Review: Slam Dunk Festival 2013

Monday 27th May 2013: Slam Dunk Festival @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Words: Michael Glynn / Photos: Ben Bryans

Of all the one-day festivals in the UK, Slam Dunk is the undisputed daddy, and with over 60 bands playing across seven stages this year, it’s the biggest one to date too. We took in the action at the new Midlands instalment, ending the Bank Holiday weekend in cathartic style.

With the sun shining it's a shame that (the aptly titled) The Summer Set kick off the proceedings inside Civic Hall - their upbeat pop punk is perfect for the weather outside. Nonetheless they get the day off to a promising start with an energetic set that entertains the growing throng.

They might have travelled all the way from Australia and already stormed two Slam Dunk days, but Tonight Alive don't even seem slightly exhausted with vocalist Jenna McDougall bouncing around with boundless energy throughout their all too brief set. Tracks like 'Listening' and emphatic set closer 'Breaking and Entering' might not be hits but the volume that the crowd sing them back to the band suggest otherwise.

But the award for loudest sing-along has to go to The Story So Far, despite the fact that they play on one of the smaller stages, a decision that leaves many fans disappointed when they get turned away from the packed room. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that this band will go on to lead the genre and when every single person in a room belts out every word to every song it's hard to argue with them.

This time last year Mallory Knox were practically unheard but a bunch of high profile headline tours with bands like Don Broco and Finch have seen them quickly become a name on many a rock fans lips. It might only be May but Mallory Knox have already played a handful of festivals and today it all seems a bit too familiar, the crowd love it but they need to step up their game if they truly want to take the next step up.

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We Are The Ocean are a band that are sometimes criticised for lacking oomph live but they're a completely different beast today. Tracks like 'Bleed' and fan favourite 'The Waiting Room' are played with a venom and passion that has been sorely missed. Brilliant stuff.

Outside it's starting to rain which may have something to do with to the main stage being completely packed for Sleeping With Sirens, either that or they're finally getting the recognition they deserve. With the Slam Dunk dates sandwiched in between their own headlining tour the band are absolutely bang on it today and despite the small figure he cuts and his slightly effeminate voice, frontman Kellin Quinn is a commanding frontman leading his band through a stunning set.

Sometimes it's clear that a band is too big for their slot and it couldn't be more apparent as they reach a climax during set closer 'If You Cant Hang', following which more than half of the crowd leave before Kids in Glass Houses take to the stage. The Welsh band haven't been seen on a stage for the best part of a year so the pressure's on and although it takes them a while to warm up they soon hit their stride and remind the refilling room just why they were so popular not so long ago.

Yet as one band return to the music scene another announces their split, the band in question is Senses Fail who destroy the Tiger Stage in what they announce is to be one of their final shows. But they're going out with a bang and as front man Buddy Neilsen hangs upside down from a chandelier screaming his lungs out there's a sense of celebration rather than sadness in the sweaty air.

Meanwhile on the slightly larger but none less sweaty Macbeth Stage, The Wonder Years are proving why they're fast becoming one of the most exciting pop punk bands around. With their new record 'The Greatest Generation' giving the band their first UK chart position they're in high spirits and their most recent tracks are as well received as old favourites, no mean feat when it's considered how much those songs mean to their fans.

Back to the main stage and Deaf Havana are suffering from a vocalist without a voice, it's difficult to watch frontman James give it his all and come out with so little but the crowd are on hand to help him. Their sound has matured massively since their early days as a five piece, now there's seven members on stage all working together to produce a sound that could help them achieve the success that's surely coming their way.

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Headliners All Time Low’s cheery pop rock is greeted by hundreds of screams (and several bras thrown on stage) but they don’t quite pack the punch of their voluminous predecessors. That's not to say they're not entertaining though, it's impossible to hear tracks like 'Lost in Stereo' and not sing along and new material from their most recent album 'Don't Panic' is certainly their best sounding to date.

It's not enough to keep us wandering back to the Macbeth Stage to catch Four Year Strong round off the festival with their first UK dates since supporting Blink-182 last June. It's a strange one though because no matter how high energy the crowd is when the band is playing there's always an awkward silence between songs, a fact that's picked up on by the band who even have to question whether they should play an encore.

They needn't have asked though because it's clear as soon as they start playing again that the crowd can't get enough of them and as the final notes of 'Wasting Time' ring out to draw a close to another successful Slam Dunk it's hard to think of a better way to spend time than at a festival with great music, friends and beer. Until next year!