There’s a twist this time. The festival heads north first, landing at Leeds Temple Newsam on Saturday 29 May before closing at Hatfield Park on Sunday 30 May 2027.

Anniversaries run right through the line-up. Bowling For Soup mark 25 years of Drunk Enough To Dance, home to ‘Girl All The Bad Guys Want’, and frontman Jaret Reddick called their 2023 Slam Dunk set “up there with my favorite shows of our career.” Simple Plan return after eight years to celebrate 25 years of No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls, and the two bands rotate closing slots across the weekend.

Ska fans have plenty to shout about. Reel Big Fish play an exclusive UK reunion show, with vocalist Aaron Barrett joining original members for the first time in more than 15 years. Less Than Jake, The Interrupters and Isle of Wight punks Grade 2 complete a strong ska punk showing.

For the heavier crowd, Killswitch Engage make their first ever Slam Dunk appearance, topping the heavy stage on the back of 2025’s This Consequence. Beartooth, Wage War, The Amity Affliction, ERRA, Melrose Avenue and From Ashes To New join them.

Nostalgia hits hard elsewhere. We The Kings celebrate 20 years of their self-titled debut and ‘Check Yes Juliet’, The Academy Is… mark two decades of Santi, and Cute Is What We Aim For make a rare trip across the Atlantic. Trophy Eyes celebrate ten years of Chemical Miracle with a set exclusive to Slam Dunk.

The Maine, Four Year Strong, Knuckle Puck, Overgrown, Leeds mathcore outfit Love Rarely, Hot Milk, Mouth Culture, As December Falls and RedHook round out the first wave.

We love that Killswitch Engage are finally making their Slam Dunk debut, and a Reel Big Fish reunion is worth the ticket on its own. With more names still to come, 2027 is shaping up to be a big one.

Tickets are on sale now.

The post Slam Dunk 2027: Bowling For Soup and Simple Plan Lead appeared first on RAMzine.

‘Ex-Humanity’ is the sixth track to surface from the record, following ‘Incomplete’, ‘Chasing Shadows’ and ‘Free Fall’, all of which appear on the album. Vocalist Masato describes the song as one built on contrast, pairing energetic, powerful music with lyrics that are deliberately simple, static and heavy with despair. He frames it as a question asking whether the track is a cry for hope or a requiem for humanity, and hoping it proves to be the former.

That tension runs through the whole album. The title reads as a warning, a caution against a world where the rise of AI has come to mirror our growing confusion over what it means to be human. Rather than a blunt “against technology” argument, coldrain reach for something closer to a plea for the liberation of the soul, a response to a world they see steadily losing its colour.

OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE runs to twelve tracks and features a pair of notable guests, with The Used’s Bert McCracken appearing on ‘Poison’ and Crossfaith’s Kenta Koie featuring on ‘Savior’. Formed in 2007, coldrain built their reputation blending nu metal and emo influences into something both heavy and endlessly melodic, and the new record leans hard into that identity.

The band back the release with a busy run of dates, including their OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE Japan tour from October to December 2026, a slot on Electric Callboy’s Tanzneid World Tour across Australia in September 2026 alongside Ice Nine Kills, and a spread of Japanese festival appearances through the summer.

We love coldrain’s knack for balancing brutality and hooks, and on this evidence OPTIMIZE = OPTDEMISE could be their most pointed record yet.

coldrain are Masato (vocals), Y.K.C and Sugi (guitars), RxYxO (bass) and Katsuma (drums).

The post coldrain share ‘Ex-Humanity’ from eighth album appeared first on RAMzine.

Having opened the Key Club Stage at Slam Dunk North, we caught up with Paul and Steph about music, mental health and Bert McCracken from The Used. 

RAMzine: Lamestream Lydia here for RAMzine, we’re at Slam Dunk North with Greywind. You guys just opened the Key Club Stage. How does that feel? 

Paul: It was a dream come true! I think it’s our favourite Greywind show, we’ve been touring the US for the last year, we got back to the UK, and we haven’t played a festival over here in a while. Everyone was singing along, and there were Irish flags in the air

Steph: Even walking out to a packed tent where people are singing along and wearing merch, it was crazy, I didn’t expect that. I knew there’d be some people there, but a full tent two days in a row was amazing. 

Paul: Sometimes when you open a stage, you never know how many people will be in there.

RAMzine: We’re pretty curious, you guys are brother and sister. You find with this type of scene, one of you is always the one to start it. Who was it? 

Paul: I think it was you. Or was it me? We’ve always loved the same things. I remember discovering Fall Out Boy, and you discovered MCR. 

Steph: I know I always wanted to sing, but I didn’t know in what capacity. Then I discovered My Chemical Romance, and was like “I wanna be Gerard Way”

Paul: And then we found stuff like Thrice, Mineral, Saosin around the same time. 

Steph: I remember you came home from school and said, “Listen to this band Fall Out Boy,” and that would make me want to listen to it. 

Paul: Luckily, we’ve been able to play shows and festivals with Fall Out Boy since starting this band, so we’ve been able to live our dreams. There are so many inspiring bands we’ve been able to play with, like Thrice, we got to play a show with them

RAMzine: I feel like it would be hard to consume all that music and not recreate and rehash everything you listen to. 

Paul: 100%. With our music, we’ve always wanted it to feel refreshing, like we take influence from post-rock with bands like Caspian and Explosions In The Sky, but then we have the theatrics of like an MCR, et cetera. Just creating something fresh. We’re from Ireland and there’s no emo scene really. We’re from the South of Ireland, 4 hours from Dublin, so we’re the only two emos, it probably sounds like alien music from where we’re from, so we’re very grateful to represent Ireland at such an iconic festival this weekend. 

Steph: We’ve pulled inspiration from all our favourite bands, but also added our own things. We’re not just gonna be like “oh we’re just gonna do a direct ripoff of all those old emo bands”. 

Paul: Sometimes you see bands on TikTok that are like “pop punk is in or emo is in now, I need to quickly write a song”. Luckily, our debut album came out in 2017, and it went viral in the last year and a half. We’ve always been, since day one, an emo band. We’re honoured to represent Ireland in the emo scene. 

RAMzine: We’re onto a new age. Emo used to be like a bad word in music. 

Steph: Yeah, I remember being picked on in school, and they’d be like “oh you emo” while I was wearing my My Chemical Romance hoodie

Paul: I was bullied for playing Fall Out Boy.

Steph: And now it’s cool to like them and all their merch, I’ve seen it in Primark. They have like Green Day T-shirts, and I’m like “I got bullied for that”.

Paul: We’d never let that stop us. 

Steph: No, we embrace it. 

Paul: This genre is like therapy for us, so we’re very grateful for what has helped us live our dreams and even helped us, mental health-wise.

RAMzine:

Mental health has always been intertwined with the genre in the first place. It’s just a really progressive way to think. 

Steph: Even our first album, the first song we ever wrote, is about our uncle who committed suicide, and he struggled horrifically with his mental health, we obviously wrote that to try and have some therapy for ourselves. From such a bad thing happening, we’ve got to live our dreams, which is kind of messed up in a way. We’ve struggled ourselves with our mental health, we’ve been dropped by everyone, and we had to build ourselves back up. The music industry is a difficult place to be, and I still struggle with my mental health; anxiety, depression and everything, but I think it’s so important to talk about that. Even in our lyrics, songs like ‘Swing and Sway’. We’re very blunt about it in our new music (which no one’s heard yet), there’s a lot of very personal lyrics in there that a lot of people will be able to connect to.

Paul: I feel like some bands, they talk about mental health, but they kind of hold back in their songs. They think “how can I make this sound more mainstream?”, our lyrics are very blunt, we’ve been told about ‘Swing and Sway,’ we can’t play that on the radio because it’s too dark or “you shouldn’t release this song because it’s too dark lyrically” but we’re making them lead singles because they’re important songs to us. Then you see so many fans connect with these songs, so yeah, we’ve always just written for ourselves. 

Steph: I think that’s what’s worked for us, people can tell we’re authentic and we’re not just trying to put on a front and be something we’re not

Paul: I think you can tell when a band is writing to go viral on TikTok. I think we’ve been very blunt with the way we’ve always written. 

Steph: Very true to ourselves.

Paul: Yeah and now we’re playing Slam Dunk so it’s been great.

RAMzine: So you guys opened the festivals and hang around doing your interviews, what’s the plan for the rest of the day?

Paul: I wanna see The Used, I saw Bert McCracken earlier on. I don’t know what time they’re on but yeah, The Used, A Day to Remember.

Steph: I’m like “THE USED”, that is all I wanna see.

Paul: She even mentioned Bert McCracken on stage.

Steph: I mentioned him; he might have been watching.

RAMzine: We’re not gonna keep you for much longer, you’ve had your headline dates, so it’s probably too early to ask if you’re coming back soon. 

Paul: We’re always working on so many things behind the scenes.

Steph: We’re always plotting. We’re plotting world domination, always. 

Paul: Exactly, so we’ll see you around the world, hopefully later this year.In the time since this interview was conducted, Greywind announced their long-awaited second album, Severed Heart City, due for release September 19th 2025.

The post Greywind talk Slam Dunk, The Used, and Staying True to Emo appeared first on RAMzine.

After a little bit of rain, we’d finally gotten a dry but overcast morning that maintained throughout the day for the most part. After a smooth entrance, we got ready for an entire day of running up and down hills in the name of music. 

Anyway, onto the Slam Dunk North review!

Lake Malice

We started the day seeing Lake Malice on the Kerrang stage. Lake Malice are a band that we’d seen live before and they’ve always brought a killer show with some violent tracks but this set showed them with some higher production value complete with backup dancers and choreography. 

11:30AM is pretty early for vicious tracks like ‘Blossom’ but Alice and company were committed to starting the day out with a bang as they ripped through ‘Stop the Party’. Having been on site for Live at Leeds the previous day, it was nice to hear some screams and get out some aggression. 

Greywind

Greywind were a band we’ve been excited to see since we delved into the Slam Dunk preview. The Key Club Stage was full of flags showing support for the Irish crew as singer Steph O’Sullivan did her unique twitchy brand of stomping across the stage through bangers like ‘Here’s Your Death Wish’ and ‘IKAMF’. 

The set was full of this really sweet energy as you can tell Steph and Paul O’Sullivan (siblings) are having the times of their lives as Steph screams “DO YOU LIKE MY HAT?” before donning a lovely little nurse hat. There’s a wholesomeness on stage and in the audience between the darker tracks like ‘Swing and Sway,’ a microcosm for the emo scene in general. 

Stay tuned for our interview with Steph and Paul, conducted on-site at Slam Dunk.

Landmvrks 

(Review by Chris James Ryan)

To be honest, I had no idea what to expect, but this was simply a whirlwind of chaotic sound! Kicking off with ‘Creature,’ which features a French rap intro, I quickly realised that this band are part of the French metalcore scene, how exciting! It’s quite unique to encounter a band performing in multiple languages. The energy was electric and the chaos palpable, characterised by powerful guitar riffs paired with both soft and aggressive lyrics. And keep in mind… it was only 3PM, I was not ready for anything too intense yet! As soon as those drums kicked in, you knew you were about to have a blast. Let the heavy riffs roll and enjoy Florent Salfati’s fierce vocals as he enthusiastically yells and dances around. His passion for the music truly shines through, it’s an emotional rollercoaster!

Dream State

This was Dream State’s first appearance at Slam Dunk with Jessie Powell and what an introduction it was. Dream State’s recent material amps up the aggression and, despite predating their comeback, invokes modern Linkin Park. There’s a massive amount of violence in the pits and two-stepping on stage. 

Vocalist Jessie Powell’s voice is fairly unique, there’s a gruff texture to it without screaming, although she can definitely belt out a blood curdling scream and the drums and guitar work do so much work making tracks like ‘White Lies’ and ‘Bittersweet Scars of My Past’. 

This was yet another introduction for me and having had no expectations, it was great to get out some aggression and experience some of my first pits of the day. 

Knuckle Puck

Knuckle Puck took over the main stage and despite only staying for a few songs, they made a big impression. Their brand of bright and bouncy pop punk was welcome after a morning of aggression and sadness. 

Knuckle Puck’s set was where I saw my first crowd surfer so it was great to see that the people were starting to pick up energy and raged to the entirety of ‘Copacetic’. An anniversary set is always welcome because you don’t have to do any research into the band, you just put on the album and vibe and that’s what everyone at Slam Dunk did. 

