By: High Fives & Stage Dives
Gig reviews

Slam Dunk’s return marks the rise of alternative music

Kicking off a glorious festival season, Slam Dunk 2022 was the group therapy we all needed.

It was almost like the weather gods saw all the excited elder emos and alternative kids waiting at the gates of Slam Dunk South and thought we can’t give them a rainy day. And almost as soon as the gates opened, the clouds parted for what was one of the most stunning Slam Dunk festivals.

With alternative music on the rise, new exciting bands popping up left, right and centre, Slam Dunk was the place to see that and then some. Sets from Nova Twins, Stand Atlantic, As December Falls and Bears In Trees in front of adoring crowds were as glorious to watch as the huge sets from Dropkick Murphys, Neck Deep and Sum41.

And not only does Slam Dunk showcase the rise in alternative music, the festival also was a beautiful display of how much more open the scene has become, how diverse it is growing, how accepting it is of everyone. Both on and off stage. Hopefully in 2023 we can see more female headliners, but the selection of bands across all stages has high promise for what’s to come.

One of the outstanding sets of the weekend was without a doubt British rising stars Nova Twins and their addictive mix of nu metal and punk rock, oozing with confidence and fierceness on stage, you really cannot ever get enough of the London duo.

The Summer Set delivered a delightfully summery set – excuse the pun – with their airy melodies, sunny character and the sprinkle of country pop added into a big dose of pop punk. Playing tracks off their albums Legendary, Stories For Monday and Love Like This giving us real throwback vibes.

And nostalgia really did meet the new age at Slam Dunk 2022, whether it’s in the pit for Beartooth and Alexisonfire, or losing their minds to Germany’s hottest new export Electric Callboy, or everyone realising they’ve become another casualty of society when Sum41 take to the stage but it’s back to work the next day.

Closing off a stunning day at Hatfield House, Sum41 prove once again that they’ve still got it with a career spanning set that included an outstanding cover of Queen’s We Will Rock You, which they very fittingly indeed did.

We certainly cannot wait to see what Slam Dunk 2023 has in store – you’re going to have to be a little bit more patient though, tickets don’t go on sale until after the summer. So start saving, and save those dates!