Slam Dunk North 2025 – Pageant Assessment

Slam Dunk North 
Temple Newsam, Leeds
twenty fifth Could 2025

Louder Than Struggle author Dave Beech, assisted by Sally Hirshman, as soon as once more make the annual pilgrimage to Temple Newsam in Leeds to kick off the competition season with the northern iteration of Slam Dunk

For many people, Slam Dunk marks the beginning of competition season correct. The primary alternative of the 12 months to assemble in a subject with pals to shake off actual life for a short time, drink a number of beers (or too many free cans of Monster) and watch some unbelievable bands.

It’s with slight trepidation nevertheless, as we strategy the late Could financial institution vacation weekend when after weeks of baking sunshine, a literal rain cloud looms over England’s largest county. So we provide a fast prayer to the competition gods that the dry run as much as the weekend could have saved the bottom a minimum of, sparing us the mud-fest of final 12 months’s competition.

Our first band of the day is British metalcore five-piece Defects, who present a suitably heavy begin to proceedings. We’re handled to some early pit motion as frontman Tony Maue calls for that the an honest sized early crowd ‘spin this place’, commanding the stage with the duality of his clear vocals and guttural screams.

The title monitor of the band’s debut album, Fashionable Error, coincides with the primary rain bathe of the day and, though fortunately short-lived, the wind selecting up brings with it the basic Slam Dunk sound bleed from the close by Key Membership stage. A skull-shaped beer bong is handed across the stage for good measure, and on the finish of a seven-song set stuffed with heavy riffs and first rate breakdowns a lot of the cobwebs have been blasted away from these of us who pre-gamed a bit too exhausting in Leeds final night time…

Ever the gluttons for punishment, we decide to remain at Major Stage East for one more skull-rattling set from Wales’ Dream State, who stroll onto the stage and launch straight into the title monitor from their 2024 EP, Nonetheless Dreaming, as frontwoman Jessie Powell holds an umbrella aloft.

The stability of sound isn’t the clearest for the primary few tracks which is a disgrace, as Dream State are a band whose fascinating energy we’ve got witnessed earlier than and isn’t fairly hitting the mark right this moment. Nevertheless, Powell’s vocal prowess is plain, and newest single Bittersweet Scars Of My Previous showcases the duality of her voice, from angelic to downright demonic. In reality, the decrease finish of her vary is maybe the strongest we’ve ever heard it, and it’s clear she’s been dedicating critical time to honing her craft. Within the aftermath of fan-favourite White Lies, Powell reminds the viewers that Dream State are a very unbiased band with no label and no administration behind them, a proven fact that endears us to all of them the extra and permits us to understand the unbiased spirit of Slam Dunk.

Now, we’re no newbies on the subject of the tropes of watching reside bands. If we had a pound for each time an artist has imploring knowledgeable the gang, ‘I want your assist singing this one’, we’d have a number of quid, however we should admit that being given the explanation for this request as “I barely slept final night time as a result of I assumed there was a ghost in my room’” effectively, that’s actually a brand new one. Sleep disadvantaged or not, nevertheless, the band ship a triumphant nearer within the type of Primrose, and on the finish of their 40 minutes on stage we’re left wanting extra.

Although most years at Slam Dunk have typically began with a wholesome dose of pop-punk, it’s not till the third band of the day, Residence Grown over on the Monster Vitality stage, that we get our first repair of the style. Having not hit UK shores in over 20 years, it’s a bit disheartening to see the tent barely half full because the band take to the stage. It does steadily fill over the course of the band’s half-hour, nevertheless, however, from the again of the tent a minimum of, it appears the band’s tried and examined model of pop-punk falls on deaf ears, and as such feels a bit flat. A disgrace, given simply how lengthy we’ve waited to see them.

This stated, because the tent fills, so too does the band break into one thing of a stride. A canopy of Barbie Lady might need hit the mark on its launch, however it does little to spice up a crowd who, at this level, we assume are simply ready to see The Ataris. Fortunately, You’re Not Alone, arguably their greatest recognized tune, closes out the set in advantageous vogue, its hovering refrain slicing by means of the malaise that appears to have settled on the tent while offering a type of typical Slam Dunk moments: listening to a pop-punk masterpiece reside after you by no means thought you’d. It’s not sufficient to raise the set into one thing memorable, however it actually scratches an itch.

