Slam Dunk South Festival – a day of sweat, screams, and singalongs in the heart of Hatfield. From the first chord to the final encore, it was a glorious collision of genres, generations, and unfiltered energy. We braved the crowds, dodged flying pints, and lived in the moment for every single set. Here’s our take on the best of the day – the bands that made us dance, shout, and lose our voices under the sun.
Lake Malice turned Slam Dunk South into a maelstrom of noise and fury. Their sound was a twisted, thrilling collision of electronic chaos and metalcore rage, with Alice Guala’s feral vocals at the helm. Blake Cornwall’s guitar work slashed through the air like a buzzsaw, each riff feeling like an uppercut to the gut. The crowd was wild, a mess of flailing limbs and screaming voices. This was a performance that didn’t just demand attention – it wrestled it from you. Lake Malice didn’t just play; they set the place on fire, turning the stage into their own personal battlefield.
Dream State delivered an achingly honest performance, balancing raw emotion with stadium-sized hooks. Jessie Powell’s vocals carried equal parts vulnerability and power, giving every chorus a soul-baring edge. The band’s newer material showcased their evolution – a tighter, more nuanced sound while still holding onto the fiery heart that has always defined them. The crowd was utterly swept up in the moment, arms raised, and voices joined in unison. Dream State proved that they’re not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves, and it’s that unflinching sincerity that keeps fans coming back for more.
Point North brought sunny California vibes to the Hatfield stage, their energetic blend of pop-punk and alt-rock hooks providing the perfect soundtrack to an early summer festival. Jon Lundin’s vocals were effortlessly catchy, and the crowd was swept up in the infectious joy of it all. They might not have reinvented the wheel but Point North’s set was all about the moment – sweaty, shouty choruses and feel-good energy that turned the tent into a giant singalong. It’s hard not to get swept up in that kind of exuberance, and that’s what Point North does best.
I See Stars took the Slam Dunk crowd on a trip through glitchy digital landscapes and bone-rattling breakdowns. Their electronicore sound was a kaleidoscope of synths, screams, and soaring melodies like a neon-lit fever dream. Devin Oliver’s vocals oscillated between fragile and ferocious, bridging the gap between electronic euphoria and metal grit. The set felt like being inside a video game that’s equal parts beauty and chaos, and the crowd was locked in from start to finish. I See Stars continues to prove that genre boundaries are meant to be obliterated and live; they’re an unstoppable force.
Mouth Culture’s set was a welcome breath of fresh air, delivering indie-punk anthems with an unpretentious charm. There’s something about their jangly guitar melodies and warm, lived-in vocals that made even the biggest tent feel intimate. Their songs were playful yet bittersweet, perfectly capturing that rush of sunlit nostalgia. The performance had a laid-back confidence that felt effortless, like your mate’s band, who suddenly became festival headliners. Mouth Culture’s songs aren’t just catchy; they’re little moments of escapism – easy to get lost in and even easier to love.
South Arcade’s set felt like a bright spark of pop-rock optimism, all shimmering guitars and gleeful melodies. They played like they had something to prove – and they absolutely did. Ava’s vocals were a highlight, full of charm and a touch of defiance that made every chorus soar. South Arcade might be the new kids on the block, but their slick, polished performance suggested bigger stages are just around the corner. From start to finish, they radiated confidence and joy, leaving the Slam Dunk crowd grinning and singing along long after they’d left the stage.
As It Is leaned hard into the bittersweet side of pop-punk, turning their set into a cathartic release of heartbreak and defiance. Patty Walters’ vocals were like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart, giving each chorus a razor-sharp edge. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, their energy feeding off the crowd’s every shout and raised fist. There was something cathartic about the whole thing – a shared moment of vulnerability and rage that felt bigger than any single song. As It Is continue to prove that pop-punk is about community as much as catchy hooks.
Neck Deep didn’t just play – they incited a riot of joyful chaos. Their set was a perfect storm of nostalgia and raw energy, each song an adrenaline shot that had the crowd on its feet from the first note. Ben Barlow commanded the stage with effortless swagger, turning every chorus into a communal anthem. Crowd surfers and mosh pits were everywhere, a sea of sweaty faces screaming along. Neck Deep’s brand of pop-punk is built for moments like this – loud, messy, and utterly unforgettable. This was a set that felt like a victory lap for the whole scene.
Electric Callboy turned the Slam Dunk stage into a technicolour fever dream. Their set was equal parts rave and metal show, with glowsticks, neon lights, pyro up the wazoo and ALL the confetti with breakdowns so massive they rattled your ribcage. The crowd was a bouncing, sweaty mess of pure euphoria, while the band’s sense of humour kept the whole thing feeling like a party. Electric Callboy don’t take themselves too seriously – and that’s what makes them so much fun. They’re proof that sometimes the best thing a band can do is make sure everyone’s having the time of their life.
Hot Milk’s set was pure catharsis: a sugar rush of alt-pop hooks and punk-fuelled defiance that had the tent bursting at the seams. Han Mee and Jim Shaw’s dual vocals brought a spark of chemistry and tension to every chorus, flipping seamlessly from sweet to snarling in the blink of an eye. The whole crowd was shouting along, fists pumping in a glorious, euphoric mess. Hot Milk have always been a band built on big feelings and bigger choruses – and at Slam Dunk South, they proved they’re ready to conquer even bigger stages.
As the final notes rang out and the sun dipped below the horizon, Slam Dunk South proved once again why it’s the beating heart of the alternative scene. From fresh faces to seasoned veterans, the festival was a reminder that music is about connection – a shared rush of adrenaline and emotion that leaves you buzzing long after the amps have cooled. See you in the pit next year!
Review & Photos By Rebecca Bush
https://www.instagram.com/beckybphoto/
Crowd Shots
