The late May bank holiday can only mean one thing: the return of Emo Christmas! Yes, it’s that time of year, and Slam Dunk North knocks it out of the park. From astronaut dancers to lollipops, this festival has it all.
The energy in the Slam Dunk Village is palpable. Waiting for the gates to open, a sea of music fans stands by before charging the Temple Newsam hills. Though a much-loved festival by many, there is still work to be done when it comes to diverse lineups. The morning and afternoon were packed with female artists, and wow, do they know how to open a cherished festival. However, late afternoon to close, there was a serious lack of representation.
SWEET PILL
Kicking off the main stage was the ever enigmatic Sweet Pill. Front woman Zayna Youssef’s vocals are like a siren call beckoning weary travellers to lose themselves at the main stage.
There is so much power in this opening act. No time for warming up, music fans are thrown into the thick of it this year. Big things are sure to come from this hardcore meets emo Philadelphian troupe!
LAKE MALICE
Just up the hill from the main stage, Lake Malice open the Kerrang! stage. They’re accompanied by astronaut themed dancers, and it’s not even 12pm yet. Already, the circle pits and Yorkshire chants have started. This stage is off to a cracker! Despite the sound getting a little lost on the wind, the crowd are not dissuaded.
Opening with ‘Blossom‘ is the perfect track to kick things off; that build and dance breaks are a balanced breakfast. Frontwoman Alice Guala knows how to shake off any cobwebs, whether it’s by inciting pits or her earth-shattering screams. The choreographed dancers added that extra element of fun and engagement, having attention caught at every angle of the stage.
GREYWIND
Irish siblings Greywind bounce onto the Key Club stage, which doubles as a refuge from the rain. It’s more than half-packed, and the weather isn’t the sole reason for the turnout. It’s barely 1pm, and the crowds are still only arriving at the grounds.
With vitality and a clear voice, Steph O’Sullivans vocals ring out and the crowd cheers their approval. A band’s stage chemistry is always an important aspect of any performance. If the band isn’t having fun, how is the crowd supposed to? There is no question of chemistry here. When instigating claps in time to the beat, they get almost the whole tent on side. This is a band eager to please, and the crowd was ready to show their appreciation.
WINONA FIGHTER
Following directly after Greywind on the Key Club stage is Nashville natives, Winona Fighter. When they were choosing the name, they wanted something feminine but aggressive. There is no doubt they have fulfilled their mission statement. They’re a perfect balance of clear and crisp vocals paired with guttural screams. Both techniques burst with emotion. This slam dunk stage was their closing performance of the Yes Chef UK Tour. They gave it their all, not a single waver was wavered at this final hurdle. If anything, they mustered up everything they had left in the tank to end it with a bang. Chloe Kinnon’s trust in her vocal abilities is inspiring. This is a band comfortable with emphasising the pop and punk elements in the pop-punk genre. Reverberations from racing guitars and thundering drums fill the tent, it’s no wonder the whole crowd is on side. Old and new inspirations are entwined in this band’s music. Whether singing about escaping this town or screaming lyrics full of feminine rage, they’re doing it right.
DELILAH BON
Delilah Bon has become a bit of a fire starter online, but never a victim. Her song ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape‘ reached all corners of the internet bringing her an unfair share of hate. It seems no amount of faceless commenters will stop her singing about what she believes in to the masses. As this vibrant act takes to the key club stage, the tent is almost spilling out. She and her band embrace all sides of femininity from feral rage to fluffy pink leg warmers. The empowerment and catharsis during the set is unparalleled. Just in case there was any doubt about what this band’s for, the stage is decorated with placards. They’re displaying the slogans “Trans rights are human rights” and “Pride is Protest.” Others say “My Body, My Choice” and, of course, “Dead men don’t rape.” Bon Climbs into the crowd for ‘I Wish A Bitch Would“. Holding the hands of fans while they are all scream “Never again”. Throwing lollipops for ‘Evil Hate Filled Female‘, the lines between performer and fan are blurred as it’s all one voice. The performance also included her new single ‘Princeless Princess‘, making its live debut at the Hatfield date.
The band is on stage, but the performance also comes from a tent full of people resonating with the lyrics. People of all genders are being seen and feeling heard with this cathartic release. Professionally, they are a class act. Some minor sound issues occurred, but all took it in their stride. It was clear that there were heavy topics they were all having fun up there. Bon transitioned between growls and clean vocals seamlessly. While heavy bass lines fueled the energy and excellently executed guitar riffs with hammering drums completed it.
SCOWL
Judging by the crowd for Scowl, it would be impossible to guess that Neck Deep AND Electric Call Boy were on the main stages. They electrify the crowd with their nonstop melodic hardcore bangers. Cheeky exchanges between band-mates and dance breaks had the crowd giving back just what they were getting. A great sign of a band’s command over a crowd is how they take instructions. Scowl took it further, circle pits would form organically, no instruction needed. Keeping in theme with the day, Scowl too had a message of being fed up. The time for being quiet and docile is over; the moment for kicking and screaming is here! Kat Moss, front person of Scowl, embraced the crowd’s enthusiasm. They were unafraid to join in on the fun and dive right in, before rejoining the fun on stage. It is a day of letting go of inhibitions while sharing and releasing a lot of anger at the world.
HOT MILK
Hot Milk closed out the Kerrang! stage. This appears to be accepted like a badge of honour by the band. As long term fans of the festival, to now on the other side of the stage. Despite it being late, it was raining, the performance would be nothing but special. At the risk of making Han Mee “very fucking cross” giving anything less than 100% was borderline offensive to them. Their unshakable ability to weave banter through messages of seriousness and vulnerability is a thing of beauty. ‘Breathing Underwater‘ prompts the crowd to take lead vocals and leaves the band awestruck. Stunning displays of vocal ranges and face-melting guitars mesmerises the crowd. And Mee playfully tells the crowd to “do as they’re told” when instructed to open pits up. The set is punctuated with so much gratitude and love for the crowd, it’s touching and abundantly sincere. It’s clear that being on stage is where they feel at home. Seeing how a crowd embraces them is an experience not to be missed. Over all a well-balanced set list can make or break a show. There’s no doubt Hot Milk knows what they’re doing, and could easily headline the whole festival someday.