through the track list one by one, ending with “Easy Enough”, the crowd sang back every word. This didn’t go unnoticed as Derek showed his appreciation to their fans for the support over the years, as well as the support of Slam Dunk festival.
State Champs played with precision, passion, and commitment. Not only was this a celebration of the album that allowed these four friends to travel all around the world and do what they love, but it also reminded people how State Champs have cemented their place in the pop-punk scene and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Set It Off
Bringing a theatrical flair as always through their music, Set It Off were ready to give it their all to the people of Hatfield. With a setlist consisting of older tracks including “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” and “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” to new tracks such as “Fake Ass Friends” and “Evil People”, the crowd sang back every song, which left smiles on the faces of the entire band on stage.
As the sun shone down on the crowd, there were smiles all around. SIO’s performance also included an unexpected cover of Linkin Park’s “Points of Authority”, which significantly got the crowd even more excited than before. This did not only pay homage to one of the most influential bands in the scene, but also showed how versatile Set It Off are as musicians.
Lead singer Cody Carson was able to interact with the crowd effortlessly, therefore allowing them to connect to their music. As the set drew to a close with “Why Worry” and “Punching Bag”, the crowd gave them one last round of applause and cheers which continued from the very back of the crowd to the front. Before leaving, they announced they were working on new music and will be back in the UK at the beginning of next year.
Honey Revenge
Honey Revenge brought the energy and excitement to Slam Dunk. With an energetic set, they captivated the audience with every song and beat. They knew how to get the crowd excited from the minute they stepped foot on stage and knew how to keep it going till the very last song.
From powerful vocals to dynamic instruments on tracks including “Recipe for Disaster” and “Worst Apology”, Honey Revenge were able to demonstrate their versatility as musicians and prove to newer fans and old that they are a band worth seeing live.
Lead singer Devin Papadol’s ability to command the crowd was engaging, as well as the entire band’s stage presence. Using every bit of the stage, it was evident that the band enjoyed what they do and did not take experiences like this for granted.
The songs for this set were met with loud cheers, and having the crowd sing back the lyrics built even more of a connection with the fans and the band. Sharing gratitude to the crowd for their support, HR was able to put on a high-quality, energetic performance, perfect for Slam Dunk 2024.
Asking Alexandria
Cheering from the sidelines, following his recent departure from the band, Ben Bruce cheered on with excitement as his friends put on a memorable and powerful set at Slam Dunk 2024. With a setlist consisting of a variety of tracks, including “Into the Fire”, “Moving On”, and “The Final Episode (Let’s Change the Channel)”, their energy was high from the moment they walked on till the very last song.
Lead singer Danny Worsnop’s vocals were strong, and the transition from clean vocals to intense screams was just one element of their set that kept the crowd engaged and fixated on the performance.
A little change of pace came when Danny picked up an acoustic guitar for “Moving On”. Even with thousands of eyes on the band, and as they looked amongst the sea of people there to watch them, the acoustic rendition provided an intimate setting.
Following this, the band effortlessly transitioned into the track, “The Final Episode”, picking the energy back up and instantly becoming a crowd favorite. AA’s performance showed how strong they are as a band, despite things that went on in the past. It was evident that all the members on stage enjoyed every moment.
From the sun shining down on the people of Hatfield to the crowd singing back every word to every song, their set was a testament to them as a band and individual musicians. The setlist showcased the band’s evolution and their relevance in the scene till this very day.
Mallory Knox
Mallory Knox were greeted with the biggest cheers and applause as they made their way to the stage. Smiles beaming on the faces of the crowd and the members said it all. The reunion of lead singer Mikey Chapman and the return of Mallory Knox was set to be something special. Over a decade since their last Slam Dunk performance, Mallory Knox brought it all back, like they had never left. The anticipation was over.
Kicking things off with “Beggers”, transitioning into tracks including “Wake Up” and “Getaway”, the crowd sang back every song. They set the tone for the rest of their performance, giving it their all through emotion and passion. Within the first few minutes on stage, it was evident that they were glad to be back, welcomed with open arms, and this is where they belong.
In between songs, Mikey showed his appreciation to the crowd for their continued support throughout the years and for sticking with them till this very moment. The chemistry amongst each member felt genuine and it felt like they were all there for the right reason. Ending the set with “Lighthouse” was a powerful moment that left everyone on a high note and was a proud moment for everyone who was able to witness Mallory Knox’s comeback.
Bob Vylan
Bob Vylan brought punk and grime to Slam Dunk and did it with confidence. Starting their set off with a bit of yoga, Bob Vylan were ready to kick things off in style. Opening their set with the dynamic, “Bait The Bear”, they continued their set as they meant to go on, with a high level of energy, conviction, and passion.
The crowd, mixed with people who had never seen them live before and fans of the band already, filled the entire tent with excitement. Bobby (vocals) and Bobbie (drums) were loving every second up on stage, especially with this being their first time performing at Slam Dunk Festival.
They commanded the audience with their stage presence, keeping their attention from the very start. Every single person in the tent was engaged, and that was all it was about. Their lyrics and performance were raw, making their entire set and them as individuals feel genuine and authentic. From the crowd singing back their lyrics to mosh pits, Bob Vylan’s set was nothing short of exciting. It was their time at Slam Dunk.
Addressing important messages in their songs will always be a part of Bob Vylan, both on and off stage. Closing with “Wicked & Bad”, the crowd gave it their all as the set was coming to an end. Slam Dunk welcomed Bob Vylan with open arms, and they were definitely a standout act at the festival this year.
Words + Photos by Sarah Akomanyi