Again to Major Stage East now and Landmvrks are a band who’re exhausting to get away from in 2025. Someway, although, regardless of having been round for over a decade, they solely made their method onto our radar this 12 months within the run as much as the discharge of their fourth studio album, The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been. Hailing from Marseille, France, the five-piece takes to the stage with little or no fanfare, with vocalist Florent Salfati launching straight into the rap of opener Creature. They’ve drawn by far the largest crowd that this explicit stage has seen thus far right this moment, and over the following half hour or so we expertise a masterclass in efficiency and musicianship.

The band is joined on stage by Yorkshire native Mat Welsh of Whereas She Sleeps for latest single A Line In The Mud. While a pitiful try on the basic ‘Yorkshire’ chant from the gang falls flat, the pits open up for Sulfur as throughout us crowd surfers are hoisted into the air and a bunch of lads take it in turns to drink wine from an Adidas coach.

Nearer Self-Made Black Gap sees the band depart all of it on stage, and with a “merci beaucoup” from Salfati, they’re off. We’re fully bought, and depart Landmvrks’ set excited for the following time we get to see them. With the remainder of 2025 accounted for with a summer time crammed stuffed with competition appearances, an autumn spent State-side adopted by a return to Europe (with one solitary UK present on the Roundhouse in December), we’re retaining our fingers crossed for a 2026 UK headline tour announcement.

As at all times, the Monster Vitality stage holds the day’s greatest attraction, and that’s the place we discover ourselves as we anticipate the aforementioned Ataris to emerge. By this level, the tent is at capability, and when the band kick issues off with In This Diary, the cheer and subsequent sing alongside is nothing wanting spectacular. With the band celebrating 20 years of their seminal debut album So Lengthy Astoria, right this moment’s set is, as anticipated, hinged on materials from that document. Provided that the primary (and solely) time we’ve seen the band earlier than was throughout that album cycle, it’s a welcome return, bolstered by the likes of The Hero Dies In This One and Take Off And Landings.

A canopy of Jawbreaker’s Boxcar is the right nod to the affect of ‘90s emo on the band, and is warmly acquired by these of us in attendance extra lengthy within the tooth. After all, it’s their cowl of Don Henley’s Boys Of The Summer season that receives the warmest response of the set, and finds the entire crowd in full voice.

From there, we head over to catch our first and solely Key Membership stage set of the day, and the tent is already pretty full with 10 minutes to go earlier than Delilah Bon is due on. It is a set we’ve been notably trying ahead to as, since we final caught Delilah within the precise Key Membership final 12 months, she’s added a guitarist to her reside present.

The posters flanking the ready band on stage ship a really clear message about what Delilah and her music stand for, with slogans together with, ‘Trans Rights are Human Rights’ and ‘My Physique, My Selection’. The intro monitor to Brat begins up and the lady herself bounds onto the stage. Inside the first verse it’s clear how good the reside band are, emphasised by the good high quality of the sound contained in the tent. The power is instantaneous and infectious, one thing that’s evident by the variety of individuals dancing, singing and screaming alongside to each phrase. It’s a testomony to the next she’s constructed on-line, the fearless use of her platform to showcase the feminist rage so a lot of these current really feel, and the inclusive, secure house she’s created at her reveals, which have led to Delilah Bon packing out the tent.

New launch Princeless Princess, a reside debut this weekend, garners an enormous crowd response, and Delilah joins her followers within the crowd for I Want a Bitch Would. 2024’s viral monitor, Lifeless Males Don’t Rape closes out the short-but-sweet set and, at a time the place the messages in Delilah’s music are sadly so poignant, we bid the band farewell till they return for a headline tour this November.

