Slam Dunk Festival North 2010

Francesqa opened the 'Kerrang! introduces' stage at this years Slam Dunk festivals. The band won the right to be there in a competition held by the magazine and it was decided by the magazine readership who should to play. Despite them being on early in the day, their set showed the reason why they managed to win such a competition. The band were fully energetic throughout the set and despite the smaller crowd, due to them playing not long after the doors had opened, the crowd were fully engaged in the set and joining in. Francesqa played the set like it was a full venue and the fans were singing along with every song. Out of the bands set, 'A Little Closer' was one of the best received songs by the audience. By the reception of their set and the way the band managed to engage the venue, it was shown that Francesqa would easily be welcomed back to the festival for another set.

Every Avenue were the first band to play on the 'Glamour Kills' stage. The stage, which shared a room with the 'Kerrang! Introduces' stage, also brought the crowd who had watched Francesqa. The stage itself was much bigger than the Kerrang! stage and when the band was on stage you could see why. Every Avenue managed to hold the electric crowd's attention and fully waken the venue into the festival scene. They managed to gain a large crowd considering they were one of the bands at the start of the day’s events. Their performance was one which was even anticipated before they were on stage, with their fans in full force, singing along to every song. Favourite hits were those such as 'Mindset' and 'For Always, Forever.' Overall the band managed to contain their full energy spirit on stage and received a welcomed reception. They suited the festival crowd and managed to build the atmosphere up at the start of the day.

Another band that proved worthy of their place at Slam Dunk were Out Of Sight. The band were only recently signed to Slam Dunk Records, after it had already been announced they would be attending the festival. They were on the main stage and have gone from strength to strength recently. Out Of Sight, who many were unaware of, managed to convert the crowd into their fans by the end of their set and eagerly anticipate their new album which is due for release on July 5th. With the taster of this that was given to the crowd, it seems by the reception given it is bound to be a popular one. The band also performed a cover song, adding a unique aspect of their performance showing their fun side, by covering The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling, which was extremely well received by the crowd singing and dancing along. The set provided a song for everyone and allowed the opportunity for those who did not know the bands own lyrics to join in and sing along and become part of the action. The bands hit 'No Time Like The Present' was also extremely enjoyed by the crowd. For a band that has rapidly gone from supporting to being on a main stage at a day festival, they are extremely appreciative of their audience and put their ultimate up most into their performances. Out Of Sight are definitely a name to look out for in the future and it would not be a surprise if bigger festivals become their scene.

The festival also allowed the fans to relax a little from the stage mayhem, by offering a smaller acoustic stage at one of the many bars underground. In particular fans of band 'The Blackout' were treated to an acoustic set with Gavin Butler. The packed bar was an ideal setting for an acoustic set and allowed the whole audience to be fully connected with his performance. Gavin Butler managed to makes an acoustic set look easy and manages to look comfortable on stage without the rest of his band backing him. The crowd definitely approved and he was also given support in the audience by fellow band member Sean Smith. The acoustic stage was a great aspect to the festival and was a popular choice for those who would rather relax out with the main stage madness.

Another band that seem some what hidden from the main radar of festival bands are Flood Of Red. Not many people may have known their name but from the way they packed out the room, they could have been put on a larger stage with ease. The band powered through their set and had their fan base behind them singing along. Another fully energetic set and considering the band were one's that the majority I had spoken to were unaware of, they received a reception that may just have been better than the bands names who were 'known' on the list.

Hit The Lights were one of the best bands of the day’s festival. The American band was a popular choice for Slam Dunk festival go-ers and had other Slam Dunk bands also admiring their set. The crowd was electric and the atmosphere had built up easily. The band created a huge 'mosh pit' in the middle of their set, kicking things into full festival mode. A highlight to the set was song 'Bodybag' which despite being around for years has remained a popular hit from the band and had everyone singing along. The band was very appreciative of their UK reception and everyone was enjoying their set. The only downfall would be the length of the bands set, they could have performed a longer set with ease and the crowd were eager for more. They had an excellent variety of their songs on their set list also. The band could possibly have been on later in the day to allow a longer set, as they were one of the bands that people were talking about hours after their set. If Hit The Lights were to return to a festival, I assume it would be on a much larger scale than this.

A band to keep an eye out for in the future of music festivals would be Not Advised. Despite being on the smaller stage (Kerrang!), they managed to pull a large crowd and put on an energetic set. They showed through their performance they could tackle a much bigger stage easily and engage the crowd within every song. Each song is as catchy as the previous and it seems 'new' fans already know the words by the end. Lead singer Jim Thomas makes sure the crowd are involved fully with his efforts. The bands last song 'The World's Not Ready' was the ultimate hit of the set; it involved the crowd singing along. It would not be a surprise if Not Advised were to return to Slam Dunk festival on a much bigger scale from the result of this year’s performance.

Slam Dunk also offered a number of DJ Sets which had taken place in the 'Babycakes Bar'. The sets featured artists giving an hour or so of their time to play some music of their own choice to fans. Sean Smith from The Blackout looked at home behind the DJ set and acted professional with the kit. At one point it seemed he was the one teaching the 'resident DJ' a thing or two. It was shown through his set that he was clearly used to doing such as not a minute was wasted and he managed to keep the crowd involved, looking like he was having as good a time as everyone.

L'Amour La Morgue, which is fronted by Lostprophets Ian Watkins as a re-mixing side project, continued the DJ set after Sean Smith. They had been given the bigger stage for their set and more people had arrived before they had begun, which had raised the expectations of them. The set is begun with Ian and his accomplice hidden by masks again playing along with the alias theme to L'Amour La Morgue. Despite the build up, the set got off to a very slow start and it did seem the same song was played for too long with just a few added effects. It also seemed that 'fans' of the set were more interested in taking photographs of Ian Watkins rather than appreciating the DJ set he was doing. The fact the songs did indeed sound the same and go on for a bit long was a downfall to the set, but it seemed fans didn't even notice this was the case and carried on partying the night away.

Headlining band New Found Glory definitely proved they were worth the spot. The crowd were that keen on seeing them that security had to lock the doors into the stage as it had became over capacity before the band even reached the stage. The band could not have had a better reception and definitely did not disappoint with their full packed set they gave all fans, old and new, something to be involved with and were definitely the 'stars' of the day.

Overall Slam Dunk Festival is an experience that is extremely worthwhile. The day takes place over 7 stages and there is a variety of music depending on your taste. It is easy to negotiate your way through the crowd to the different stages to see each band and is one hundred percent worth the small price tag of £25.