At the end of May, Slam Dunk Festival, one of the most beloved events in the UK festival calendar, will return once more. This year's line up features a combination of nostalgic favourites and rising stars from worlds of punk and alternative music.
In the run up to the festival we are presenting ‘Postcards From Slam Dunk’, a series of quick fire Q+As with some of the bands set to appear at the event.
We lucky folks got to speak to Rou Reynolds from Enter Shikari about their upcoming headline slot, new book ‘Dear Future Historians’, and an absolutely terrifying festival horror story…
How does it feel to be celebrating ten years of ‘Take To The Skies’ with a headline set at Slam Dunk?
Feels pretty perfect. We’ve never played the festival, but Hatfield being very local to us its one we’ve always attended and supported since it’s beginnings, so it feels right.
What song are you most looking forward to playing from the album that isn’t normally included in your setlist?
We’ve never played ‘Today Wont Go Down in History’ live so I’m really looking forward to debuting that. Of course, I’m sure ‘No sssweat’ and ‘Ok Time For Plan B’ will be seriously raucous though so looking forward to them too.
What do you enjoy most about playing at festivals?
The atmosphere I think. That carnival vibe, the escapism, the community. I also just love playing outside, underneath the stars, there’s something so primal about it.
Any festival horror stories?
As an evening chill drew in at a festival last year, I hastily zipped my hoodie up. “Wise move,” I hear you say, “you have to keep body temperature up during cold festival nights.” Yes indeed, but, to my horror, the zip caught a bit of skin on my neck and gave me a slight pinch. It was most unpleasant.
You’ve just announced the release of your new book ‘Dear Future Historians’. When did you decide you wanted to create a book and what was the thought process behind it?
Lyrics have always been an integral part of our output. I felt it was time to put together an ultimate companion guide to our music, basically. A book that contains all my lyrics as well as literature dissecting them. It’s something I would have loved from the bands I grew up listening to as a kid, so I hope it pleases those that like to delve deep into a band’s music and the meanings behind the songs.
2017 is set to be just as turbulent a year as 2016, if not more so. How much do you think this will impact the album writing process and the topics you choose to write about?
Well it already has. I’ve already gone down a few paths with a general new sound to the album. I began writing songs of such unrelenting positivity back in 2015 but that soon changed after Brexit and Trump, not to mention a whole host of shit in my personal life. So I’m still finding my way but some absolutely killer songs are beginning to evolve now.
Are there any bands you’ll be keen to check out at Slam Dunk before your set?
I very much like Citizen and Trophy Eyes and will hopefully be able to catch them both. And, of course, our friends in Beartooth and Don Broco.
Now that you’re officially festival headliners, where do Enter Shikari go from here?
The age-old usual suspect mainstream festival headliners are already shaking in their boots mate, trust.
Slam Dunk Festival takes place across the May Bank Holiday weekend at the dates and venues below. Tickets are on sale now from the official Slam Dunk website.
May
27 BIRMINGHAM NEC
28 LEEDS City Centre
29 HATFIELD The Forum