Imminence

Imminence were over on Main Stage East and made a grand impression with their use of violins as accompaniment for drop tuned 7 string metalcore. The violin added so much texture to the crushing riffs and devastating drums but it also showcased a brilliant amount of creativity as frontman Eddie’s Berg screamed into the mic on his violin throughout the set. 

The Swedish band brought the groove and melody with their use of atmospheric tapping guitar melodies but they knew exactly when to deliver a vicious right hook as the crowd got progressively more insane. ‘Death By a Thousand Cuts’ has been on repeat since the festival ended and we’re waiting patiently for another UK tour. 

This was also the first time I’ve seen a mime crowdsurf. I know it’s late in life but I’m just happy to have finally seen it. 

Aquabats 

On the car ride home, my colleague (Chis) asked what the highlight of the day was and without even thinking, I said Aquabats. Everyone who didn’t love this set has a broken soul and an allergy to fun. 

There’s a squad of superheroes playing ska punk while sharks and giant pizza slices are thrown around the audience. If that doesn’t sound awesome then I don’t know what to tell you. The whole set was the best kind of goofy and left everyone in the Monster stage smiling as inflatable sharks bounced around the tent. Several people managed to get on the pizza slice and crowdsurfed to the front like some kind of giant sentient pepperoni. 

The Aquabats whole set was full of magical high octane fun and shenanigans and they even acknowledged that Yorkshire is indeed the best part of the UK. “They say this is Leeds… But we know it’s Yorkshire” kickstarted chanting for the greatest place in the North: Yorkshire. ‘Pool Party,’ ‘Pizza’ and ‘Shark Fighter’ were all brilliant lively tracks that made me want mozzarella sticks but we had to settle for a Yorkshire pudding wrap. 

Noahfinnce

As the crowd gathered for the millennial national anthem (The Hannah Montana theme), Noahfinnce made his way to the stage armed with a cheeky smile and a guitar and got ready to hit the audience with a highly relatable brand of pop punk. His performance is highly energetic and fairly intense at times as the opening song, ‘I know Better,’ amps up in intensity and speed. 

Noah’s YouTube channel is a wholesome collection of anecdotes about his experiences on the internet as well as navigating the world as a neurodivergent person. His music feels like an extension of that as tracks like ‘Growing Up On The Internet’ gives insight into just how easily it can skew your perspective from a young age. It did feel a bit daunting and unsettling being part of such a young audience but the great thing about acts like Noah and this whole wave of progressive punk acts is they don’t care who you are as long as you’re a good person, which should be what punk is about. 

I See Stars

(Review by Chris James Ryan)

Among the many incredible bands on this lineup, a few truly caught my attention, and I See Stars was one of them. I could hardly believe they were performing! It’s been 12 years since ISS last graced the UK stage, and as someone who has been a fan for 11 years, finally seeing them live felt like a dream come true! A significant highlight is that brothers Devin and Andrew Oliver have taken on more prominent roles with the heavy unclean vocals. This shift comes after Zach Johnson handled programming and harsh vocals in the past. While Devin still delivers the clean singing, hearing him tackle those intense growls is fantastic! Meanwhile, Andrew transitioned from drumming to programming while also contributing to the heavier vocal parts to amplify their sound.

Even though their set was relatively short, it felt like an exhilarating fever dream filled with raw energy. Honestly, if I hadn’t mentioned any lineup changes, you probably wouldn’t even notice them. The band functioned seamlessly together to deliver an unforgettable performance. It was great to see both new fans and long-time listeners in attendance.

We caught up with Devin Oliver at Slam Dunk South, he opened up about being vulnerable in songwriting, and discussed the lyrics for new track ‘D4amage Done’. See the interview on RAMzine here.

Delilah Bon

With a stage adorned with signs like “trans rights”, “pride was a protest” and my personal favourite “dead men don’t rape”; you could expect a set full of progressive talking points, inclusivity and most importantly, pure undiluted rage. 

Having caught Delilah opening for Scene Queen back in 2023, I knew that her set would go down incredibly well at Slam Dunk. Delilah Bon’s whole set was fueled by righteous aggression with tracks like ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’ and arguably the best song about killing predators and getting your own justice ‘I Wish a Bitch Would’. 

The interpolation of ‘Money’ by Cardi B on ‘I Don’t Listen to You’ shows a flawless ability to blend hip hop and metal without resorting to dated gimmicks while still keeping it fresh and interesting. Delilah performed a new track, ‘Princeless Princess,’ with her band for the second time which perhaps signals the beginning of a new album cycle. Be sure to get tickets to her UK tour in November. 

New Found Glory

I’d spoken to a handful of people who said New Found Glory were their most anticipated set of the festival and after just a few songs, it was crystal clear why they were excited. The whole band was bouncing around and doing crazy spin kicks and generally going crazy on stage as they came on to ‘All Downhill Hill From Here’. 

You’d struggle to find a better experience of classic pop punk as the band showed that despite being almost 30 years into their career, they still had the energy to keep up with the whippersnappers. Seeing New Found Glory is worth it just for ‘My Friends Over You’ but there’s so much more amazing pop punk in their set full of bootcamp drumming and gnarly tracks that make you want to do sick kickflips. 

The Used

The Used were over on Main Stage West and their set included the entirety of the self-titled album. Their set was fantastic and featured huge anthemic sing-alongs on tracks like ‘Taste of Ink’ and some thoroughly heartbreaking tracks like ‘Bullimic’ as well as an appearance from Sean Smith of The Blackout on ‘A Box Full of Sharp Objects’. There’s no telling where Sean Smith will appear at Slam Dunk but you should always assume he’s out there, plotting. 

The turnout was amazing but it established a new problem: the sound bleed from other stages was getting worse. The layout of the stages was somewhat close together, but didn’t really matter earlier in the day with the smaller bands. As the crowds got bigger, you had to move back towards the other stages and at times, it became a garbled wall of noise. If you were close enough to the stage, it wasn’t really a problem, as the mix, like most sets at Slam Dunk North, were really good. There was a solid bass and the drums were punchy without overpowering the guitars, which featured the perfect amount of crunch. 

Besides the sound issues, the band put on an amazing set comprised entirely of their landmark Self Titled album, which some members of the audience would consider a bucket list experience. There are bragging rights afforded to hearing such an iconic album in full, even if it means some setlist mainstays are unfortunately absent. 

Less Than Jake

Everyone has that one band they associate with Slam Dunk, for me it’s Less Than Jake. Less Than Jake are the quintessential ska pop punk band, they’ve featured on the soundtracks of several Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games (we had to mention this somewhere). 

Less Than Jake are a legendary band and Slam Dunk always treats them with the respect they deserve. They played in the Monster Stage tent this time which could have been a choice made by the band as it made for a more intimate experience. Despite it being 7PM and everyone over 30 was exhausted, they still got fired up for ska national anthems like ‘History of a Boring Town’ and ‘All My Best Friends Are Metalheads’. 

Some have made the argument that Less Than Jake shows up at Slam Dunk too often and that it’s just expected for them to play and, to that, we say: shut up and eat your Ska. Less Than Jake are always amazing at Slam Dunk and the sun always comes out when they play. 

Electric Callboy

If you were to ask 100 people who they’re most excited for at Slam Dunk, the majority would say Electric Callboy. A German band who have absolutely exploded over the last few years. 

Their set was overrun with fun-filled gimmicks, pyrotechnics and comedy as they included modern classics like ‘We Got the Moves,’ ‘Hypa Hypa,’ ‘MC Thunder’ and ‘Spaceman’. You’d be hard pressed to find a band that takes being goofy as seriously as Electric Callboy. 

It wasn’t all fun and games as it became clear very early on that Electric Callboy were too big to play this stage and the crowds grew to a ridiculous size, luckily no one was properly injured but it was a stressful experience for some including festival goer Vince who called the crowd “an unmanaged mayhem of drunkards”. 

It seemed to settle down as time went on and security did everything they could to disperse the crowd a bit and create a safer environment. The set calmed down as Electric Callboy played a series of acoustic covers, complete with a campfire, including ‘Crawling’ by Linkin Park and a raunchy cover of ‘I Want It That Way’ by The Backstreet Boys. 

You could make the argument that it was a bit heavy on covers but being able to hear a cover of ‘Everytime We Touch’ by Cascada and ‘Still Waiting’ by Sum 41 in the same set is something you’re never going to experience anywhere else. Seeing as Frank Zummo from Sum 41 was on drums, it’s also the most authentic version you’ll hear now that Sum 41 have retired. 

A Day To Remember 

As we reached the final stretch of the day, everyone turned their gaze skyward as a series of dark clouds appeared, threatening to turn the final set of the entire festival into Slam Drink. After a few anxious moments, it finally hit and it began… ‘The Downfall of Us All’. There could be acid rain over the fields of Temple Newsam and nobody would care as A Day To Remember hit everyone with that acapella breakdown before hitting the crowd like a sledgehammer. 

As someone with a fairly limited experience of A Day To Remember, I was surprised to hear so many familiar tracks including ‘I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What are you Made of?,’ ‘You Be Tails, I’ll Be Sonic’ and of course the song that made me lose control of my middle finger, ‘Mr Highway’s Thinking About the End’. Everybody in the audience followed instructions beautifully as they did nothing but disrespect their surroundings. 

A wildly unexpected event occurred on stage, vocalist Jeremy McKinnon acknowledged their legendary cover of Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Since U Been Gone’ which was preceded by a cheeky little cover of ‘Walk’ by Pantera. 

The set was full of hectic motion on stage and in the audience as well as a whole arsenal of confetti canons and pyrotechnics as well as a giant inflatable penis because, why not? The whole experience capped off a brilliant day, which left me with a newfound appreciation for A Day To Remember as well as respect for their newer tracks like ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘All My Friends’. 

Heavy tracks like ‘2nd Sucks’ made a beautiful juxtaposition to lighter tracks like ‘Faith In Me’ and ‘Right Back At It Again’. These songs showed a versatility that not many bands of this genre can pull off and speaks to how they’ve managed to maintain relevance over the past 20 years. 

The crowd slowly started to dissipate as ‘If It Means A Lot To You’ filled the brisk Leeds air and as the last few songs played, we all reflected over a brilliant day of amazing music from people we’ve loved for years. The exit to the car park was also really quick, so we don’t even have to talk about that, it was just awesome. 

Slam Dunk has a good track record of addressing criticisms with improvements being made every year RAMzine has attended. It’s a festival that is big enough to feel like a grand spectacle but still small enough to feel like you, as an individual, matter, which can easily get lost at big festivals. The crowds this year flowed well, the sound mixes were great, the food was brilliant (if a little expensive, but it’s a festival innit?) and the only real criticism I can make is about the sound bleed, but what can you really do about that? 

Next year marks 20 years of Slam Dunk and people are already trying to predict how they’re going to celebrate this massive landmark. With a year left to speculate, there are so many questions people have;

Who will headline? Will it be Weezer? 

Will the Yorkshire pudding wrap place be there? 

Who are those weirdoes in the car park? 

Where is Sean Smith? 

All of these questions and more will be answered next May and with any luck, RAMzine will be there. 

Who do you want to see at Slam Dunk 2026? Tell us in the comments!

The post Slam Dunk Festival: Mime Crowdsurfing, Metalcore Violins & Inflatable Pizza appeared first on RAMzine.

Slam Dunk Festival is consistently an enjoyable outing, and it has become a key event in the calendars of many. Read below RAMzine’s run-down of the full line-up.

Main Stage West

A Day to Remember (21:00 – 22:15)

A Day To Remember are on the heavier side of pop rock so they’re sure to satisfy a wide array of people in the audience. With a laundry list of late 2000s emo adjacent classics like ‘All I Want’ and ‘The Downfall of Us All’ and ‘If It Means a Lot To You’: A Day to Remember are sure to end their headlining slot with thousands of people singing “la la la la la la la la”. 

Neck Deep (19:20 – 20:30)

Neck Deep are a beloved band in the pop punk scene from Wales and it’s wonderful to see them grow from humble beginnings to the main stage of Slam Dunk for one of the biggest UK shows of their career. Celebrate their back catalogue of songs from three summers ago like the beautiful ballads ‘Wish You Were Here’ and ‘December’ as well as the bouncy bootcampbootycamp drumming of ‘Gold Steps’ once it’s finally time to stop being sad. 

New Found Glory (17:55 – 18:55)

Pop punk royalty, New Found Glory, are bringing their infectious breed of youthful hyperactive modern sounding pop punk with bangers like the annoying boyfriend/girlfriend national anthem, ‘My Friends Over You,’ and the existential dread we all have to face sooner or later with ‘All Downhill from Here’. 