At this level, it’s a tough option to make between The Beginning Line over on Major Stage West, and ska-punk superheroes The Aquabats again on the Monster Stage. It’s the primary actual conflict of the day and, though we plan to catch half of every set, the minute the Californian punks take to the stage, unleashing inflatable sharks within the course of, we already know the choice has been made. One other band we by no means thought we’d get to see, the mixture of irreverent humour, punk, and naturally trumpets, makes for an irresistible approach to spend 40 minutes, as they tear by means of tracks akin to Pizza Day!, Tremendous Rad! and Cat With Two Heads! it’s simple to see why the band has such a cult following.

After all, that doesn’t imply to say the tent is filled with devotees. Trying round it’s clear that greater than a handful of crowd are considerably perplexed by the band’s antics, as they bounce across the stage clad in blue wetsuits and swim caps. Appears of confusion quickly give approach to grins nevertheless, because the uninitiated are quickly received over. Third monitor, Crimson Sweater!, sees the entire tent swaying earlier than its infectious brass part kicks in, while Tremendous Present Theme Track sees one thing of a singalong, although it doesn’t fairly hit the identical stage as The Ataris.

“They are saying that is Leeds,” lead singer MC Bat Commander proclaims because the band strategy the tip of their set “however we simply realize it as YORKSHIRE!”, because the now-famous chant that after perplexed Fred Durst rings out all through the tent.

The aforementioned Pizza Day sees the sharks within the crowd changed by big slices of inflatable pizza, and, as one may anticipate, they’re quickly commandeered by the extra industrious punks in attendance, who clamber aboard and appear to spend the rest of the set on the mercy of the ocean of ska punk followers under. Ridiculous? Maybe, however there’s no doubting that The Aquabats are actually an early contender for band of the day.

Sadly, the identical can’t be stated for Scorching Mulligan, whose early night set on Major Stage West attracts a powerful crowd but suffers fairly considerably from questionable sound ranges given the excessive winds which have been buffeting the competition web site all day. Shifting additional ahead alleviates this a bit bit, however one can’t assist evaluate this set to that of three years in the past in a tent, which was a gloriously chaotic event and arguably the explanation this author fell in love with the band.

After all, the band can’t be blamed for that and, when the degrees are proper, tracks akin to Gans Media Retro Video games, Shhhh! Golf is On, and *equips sun shades* all hit residence completely. However one can’t assist suppose they’re a band higher suited to the claustrophobic confines of sweaty basement bars than the wind-battered levels within the grounds of a stately residence in Yorkshire.

The very same may be stated for Finch over on Major Stage East. One more band who we thought we could by no means see, the sound issues that plagued Scorching Mulligan appear worse on the opposite aspect of the competition web site. Certainly, tracks akin to Gray Matter, the seminal Letters To You and Bitemarks And Bloodstains are barely audible, and the sound bleed from the smaller levels located shut by does nothing to assist issues.

There’s new materials on supply from the band too, within the type of Horror Island and Palpatine. Not that we’d realize it from our place subsequent to the sound desk, because the tracks appear to merge into one indiscernible providing. It’s as this level we resolve to chop our losses, although as we flip and head again in the direction of the Monster Vitality Stage, the immediately recognisable opening notes of What It Is To Burn act as a siren tune, calling us again for one final hurrah that fortunately suffers a lot lower than something it proceeds, and, very similar to Residence Grown earlier within the day, Finch handle to finish their set on a excessive although it does little to reserve it from the sound points which have dogged its entirety.

From there, one other conflict within the type of Streetlight Manifesto and New Discovered Glory rears its ugly head. As anticipated, NFG draw an enormous crowd for his or her mid-evening set, to such an extent that Streetlight barely half fill their respective tent. As such, we give the ska-punk stalwarts half a set, however it by no means fairly reaches the joyous ranges of final 12 months’s providing and we decide to catch the ultimate half of New Discovered Glory because of this.

One other band that we haven’t seen for 20 years, their idiosyncratic model of pop-punk, that has influenced a number of bands since, is each summery and infectious and the right approach to ease oneself into the night. It’s a mammoth set given the band aren’t headlining, with tracks akin to Understatement, Failures Not Flattering and Dressed To Kill all coming thick and quick, a lot to the delight of arguably the largest crowd of the day to date. As one may anticipate, they end with ecstatic outing of fan-favourite My Mates Over You, which whips the gang into one closing frenzy as we make an observation to make sure we catch them on their forthcoming headline tour.

