SLAM DUNK NORTH 2013 // THE REVIEW

All the tickets have long since sold out, the bands are ready to go and the beer is flowing from the bar, and for once the sun is beating down on Leeds which can only mean one thing; welcome to Slam Dunk North 2013.

We had a feeling that with the line-up on offer it was set to be the best year yet, and what a day it was…

SLAM DUNK NORTH 2013 - The Interviews // ALL TIME LOW

All Time Low has flown in to play at Slam Dunk Festival over May bank holiday weekend. And more than just playing the festival for the first time, they are headlining it; their first UK headline festival slot ever [and about time too].

We couldn’t wait for their set which would no doubt suitably round up another brilliant Slam Dunk line-up. 

So we caught up with All Time Low ahead of the show to chat about loving the UK, amusement games and wearing Ron Jeremy’s old costume…

SLAM DUNK NORTH 2013 - The Interviews // MEMPHIS MAY FIRE

Memphis May Fire are on a whirlwind tour of the UK and Europe and Slam Dunk Festival is slap bang in the middle of it all. The Texas five-piece have a busy year ahead at the Warped Tour all summer, and are already working on new material.

We managed to catch up with Kellen and Jake pre show to chat about the new material, dueting with Nicki Minaj and kebab mob tattoos!

SLAM DUNK NORTH 2013 - The Interviews // BURY TOMORROW

Bury Tomorrow have got a busy summer of festivals ahead of them and are kicking off with Slam Dunk. Playing in the Monster Energy Marquee later on in the day we caught up with Dani and Davyd to chat about pre-show nerves, writing for the new album, oh and vomiting shamrocks.

SLAM DUNK NORTH 2013 - The Interviews // CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK!

French pop-punkers Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! are back in the UK for the first time in two years and it’s there first time playing Slam Dunk Festival. If you’re curious, yes there name does come from 80s cult movie “The Goonies”. We’d heard great things about their live show and couldn’t wait to witness their power party sound.

We caught up with the band ahead of the show to chat about the lack of rock scene in their native France, live shows and “Pardon My French”

SLAM DUNK NORTH 2013 - The Interviews // THE WORD ALIVE

Arizona metalcore quintet The Word Alive are over in the UK on Sleeping With Sirens’ sell out UK tour. They're also playing at the infamous Slam Dunk Festival. Est.1987 headed down to The Ritz in Manchester ahead of the Slam Dunk weekend to catch up with the guys.

We talked about touring in the UK, working on the record and straying away from being your average metal band.

Party in the Park Preview // with 96.3 Radio Aire and Leeds City Council FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

Party in the Park with 96.3 Radio Aire and Leeds City Council is back again and Temple Newsham is set to play host to the best line-up yet. Taking place on Sunday 28th July the first acts have started to be announced and we couldn't be more excited.

For the first act announcements and to find out how you can get your hands on tickets click below... 

Slam Dunk Preview // Sleeping With Sirens & The Word Alive Live Review, Manchester Ritz

Not only were all Sleeping Sirens’ tour dates sell outs, venues were up-graded and re-sold out. There is a great buzz around the tour, and not just because the venues are bound to be packed but because the new album “Feel” is due out next month and the band has already announced their return in October. Let’s forget about October for one minute and concentrate on tonight. 

We went down to their headline Manchester Ritz date, ahead of their Slam Dunk appearance this weekend, to check out their live set.

Slam Dunk Preview // William Beckett Interview

William Becket may be most famous for being the front-man for Chicago’s The Academy Is... however, now he is going it alone and his solo project couldn’t be more exciting. Beckett released his first solo EP, “Walk The Talk”, in April 2012 and fans have been lapping up the one man show ever since. 

William will be playing his first UK solo sets at Slam Dunk this weekend and took time out to talk to us about the release of his debut album, getting creative and who he's looking forward to seeing over the weekend...

Slam Dunk // Stage Times

Not very long to go until Slam Dunk Festival this weekend so here are all the stage times so you can plan who you want to see and where...

Stay tuned as later today we also bring you a preview interview with The Academy Is'... William Beckett who is playing his first UK solo show at Slam Dunk...

Craig David // Live Review The Ritz, Manchester

Rewind a decade and Southampton born Craig David was in his prime. Even last year MTV viewers voted his album “Born To Do It” the second Greatest Album Ever (beaten only by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”). However, after moving Stateside, Craig went a bit quiet on us. Think Craig David nowadays and he is most likely to be associated with Keith Lemon’s “Bo Selecta!” (whether or not that worked in his favour is debatable). However, he is back, currently gracing the KISS FM airwaves (via his new home in Miami), working on a much anticipated new album and out on a World tour.

