Slam Dunk
Herts University, Hertfordshire
29 May 2010

It”s June Bank Holiday weekend and the annual Slam Dunk festival expands to Hertfordshire University for this first time, with over 50 bands and artists playing across eight stages.

The first band on the Jagermeister stage is Newport’s pop-punkers Save Your Breath and they manage to start the day on a high. Displaying a lot of energy, they get the crowd bouncing in the rain and continue to prove why they are a band to keep an eye on. They end the set with Sean Smith (of The Blackout) joining them on stage for ‘Stay Young’.
Canada”s Moneen are up next on the same stage and play a lively set with front man Kenny Bridges throwing himself around and showing massive stage presence. Going through songs from their big back catalogue, songs such as ‘Passing of America’ sound massive and they finish the set in the crowd. Making my way into the main building I stumble across a tiny stage to the side of the main stage which turns out to be the Kerrang Introducing Stage where Straight Lines are starting their set.

Straight Lines are a band I had not heard of before but their melodic rock hooked me in and I expect to hear more from them in the future. As Hit the Lights come out on the Glamour Kills Stage, the room is packed from wall to wall. After a few technical difficulties they launch into a strong set, causing massive sing-alongs with songs such as ‘Save Your Breath’ and ‘Body Bag’ sounding nearly as big as guitarist Omar Zehery’s hair. It’s a shame they don’t have a longer set as just when they really get started their time is up.

Up next on the Glamour Kills Stage were my band of the day, Set Your Goals who play a storming set. Their combination of pop-punk and hardcore has everyone moshing and making giant circle pits. Songs like set opener ‘Summer Jam’ show the bands more poppy side, while songs like ‘Goonies never say die!’ show their hardcore roots. Mixing their older stuff with the latest album makes a cracking set list and having a large stage appeal they give Hatfield a great time.

Now this is the part where Slam Dunk South goes all wrong and a bit sour for me, after going outside to get a drink I find myself locked out the main building with about 300 plus people as as capacity issues brought chaos. The disruptions cause many people to miss the bands such as Four Year Strong, Skindred, Your Demise, Capdown and New Found Glory all playing inside. With six of the eight stages being indoors this caused a lot of anger to many paying fans.

So with not having a choice of what headline act to see I make my way to the Jagermeister Stage and lucky for me the only band to watch is the mighty punk rock band Alkaline Trio. Playing hits such as ‘Private Eye’, ‘Armageddon’ and the crowd pleaser ‘Stupid Kid’ the set has a good mix of new and old, with ‘This Addiction’ from latest album of the same name being the stand out track of the new lot. The set goes down great and the festival closer ‘Radio’ sees ”Trio leave the stage on a high.

The day was full of great line up of bands, every band I watched pulled off great sets. It’s a shame that the lack of organisation, hard to find stages and people getting locked out what the festival will be remembered for. As it was Hertfordshire University first time let’s hope it was just first year teething problems and that these problems are solved for next year if there is one.

Review by Scott Johnson