Slam Dunk Festival 2018
Hatfield Park // Hatfield, UK // May 27th, 2018
Photos and review by Stuart Peach
Slam Dunk South started off with a strong performance by Chicago-based pop punk band Knuckle Puck who played a set heavily focused on their 2017 album, Shapeshifter, which set the tone for the day on the Jagermeister Main Stage.
Over at the Rock Sound Introducing Stage, Welsh melodic hardcore band Holding Absence continued to increase their now huge following with a heartfelt and powerful set while Four Year Strong and Creeper followed later in the day, bringing punchy punk vibes over on the Jagermeister Stage, getting the crowd more than ready for the highly anticipated set from State Champs.
Slam Dunk always provides an amazing array of genres and such a diverse amount of bands on the multiple stages. The new venue for this year’s South Festival really allowed for easy access and movement between states while still allowing accessibility to various food stalls and merch tents.
The Signature Brew Stage featured pop punk powerhouses Broadside and newcomers Homesafe who powered through the day with strong sets, getting the festival goers ready for the evening headliner As It Is. Meanwhile, The Devil Wears Prada, Crown the Empire, and Northlane were stand out performances on the Impericon Stage which was headlined by the American metalcore band Every Time I Die.
The enigmatic Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes rocked the Jagermeister Main Stage as the evening drew in and as always, the set turned out to be an energetic affair with Frank getting involved with the crowd and dedicating a song for the female members of the audience to crowd surf to the front.
PVRIS and Good Charlotte cemented the Jagermeister Main Stage’s evening with knockout performances and a huge turnout whilst Lower Than Atlantis, Taking Back Sunday, and Jimmy Eat World brought a touch of nostalgia to the festival, all headlining the Monster Main Stage before a thunder and lightning storm lit up the skies overhead.