Hot Mulligan (16:45 – 17:30)

Hot Mulligan are a true Midwest emo band hailing from Michigan and they’re set to bring that sad energy we’ve all come to love about this wonderful genre. Check out the shoegaze style vibes of  ‘How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shells,’ ‘No shoes in the Coffee Shop’ (or socks). 

The Starting Line (15:35 – 16:20)

The Starting Line is one of the lesser-discussed acts of the 2000s emo/pop punk genre, but they’re still heroes of the genre. Their back catalogue may be limited, but it’s quality over quantity for The Starting Line. Check out ‘Best of Me’ and ‘Leaving’ and get ready to be transported back to the mid-2000s.

Movements (14:30 – 15:10)

Opting for a more laid-back approach but still maintaining some of the more emotionally demanding elements of emo and post hardcore, Movements are sure to scratch the sad itch. Their latest single ‘Where I Lay’ is sure to go down incredibly well amongst older classics like ‘Daylily’ and ‘Colourblind’. 

Knuckle Puck (13:25 – 14:05)

Knuckle Puck are a pop punk/emo band from Chicago, their sound is deeply influenced by the late 2000s/early 2010s pop punk sound and they’re only getting bigger. Be sure to check them out before they properly blow up in the UK with a set full of bangers like their brand new single ‘Nice to Know Ya’ and the Midwest emo epic, ‘Untitled’. 

Hit the Lights (12:25 – 13:00)

Hit the Lights are a pop punk band from Ohio in the same vein as bands like Metro Station. They’re firmly rooted in pop rock, and their sound is super bright and colourful and matches their aesthetic brilliantly. Expect a set of life-affirming pop punk in the form of tracks like ‘Save Your Breath’ and ‘Drop the Girl’. 

Sweet Pill (11:35 – 12:05)

Opening Main Stage West and the entire festival is Sweet Pill, a super laid back Midwest Emo band from Pennsylvania. Sweet Pill are full of beautiful, clean guitar passages that pave the way for energetic distorted guitar parts complete with this swaying energy and emotive vocals. A great way to start the day. Check out ‘Dog Song’ and ‘High Hopes’ for a clearer picture of Sweet Pill. 

Main Stage East

Electric Callboy (19:45 – 20:55)

It was only a matter of time before Electric Callboy headlined a stage at Slam Dunk. Their high-octane shows, goofball comedy and mixture of slamming metalcore riffs and techno drops make them a must-see on every bill they’re a part of. Their latest single ‘Elevator Operator’ will fit nicely in a set with ‘We Got the Moves’ and ‘Pump It’. 

The Used (18:15 – 19:15)

The Used celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the most iconic emo albums of all time: In Love and Death. ‘I Caught Fire’ and ‘All That I’ve Got’ are tracks that have lasted through the years and helped inspire so many newer bands on this lineup. 

Finch (17:05 – 17:55)

Finch took a hiatus back in 2016 and came back swinging a few years later and now they’re finally making their way back to Slam Dunk with their driving emo/alt rock style. If you’re reading this sentence, my editor didn’t let me make an American Pie joke about Finch sleeping with your mom so you should check out ‘Letters to You’ and ‘What it is to Burn’. 

Stray from the Path (15:55 – 16:40)

Everyone should be fired up by this time of day and what better way to use that energy than getting angry at the state of the world with Stray from the Path. Inspired by Rage Against The Machine and a massive amount of politically driven hardcore bands, Stray from the Path are sure to make your blood boil and do some damage with tracks like their brand new single,‘Kubrick Stare’ and the iconic rager, ‘Guillotine’ – Be sure to pick a billionaire to dedicate it to. 

Landmvrks (14:50 – 15:30)

Landmvrks are a French metalcore band with just a hint of Linkin Park added to the mix. The nu metal influence is just subtle enough to scratch the itch with tracks like ‘Sulfur’ still containing the right amount of metalcore breakdowns to satisfy your bloodlust. Their new album The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been, containing ‘Blood Red’ and ‘Creature,’ releases on April 25th. Just enough time to get ready for their set. 

Imminence (13:45 – 14:25)

Swedish metalcore outfit Imminence are a fairly progressive band without leaning too far into the genre. There’s a lot of synth work that fills out their sound and makes them sound massive. ‘Chasing Shadows’ showcases the band at their most eclectic with complex lead guitar lines and colossal drums mixed with epic synths. 

Dream State (12:40 – 13:20)

Dream State are a Welsh alternative rock/metalcore band that make use of electronica-inspired synths that help punctuate anthemic choruses and raucous guitar work. Their latest single, ‘Bloom,’ is sure to go down well amongst classics like ‘White Lies’. 

Defects (11:45 – 12:20)

Combining a Lamb of God esque sense of rhythm and groove with modern metalcore technicality, Defects are an upcoming band in the metalcore scene that have managed to carve out a niche and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with. There are riffs, little twiddly bits and breakdowns just like you’d expect from any metalcore band worth their salt. Their latest release, Modern Error, was a critically acclaimed release and gave us a powerhouse track in the form of ‘Scapegoat’. 

Kerrang Stage 

Hot Milk (20:50 – 21:50)

Rising through the ranks of the alternative scene at an insane speed and hailing from Manchester, Hot Milk are set to dominate the Kerrang stage with a killer set of emo power pop punk. Their new single ‘90 Seconds to Midnight’ from their highly anticipated new album Corporation POP is a track you won’t want to miss seeing live. 

Wargasm (19:40 – 20:25)

Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ll have seen Wargasm on countless tour posters and festival lineups across the UK over the past few years. Bridging the gap between The Prodigy and Limp Bizkit, Wargasm are an electronic nu-metal outfit getting ready to once again burn it down like ‘Pyro Pyro’ at one of their biggest UK shows yet.

As It Is (18:30 – 19:15)

2025 will be the year As It Is celebrates the 10th anniversary of their modern emo classic, Never Happy, Ever After. The Brighton emo rockers will be playing the entire album in full exclusively at Slam Dunk so you can expect ‘Cheap Shots & Setbacks’ and gorgeous emotional moments like ‘My Oceans Were Lakes’. 

Twin Atlantic (17:25 – 18:05)

Twin Atlantic are an alternative rock/power-pop, rock/emo/indie band from Glasgow, but you’d be able to tell that really quickly if you were to put on one of their songs. Twin Atlantic are a band that pride themselves on big stomping rock anthems with mega choruses like ‘Heart and Soul’ and ‘Make a Beast of Myself’. 

Noahfinnce (16:25 – 17:00)

British YouTuber and multi-instrumentalist Noahfinnce brings their bright bubbly pop rock to Slam Dunk just after releasing their debut album, Growing up on the Internet, last year. Noahfinnce is full of youthful and infectious exuberance as well as fantastic stage presence. There’s a brilliant mixture of bright pop rock like the electro pop mix in ‘Headcase’. 

Rain City Drive (15:25 – 16:00)

Rain City Drive are a band that live for giant catchy hooks and powerful vocals from The Voice contestant Matt McAndrew. There’s a great deal of pop appeal without sacrificing the dark mood and guitar work. Check out ‘Neverbloom,’ ‘I’d Rather See Your Star Explode’ and ‘Medicate Me,’ their amazing collaboration with Dayseeker.

I See Stars (14:25 – 15:00)

I See Stars blend electronic elements, pop song structure and driving guitar work and drumming to create a sound that harkens back to Myspace-era metalcore while still feeling fresh and innovative. ‘D4MAGE DONE’ and ‘ARE WE 3VEN?’ show the band at the height of their abilities. 

Point North (13:30 – 14:00)

Hailing from California, Point North may be a pop punk band but their sound packs an incredible punch. Songs like ‘World vs Peace’ and ‘Bring Me Down’ have that accessible pop quality along with crushing drop-tuned guitar work. Highly recommended if you’re a fan of catchy sing-along hooks and ultra-heavy guitar work. 

Sophie Powers (12:35 – 13:05)

Sophie Powers is a Canadian pop-rock act riding high on the new wave of aggressive hyperpop infused with a harder rock attitude in the same vein as Scene Queen and Vain. She may have gained notoriety with her American Idol appearance featuring her performance of ‘STFU’ but her other songs like ‘Nosebleed’ and ‘Move With Me’ show an artist with something to prove. 

Lake Malice (11:40 – 12:10)

Opening the Kerrang stage is the feral electronic nu metal assault of Lake Malice. Having dropped a brand new single, ‘Scatterbrain,’ as well as having a whole back catalogue of vicious ragers like ‘Stop the Party,’ Lake Malice are just beginning to claw their way to the top. 

Monster Stage

Millionaires (22:25 – 22:50)

Closing out the festival with an after party to end all after parties, MySpace scene royalty, Millionaires, will be bringing the party anthems all the way back from 2009. Bring your gigantic scene hair and as much pink as you possibly can and get ready for anthems like ‘Alcohol’ and ‘Party Like a Millionaire’. 

Alkaline Trio (20:40 – 19:40)

One of the biggest pop punk/emo acts of the 2000s and featuring former Blink 182 frontman, Matt Skiba, Alkaline Trio are set to perform one of their biggest shows in the UK on the Monster Stage of Slam Dunk. Expect bangers like ‘Mercy Me’ and hits from their brand new album Blood, Hair and Eyeballs. 

Less Than Jake (19:15 – 20:15)

Less Than Jake are back once again to deliver a set of kickflip anthems that perfectly replicate the feeling of having mozzarella sticks. Less Than Jake always brings an amazing show full of killer ska punk, including ‘That’s Why They Call It A Union’ from Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 and ‘All My Best Friends Are Metalheads’ from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4.

Streetlight Manifesto (18:05 – 18:50)

Streetlight Manifesto are a fairly modern interpretation of ska punk hailing from New Jersey. They’re a band that balances the ska and punk elements really well and strike a perfect balance between guitar-driven aggression and brass-driven groove. ‘Would You Be Impressed’ and ‘We Still Fall Together’ are essentials for the ever-expanding ska punk playlist we all have. 

Zebrahead (16:55 – 17:40)

Rap/punk/ska rockers and Slam Dunk regulars, Zebrahead, are back once again and still rocking like they did back in the good old days. ‘Anthem’, ‘Falling Apart’ and ‘Rescuing Me’ are all classics that hopefully make the setlist this year. If you drop litter at Slam Dunk, don’t forget to pick it up, pick it up, pick it up. There was nowhere natural to put that joke in this preview so Zebrahead got it. Congratulations Zebrahead!

The Aquabats (15:45 – 16:30)

Imagine if The Wiggles were superheroes and played Ska Punk for everyone and you’d have The Aquabats. A fun time for absolutely everybody, complete with goofy fun songs like ‘Pool Party’ and ‘Super Rad’. Be sure to check out their set if you’re ready for some serious silliness. 

The Ataris (14:40 – 15:20)

The Ataris are an emo/pop punk band from Indiana and they’re most notable for their emotionally driven tracks like ‘So Long, Astoria’ and ‘In This Diary’. Their biggest hit is a cover of Don Henley’s ‘Boys of Summer’ which adds a bit of a darker edge to the 70s classic. 

Home Grown (13:40 – 14:15)

After an almost 20-year hiatus, Home Grown are finally back in the UK for a set of late 90s/early 2000s skater punk with tracks like ‘Why Won’t You Leave Me’ and ‘You’re Not Alone’. It may have been a few decades but there’s no doubt they can still bring the kickflip anthems. 

Save Ferris (12:40 – 13:15)

Appearing at the height of the ska punk movement of the 90s, Save Ferris became a cult band with their bright sunny lyricism and fun-filled attitudes. They’re widely beloved for their Ska cover of ‘Come On Eileen’ by Dexy’s Midnight Runners but they have a whole back catalogue full of bangers like ‘Spam’ and ‘Goodbye’ from their brilliant 1997 album, It Means Everything. 

The Meffs (11:45 – 12:15)

The Meffs are a modern British punk band that wear all of their influences on their sleeves. From The Sex Pistols to The Clash to The Jam, The Meffs are highly recommended for those looking for a more vintage punk sound with a more contemporary edge. Check out tracks like ‘Broken Britain, Broken Brain’ and ‘Clowns’. 

Key Club Stage

Note: The stage times are different between Hatfield and Temple Newsam. This article only features Temple Newsam stage times; visit Slam Dunk’s socials for Hatfield stage times. 

