On Sunday 26th May we headed to Hatfield Park for Slam Dunk South 2019. The two-day festival which takes places over May bank holiday weekend took place in Leeds and Hatfield with sets from the likes of All Time Low, Bullet For My Valentine, Lights and iDKHOW. To round off our coverage of this year’s event we look back on five years we learnt at the festival.
Whatever the weather there’s always a great atmosphere.
It wouldn’t be an outdoor festival without some questionable weather and as the day went on the heavens began to open. Prior to All Time Low’s headline set fans were treated to not only showers but also the most magical rainbow we’ve been lucky enough to witness in a very long time.
Change is sometimes good.
With this personally being our first time at the new South site we must say that despite some small issues we absolutely loved the new vibe of the festival. The bigger open site made it easier to catch bands you wanted to see without worrying about the stages reaching capacity and truly felt like a competitor to the bigger weekend festivals. We feel like this is a whole new era of the festival and can’t wait to see it continue to grow.
Slam Dunk continues to offer for everyone musically.
Whether you’re into the heavier sound of Cancer Bats and Bullet For My Valentine or into something a little bit poppier like Lights across the festival there truly was something for everyone to get their teeth in to and enjoy. This is what makes Slam Dunk so special, its wide-ranging appeal brings together different genres for a day of great live music.
Secret sets don’t often say secret.
Even before Slam Dunk North had begun rumours were circulating about who the secret guest would be based on the few clues the festival had posted. But across social media festival-goers were pulling out all the stops, tracking the member’s whereabouts and reading into everything and anything to suss out just who it could be. James’ tweets about Southend didn’t throw the fans off as by the time they took to the stage for their set, everyone knew what was coming leading to a packed out tent of both fans and people claiming them as their guilty pleasures.
Clashes are sadly inevitable with a line-up this good.
One thing we always hate about festivals is clashes, Slam Dunk is no different. We found ourselves wanting to watch Boston Manor and Busted, Tigers Jaws and As It Is, New Found Glory and iDKHOW, All Time Low and Bullet For My Valentine; the list goes on! The answer to our problem is clearly going to both dates next year; who’s with us?
We sat down with Lights, Dallon Weekes of iDKHOW, Jordan Pundik and Cyrus Bolooki from New Found Glory and Ash Wilson from Boston Manor for chats at the festival. You can read our review of Slam Dunk South here.
Did you go to either Slam Dunk South or Slam Dunk North? Tweet us @CelebMix and let us know your favourite parts of the day.