Unsurprisingly, it’s again to the Monster Vitality stage for competition regulars and ska-punk stalwarts Much less Than Jake. Very similar to different bands on right this moment’s line-up, we first noticed these guys reside over 20 12 months in the past, nevertheless, in contrast to the opposite bands on supply, they’re a band we’ve since seen numerous instances they usually by no means get boring. Certainly, the overspilling tent is a testomony to only how good the band are. Managing to jostle our method into the tent correct, they kick issues off with Gainesville Rock Metropolis, which sees the gang in full voice nearly from the phrase go.

It’s a profession spanning set. The likes of All My Greatest Mates Are Metallic Heads, Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Promote Outs and The Science of Promoting Your self Quick are nothing wanting anthemic, while the latter monitor sees your entire tent in full voice and gives the largest sing alongside of the day. Elsewhere, the theme from the Animaniacs will get a weird inclusion that appears to suit into the band’s set effortlessly. It’s adopted by Historical past Of A Boring City, which warrants one other singalong, earlier than the immediately recognisable bass intro of Final One Out Of Liberty Metropolis alerts that the set is drawing to its shut.

Certainly, the band end with Look What Occurred, and whereas it won’t be as grand a end as once they finish on right this moment’s opener, when following Assist Save The Youth Of America From Exploding, it makes for an emotive closing double-header of tracks that cements Much less Than Jake as one of the vital entertaining, uplifting and constantly pleasing bands round on the minute. Lengthy could it proceed.

From there it’s over to the Kerrang stage with lower than 5 minutes earlier than Wargasm are on account of begin, and the gang is simply a few rows deep, reaching maybe a 3rd of the best way again in the direction of the sound desk by the point the band come on stage. Those that are right here, nevertheless, have introduced their enthusiasm with them, and a mosh pit kicks off throughout Venom. The band themselves aren’t letting the dimensions of their viewers put them off, and frontman Sam Matlock tears across the stage, leaping on and off the tools.

Their model of electro-punk sounds good, if a bit samey after a number of tracks, however in a slot like this they need to be bringing the social gathering. The social gathering simply appears to be elsewhere. We depart after quarter-hour in the hunt for nachos earlier than heading to the Monster Vitality tent to safe out spot for Alkaline Trio and are available throughout Wargasm’s viewers…over at Electrical Callboy, who’re protecting Cascada (as a result of, after all…). Major Stage East is totally heaving, and we are able to’t assist questioning what the competition bookers have been pondering clashing these two acts, to the unlucky detriment of Wargasm.

With the competition drawing slowly in the direction of its conclusion, there’s simply the small matter of two headliners to take care of. For one author, Alkaline Trio are the plain alternative. And, it proves to be a smart one. Kicking issues off with Time To Waste is an ironic begin – going straight in with the massive weapons is a daring alternative – however Matt Skiba and co. handle to tug it off completely. Armageddon comes subsequent and it’s already clear that the band are pulling no punches on the subject of retaining their crowd glad. A quick interlude follows Emma. “We rocked that tune so exhausting my bass broke,” jokes Dan Andriano, as his tech involves the rescue.

An early inclusion of Silly Child follows and is a shock, albeit a welcome one, whereas the one-two salvo of Sadie and Mercy Me nearly threatens to convey the tent down. That the band are taking part in to a capability tent ought to come as little shock given the sheer quantity of Alkaline Trio merch on show over the course of the day, however trying round it’s clear that, regardless of clashing with Major Stage headliners A Day To Bear in mind, they’re a large attract their very own proper.