Scowl (20:20 – 20:55)

Headlining the Key Club Stage is American hardcore/pop punk band Scowl, their genre might be a bit of an oxymoron to some but they’re a perfect split of fun bounciness and aggressive attitude. Their latest album, Are We All Angels, only just dropped this month and we’re all excited to see tracks like ‘Fantasy’ and ‘Not Heaven, Not Hell’ live for the very first time. 

South Arcade (19:25 – 19:55)

South Arcade are an Oxford-based pop punk band that wear their 2000s influences on their sleeves. Tracks like ‘2005’ and ‘How 2 Get Away With Murder’ have the bubble gum pop punk sound you’d associate with someone like Avril Lavigne, albeit with a bit of extra edge. 

Graphic Nature (18:35 – 19:05)

Graphic Nature blends nu metal with metalcore to create something completely hostile and unhinged. They’ve opened for the likes of Vended and Bloodywood and drawn some of the most insane crowds in recent memory. Check out their singles ‘Human’ and ‘The Killing Floor’ for a clear insight. 

Split Chain (17:45 – 18:15)

Split Chain are a must see for fans of Deftones. The Bristol based outfit blends nu metal with shoegaze to create what they call “dreamo”. Their debut album drops after Slam Dunk on July 11th but you can still expect to hear a few tracks from it like ‘I’m not Dying to Be Here’ and ‘Bored. Tired. Torn’. 

Delilah Bon (16:55 – 17:25)

Delilah Bon has started to gain some major traction after her recent headline tour and Download set. Her brand of aggressive female empowerment anthems like ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’ will definitely start a dialogue. You can check out our coverage of her set opening for Scene Queen in Leeds back in 2023 here. 

Free Throw (16:05 – 16:35)

Free Throw are from Nashville, Tennessee but they embody that Midwest emo sound with their use of beautiful intricate clean guitar work and complex drumming which make the distorted guitar parts all the more effective. Check out ‘Pallet Town’ and the contender for best song title in this article: ‘Hey Ken, Someone Methodically Mushed the Donuts’.

Heart Attack Man (15:15 – 15:45)

Heart Attack Man are a straight up punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. They’re closer to an act like Green Day during their Dookie or perhaps Pinkerton-era Weezer with their bright colourful choruses and youthful energy. Check out their singles, ‘The Gallows’ and ‘Laughing Without Smiling’ from their upcoming new album Joyride The Pale House. 

Mouth Culture (14:25 – 14:55)

Mouth Culture are a Leicester-based alternative rock band that draw a lot of influence from the Midwest Emo scene with their use of complex clean guitar work, added shoegaze elements and even a bit of 2000s indie rock. Mouth Culture are sure to impress those looking for something a bit more progressive with tracks like ‘Had Enough’ and ‘Sharkbait’. 

Kid Bookie (13:35 – 14:05)

Kid Bookie represents a more progressive approach to nu metal/rap rock in a lot of ways. The fact that a rapper is on the bill at Slam Dunk at all is indicative that the attitude is the most important part of being accepted into the alternative scene. His collaborations with Corey Taylor have helped cement his place as a powerful figure in angry music. Be sure to check out ‘Game’ and ‘Stuck In My Ways’ before his set. 

Winoa Fighter (12:45 – 13:15)

Winona Fighter have a hell of a lot going for them right now: a brand new banger of a record, Apologies To The Chef, a killer set of bouncy tracks with hilarious pop punk titles and one of the best band names at the festival. Check out their new album which features bangers like ‘You Look Like a Drunk Phoebe Bridgers’ and ‘Hamms in a Glass’. 

Greywind (11:55 – 12:25)

Greywind are an Irish band that are an emo act at heart. With huge melodramatic choruses and emotionally driven melodies, Greywind are sure to come out swinging as they open the Key Club stage at Hatfield. Check out their EP Antidote which features the brilliant scream along anthem, ‘Here’s Your Deathwish,’ and the emotional rock ballad, ‘Swing and Sway’.

The post Slam Dunk Festival 2025 will be A Day To Remember appeared first on RAMzine.

Download is one of the biggest festivals in Europe and arguably the most iconic alternative festival in the UK boasting career-defining sets from bands that have gone on to dominate the alternative scene and become genre-ascending mega stars. All it takes is one good set. This article contains brief outlines and song recommendations for each band and will contain stage times once announced. Pro-tip: Click ctrl + f and type the band you are after, to go directly to that band.

Book your tickets now: www.downloadfestival.co.uk.

Friday, June 14th 2024

Apex Stage

Queens of the Stone Age – 21:10 – 22:50

Masterminded by Josh Homme and boasting some of the greatest rock albums of all time, Queens of the Stone Age have been due to headline a stage of this magnitude for a very long time. ‘No One Knows,’ ‘My God is the Sun,’ ‘Go with the Flow,’ ‘Little Sister,’ the list of classics is seemingly endless. You’re insane if you’re not already getting hyped for that drum intro from ‘Songs for the Dead’. Their set is going to be full of Nicotine, Valium, Marijuana, Ecstasy and alcohol (don’t do drugs). 

Royal Blood – 19:00 – 20:10

It’s not difficult to figure out why Royal Blood deserve to be this high up on the bill. With their brand of punchy and youthful Inbetweeners rock sound, they’re set to do some serious damage. Expect wall-to-wall madness once ‘Figure it Out’ kicks in. 

Black Stone Cherry – 17:30 – 18:30

Black Stone Cherry are full of arena rock energy with rock club anthems like ‘Lonely Train’ and ‘Blame It On The Boom Boom’. An absolute must see if you’re a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd-style southern rock mixed with modern hard rock sensibilities. For those who saw their intimate club tour last year, it’s well worth seeing them in their natural habitat: on a massive stage in front of thousands of people. 

Polyphia – 16:10 – 17:00

Polyphia are the next big thing in progressive music and boasts the most incredible musicians currently working in the industry. If you’re a guitar player then you’ve likely heard ‘Playing God’ and ‘GOAT’ and promptly sold your guitars. It’ll be interesting to see how Polyphia perform for a wider audience but either way, their set will definitely have some of the best guitar work of the entire weekend. 

The Struts – 15:00 – 15:40

Hailing from Derbyshire, The Struts are the big homegrown rock band that Download has been waiting for. Full of that in-your-face Northern attitude and 60s garage rock aesthetic, expect a massive rock show for the ages. Check out ‘Pretty Vicious’ (covered by Halsey) and the rowdy ‘Body Talk’. 

Those Damn Crows – 14:00 – 14:30

Those Damn Crows are a straight-up rock band. No frills and no fancy genres just big choruses, massive guitar work and bombastic drumming. You may have caught them opening for The Goo Goo Dolls last year but now is your chance to see them on one of the biggest stages in England. Expect many tracks from their brand new modern classic, ‘Inhale/Exhale’. 

The Blue Stones – 13:00 – 13:30

The Blue Stones are a more laid back indie rock outfit that focuses on groove but can still bring the heavy when they need to. Just check out ‘Be My Fire’ and ‘One By One’. They might not be the heaviest band on the bill but they still pack a punch when they need to. 

Opus stage

Bad Omens – No longer playing!

Bad Omens are on track for total world domination at the moment. Supporting Bring Me the Horizon on their UK tour and boasting one of the most voracious and dedicated fan bases in metalcore as well as dropping ‘VAN,’ a genre-defying masterpiece featuring Poppy. 

Funeral For A Friend (replace Bad Omens) – 21:35 – 22:30

Funeral for a Friend are a post-hardcore band that has made significant contributions to the music scene since their formation in 2001. Originating from Bridgend, Wales, the band’s sound is characterised by its blend of aggressive and melodic elements. Throughout their career, Funeral For A Friend has remained relevant not just through consistent musical output but also via engaging live performances known for high energy levels and audience interaction. Their shows have been praised as cathartic experiences where fans can connect intimately with both band members and fellow listeners over shared emotions conveyed powerfully through songs like ‘History’ and ‘Streetcar’.

Heilung – 20:00 – 21:00

Heilung are an experimental folk/industrial band with members from Norway, Denmark and Germany. Their sound is deeply rooted in European culture and stories of Viking mythology. They make use of traditional European instruments and their lyrics come from runic translations from the Iron and Viking Age. Heilung are a must see for anyone with the slightest interest in Norse culture and even European history in general. They truly are a fascinating collection of musicians and one of the most unique acts at this year’s Download. Be sure to check out their 10-minute epic, ‘Krigsgaldr’. 

Mr Bungle – 18:30 – 19:15

The younger generation is about to receive a massive culture shock once Mr Bungle takes the stage. Now a supergroup made up of Mike Patton (Faith No More), Scott Ian (Anthrax) and Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer), Mr Bungle is a genre-defying experiment that’s been dormant for decades. Having just announced a UK tour, Mr Bungle is going to be the “what the hell was that?” set of the year. 

Soft Play – 17:15 – 17:45

Soft Play are a British two-piece punk outfit inspired by classic punk acts like The Clash, The Ramones and Rancid. They have a great deal of anger towards the state of the modern world, like most people should, and the live show will definitely reflect that as the anarchy unfurls at Download. ‘Mirror Muscles’ is a sludgy banger and you can always check out ‘Punk’s Dead’ if you’re upset about the band changing their name. 

All Them Witches – 16:05 – 16:45

All Them Witches are a slower and more relaxed breed of blues rock that mixes in elements of folk music and stoner elements. They’re a fantastic band to get lost in sound as a wall of noise (and perhaps a particular smell) hits you square in the face as you vibe to the psychedelic sound of ‘The Marriage of Coyote Woman’. Highly recommended for fans of Queens of the Stone Age and Green Lung.

Scene Queen – 15:00 – 15:35

Scene Queen is exactly who you think she is; Queen of the Scene. Her brand of quick-witted and inclusive metalcore has made her a massive figure in the metalcore scene. Scene Queen is gearing up to drop a brand new album this year so Download could be the first place in the UK to hear those new tracks, after she’s done touring with PVRIS of course. You can check out our coverage of her Leeds show from last year here.

Halocene – 14:00 – 14:30

Halocene are largely a cover band but they have a wealth of original songs. You may recognise their collection of Britney Spears songs from various online ads, one of the most popular being ‘Circus’. You can check one of their 22 records which include covers and original songs. ‘Maleficent’ feels like the bridging point between In This Moment and Halsey. 

Hanabie – 13:00 – 13:30

Hanabie are a metalcore outfit from Kichijōji, Japan. They blend Western metalcore with Eastern sensibilities and Harajuku fashion aesthetics. They are another instance of music transcending language and creating something virtually everyone can appreciate in some capacity. Hanabie are recommended for the anime crowd but there’s so much to appreciate about their sound. Check out their crushing (but cute) anthem ‘We Love Sweets’. 

Avalanche Stage hosted by Kerrang Radio

Busted – 20:30 – 21:30

Easily the most controversial addition to Download 2024, Busted may have been a band for rock kids when they first showed up but all those kids have grown up now. Expect to hear millennial mega-hits like ‘Crashed the Wedding,’ ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ and ‘What I Go to School For’. Everyone out there saying “why are Busted playing” will be out there screaming their lungs out once ‘Year 3000’ comes on as they sit in their foldable chairs because standing for too long hurts their backs. 

Wheatus – 19:20 – 20:00

Wheatus are obviously best known for ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ and they’ve had a fantastic career because of it but it’s worth noting that they have other songs. They’re a pop punk band with that 2000s radical energy you’d hear on something like Crazy Taxi. Get hyped for tracks like ‘Punk Ass Bitch’ and you can even experience ‘Leroy’ with the dirtiest shoes you’ve ever seen. 

Bayside – 18:10 – 18:50

Bayside are now a legacy act in the emo scene but they still pack a punch live. Their music has a somewhat metal edge with harmonised guitars and gallops on tracks like ‘Devotion and Desire’ but the emo sound is absolutely impossible to miss. You can check out their brand new album There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive right now and get some prep done for Download. 

Vukovi – 17:15 – 17:45

Scottish two-piece rockers Vukovi are set to dominate 2024 with a guitar-driven set of powerful pop rock with a metal edge. ‘I Exist’ will get regular rotation on sad playlists and the fact that synth-forward track ‘SLO’ isn’t dominating the radio is a crime. Expect feral energy throughout this set, on stage and in the audience. 

Escape The Fate – 16:20 – 16:50

Metalcore legends Escape The Fate are set to hit the UK with force as they support the release of their latest album, Out of the Shadows. Expect to hear emo/core anthems like ‘One for the Money,’ ‘This War is Ours’ and a wealth of breakdown-riddled mascara anthems to appeal to your inner emo. 

