Over on the Impericon stage we catch Cardiff’s finest hardcore grime band Astroid Boys who work up a storm amongst the crowd. At first thought to be an usual choice for the metal stage the band however seal their place with a striking performance. ’The Foreigners’ goes down a treat and turns some heads. Although missing a member due to some party antics the crew crack on with their set and deliver to the end.
Just a few metres to our right on the Breakout Stage we catch newly hyped The Faim from Australia who have over the past few months seemed to have gathered quite the following in the UK. The quartet walk out confident and get the crowd engaged from the opening. Bouncing around the stage their music is fitting with the sunshine that’s finally breaking through the clouds – explosive, choruses that’d make Fall Out Boy proud and a warm feeling of joy. A band that’ll definitely be on bigger horizons soon.
When you first walk into the Jagermeister Stage it’s vastness is overwhelming and leaves you wondering if some of the bands on the bill can pull it off. For Creeper however there is no question – we know what ever is thrown at them they’ll own it, and just like previous festivals they take the reigns and lead a triumphant set. These little goth-rockers are just what this modern rock industry needed to stir it up. Forever throwing all their might into the set an endearing moment sees keyboardist and backing singer Hannah come centre stage to sing ‘Crickets’ accompanied by guitarist Ian. Slam Dunk feels like home to Creeper and as ever their performance is nothing short of perfect.
Another first for us are Capdown who play the Fireball Stage and come highly recommended by anyone who’s previously managed to catch them live. Always an interesting perspective going from stage to stage as genres change from pop-rock to metal to punk and ska – the Fireball Stage centres around the latter and the atmosphere is chummy. Singer and saxophonist is a wild act on stage and when he’s not singing he’s flailing his arms in all directions, jumping, dancing, and getting stuck into the crowd quite literally. The fans give back in waves and just look pleased to see the band play (as they rarely do these days).
Leaving Capdown quite chirpy our the carefree vibes flow into Roam’s set who have decorated their stage with inflatables and balloons with the singer looking like he’s dressed ready for the beach. Another young rising band whose live shows have boosted their appeal. Mid-set sees inflatable pineapples thrown into the crowd for anyone brave enough to surf and volunteers are a plenty. Security shine for a moment throwing back the inflatables to keep the joy rolling until the end of the set.
“That’s how you start a show” bellows Frank Carter after clambering over the barrier to do a headstand on top of the crowd in trousers that look like they were torn off my grandma’s sofa back in the early 90s. Security look on in confusion, anticipating this isn’t going to be your average gig. Per usual Frank calls out the girls to crowd surf and gets things really moving before taking a walk centre circle pit. This is a man without fear and limitations that see each show pushed more and more. I wonder if the boisterous punk rocker knew where this would lead when he started in Gallows many years ago. This feels like the perfect time and place for the man and band who are one of the best UK acts to see live right now. A moment sees Frank inspired by a Slipknot concert he saw when he was young and tell everyone to get down on the floor. It instantly reminds myself of the first time I saw Slipknot and how hair-raising that experience was. I hope for the younger generation Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are the Slipknot of my generation.
The perfect pre-nostalgia warm up comes from Taking Back Sunday whose hit infested set goes down swell with this sweet and adoring crowd. ‘Liar’ makes an early break out second into the set and the love for the band pulsates from everyone in the room. Despite some turbulent times for the band they’ve persisted and proved they’re still worthy in an ever changing scene. Ending the set with ‘MakeDamnSure’ it’s easy for many here to lose their voices early on just screaming “I just wanna break you down so badly”. A fine performance from the veterans.
Every Time I Die hit the stage like a bulldozer. The momentum this band throw into a set is always unreal and this year sees them headline the Impericon Stage – a welcomed achievement but also one that is doomed to clash with the headliners of Slam Dunk mid-set. However, this is Every Time I Die and these Buffalo titans just don’t give up. As the hall dies down and only the hardcore fans are left, albeit small in numbers, they make their voices heard. This band somehow bend the rules of time as they always manage to compact a ridiculous amount of songs into an hour set. Ending on Low Teens favourite ‘Map Change’ singer Keith takes a precarious dive into that crowd that almost looks like battling a fierce ocean as his legs sway in the air grasping to stay on top.
Choosing between Jimmy Eat World and Good Charlotte was honestly a tough one. Many parties walking around seem torn and suspect a lot are gutted to see them both clash. We opted to see a band we’d never seen before and headed to the Jagermeister stage to watch Good Charlotte close the night. Kicking off their set with a lengthy introduction into a confetti explosive ’The Anthem’, which is apparently eight years old, brings a sense of nostalgia from the get-go. They pace themselves throughout from old classics such as ‘Girls & Boys’ to the more modern releases such as ‘Actual Pain’, released just days before. Taking moments to appreciate the vibrant crowd Good Charlotte have come a long way from just been some punk teens with a one hit wonder and what this set proves tonight is the substance they really have and a connection to old and new fans. Ending hit ‘Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous’ nearly blows the roof off and closes the night flawlessly.
It’s been a great day to witness some upcoming bands, some bands we’ve never seen before and some old favourites. Even the queue for the rail replacement bus service couldn’t bring us down. Slam Dunk is what music is truly about, there’s no crazy backdrops to distract you – it’s bands proving what they’re made of.
Other notable acts we caught:
We may have only caught a few songs drifting from stage to stage but honestly wish we could have stayed for more.
Knuckle Puck – Who is this band all the young ones keep going on about we secretly think to ourselves. Our first glimpse of Slam Dunk is of the American Knuckle Puck who are packed with energy and that American pop punk vibe.
Brutality Will Prevail make their presence known on the Impericon stage, their brutal sound is to the point and in your face. Frontman Louis constantly watches the crowd intensely and comments for chaos which he gets at points.
The Devil Wears Prada also take the stage with an intimidating look and appeal and sound 100x more ferocious live than recorded. The band, the lights, the crowds reaction all erratic and leaves you hungry for more.
Palaye Royale headlined the Rock Sound Breakout Stage like true rock stars, posing for the cameras these art rockers played are on various radars right now.
Twin Atlantic‘s Sam McTrusty waltzed onto the stage infected everyone with the dancing bug. Never a poor performance from these Scottish lads.
