As the last location of the weekend, Slam Dunk takes over the N.E.C Birmingham for the midlands showing. Tearing up the Rocksound breakout stage is Dream State. An alternative- rock band from South Wales. Having only just released their first EP ‘Recovery’, the crowd overfilled the capacity for this stage. The setlist involved popular hit ‘White Lies’ and ‘In This Hell’ as well as ‘New Waves’. Combining screams with a powerful and volume- filled voice and sincere lyrics addressing the struggles with addiction and anxiety, coming from a young woman is inspiring, making her mark in the music scene. Crowd surfing and dancing with passion to their songs, Dream State leave a huge impression.
After catching a glimpse of Four Year Strong blasting out 'We All Float Down Here' and 'Heroes Get Remembered...' . and hearing some of Broadside with ‘Story teller’, I am just in time for Twin Atlantic setting up on the Monster Energy stage. Opening with 'Gold Elephant: Cherry Alligatior' From GLA, Sam McTrusty kicks about on stage in a suit and floral shirt, already psyching up the fans for what's yet to come. Firing in to the likes of 'Free', 'Make A Beast of Myself' as well known oldies followed by 'The Chaser' and the popular 'Heart and Soul'. Bursting full of energy, Scottish pride and crazy guitar solos, Twin Atlantic really did put their Heart and soul in to their Slam Dunk appearance.
Up next, going outside of the arena is Zebrahead of course, always showing their faces at Slam Dunk and opening with the usual 'Call Your Friends'. Shortly after the crowd have been happily bouncing around, the mood quickly dies down as two people walk on to the stage in masks of Megan and Prince Harry, discussing the royal wedding. Many crowd members booed and walked away, not quite the reaction they were hoping for. Throwing this idea out of the window, Zebrahead quickly move on to performing the Anthem with two people dressed as bottles of beer crowd surfing in an inflatable flamingo. Exactly what you'd expect from their shows expect, this feels very repetitive and boring now. There's only so many times you can brag about being drunk with your friends.
Goldfinger then take to the stage and it's safe to say that they have in fact aged well. Performing songs from their latest release, The Knife, as well as tracks from the late 90s. And of course, that cover of 99 red balloons. Midway through the set, memembers from MXPX, Reel Big Fish come together to play a ska track.
Goldfinger, MXPX, Reel Big fish coming together to play a ska track
Good charlotte coming back from hiatus taking us back to the early 2000s