Dream State – 15:30 – 15:55

Dream State are a Welsh post-hardcore/metalcore band that make use of massive choruses and vocal flourishes working in tandem with melodic guitar work. While they’re supporting their latest release, Still Dreaming, they’ll still have time for classics like ‘White Lies’ and ‘New Waves’. 

Aviva – 14:40 – 15:05

Quirky Australian indie rocker AViVA will be hitting the Avalanche Stage with her unique brand of electronic-inspired personal singer-songwriter stylings. There aren’t many acts that are like her and her music is fairly unique, particularly amongst this lineup, check out ‘Grrrls’ and ‘Rabbit Hole’ and see what we’re talking about. 

Oxymorrrons – No Longer Playing

Those who saw Corey Taylor last year have already experienced Oxymorrons, everyone else is about to get a violent introduction. With a hyperpop aesthetic complete with bright neon punk imagery and trap beats, they’re set to take on the world and they’re starting with Download. Check out ‘Look Alive’ and ‘Definition’ to get the full experience before seeing them dominate the Avalanche Stage. 

TX2 – 13:50 – 14:15

TX2 is an infamous figure in the metal community on TikTok, with his inflammatory lyrics and general edginess. His sound is based in modern Metalcore and emo but he’s been known to switch his sound like on the infamous ‘I Would Hate Me Too’.This will be his first time in the UK so it’s anyone’s guess how his set will go down, will he be a surprise hit or not?

Storm – 13:00 – 13:30

Storm invoke a genuine sense of teen angst in their music with tracks like ‘After A Lie’ and and ‘House of Cards’. They may be a new band but they’re sure to make waves as they open the Avalanche Stage. Be sure to check them out, despite having the least search engine-friendly name possible, they will become a talking point soon. 

Dogtooth Stage

Biohazard – 21:45 – 22:30

Expect punishment once Biohazard hits the stop for their headline slot on the Dogtooth Stage. Blurring the lines between thrash and hardcore, Biohazard are legends in the scene and their sets always pack an immense punch. This promises to be a massive well of insanity that runs deep and is fueled by aggression. Be sure to check out their landmark album Urban Discipline before their set. 

Health – 20:50 – 21:20

HEALTH are best known for their synth-driven industrial rock songs that have been featured on video games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Max Payne 3 but they’re also known for their experimental live shows. It will be interesting to see what their show will look like in the daytime but it will surely be a neon-lit sight to behold. 

Make Them Suffer 20:00 – 20:25

Australian metalcore outfit, Make Them Suffer, are a supremely heavy act that combines symphonic elements and grand soundscapes with crushing riffs and abrasive synth work. ‘Doomswitch,’ ‘Erase Me’ and ‘Ghost of Me’ are sure to get the Dogtooth Stage quaking. 

Scowl – 18:50 – 19:30

Scowl have very limited experience with the UK so far but they’ll get to experience what we have to offer at Download 2024. We may have invented punk but America brought it to new extremes and Scowl are the next chapter in hardcore punk. Scowl are a direct band with ultra-short bangers like ‘Bloodhound’ and ‘Seeds to Sow’ but they still have a lot to offer with their latest EP, Psychic Dance Routine. 

Speed – 18:00 – 18:25

Hardcore punk is not for the faint of heart so if you value your teeth, you’ll stay out of Speed’s way once they hit the stage. Beatdown is a famously vicious genre and Speed are definitely one of the more hostile bands on the lineup this year. ‘We See U’ is 68 seconds of pure blinding rage and an invitation to throw down. 

Ithaca – 17:10 – 17:35

Ithaca are a metalcore band from London and have been in the scene since 2012. Fronted by the acid-tongued Djamila Boden Azzouz, their music is as socially conscious as it is aggressive. Their most recent album, They Fear Us, is a wealth of seething rage and hostility just waiting for a riled-up crowd to experience it and cut loose. 

Zulu – 16:20 – 16:45

Hardcore has dozens of small intricacies that divide all of its subgenres but it always has one connective: it’s angry as hell. Zulu have roots in powerviolence and they’re sure to cause some chaos with their socially conscious bursts of rage. Zulu’s major talking point is black pride and the black experience throughout the world on tracks like ‘From Tha Gods To Earth’. They are definitely worth checking out if you’re socially conscious or in need of education through music. 

The Callous Daoboys – 15:30 – 15:55

The Callous Daoboys recently opened for Tesseract in the UK and they went down really well. They’re incredible musicians with a clear understanding of how to use their unbelievable technical proficiency to create songs that actually feel like songs and not just an ostentatious display of twiddly nonsense. ‘Waco Jesus’ and ‘Pushing The Pink Envelope’ are well worth your time if you’re a fan of bands like Sikth. 

Urne – 14:40

Urne are a London-based band that combines Alice in Chains, Mastodon and Metallica to create a unique sludgy mess of abrasive riffing that is capable of shattering bones. Their latest album ‘A Feast On Sorrow’ made many best of 2023 lists and this is your opportunity to see why. 

Froze mode – 13:50 – 14:15

A true oddity at Download this year, Frozemode are primarily a rap group with rock elements. At one point, their inclusion would have been seen as a cardinal sin but we’re at a point where genre matters very little as long as the vibes are right. Frozemode will definitely make the most of their set and bring chaos. Look up ‘Vermin’ and try to say they don’t belong at Download. 

Defects – 13:00 – 13:25

Defects are a brand new metalcore band from London that pack a serious punch in the vocal department and have the riffs to back it. They just dropped their new single and title track from their new album, Modern Error. Modern Error will be released on May 24th 2024, just in time for Download. 

Saturday, June 15th 2014

Apex Stage

Fall Out Boy – 21:20 – 22:50

They need absolutely no introduction, they are the indisputable kings of pop-leaning emo rock. Fall Out Boy have been rock royalty since they first arrived on the arms race back in the early 2000s and it all culminated in their biggest UK show yet: headlining Download 2024. Expect mega anthems like ‘This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,’ ‘Sugar We’re Going Down,’ ‘Thnks fr th Mmrs’ and arguably the best rock club dancefloor rager ever written, ‘Dance Dance’. 

The Offspring – 18:40 – 19:55

For those unfamiliar with Crazy Taxi, be sure to educate yourself about the wild, in-your-face punk attitudes of The Offspring. Despite being in the fourth decade as a band, The Offspring show no signs of being any less radical than they were when they first showed up. ‘Why Don’t You Get a Job,’ ‘Pretty Fly for a White Guy,’ ‘Self Esteem,’ ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’; the list goes on as Download prepares the stage for the original skater punk badasses. 

Enter Shikari – 17:05 – 18:05

Arguably one of our finest exports, Enter Shikari are on track to become one of the UK’s biggest arena acts following their sold-out tour earlier this year. If it’s anything like their appearance at Slam Dunk 2023, Enter Shikari are set to have a massive set this year at Download. Only one question remains: do you remember how to clap? 

Babymetal – !5:40 – 16:30

When they first showed up back in 2012, Babymetal were one of the most divisive metal acts to ever come out of Japan. They blend the heaviest metal imaginable white super cutest J-pop aesthetics to create something wholly unique. Everyone remembers that feeling of total confusion when they first heard ‘Gimme Chocolate’ and they’ve only grown since then. Don’t forget to bring chocolate for the most brutal kawaii set of the whole festival. 

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes 14:15 – 15:05

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are a British punk band with a progressive edge. With a more lyrical focus than some of their peers, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes still bring that wild youthful punk aggression. Check out their brand new record ‘Dark Rainbow’ in preparation. 

The Hunna – 13:05 – 13:45

Sandwiched between two of the heaviest acts on the Apex Stage, The Hunna are an indie rock act full of rowdy radio ragers and softer emotional clean tracks. Check out ‘Bonfire’ in preparation, it’s sure to go off when it finally kicks in and it’ll come right back down when ‘She’s Casual’ starts. 

Wargasm – 12:00 – 12:35

Constantly touring the UK and fresh off of massive headline tours and their iconic support slot with Limp Bizkit. If you’re looking for the bridging point between The Prodigy and Limp Bizkit then look no further than Wargasm. Electronic nu-metal might be a newer genre crossover but it’s set to be huge and Wargasm are set to burn it down like ‘Pyro Pyro’.

Bambie Thug – 11:00 – 11:30

Bambie Thug is an Irish solo act that will also be representing Ireland at this year’s Eurovision with their interesting pop banger, ‘Doomsday Blue’. Bambie Thug is closer to an industrial nu-metal act but with a pop edge. Think Billie Eilish meets Coal Chamber and you’ve got something that resembles Bambie Thug. Be sure to check out ‘Tsunami (11:11)’ for a better representation of her sound. 

Opus Stage

Pantera – 19:35 – 20:50

It’s been 20 years since their last appearance in the UK but the Cowboys from Hell are due to make a glorious return with their star-studded lineup featuring Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and the legendary Zakk Wylde. Take a shot of Jack Daniels for Dimebag and Vinnie as you throw down to anthems like ‘Walk,’ ‘Domination,’ ‘5 Minutes Alone’ and the gut-wrenching ‘Floods’. 

While She Sleeps – 18:10 – 19:00

Hailing from Sheffield, While She Sleeps have been gaining momentum with their energetic brand of hardcore. Supporting their brand new release, Self Hell, they’re sure to make an impression. ‘Silence Speaks’ features Oli Sykes and if that isn’t a glowing recommendation then I don’t know what is. 

Tom Morello – 17:05 – 17:45

Tom Morello is best known as the guitarist for the groundbreaking socially conscious rap metal band Rage Against The Machine, his work with Audioslave and of course, his acoustic solo project The Nightwatchman. His solo set will be made up all of his iconic masterworks and inimitable effects-laden guitar wizardry. There’s no telling what he’ll play but it will be legendary. 

Slaughter To Prevail – 16:00 -16:40

Coming from Russia and fresh off their UK in January, Slaughter To Prevail are the hottest and most controversial deathcore band to come out in recent memory fronted by the ferocious Alex Terrible. Consider this a warning because once the breakdown hits on ‘Demolisher,’ there will be damage. 

Karnivool -14:55 – 15:35

Inspired by the likes of Deftones and Tool, Karnivool are the perfect crossover of nu-metal and progressive metal. They blend heavy downtuned extended-range guitars with expansive prog sound escapes and experimental songwriting. ‘Themata’ is a modern prog metal classic and the world is foaming at the mouth for a new record.

Bleed From Within – 13:40 – 14:30

Bleed From Within are easily the biggest metalcore band from Scotland and Download will be the only place to see them before they support Slipknot on their UK tour in December. ‘I Am Damnation’ and ‘The End of All That We Know’ are designed to be experienced while running in a circle. Listener aggression is advised. 

Asinhell – 12:45 – 13:15

Asinhell is a death metal side project of Micheal Paulsen (Volbeat) formed in 2023. They’ve only released one album, Impii Hora, but it has been making waves amongst the death metal crowd. Impii Hora has that old school death metal sound you’d expect from the likes of Morbid Angel but with modern production and songwriting sensibilities. 

Florence Black – 11:55 – 12:20

Florence Black are a Welsh 70s throwback rock band in the same vein as Budgie. They’ve been quietly picking up traction through their extensive sold-out UK tours. Check out ‘Look Up’ as well as their latest album Bed of Nails now. RAMzine knew about them before they were cool and you can check out our coverage of their Manchester show supporting Bokassa here. 

Heriot – 11:05 – 11:30

Heriot are a devastating machine of pure unhinged chaos that will wake the Opus stage up faster than a hot cup of coffee to the face. Their debut album Profound Morality is a crushing masterpiece of genre-bending brutality that mixes the most abrasive hardcore around with shoegaze and whatever else they happen to get their hands on during the writing sessions. 

Avalanche Stage hosted by Kerrang Radio

Billy Talent – 19:40 – 20:40

Billy Talent are indie punk rock legends and if you don’t know them yet then that’s a massive red flag. Full of twangy guitar tones and the unique vocal stylings of Benjamin Kowalewicz, Billy Talent are here to get you jumping higher than previously thought possible. ‘Fallen Leaves’ and ‘Red Flag’ are mega hits from the alternative hits back in the 2000s and they’re still certified bangers. 

Holding Absence – 18:30 – 19:10

Holding Absence are the latest alt-rock darlings following the release of their next perfect album, The Noble Art of Self Destruction. Too sad to be pop-punk and too bouncy to be straight-up emo, they exist in a sweet spot designed to win over everybody. Expect future classics like ‘Crooked Melody’ and the heartbreaking empowerment anthem, ‘Angel in the Marble’. You can also check out our coverage from last year here. 

