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Read what we thought about the acts at Slam Dunk North 2024
All American Rejects
Synthetic organs are playing and we know what we’re in for…Sweet familiar
orchestral and guitar chords lead us into the song “Swing Swing” and it begins.
Tyson-the lead singer has intensely blue eyes which pop on the large monitors, his
gaze seems to reach all of us; even those watching from the back of the field. He is
holding his stare; while we’re dramatically shouting the words we’ve sung for years in
our bedrooms; back at him. He is in a suit, the rest of the band a bit more casual in
appearance. Tyson may be dressed formally but he is informal in his manner with the
audience and his approach to the performance, it is friendly and nonchalant.
The set is quirky, emotional, and a rollercoaster at times.
Tyson addresses the crowd and claims, “We raised you” It’s true.
He spoke much about time travel on stage and urged us to partake in what felt like a
strange New Year’s Eve countdown- we somehow found ourselves all the way back
to the year 2002. This led them into playing “My Paper Heart” and there were tears.
The announcement was made that it’s Scott ‘Scotty’ Chesak’s (their touring
keyboardist who has toured with them since 2011) last show. They played tribute to
him by giving him a named and dated plaque and a cake which Tyson threw chunks
of into the audience. The rest of the band also played “I for you” to him. We can’t
think of a better way to say goodbye to someone.
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Their set was good for the nostalgia and the old school songs they played. “Your
Guardian Angel” and “Cat and Mouse” were well received by the crowd.
We were transported to our youth, but we’re older now and the energy just wasn’t
there.
Their most energetic song was their cover of “All the small things” by Blink 182 and
this is when they really engaged the crowd. There seemed to be some sound and
timing issues throughout the set, the performance sounded tired and out of sync at
times although warm and heartfelt at other times.
Sometimes it felt quite unenthusiastic and like they were trying to play it cool. Their
performance looked mismatched underneath the glittery rain, parts of the set were
memorable, but it didn’t fully grab our attention.
The Ghost Inside
The Ghost Inside introduced themselves by screaming, did we expect anything else?
This set was intense, and the band and crowd were consistently bouncing with
energy.
The music is heavy, but the band members seem light on their feet. The screams are on point and the lyrics direct. Strong and poised. The only bright colour on the stage is the yellow bass, it’s distracting but we notice the impressive depth of the sound more, we’re drawn to it.
People are running in all directions, not caring about the slip and slide, hazardous
muddy factors that are posed. The band stopped playing for safety of the crowd at
one point as someone may have gotten injured in the pit, then were right back to it.
The crowd also went right back to slipping, sliding and holding onto each other for
dear life. This is the part of the day where we notice mud on people’s upper halves.
It’s clear who has gone down in the pit and who has not. Victims of mud. The breakdowns were perfection and the crowd responded promptly and correctly.
Disgustingly hardcore, in an amazing way.
The Blackout
Dramatic music plays, operatic and charismatic. The band takes the stage, we go
wild. “Look at him” fans shout; pointing to the lead singer Sean Smith. It’s the blonde
hair, sunglasses and pink microphone that make us believe they’re the kind of band
that can pull off anything… and they do.
Sean gears up like he’s charging his energy; ready to perform. He rolls up his
sleeves, places his hands on his knees bouncing eagerly and let’s out the biggest
scream into the microphone. They need no introduction. The music plays and the
performance is Dancy, hard, fun and extremely energetic. We, the crowd are
adoring. Sean jumps into the crowd and has to stand on a crew member’s back to
get back up on the stage, proving this band just go for it and don’t think things
through, but it really works for them. It’s their sporadic style that makes them unique.
Fans are dedicated to their energy as well as their sound. They give it a lot and play
all our favourites which we find nostalgic and precise. Sean is caressing the
microphone in a fun and playful way throughout the set. They then play “This is why
we can’t have nice things” and we erupt as Josh Franceschi- the lead singer of You
Me at Six makes an appearance on stage. Their performance styles work so well
together and this levels everyone’s energy up a notch.
One step closer
The rain and mud was bad for their set and this made the crowd lacking. Their
performance was raw and they put a lot of energy into it. They spent most of the first
half of their set trying to engage what there was of the crowd. It was definitely the
weathers fault as their new album has been so well received. They are very fast and
energetic on stage. They put a lot into their performance and sound very in sync and
powerful live. Towards the end of their set the crowd became fuller and people were
engaged, two stepping in the mud, slipping and sliding while mud and grass pats
filled the air flying into peoples faces and onto bodies but we didn’t care. We had so
much fun.
La dispute
La Dispute stand out as being one of the best lives acts from this years Slam Dunk
festival. They’re an incredibly original but versatile band and have a unique way of
delivering storytelling through music.
