So! Slam Dunk 2012 is just around the corner, and we’re very excited to have the acoustic stage back again this year. It wouldn’t be Slam Dunk without clashfinders and previews from camp PT, so here we go! We’ve asked our attending writers to say what they’re excited about across the festival, and also name their band of the weekend.
ATTICUS/JAGERMEISTER STAGE
The Blackout [Leeds 20:05-20:50, Hatfield 20:20-21:05]
Outspoken, brash and capable of splitting the opinions of the masses, but The Blackout never fail to put on one hell of a show with their unrivalled energy and big choruses. If it all gets too much, try contemplating Sean Smith’s latest hair cut – it always provides some well deserve respite from the insanity. [JA]
Straight Lines [Leeds 14:45-15:15, Hatfield 13:40-14:10]
There isn’t another band on the planet right now who could better open Slam Dunk 2012 than Straight Lines. It takes a certain type of band to kick Justin Beiber’s arse on BBC Radio 1’s review show poll, but they’re current doing it and we can’t wait to see the welsh wonders do their thing. [JA]
Motion City Soundtrack [Leeds 17:45-18.30. Hatfield 18:00-18:45]
Their forthcoming album GO is the dog’s bollocks and they were amazing a few weeks back at XOYO and Groezrock. With a back catalogue full of massive hits, Motion City Soundtrack have all the potential to get you on your feet and be the band of the weekend! [JA]
HONOUR OVER GLORY STAGE
Cancer Bats [Leeds: 19:30-20:15, Hatfield: 19:15-20:00]
On the back of last month’s juggernaut of an album, Cancer Bats are primed to deliver their destructive force throughout their early evening set. This will be a great chance to witness the full power of their new material, and definitely not to be missed. [BT]
Every Time I Die [Leeds: 20:35-21:25, Hatfield: 20:20-21:10]
After releasing arguably their best record to date, Slam Dunk will witness the first UK performance by the Every Time I Die boys since their highly acclaimed tour at the end of 2011. Get there early though; this is undoubtedly going to be a messy one. [BT]
Architects [Leeds: 9:50-10:45, Hatfield: 9:35-10:30]
It may seem like a cop out to recommend the top three billed artists, but with a trio of bands this good it’s near impossible not to. Flying the British flag on the Honour Over Glory stage, and promising a return to their punishing metalcore roots; Architects are destined to blow some eardrums over the weekend. All that and the almost guaranteed chance to feast your ears on some new material, what more could you ask for? [BT]
VANS OFF THE WALL STAGE
Make Do And Mend [Leeds: 16:10-16:40, Hatfield: 16:10-16:40]
It’s an exciting time for Make Do And Mend. With a new album on the verge of release and a big year of touring ahead, there’s no doubt that their appearance at Slam Dunk will be a great one, and they’re going to be the mid-afternoon band for a lot of people. [TA]
Marmozets [Leeds: 15:20-15:50, Hatfield: 15:20-15:50]
So, if you haven’t joined the party yet, then you’re not too late. Marmozets are on the brink of doing something very special, and our tip for 2011 are going strong all summer before a massive tour with Young Guns and Your Demise later in the year! Don’t miss them at Slam Dunk. [TA]
Don Broco [Leeds: 18:45-19:15, Hatfield: 18:45-19:15]
Bobby D and co seem like they’re taking over the world at the moment, and after seeing them pack out their stage at Hit The Deck, Slam Dunk’s experience with Don Broco looks like being unmissable. Get down early and get ready to have a dance off with the UK’s finest lad rock. [TA]
MACBETH STAGE
The Story So Far [Leeds 19:45-20:30, Hatfield 20:50-21:35]
The Story So Far are one of the hottest properties in Pop Punk at the moment. They massively impressed on their recent stint in the UK with Man Overboard and their sets at Slam Dunk are shaping nicely to be one of the most intense of the festival. We expect the room to be packed out for this lot. [CM]
Save Your Breath [Leeds 18:50-19:35, Hatfield 17:55-18:30]
One of, if not THE best UK Pop Punk bands around at the moment, their debut album ‘Vices’ released last year was one of our favourites and they’ve deservedly gained themselves a higher up slot off the back of it, expect a set packed full of hits from the album. [CM]
Misser [Leeds 15:20-15:50, Leeds 15:20-15:50]
One of the more unmissable sets of the festival here. Featuring members of Transit and This Time Next Year, it’ll be extremely unlikely that we’ll see Misser back any time soon. They’ve just released their excellent new album ‘Every Day I Tell Myself I’m Going To Be A Better Person’, so get on that before getting on this set. [CM]
RED BULL BEDROOM JAM STAGE
Canterbury [Leeds: 17:50-18:20, Hatfield: 17:50-18:20]
With a second album on the way, Canterbury’s refined and honed sound is as fantastic as it ever was, and they’re always great to see live. Well worth a trip to Red Bull to kick off your evening, get some synths in your ears and have a good time. [TA]
Mayday Parade [Leeds: 21:50-22:45, Hatfield: 21:50-22:45]
If you’d like an alternative to Taking Back Sunday’s lengthly hits set or Architects crushing metalcore, then look no further than Mayday Parade. They might have got dealt a shitty hand with the clashes at Slam Dunk 2012, but they’re always well worth a watch if you fancy something for dancing to end your evening. [TA]
Acoda [Leeds 16:10-16:40, Hatfield 16:10-16:40]
Most definitely the highlight of last year’s Red Bull Bedroom Jam for us, Acoda just get better and better as they go along, and you could do much worse than popping your head in to watch them at Slam Dunk 2012. [TA]
PUNKTASTIC ACOUSTIC STAGE
Charlie Simpson [Leeds: 21:45-22:45, Hatfield: 21:45-22:45]
Arguably the biggest artist ever on the Slam Dunk acoustic stage, Charlie Simpson is up against some big competition from the other headliners. Still, we guarantee that it’ll be blast. Get involved and have a singalong with the Fightstar man as he continues his solo ventures. [TA]
Into It, Over It [Leeds: 20:30-21:15, Hatfield: 19:20-2:00]
On a continual rapid rise at the moment, Evan Weiss, aka Into It, Over It, will be providing a late evening session on the acoustic stage, and if you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the man live, Slam Dunk will be a perfect introduction. [TA]
Rob Lynch [Leeds 16:20-16:50, Hatfield 18:20-18:50]
A Slam Dunk regular, we love a bit of Rob Lynch and can’t recommend highly enough that you go down and heckle him (loudly) as he charges through some Lost on Campus and Rob Lynch classics, and then inevitably ends up playing ‘My Friends And I’ really loudly to a load of people who are far too drunk for that time of day. [TA]
Tom Aylott’s band of the weekend: NO TRIGGER
Ben Tipple’s band of the weekend: STRAIGHT LINES
Jess Acreman’s band of the weekend: MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK
Chris Marshman’s band of the weekend: MAKE DO AND MEND