We went down to check out his live show as the world tour swung by Manchester’s Ritz.

Slam Dunk Preview // Feat. All Time Low, Yashin & Senses Fail

It is a week to go until Slam Dunk 2013 and the excitement is building. In our final set of band previews we are bringing you three more must see acts taking to the stage. Today we have Yashin, Senses Fail and festival headliners All Time Low.

To find out why you should be making sure you watch them play at Slam Dunk 2013 click below...

The Story So Far // Interview, Review & Slam Dunk Festival Preview

The Story So Far are back in the UK on a sell-out headline tour. Since we caught up with them last November they have released album number two,  “What You Don’t See”, to much critical acclaim and are going from strength to strength.

Their live shows have a reputation for being anarchic so Est.1987 headed down to Manchester’s NQ Live hoping we would get out without a broken limb. We also chatted to bassist Kelen Capener about being the people’s band, the album getting leaked and what's next for the Walnut Creek five-piece...

The American Scene // Interview & Live Review on tour with The Story So Far

The American Scene is currently out on the road with friends The Story So Far touring the UK and Europe.

Est.1987 caught up with drummer Charles Vincent before the NQ Live show in Manchester to chat about this being their first time on UK soil, recording and dicovering Nandos...

Tonight Alive // UK October Tour Announcement

Sydney pop-punk five piece Tonight Alive have announced that they are heading back to UK shores this October for a headline tour. After catching up with the band back on the Kerrang Tour in February and them telling us how much they love the UK we knew it wouldn't be long before they were returning. And, they are bringing Set It Off and Decade out on the road with them.

To see the full tour dates and find out how you can get tickets click below...

EP Review // POLAR “Inspire Create Destroy” released through Drop Dead Clothing on May 27th

Recently hardcore five-piece POLAR announced they had signed to Drop Dead Clothing and are now gearing up to release forthcoming EP "Inspire Create Destory" on May 27th.

Want to know what we thought of the three track EP? Click below...

Sleeping With Sirens // UK Autumn Tour Announcement & New Album June 4th

Sleeping With Sirens are proud to announce an 8 date tour in the UK this Autumn.  The Orlando five-piece's first headline tour starts this week and sold out in a matter of days. 

This, which will be their second headliner in 5 months, takes in the main cities including London’s Brixton O2 Academy. 

To find out where you can catch the band this Autumn and details on the new album click below...

Slam Dunk Preview // Feat. Four Year Strong, Pierce the Veil & Cancer Bats

Next up in our Slam Dunk 2013 preview series are another three acts set to take the festival by storm; Four Year Strong, Pierce The Veil and Cancer Bats

To find out why you should be checking them out then click below. We'll see you at the front...

Slam Dunk Preview // We Are The Ocean

This week in our Slam Dunk preview you are in for a treat with We Are The Ocean.

They're currently touring Europe with Don Broco but will be heading back here to play Slam Dunk.

We caught up with the guys on their recent UK tour to chat about touring, career highlights and their cure for everything...

Bastille // Tour Announcement & "Laura Palmer" Single Release 3rd June

It seems there is no stopping London-based Bastille. Following the success of their sold out ‘Bad Blood Tour’ earlier this year, the band announce their biggest tour to date taking in 14 cities across the UK as well as a prestigious show at London’s iconic Brixton Academy. 

The band have also announced the next single to be released from their number one album "Bad Blood". New single "Laura Palmer" is due out 3rd June. 

For full tour dates, single details and to read our recent interview with the band click below...

Slam Dunk Preview // Feat. Andrew McMahon, The American Scene & Sleeping With Sirens

Next up in our Slam Dunk 2013 preview series is Andrew McMahon, The American Scene and Sleeping With Sirens; another three must see acts.

To find out why you should be checking them out then click below. We'll see you at the front...

Slam Dunk Preview // Tonight Alive

This week in our Slam Dunk Preview we are bringing out Australian pop-punk quintet Tonight Alive. With a huge UK fanbase and a reputation for an energetic live show there is no doubt that you won't want to miss their set at Slam Dunk 2013.

We caught up with the band on their recent UK tour. To read the interview and to find out what you can expect from their live show click below...

Darwin Deez // Interview & Live Review incl. San Cisco

Darwin Deez are back in the UK before taking time out to work on album number three. And with a reputation for an electric live show including quirky dance routines we were hoping that they would live up to the hype.

Est.1987 headed down to Manchester’s Ritz to check out their stage show and to chat with the main man himself about touring the UK, working on the next record and his Twitter words of wisdom.