LIVE FROM THE PIT: Slam Dunk South 2024

Read to hear what we thought of the acts at Slam Dunk South 2024.

Bob Vylan

At the Kerrang! Tent, the air is thick with riotous energy. Excitement brews as Bob Vylan enter the stage to conduct their  ‘live stretch & meditation’, making the statement that what they are about to do, is more than just music, it’s a holistic approach to a sacred practice. As the set starts to take its form, it’s evident that the performance is fuelled with Indignation around the biases we face in society. Pair that with a display of advanced athleticism on stage and in the pit  and you’ve got yourself an audience filled with chaotic fervour. However, like an on/off switch, Bobby encompasses a different persona whilst he narrates between tracks embodying a banterous character. The duo are keen to iron out the injustices we’ve been served as a community, as they welcome Women & Non Binary folk to the front of the audience to take up space and mosh as they play ‘He’s a man’. This extra-ordinary and multi-faceted band are nothing short of brilliant, inspiring a generation of noisemakers and protestors.

Mallory Knox

Honestly, it’s as if they never went their separate ways. Mikey’s faultless vocals decorated the Slam Dunk stage as if the band were collectively welcoming us elder emos into the gates of heaven. Each festival goer’s face was painted with nostalgia as Mallory Knox played tunes such as ‘Shout At The Moon’, ‘Getaway’ and the ever popular ‘Lighthouse’ where not a lyric was left unsung by the crowd. Mikey sentimentally recollects that it’s been seven years since they last played together, and you can be sure that each member slipped back into their performing roles with such ease, as if they were exactly where they needed to be. 

Pale Waves

Whilst taking in the die hard and dedicated atmosphere of the fans, I couldn’t help but notice that Pale Waves are somewhat similar to Taylor Swift, only with a darker and more sad girl demeanor.  Each lyric proclaimed so passionately, and with every ounce of feeling from all the fan’s lips as they shouted at the top of their lungs. It was very evident that the band has gathered a cult following of likeminded individuals who share a lot of similar experiences. No matter whether vocalist Heather Baron-Gracie was donning the electric guitar, or had switched out for an acoustic, she had the audience in a trance, holding them within an emotional capsule of teenage love and heavy heartedness. The clear crowd favourite was ‘She Is My Religion’ reaching the biggest sing-a-long

Boys Like Girls

Transporting all their fans back into their world of pop punk, Boys Like Girls played with as much pazazz as they did back in the noughties. With a display of extravagant enthusiasm, Martin Johnson regularly dashed guitar picks into the crowd as they played tunes such as ‘Love Drunk’ and the brilliantly celebrated ‘The Great Escape’. Although unexpectedly, mid song Johnson halts the set with authority, saying  “Ok you’ve got your videos now, lets do this for real”. The crowd appear confused at first, but then gladly take a vow of no filming and savour the moment. To the audience’s pleasure, they play ‘The Great Escape’ again from start to finish, whilst giving the song an extra bit of ‘oomph’ to really cherish being back on stage. Each musician demonstrated great showmanship with flamboyancy in every strum, whilst feeding off the audiences frenzy with a thirsty look in their eyes.

I Prevail

After being diagnosed with Eagle Syndrome, lead singer Brian Burkheiser underwent throat surgery in the early days of May, so unfortunately was missing from the stage. However, I Prevail didn’t hesitate in performing with every ounce of force and power that they usually deliver. The set, which was perfectly placed at sundown gave a perfect introduction to the darkness of evening. With intervals of insidious visuals on the screen behind, it felt as if we were queuing up for the Saw Maze at Thorpe Park. Performing songs such as ‘Self-Destruction’, ‘Bow-Down’ and giving a different meaning to an eagerly anticipated cover of Taylor Swift’s ‘Blank Space’, Eric Vanlerberghe’s commanding distorted vocals summoned something sinister in all the fans as they couldn’t resist the encroachment of the pit. ‘Hurricane’ was the bands confessed special tune to play, and it also proved this was the case for many of the festival goers, as there was a huge explosion of crowd chanting.

Words: Hannah Smith (Queen Laya)

Photos: Nick Davarias

Massive thank you to TRXSH for helping us out with this article. Read our review of Slam Dunk North