And effectively they may be. More moderen tracks akin to Calling All Skeletons and Blood Hair And Eyeballs slot in effortlessly behind the set up fan-favourite likes of Perhaps I’ll Catch Hearth. Penultimate monitor Personal Eye as soon as once more sees the gang in full voice, however it’s the ultimate quantity, Radio, that’s pure goosebump materials. Although a wierd alternative to finish issues on arguably the band’s most depressing quantity, the sing-along that stems from it’s tear-jerking, and it’s simple to see simply why this band means a lot to so many. As they depart the stage to deafening roars and applause, we’re secure within the data that this has been certainly one of, if not the very best, Alkaline Trio performances we’ve seen.

After all, we’re not fairly achieved but, and over on the Major Stage West, there’s the small matter of A Day To Bear in mind to take care of. Criminally, the lure of fish and chips distracts us from the beginning of headliners and pop punk royalty A Day to Bear in mind’s set, and we solely realise the band are on stage when the pyro goes off, on account of Alkaline Trio within the Monster Vitality tent eclipsing all different sound from our place on the high of the hill. We run in the direction of Major Stage West simply in time for the primary refrain of The Downfall Of Us All, which has everybody surrounding us, from the sound desk again, dancing and singing alongside. It’s a stonking begin to a set which works from energy to energy, sandwiching the extra hardcore rooted 2nd Sucks between I’m MadO of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of? and Proper Again At It Once more, which is served up with a wholesome dose of confetti.

In reality, the entire set is a masterful stability of pop punk bangers and heavier choices. That stated, OG followers could also be barely disillusioned with the omittance of any tracks from the band’s first two studio albums, selecting as a substitute to showcase their new launch, Large Ole Album Vol. 1. We’d argue, although, {that a} 20-plus tune competition headline set with this variety of hits included has to overlook one thing out.

We’re handled to a face-scrunching breakdown throughout Paranoia, earlier than heading into their vastly in style Punk Goes Pop cowl of Kelly Clarkson’s Since U Been Gone – a monitor that solely just lately made it again onto setlists. Newer tune All My Mates provokes a healthful singalong, while a man dressed as Mario runs across the stage with a t-shirt gun, capturing items out into the gang, adopted by a change of tempo within the type of Mr. Freeway’s Pondering About The Finish.

The band’s a lot cherished (by the followers) and feared (by the safety employees) gimmick ‘Crowdsurfer on high of a crowdsurfer’ is placed on maintain as McKinnon is alerted to a spot within the crowd the place somebody seems to wish help, and the band leaves the stage while the doable incident is investigated. It stymies the tempo, however is a essential break within the proceedings. The band returns to stage inside 5 minutes and regular service is resumed. Though we’re standing a bit too far again to identify lots of the crowdsurfers, we become involved in a spontaneous mini circle pit which begins close to us and grows as large as round eight individuals throughout Suggestions, till a rogue emergency poncho which has been discarded on the ground begins wrapping itself round our ankles making additional involvement too dangerous.

McKinnon tells us they’re ‘gonna minimize by means of the bullshit’ of an encore and simply stick with it taking part in as a substitute, and All I Need into Generally You’re The Hammer, Generally You’re The Nail present the right power enhance for this late stage within the set. The band exits the stage and McKinnon instantly re-enters carrying an acoustic guitar, retaining his promise. If It Means A Lot To You is given its commonplace association of a solo acoustic efficiency with the remainder of the band becoming a member of in on the bridge, and we resolve to take this chance to climb again up the hill, weaving out and in of swaying couple and teams of pals.

McKinnon introduces the band’s penultimate tune as being about ‘telling the individuals you like that you just love them earlier than it’s too late’, and we’re handled to a heartfelt rendition of recent album monitor Flowers. It’s solely made a handful of reside appearances thus far, however it’s clear it’s going to turn into a set common. And with the acapella opening adopted by the acquainted chugging of guitar, All Indicators Level To Lauderdale is right here, and with it one of many greatest singalongs of the night time to shut the present – a becoming finish to a killer set which encapsulates what at the present time, and certainly this competition is all about.

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Phrases by Dave Beech assisted by Sally Hirshman

Dave Beech is a music author based mostly out of Manchester. Hyperlinks to his work may be discovered over at his weblog, Life’s A Beech, in addition to his Louder Than Struggle Creator Archive. He additionally tweets as @Dave__Beech.

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