Silverstein – 17:20 -18:00

Emo/post-hardcore legends Silverstein have been grinding for over two decades and have a wealth of classics like ‘Smile In Your Sleep’ and the iconic ‘Smash Into Pieces,’ which was featured on American Idol (seriously). Acts like Silverstein prove that mid-2000s post-hardcore still has a place in modern rock and has the potential to win over a massive new following, desperate to discover what came before them. 

Noahfinnce – 16:25 -16:55

Noahfinnce is arguably most well known as a YouTuber but their reputation as a musician is quickly catching up following their support slot on Enter Shikari’s last UK tour. Their newest EP, Growing Up On The Internet, is out now and deals with the intricacies of online culture through a queer lens all without coming off preachy or morally superior like most online discourse has become. Their set is sure to be a warm and inclusive safe space for all, like all music should be. 

RØRY – 15:30 – 16:00

RØRY is a solo artist that utilises heavy themes including mental health and feminism to create a safe space for discourse and positivity while still creating sweeping choruses and power pop songwriting. RØRY’s latest album, Family Drama, is a heartbreaking venture guaranteed to make you feel something, it may not be something good but it’s still something. 

Charlotte Sands – 14:35 – 15:05

Punk singer/songwriters are becoming a more common occurrence but when they show up, they’re destined for great things. Charlotte Sands will be bringing her introspective yet melodic and lively brand of pop punk. Charlotte’s latest album Can We Start Over is a brilliant mix of pop and rock designed for massive broad appeal. 

Lowlives – 13:40 – 14:10

Lowlives are a supergroup made up of members of The Defiled and other alternative superstars. They have an almost goth sound with the classic chorus-drenched guitar tone permeating through their downer anthems. Their newest album Freaking Out drops late May but you can check out the title track and the Type O Negative-inspired ‘Loser’ now. 

Deathybyromy – 12:45 – 13:15

Deathbyromy continues the trend of rock singer-songwriters leaning towards a more accessible but still challenging sound. Problems feature bright and warm production with dower yet relatable lyrics designed to make you think. 

Hotwax – 11:50 – 12:20

Hotwax are a post-rock trio that makes some really spacey yet noisy 90s riot grrrl-style rock music that’s sure to wake you up quick. Highly recommended for fans of Sonic Youth and The Go Gos, ‘Treasure’ is sure to make things kick off in a big way. 

Mallavora – 11:00 – 11:25

Socially conscious and brimming with rage, Mallavora are picking up momentum on TikTok with their new single ‘Wake Up,’ an anthem of social awareness and being mindful of who the real enemy is. Mallavora are highly recommended for those who like their hardcore with an intense focus on social justice. 

Dogtooth Stage

Fear Factory – 20:55 – 21:45

Boasting one of the tightest rhythm sections in metal and with guitar work as sharp as steel, Fear Factory are one of the most important bands in the Industrial metal scene. ‘Edgecrusher’ and ‘Replica’ will get the entire Dogtooth Stage in the year as they rip through their headline slot. 

Dying Fetus – 18:50 – 19:30

Dying Fetus don’t have a very nice name but they make up for that by being very good at what they do; crafting insanely heavy and fast death metal. ‘Your Treachery Will Die With You’ is a certified death metal classic full of vicious breakdowns that will inspire a safe environment full of violence and carnage. 

Alpha Wolf – 17:45 – 18:20

Alpha Wolf are one of the latest bands to mix metalcore with nu-metal in the same vein as I Prevail. Their sound may be harsh but their lyricism and tone have this life-affirming quality. ‘Whenever You’re Ready’ and ‘Sucks 2 Suck’ are brilliant tracks and the latter even features Ice T, which is a glowing endorsement. 

Ne Obliviscaris – 16:45 – 17:20

Australian progressive metal band, Ne Obliviscaris are famous for their incredibly long and technical songs which make use of a violin as a main lead instrument. They may not play many songs but they’re always impressive, just check out their latest album Exuul. You can check out our coverage of their last show in Manchester here. 

Dying Wish – 15:55 – 16:20

Dying Wish are having their time in the sun following their European tour with August Burns Red. Their latest album Symptoms of Survival is a mid-2000s metalcore revival album with modern hardcore elements mixed in. Do not miss their set before they get even bigger because they’re only getting better as they go. 

Gel – 15:05 – 15:30

Hardcore punk band Gel’s debut album, Only Constant, clocks in at 16 minutes but that short runtime is an absolute firestorm of fury. There aren’t many bands that are as succinct and direct as Gel and that makes them a band worth watching. ‘Honed Blade’ is two minutes of simple but effective rage. Keep an eye out for more Gel in the near future. 

Guilt Trip – 14:15 – 14:40

Guilt Trip are a Manchester based band that gained success after supporting Malevolence on their UK tour and since then, they’ve become a talking point in the hardcore scene with frantic and hostile bangers like ‘Broken Wings’ and ‘Tearing Your Life Away’. They’re sure to turn some heads at Slam Dunk this year and Download will be no different. Don’t miss it. 

Calva Louise – 13:25 – 13:50

Calva Louise are a straight-up rock band with some electronica leanings. They may not have some elaborate fancy pants genre name but they do have bangers. ‘Human Becoming’ has a massive arena chorus and a guitar solo to match. A surefire hit early on this year’s Download. 

ALT BLK ERA – 12:35 – 13:00

ALT BLK ERA deal with representation of the alternative scene with their dark hip-hop sound. There really isn’t much like it in the modern landscape of music. ‘I’m Normally Like This’ gives a “We are the weirdos, mister” vibe and is recommended for only the edgiest of people. 

Knife Bride – 11:45 – 12:10

We are currently experiencing a renaissance of nu-metal and some of the best bands of the genre are revealing themselves right now. Knife Bride could be the next big thing. ‘Permanent Smile’ is a ripper that is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face once the pit opens. 

Celestial Sanctuary – 11:00 – 11:20

Celestial Sanctuary play undiluted death metal in the same vein as acts like Obituary and Bolt Thrower. Full of simple yet effective Caveman riffing, Celestial Sanctuary are a killer way to start your Sunday. ‘Rid the Gormless’ and ‘Soul Diminished’ are sludgy and grotesque death metal anthems for only the most extreme people.

Sunday, June 16th 2024

Apex Stage

Avenged Sevenfold – 21:00 – 22:50

Avenged Sevenfold are certain to take up the mantle once Metallica retires. A7X are masters of creating radio-friendly radio metal bangers like ‘Almost Easy’ and ‘Bat Country’ but they also have the ability to craft oddball prog anthems as evidenced by their latest album, Life Is But a Dream. A7X have headline Download before with various issues while performing, but they’re dead set on taking over the Apex Stage in 2024.

Limp Bizkit – 19:00 – 20:00

Limp Bizkit are rap metal gods with a goofball sense of humour and whacky riffs from the inimitable Wes Borland and godly stage presence of the ultimate hype man, Fred Durst. You’ll get so much ‘Nookie’ you’ll want to ‘Break Stuff’ (I’m so sorry you had to read that). 

Sum 41 – 17:00 – 18:00

Sum 41 have announced their retirement which makes Download 2024 their final UK festival appearance. Having given us 30 years of kickass pop punk, it’s only fair they get a proper send-off before their farewell tour returns to the UK (no dates announced yet but we have hope). Eternal bangers like ‘In Too Deep,’ ‘Fat Lip’ and of course, ‘Still Waiting’ are going to be experiences that you may not get to experience for long. 

Bowling For Soup – 15:40 – 16:30

“Perpetual adolescence” tends to have a negative connotation to it but when Bowling For Soup are around, it’s the most desirable trait you can have. Frontman Jarret Reddick is king of vulgar nonsense and it helps to embrace your inner 14 year old. You can check out our coverage of their co-headline show with Less Than Jake in Manchester earlier this year here. 

Kerry King – 14:25 – 15:10

Backed by an all-star cast of thrash legends including Phil Demel and long-time Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph, Slayer guitarist Kerry King makes his UK solo debut just in time for his debut album, From Hell I Rise which drops in May. It’s still a mystery what he’ll play but you can be certain that it’ll be pure thrash. You can stream his new singles ‘Idle Hands’ and ‘Residue’ right now.

Creeper – 13:10 – 13:55

Creeper are one of our very own goth rock legends from Southampton. Having developed a massive following over the years as well as supporting My Chemical Romance on their last UK dates, they’re sure to go down a treat. Their last album Sanguivore is full of hard rock eyeliner anthems like ‘Lovers Led Astray’ and ‘Cry To Heaven’ that are definitely worth checking out. 

Code Orange – 12:00 – 12:40

Code Orange have leant into a 90s alternative sound similar to the likes of Alice in Chains and Smashing Pumpkins recently. Their latest album Below is a critical darling and has caught the attention of many music snobs from all over the world. But don’t let that fool you, they still have a lot to prove and they’re still deadly live. Take cover when ‘Forever’ starts. 

Lord Of The Lost – 11:00 – 11:30

Lord Of The Lost have gone from strength to strength since they represented Germany at Eurovision 2023. They’re currently enjoying worldwide fame and success and their return to the UK is more than welcome. Leaning on industrial metal influences and flaunting a very theatrical image, Lord Of The Lost are a great pick to open the Apex Stage on the final day of Download 2024.

Opus Stage

Machine Head – 19:45 – 20:55

Machine Head are no stranger to Download and their anthemic thrash anthems and raucous energy fit the stage perfectly. Boasting some of the most unhinged mosh pits thrash can offer, they’re sure to let freedom ring with a shotgun blast. Get ready for crushing devastation with legendary tracks like ‘Davidian’ and ‘Halo’ as they close out the Opus stage of Download 2024.

Corey Taylor – 18:30 – 19:15

Corey Taylor needs no introduction, especially not at Download. His set is sure to get people ready for Slipknot’s UK tour in December, it’s set to feature that same trademark aggression but also a little bit of silly fun you wouldn’t expect. All we can ask is: who lives in a pineapple under the sea? (if you know, you know).

Electric Callboy – 17:25 – 18:05

Evolving from a more serious metalcore outfit, Electric Callboy have transformed into a goofy band that still makes ultra-heavy music but also creates whacky fun rippers like ‘Hypa Hypa’ and ‘We Got the Moves’. Electric Callboy are the middle ground between I Prevail and Weird Al Yankovic. Bring your gym gear, bro. 

Thy Art is Murder – 16:15 – 16:55

Following the release of their latest album, Godlike, Thy Art is Murder have been touring Europe and drawing massive crowds with their brand of punishing deathcore. ‘Reign Of Darkness’ is going to be a cataclysmic event. You can check out our coverage of their Manchester show last year too here.

Elvana – 15:20 – 15:50

Elvana sounds like a joke from the initial description; they’re a very talented Nirvana tribute act but their frontman is Elvis. If that doesn’t sound amazing then I don’t know how else to convince you. Everything you’re picturing in your mind is exactly how it plays out on stage and it’s absolutely brilliant. 

Zebrahead – 14:25 – 14:55

Rap/punk/ska rockers Zebrahead are in a new era with new singer Adrian Estrella. Formed in 1996 and still punk rocking like the good old days. Anthem, ‘Falling Apart’ and ‘Rescuing Me’ are all classics and there’s every chance they’re on the setlist this year. 

Royal Republic – 13:30 – 14:00

Swedish outfit Royal Republic will be breaking up the glut of heavy metal with some good old-fashioned rock and roll. Not quite heavy enough to be metal but too heavy to be pop rock, Royal Republic are among the best of the 70s throwback bands. Full of punchy hooks on tracks like ‘Rata Tata,’ Royal Republic are perfect for the Clutch fans out there. 

311 – 12:40 – 13:05

Alternative rock band 311 are chilled with their reggae/funk-inspired rock stylings. Perfect for the stoner crowd (not there will be any of that this year). Look up the spacey mellow twang of ‘Amber’ and the airy vastness of ‘Love Song’ to get the full experience of 311.

Alien Weaponry – 11:50 – 12:15

Many will remember Alien Weaponry’s legendary slots opening for Gojira last year. There were intense pits and rabid audiences throughout every single date, you can check out our coverage here. Be sure to check out ‘Kai Tangata’ from their classic album Tu. Their love and respect for Maori culture mixed in with some of the heaviest riffing around makes Alien Weaponry a wholly unique and transformative experience. Do not miss their set. 

