FESTIVAL
PREVIEW:
SLAM
DUNK
Venues: Birmingham (NEC), Leeds (City Centre), Hatfield (Forum)
Date: 27th/28th/29th May 2017
Founded by Ben Ray in 2006, Slam Dunk Festival
has now established itself as one of the biggest music
festivals in the UK amongst the likes of Download,
Bloodstock and Glastonbury. Starting as a 1 day
festival at Leeds University, the event now spans
over 3 days over the May Bank Holiday; Midlands –
Birmingham (NEC), North – Leeds City Centre and
South – Hatfield (Forum). The festival has also seen
a huge growth in the variety of bands and musicians
on offer over the years, and this year sees a huge bill
of the best alternative and upcoming music across
wait for it…. 8 yes 8 stages! CROSSFAITH – Crossfaith have fast become one of
the world’s favourite and most energetic live bands
bringing a unique Japanese blend of raw metal
madness and intensity. You just have to go and get
sweaty to these guys!
Slam Dunk Festival is very unique in that it is arranged
in city centre and arena style environments with a lot
more intimacy and interaction between bands and
the crowd. With so many people packed into idyllic
town squares and smaller spaces, it makes the overall
atmosphere more electric than people spread out
across dirty, muddy fields, and this is why Slam Dunk
keeps bringing more and more people back every year! OCEANS ATE ALASKA – Making their debut
appearance at Slam Dunk this year are Birmingham
metalcore outfit Oceans Ate Alaska; the band are
representing their label Fearless Records on their
Invasion tour, and it will be the first UK outing for their
new vocalist Jake Noakes. With their 2nd album due to
be released later this year, there will be a perfect blend
of the bands’ new material along with tracks from their
debut album ‘Lost Isles’. Be there or be square!
2016 was a particular iconic year in Slam Dunk
Festivals’ history as it marked their 10-year
anniversary; Fans got to endure some of America’s
greatest bands in YELLOWCARD and OF MICE &
MEN, but the UK was very well presented by bands
such as MALLORY KNOX and THE KING BLUES, as
well as rising stars such as CREEPER, HACKTIVIST
and ROAM. However, the stars of the show for many
fans were the mainstage headliners PANIC! AT THE
DISCO who put on a performance to remember.
Slam Dunk has also seen many other huge names in
the Music industry over the years including; LOWER
THAN ATLANTIS, ARCHITECTS, NECK DEEP,
SET IT OFF, PVRIS and last year’s headliners YOU
ME AT SIX.
Top 5 bands to look out for at Slam Dunk 2017:
BEARTOOTH – As one of the UK’s hottest metal acts
in the last 5 years, Beartooth fronted by the incredible
Caleb Shomo are sure to set the Jägermeister stage
alight and be one of the highlights of this year’s
majestic lineup!
DON BROCO – Bedford rockers Don Broco have
established themselves as a regular outfit at Slam Dunk,
and the band will be making their 3rd appearance in
2017. Just like Crossfaith, Don Broco are one of the
most energetic and entertaining acts in the circuit, so
get down to the front and enjoy the show!
ENTER SHIKARI – As one of the world’s favourite
alternative bands, Enter Shikari will be celebrating
the 10th Anniversary of their iconic album ‘Take To
The Skies’ with special performances at all Slam Dunk
dates. There is sure to be a lot of on stage antics from
front man Rou Reynolds, along with mind-blowing
pyrotechnics, so If this does not blow everyone’s
minds, then I don’t know what will!
Get those dancing shoes and devil horns ready, and
don’t forget to check out the UPRAWR DJ STAGE
with special guests and resident DJ’s including
Suicide Girl favourite Mel Clarke! Previous guests
have included the likes of MC LARS, TEK ONE,
TERUFUMI TAMANO (CROSSFAITH), DANI &
DAVYD WINTER-BATES (BURY TOMORROW),
and SHIKARI SOUND SYSTEM!
Slam Dunk Festival 2017 is about to take the UK by
storm...
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