The lyrics of their songs are hitting us in the soul with constant visceral reactions, we
are shocked by what they’ve said and find it hard to move onto the next song,
constantly being overwhelmed by their presence and talent. The way they deliver
their music is nothing but raw and underground. We feel like we’re reading
someone’s diary when we shouldn’t be. It’s hard to believe the songs are being
performed to us out in the open, we feel like we’ve stumbled upon the festivals best
kept secret. We’ve never heard the word “Darling” being adlibbed so aggressively by fans in our lives, it’s frightening.
You can feel every emotion in Jordan- the lead singers -articulation. He is pacing
back and forth on the stage during this lyrical delivery. The sun is trying to come out
and it’s hitting the raindrops that continue to fall, which illuminate and glitter the band
in this special performance.
LS Dunes
The lead singer Anthony moves around the stage wildly with lots of energy. He has magical hand movements, enticing and drawing us in, moving quickly and sharply, almost ninja like.
The band pour their hearts and souls into the lyrics, music and the performance. They’re a unique mixture of people making unique sounds, it’s hard to genre it. Anthony is in the crowd and looking all around. He then reaches up to perform to the sky and it feels almost spiritual. Their artistic vision and creative energy are hard to not like. Anthony expresses his gratitude for the crowd. He becomes confused when we chant “Yorkshire” but he looks so happy when the crowd reacts well to their songs.
There’s a lot going on at once, the performance is not structured but it works. You can feel their creativity and how they’re all so uniquely talented, them playing together makes for a beautiful combined sound.
You Me At Six
“Save It for the Bedroom” begins to play. We feel it in the pits of our stomachs, we’re
not ready for this.
Yellow lights like rays of sun, shine through the band while they play “Lived a lie” the
lyrics “We are the believers” is being vocalised by everyone in the field, the stage
fades to darkness to match the nostalgic mood of a not-yet- but impending goodbye.
Josh’s arms are outstretched like a giant hug for us. There’s cold in our bones but
warmth in our hearts; we’re patiently waiting for the cue to let the tears we’re holding
back come out.
Josh punches the sky into the next song in a flawless but powerful motion which
jerks our senses.
“Kiss and Tell” plays; highlighting Josh’s angelic voice, his sound is rich but gravelly
and unique.
Flashing images on big monitors move hazily, like a foggy dream state of memories
of the band. These are accompanied by mosh pits that glisten under the sparkling
stage lights.
Purge sirens blare and lights like lightning bolts are flashing; perfectly timed with
drumbeats leading into choruses filled with teenage rage and angst.
We’re emotionally attached and never want this to end, our thoughts are interrupted
by “Da, da , da da da da DAHHH” “Loverboyyyyy” Josh is belting and we’re belting
back, the guitar solo was performed to a high energy of perfection.
The show became political. Josh spoke about doing an audition for prime minister.
Less Ticketmaster bots and fees? Yes please. Vote 4 Josh…
Circle pits to political failures and outrage are prompted. It is the muddiest, slushiest
and puddliest mosh pit we’ve ever known. “Room to breathe” is played showing the
band’s heavier side and their versatility.
Josh’s hands are above his head, he looks stunned by the crowds’ reactions. He
then begins spinning around in circles, having fun, the band and audience loving the
experience, together- one last time.
They put their all into this last festival performance.
The stage shows dark ombre fading shadows, it is reflective-almost mirror/
candlelight-like and flickering delicately. The crowd got a solo for “Jealous minds
think alike”.
Flashing stage lights now become intense, frantic and almost blinding. Is this the end
of the world? No, just the end of our youth...
Josh tells us a story of when the band was sixteen. They got in a van for a gig and
during this trip met Ben Ray who is the director of Slam Dunk, he gave them the
opportunity to play here twenty years ago. They want to “end it where we started it.”
They dedicated a song to anyone who’s called themselves a “Sixer” since 2010.
Josh states “Dream big, don’t be scared of failure, live your life in fucking colour and
not in black and white and grey- make the most of it because out there somewhere
or someone in the audience tonight is a future Slam Dunk headliner. I was you once
and you can do it, I promise you. Dream big and go for it.”
“Stay with me” plays. We’re with you. Those three words were all we needed to know
in that moment, let everything else go.
The sky blackens into night and mascara falls down our cheeks. Everyone gets a
little closer to each other, we hold our friends/strangers close to us. We’re swaying in
the motions of our emotions. We’re sobbing while hills; all the way to the exit are
glittering from lighters held up to the open cloudy sky. The whole field is illuminated
and looks breath taking on the monitor.
“Always attract” and “Take on the world” evoke 30,000 people chanting the lyrics in
unison.
We went straight in from holding each other tighter to “Underdog” …they had this
planned. Ugly crying turned to smiles, laughter and chatter.
“If this is goodbye for some of you, it’s been a pleasure.” Josh announces. “Thank
you for the best 20 years of our lives.”
Ending on “Beautiful way." Perfection- we’re moshing while tears are flying through
the air. Fucked us up, but in a beautiful way.
We don’t want it/them to end, the performance and the band. We leave feeling
delicate and nostalgic.
Words: Tanita Hingerty
Photos: Nick Davarius
Thank you to are friends at TRXSH for helping us out
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