Kelsy Karter & The Heroines – 11:00 – 11:25

Kelsy Karter & The Heroines are part of the 90s riot grrrl revival but with a glam rock twist full of huge arena rock choruses. ‘Love Goes On’ has that 80s glam tone and ‘Devil On My Shoulder’ has a modern pop flavour. It’s sure to win over a lot of new fans once the Opus Stage opens.

Avalanche Stage hosted by Kerrang Radio 

The Used – 20:30 – 21:30

The Used released their latest album, Toxic Positivity, last year and they’ll have plenty of shiny new emo tracks for all to enjoy as well as older classics. ‘The Taste of Ink’ and ‘Buried Myself Alive’ are tracks that have that melancholy edge to them but enough energy to get you moshing through the tears. 

Counterparts – 19:20 – 20:00

Counterparts are modern metalcore band that lean more towards hardcore. They favour the anthemic expansive sound without sacrificing the heaviness. ‘Whispers Of Your Death’ and ‘Wavering Vow’ are fantastic representations of what they do best: blending melody with punishing riffs and intensity. 

Hoobastank – 17:50 – 18:50

Hoobastank are a band that makes thoughtful rock that has this overt sonic sadness that permeates through their music. Hoobastank’s music is as sad as their name is silly. Be ready for their early 2000s mega-hit, ‘The Reason’. 

Atreyu – 16:50 – 17:20

Atreyu are mid-2000s metalcore royalty with an emo edge. Their harsh and abrasive sound blends perfectly with their  heartfelt lyrics and intense guitar work. ‘Ex’s & Oh’s’ is an underrated classic that has been unfairly forgotten and it’s time for Atreyu to issue a reminder. 

Of Mice and Men – 15:50 – 16:20

Of Mice and Men seem desperate to come back to the UK considering their massive UK tour only ended a few months ago. While that tour was full of smaller venues, it’s time they took to a massive mega stage with a gigantic audience. It’s your chance to experience nu-metal/core classics like ‘Second and Sebring’ and classics from their iconic album, Restoring Force; as well as the new classics such as ‘Obsolete’ and ‘Warpaint’. 

Tigercub 14:50 – 15:20

Tigercub are a 70s rock throwback act with a sludgy production from Brighton. They prominently feature growling distortion-fueled groovy basslines working in tandem with old school overdrive guitar tones. The title track from their latest album, The Perfume of Decay, is worth your time if you like a bit of treacle in your rock. 

Royal & The Serpent – No Longer Playing

Royal & The Serpent are an indie rock solo act with pop sensibilities. Their music has that sugary pop sound but still has complex lyricism that many are sure to find relatable and engaging. ‘Overwhelmed’ is sure to catch the attention of many in the audience with its relatability and frank honesty about anxiety. 

Pinkshift – 13:50 – 14:20

Pinkshift are a pop-rock band from Baltimore with far too much energy, hopefully they’ll get to share some of it with a massive crowd at Download. ‘I’m Gonna Tell My Therapist on You’ is a wild raucous track that is sure to go down well as everyone nurses their Sunday morning hangover. 

Cemetery Sun – 11:50 -12:20

Cemetery Sun have a distinctly indie sound but they mix in hip-hop elements to make a fairly unique sound amongst their emo-inspired peers. You can check out our coverage of their set supporting Black Veil Brides in 2023 here.

Delilah Bon – 11:00 – 11:25

Delilah Bon’s approach to nu-metal features feminist lyricism and a general intolerance to the poor treatment of woman at the hands of men. ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’ will definitely start a dialogue. You can also check out our coverage of her set opening for Scene Queen in Leeds here. 

Dogtooth Stage

The Black Dahlia Murder – 21:15 – 22:00

The Black Dahlia Murder’s continued existence is a tribute to the tragically departed legend that is Trevor Strnad. His influence as a vocalist will never be forgotten just as the music he helped create will. The Black Dahlia Murder will close the Dogtooth stage for this year with their ultra-technical melodic death metal stylings. ‘What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse’ is a melodeath masterpiece and a fitting way to end the weekend. 

Erra – 20:20 – 20:50

Erra have just released their brand new album, Cure, to widespread critical acclaim. Erra are a progressive metal band that leans towards Djent, a 100% real and legitimate genre. Armed with 8 strings and carrying on the traditions of bands like Periphery and Born of Osiris, Erra will have many new fans by the end of their set. 

Fit For a King – 19:30 – 19:55

Fit For a King are an amazing blend of heaviness and melody. Their hooks are so infectious and the guitar work really shines through in a genre that prefers simplicity. ‘When Everything Means Nothing’ is an emotional roller-coaster designed to have you moshing in tears. 

Shadow of Intent 18:40 – 19:05

Shadow of Intent are growing at a terrifying rate and it won’t be long before they start filling the same size venues as Lorna Shore. ‘The Heretic Prevails’ is a bizarre deathcore ripper that has a prominent piano lead and symphonic elements but still has that same blunt force trauma-inducing heaviness we know and love. 

Imminence – 17:45 – 18:15

Swedish metalcore outfit Imminence are a fairly progressive band without leaning too far into the genre. There’s a lot of synth work that fills out their sound and makes them sound massive. ‘Chasing Shadows’ showcases the band at their most eclectic with complex lead guitar lines and colossal drums mixed with epic synths. 

Brand of Sacrifice – 16:55 – 17:20

Forged in Canada and creating pure devastation, Brand of Sacrifice are one of the best deathcore bands around at the moment and they’re biding their time before they get the credit they deserve. ‘Exodus’ and ‘Lifeblood’ are 100% worth adding to your deathcore playlist, ‘Lifeblood’ even has a “blegh”. 

Crystal Lake – 16:05 – 16:30

Crystal Lake are one of the most important metalcore bands to come out of Japan, their approach to modern metalcore is as unique as it is deadly. Their new single ‘Dystopia’ is a classic in the making and their older material like ‘Apollo’ will cause a ruckus this year. 

MISSIO – 14:20 – 14:45

MISSIO are a double act that create these bleak electronic tracks in the same vein as Twentyonepilots. It’s sure to appeal to your inner teenage angst regardless of your age. ‘Twisted’ is a teen angst-riddled bop and many will know ‘Sing To Me’ from the Death Stranding soundtrack. 

Underside – 13:30 – 13:55

Underside’s sound is inspired by classic rock and thrash metal and it doesn’t take long to figure that out. They make use of clean vocals with that trademark thrash snarl and play at great speeds. ‘Still An Eye On You’ invokes Kill Em All-era Metallica and ‘War Of All Against All’ is about as close you can get to sounding like Slayer nowadays. 

Pest Control – 12:40 – 13:05

Leeds crossover newcomers, Pest Control, are set to infest Download with breakneck micro thrash songs. They may have a short set but they’ll be able to fit a lot in it. Their newest album Don’t Test The Pest is a killer slice of party thrash with a hint of hardcore thrown in. You can check out our coverage of their set supporting Obituary in Manchester here. 

Harper – 11:50 – 12:15

Harper is most famous for her appearance on America’s Got Talent singing ‘Holy Roller’ by Spiritbox when she was 9. She’s grown up since then (she’s now 12) and she’s got her own music. ‘I Hope You Choke’ has some killer production and her vocals have come a long way since that ATG appearance. 

Until I Wake – 11:00 – 11:25

Until I Wake are opening the final day of Download on the Dogtooth Stage and it’s sure to be a violent wakeup call. ‘Octane’ has huge vocals and synth to match the punishing guitar work and devastating drums. 

Keep checking back as we update this article with stage times once they’re announced. 
Book your tickets now: www.downloadfestival.co.uk.

The post Download Festival 2024 DLXXI – The Complete Guide To Every Act! appeared first on RAMzine.

The headliners for this year’s festival include Queens Of The Stone Age, Fall Out Boy, and Avenged Sevenfold alongside more than 70 other prominent names from the world of rock.

Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates says: “We are super excited to be playing Download for the third time but as they say the third time is a charm, so hopefully we get it right this time! We appreciate everyone coming back and joining in the madness and the fun.”

The lineup for Download Festival proves its ability to attract a diverse range of music lovers from different generations. The announcement includes renowned heavyweights such as Royal Blood, The Offspring, Sum 41, Corey Taylor, Machine Head, Pantera, BABYMETAL, Fear Factory, While She Sleeps, Billy Talent, Bowling For Soup, The Used, Hoobastank (playing ‘The Reason’ in full), Atreyu, Counterparts, Bad Omens, Dying Fetus, The Black Dahlia Murder, Those Damn Crows, Holding Absence, Silverstein, Charlotte Sands, Thy Art Is Murder, Fit For A King and so many more. This announcement has already delighted numerous fans, although it’s impossible to satisfy everyone. Download Festival is just getting started, and there are still more line-up announcements on the horizon.

Download Festival’s Andy Copping says: “After our unbelievable 20th anniversary celebrations last year, we couldn’t be more excited about what DLXXI has in store. This year we have two brand new headliners in the form of Queens Of The Stone Age and Fall Out Boy, as well as the mighty Avenged Sevenfold and a whole host of huge names that make every second of Download Festival memorable. I can’t wait to join the fans there – it is our home. With first time headliners and our first headline partner with Liquid Death we are embracing the evolution of Download Festival. We have the best and friendliest community together and we can’t wait to celebrate the next 20 years of Download with you all.”

Mark your calendars as the festival will take place on June 14-16 in 2024 at its iconic location in Donington Park, Leicestershire – widely regarded as the spiritual home of rock. General tickets will go on sale at www.downloadfestival.co.uk starting from 9pm on Thursday November 9th.

The post Download announces 2024 headliners appeared first on RAMzine.

The first song, ‘The Worst (Worst I’ve Ever Been),’ sets a lively tone and offers a glimpse into The Used’s current sound. It blends electronic elements with intense riffs, breakdowns, and recitation-style lyrics. The track speaks to those who feel hopeless in the face of an unrelenting world that seems destined for destruction – “nobody can stop this wicked world from burning” they sing.

‘Numb’ is a continuation of a desolate mood and questioning of emotional detachment with the lyrics “does anyone else feel numb?” and on the next track ‘I Hate Everybody’ many will surely relate. However, it’s important not to interpret these instances of negativity as detracting from the quality of the album. Sometimes we all require something that empathises with us, and this particular album could fulfil that need for many individuals. Additionally, don’t be fooled into thinking that the sound is solely melancholic – in fact, it’s quite lively.

The track ‘Pinky Swear’ serves as the cry for help, while ‘Headspace’ represents the moment of clarity. ‘Cherry’ signifies acceptance and ‘Dopamine’ has a mischievous yet fun vibe. The emo goodness continues with the anthem, ‘Dancing with a Brick Wall,’ which showcases how emo music has evolved to incorporate various sounds taken from other genres and a bigger scope of vocal ranges nowadays.

The ballad ‘House of Sand’ exudes hope through its poetic melody, but the lyrics tell a different story. The album concludes with ‘Giving Up,’ which has an upbeat tempo but is accompanied by heavy hearted lyrics. Throughout this record, Bert McCracken lays bare his insecurities and various degrees of sanity. He wears his heart on his sleeve through his music, making this one of The Used’s most candid albums to date.

Toxic Positivity is out via Hassle Records / Big Noise on 19th May 2023.

The post The Used take listeners on an emotional ride on Toxic Positivity appeared first on RAMzine.

Friday

Thunderpussy aren’t the subtlest of bands if you couldn’t have already guessed, but god damn are they fabulous right off the bat. Mixing soul with 70s glam with a touch of glitzy riot grrrl, it’s nothing new but what a display of rock n roll that got hips shaking and heads bopping with an infectious groove that you simply couldn’t deny yourself. This was short-lived, however, as we trudge over to the main stage for the second band on our watch list today.

If ever there was argument that rock in the mainstream is dead, look no further than Waterparks. Drawing in a crowd that we assume have yet to undertake their GCSE’s, it’s as if someone dressed up three lemon sherbets and put them on the stage to dance around to their own backing track.

By this point, we were on the verge of tears anyway after what we’d just witnessed, but soon The Xcerts put things right down The Pit, displaying true sincerity in one of the most empathetic displays of emotion throughout the whole weekend.

Though many in the crowd are anticipating Post Malone, this does not deter Creeper who come bounding onto the main stage to the mosh igniting ‘Susanne’. Despite the limited backdrop that most of the acts are also subjected to for whatever reason, this resulted in a more focused performance that hit a home run as the Southampton sextet stood determined to make Reading theirs.

The level of importance to set of The Fever 333 cannot be understated. By far the most impactful performance from any artist we’ve seen in recent years. From the moment former letlive. frontman Jason A. Butler takes to the stage in his black boiler suit with matching head bag, all eyes are fixated on him and cannot be torn away. Then, fucking, BOOM!! An outpour of energy erupts on stage and does not let up for the entire set that flooding the stage with sweat and adrenaline. Mesmerizing, invocative, violent; you will hear this name a lot over the coming year. Big things are coming.

Pulling together what we just witnessed, we’re brought back down to earth with I The Mighty, who manage to hold their own and manage to put up a decent alter-indie set that managed to calm the waters of The Pit for a while. Trophy Eyes keep this trend up but are somewhat forgettable with very little excitement or enthusiasm to be playing where they are. Disappointing.

Meanwhile, on the Festival Republic Stage, Dream Wife seem to have picked up where Thunderpussy left off. Put side by side, you’d be mistaken that these two were the same band. A little more experimental in their sound though lacking imagination in the presentation department as if they’d roly-polied through a thrift store.

The biggest surprise of the day comes in the form of Royal Republic. The walking definition of the word fun, these Swedes with their golden sequined jackets, shirt and tie combo choreographed their way into our hearts. Take the tone and energy of The Hives, the blues riffage of Clutch and add a dash of Roy Orbison for flavour, and buddy you got yourself the greatest wedding band of all time! Throw in a totally unexpected and pitch-perfect cover of Metallica’s ‘Battery’ and it goes to show that not all heroes wear capes.

Over at the BBC Music Introducing stage, Fizzy Blood bring some catchy tunage… and a spot of rain. No matter, more and more onlookers are drawn in by their big pop-rock vibes that have more hooks than an expedition with Captain Birdseye. Smart, fun and interesting that would not be ruined by a splash of drizzle.

On the subject of rain, back at The Pit, we’re not entirely convinced it’s La Dispute’s performance which is packing out the tent or the now torrential monsoon outside, which we’re sure the experimental post-hardcore outfit didn’t mind. Met with something new and ever so slightly challenging, the five-piece did their sound justice tonight.

Ending any day on the punchy emo punk of The Used was well rewarded, despite the 45-minute delay of their arrival. Still, their energy is on point and ticked all the boxes as pits erupted and voices rang out over Bert McCracken’s enduring vocals that’s resonated with fans for the good part of two decades.

Saturday

Doesn’t matter where you put them or in front of what crowd they play to, Skindred will always manage to find a way to get the party started. Rampaging through a crash course of their back catalogue (‘Newport helicopter’ and all), there’s nothing but a good time to be had from the South Walian reggae metallers here.

Certainly, one of the most ‘must see’ slots of the day, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda is met by the most vocalised crowds of the festival so far. Appreciating the sentimentality and sensitivity of his performance, having been just over a year since Chester Bennington’s passing, seeing Shinoda up on stage, alone, hits home hard. Uncomfortable and yet so important to witness, a tear jerked audience shouts its lungs out to the late singer’s parts of ‘In The End’. Undeniably emotional that brought a lot of people together that showed the world in the flesh just how much Bennington meant to his fans, all the while Shinoda holding his own and staying strong throughout.

The mood is then shifted down a much happier route down nostalgia lane as Sum 41 take to the main stage, horns and middle fingers raised all-round. Busting out bangers like ‘The Hell Song’, ‘In Too Deep’ as well as a rather unexpected cover of Queen’s immortal ‘We Will Rock You’, the fun doesn’t stop for a breathe here. To top it off, Shinoda makes one final appearance, accompanying the Sum’s frontman Deryck Whibley in a cover of Linkin Park’s ‘Faint’, or at least half of it anyways.

To give pop sensation Dua Lipa her dues, the singer at least has a bass player and dancefloor filling groves for days, unlike one previously mentioned trio… ahem, anyways; her swagger is on point however her choreography is a tad bit stale but she gets the job done. What more can you ask for, really? Meanwhile, The Pit welcomes Blood Youth to the stage who inject some hardcore ferocity into a rock-starved audience. It’s a welcoming sight that adds a spark to the festivities even if it is a little short lived.

Next up are Brighton’s Black Peaks who have taken the imagination of the rock underground by force. Only weeks before their hugely anticipated sophomore record [All That Divides] comes our way and the anticipation couldn’t be higher. With the eruption of ‘Can’t Sleep’, the tent lives up to its name as bodies begin to slam as if they’re covered in ants. The dynamics Black Peaks have mastered on stage is a testament to how much the UK needs this band. One of the bands everyone needs in their lives right now with another flawless performance in the bag.

Panic! At The Disco have gone from ambassadors of the emo phenomenon at the turn of the millennium to becoming another cog in the machine. Plastic, safe and soulless, it’s safe to say that without Brendon Urie, Panic! don’t have much of a leg to stand on. Don’t get us wrong, Urie is on point and so are the band from a technical standpoint that’s uncanny to their studio recordings, which is also their biggest weakness. Flat and predictable, a far cry from their quirkier origins.

As our adrenaline stockpile reaches dangerously low levels, Pendulum soon sort that out over at the BBC Radio One tent. Rammed inside and out, after a 6-year long hiatus, the Australian drum and bass five-piece decimate anything with an eardrum tonight. Not a single human being could physically hold themselves back as we step back into the worlds of ‘Propane Nightmares’, ‘Tarantula’ and the classic ‘Hold Your Colour’. Uniting all tribes, Pendulum are an anomaly that we welcome back with open arms.

Beartooth are on form and what they can achieve with half a tent most headliners can’t with tens of thousands. Their anthemic hardcore pulsates and ravages what little audience they have at this point, which does nothing to deter them.

Rounding things off are Papa Roach who bring this nostalgia train home. With the tent now finally full, Jacoby Shaddix is at his energetic best even for such a late set. With a setlist that’s chock full of belters that leaves the best until last with ‘Last Resor’t/’…To Be Loved’, in all their glory. Papa Roach sign off this Saturday on a high.

Sunday

Being one of the most primeval musical forces in the UK, Sleep Token are as mysterious and sinister as their reputation makes them out to be. Hooded, cloaked and masked, little is truly known about this five-piece except they worship a deity named ‘Sleep’ and that they’re merely vessels of its bidding. Beautifully haunting vocals that take the tent by surprise that at times was almost unsettling. Their cover of Outkast’s ‘Hey-Ya’ rears its head that only adds to the confusion which we cannot tear ourselves away from. One hell of a show that we won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

The more than underwhelming attendance of Billy Talent is staggeringly mind-blowing. Either due to the weather or hangovers, at 2:15pm the main stage is a ghost town. Playing to less than a thousand people, the Canadians simply do not give one tiny mouse’s bollock of a fuck. Brimming with charisma, vocalist Benjamin Kowalewicz worked with what he was given as the band remained tight throughout.

Today’s antics would properly begin with a surprise visit from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes down at The Pit. What would we do without this man, god only knows. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who’s as more widely respected in the rock scene that Carter. His undying devotion to putting every ounce of blood, sweat and tears into his job is the standard that all bands should look up to. Tent wide circle pits, crowd surfing and a brief cameo from Carter’s mum, you could not have experienced anything more insane than the carnage on display. If there ever was a reason to come to Reading this year, this would have been it.

Trap metal figurehead Scarlxrd does not have the same effect over at the BBC Radio 1Xtra tent. The hybrid of metal and rap is nothing new and when done right is unforgettable. We do not see anything of the sort here. An obnoxious reflection of metal culture from a man who simply doesn’t know what he’s doing.

Back at The Pit (which by this time has become our second home) Normandie’s brand of post-hardcore stands its ground and makes a decent impression. Melodic with a satisfying punch, they tick all the right boxes that hold our attention ready for Milk Teeth who delight us with their spritely punk rock and choruses that manage to stick in our heads all afternoon.

Despite Black Foxxes vocalist/ guitarist Mark Holley being under the weather, the Exeter three-piece manage to succeed without a hitch. Where Holley gets his energy from, fuck if we know, but what we’d give to see him on a good day. There’s an underdog vibe that LOWLIVES seem to be giving off. Certainly, trying to prove themselves on a stage that’s already seen its fair share of bedlam. Storming out of the gate all guns blazing in a torrent of head bopping riffs that’s got our fists pumping in the air. A little thin in the crowd department that lacked the atmosphere they deserved, which is a tad unfortunate. More for us as we see it.

Scarlxrd returns for a second set over at The Pit to not much success. Given the different set of crowds present at each respected tent, perhaps there would be a step up in his performance? Well… no, is the short answer. It’s the same copy and pasted lacklustre that sounds like a child throwing a tantrum in a supermarket.

We’re willing to forgive Don Broco for their endorsement of the now criminally back in fashion bucket hats (may they all burn!), we just can’t say now to a killer, funky bass line courtesy of bassist Tom Doyle. Their neo-80s rock/pop vibe is infectious that doesn’t leave a cheeky smile on our face despite the apocalyptic weather closing in around us.

Politically charged and ready to fuck this shit right up, Stray From The Path are the closest we will ever get to Rage Against The Machine in this decade. Letting their intentions known just who they are and what this band stands for, fists are raised as ‘Goodnight Alt-Right’ sets the tent alight.

Whether it be the sign of the times, The Bronx open up to a scattered crowd of a few hundred or less. One of the most underrated bands of our time did not disappoint even if they seemed a little static for their usual standards anyways. Their raw volatile brand of punk rock hits all the right notes but loses some of its edges as the set draws on. Still, they manage to pull it off without any major hitches that was nonetheless rewarding and ended our day and festival on a relatively high note.

The post Reading Festival 2018 – The Rock Review appeared first on RAMzine.

Decade kicked things into gear playing tracks from their 2013 ‘Good Luck’ album, which the crowd were very excited about! Alex Sears announced “Today is Valentines Day, Spread the love!” There was without a doubt a lot of love in the Academy 2 on this night. The crowd were singing along and dancing from the very start.

As usual Alex is hitting those notes without any problems and being a good chap engaging with the crowd keeping everyone happy, “Manchester are you having a good time?” he says, to which I hear a clear “Yeaaaaahh!!” from the crowd. “The next one is a slow one, so it goes out to everyone in love, so put your hands up in the air” says Alex as they play ‘Fake Teeth’.

There are always shenanigans with these chaps. They were a great choice for the tour and opening up the show. The melodic rock songs are a win win! It’s no wonder Decade are going places now, their hard work is paying off. They played some great tracks such as ‘British Weather’, ‘Brain Freeze’ and ‘Fool Gold‘. In a nutshell if you haven’t heard of them, go listen now!

Landscapes! No not the countryside, the band!

Well these are the near opposite to Decade but this is not a bad thing! Rather than groovy rock, its nutty punk/ metal. These nut jobs are running, jumping, moshing across the stage, cranking up the rock, then another gear into metal. Mix rock, with a spice of metal and punk and boom you got Landscapes. These crowd jumpers defiantly sped up the crazy atmosphere to appropriatly pumpping up the other fans, so when The Used come on they’ll explode into screaming fan girls.

Playing awesome tracks such as ‘Epilogy‘, ‘Embrace and Dream‘. Choosing ‘Paradox’ as the last song, I feel this was a wise choice to end the set, the crowd went bat sh*t crazy! It’s that good! If you are after a high energy show, look not further then Decade. Have a listen, get some mates, grab some booze and open this pit up! That’s my suspected sequence of events from tonight.

The Band we’ve all been waiting for… The Used! I have no idea how to describe their set other than holy sh*t. The room is left in suspense, it’s all dark and then we hear the electro. Before you know it The Used are on stage, and everyone has lost their sh*t. From where I was standing (the photo pit) everyone has gone insane! It was like the crowd was on coke or something, it was just mental! Everyone yelling and clapping along. Bert McCracken (vocals) the leader of this jolly event tells the crowd to get up! And of course they do!

“Of course we all f*cking love The Used, we are really glad to finally be back in Manchester, I hope everyone is excited as I am” say Bert.

He continues “You could have been anywhere tonight, but you’re here, we love you”, to which my ears blow to the mass sound of “Woooooo”. “How many of you have been hardcore fans since the very start?” says Bert as the next song is the absolute classic ‘I Caught Fire’. The crowd belt along to the chorus.

Clapping intensifies for ‘The Taste of Ink‘ shortly followed by ‘All That I’veGot’. It’s crazy just how many The Used songs everyone knows off by heart, this is demonstrated without doubt by the crowd as they sing along to ‘Burry myself Alive’ and ‘Revolution’.

The post Live Review: The Used, Decade, and Landscapes appeared first on RAMzine.